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Westport Times, Volume IV, Issue 691, 30 July 1870, Page 2

A number of gentlemen, residents of Westport, met at the Post Office Hotel, yesterday evening for the purpose of entertaining Mr Francis Harris, who is leaving the district. Dui'ing his lengthened connection with the Provincial service Mr Harris lias gained many friends by his courtesy, while the ability and efficiency lie displayed in the execution of his duties render it matter for regret that the district and the Government should have been deprived of his services. In the Warden's Court, yesterday, Frederick Robinson complained that Matthew O'Conor and others had cut a water-race round his dam, depriving him of the drainage water, whereby he had suffered damage to the extent of i.'lo. It appeared in evidence that the defendants held no certificate of registration for the race ; that it had been abandoned by its former holder, a miner named Hussey ; and that the defendants were applying for registration of the same with Hussey's consent. The Warden gave judgment, for the plaintiff, ordering the defendants to pay £5 and costs, and to discontinue interference with the complainant's rights. A number of applications for dams, races, &c., were also disposed of. Mr Geo. Pirie, who is abjut proceeding to Wanganui, was entertained by his brethren of the Westport Lodge of Oddfellows, M.U., at the Empire Hotel, on Thursday evening, on which occasion a presentation was made him as a token of their regard. Complaints reach us that the sheriff's officers, or upon whom the duty of serving summonses devolves, both at Nelson and the Ahaura, are strangely neglectful of their duty. sTimn'[oWVas"issueo: in~tlns" Court atthe rait of James Johnstone against \V. N. Franklyn; the same being forwarded to Nelson where the defen iant was at the time. On the day of hearing, May 31st, the case was adjourned till June 3rd. On the 15th June the case came on again, and the summons was enlarged for service upon the defendant at the Ahaura, since which the case has been adjourned some four or five times, until July loth, when the summons was returned to Westport, service not having been effected. It is a matter of notoriety that the defendant is constantly at the Ahaura, practising even in the Warden's Court, so that there could bo no difficulty in serving him with a judicial notice. We trust the authorities will direct an enquiry into what appears to be gross negligence or something worse on the part of some person. A lecture was recently given at Addison's Flat, the subject being " The Earth and her Companions." The lecturer having explained that the proceeds derived from the charge for admission would be devoted to the Westport Hospital, proceeded with his subject. He dwelt at some length upon "the world we live in," as being a part of the solar system in which all were more deeply interested, and then described the sun, superior, inferior, and new planets. A short account of the comets, followed with a few remarks upon the seasons, and Mr Lush concluded with an explanation tion of the phases of the moon. At the conclusion a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the lecturer, and the company dispersed. The Warden gave judgment in the case of Hunter and party v. Haines and party at Charleston on Thursdaj'. He decided for the defendants upon both counts with £5 5s costs. The plaintiffs gave notice of appeal. The directors in the Perseverance Gold Mining Company, Collingwood, have made a call of one pound per share, payable on August Ist. The only civil case disposed of in the Resident Magistrate's Court, yesterday, was an action brought by Bull and Bond against John Hay for timber supplied in repairing a vessel. The plaintiffs obtained judgment by default. On the 14th inst. a meeting was held at the Ahaura agitating the necessity of a road between Cobden and the above locality. A resolution was also passed that the members for the district come forward and give an account of their stewardship. Mr Wilkie responded to the invitation, and vindicated himself at the expense of Mr Mackley, his co'.league. Nearly all the flax mills in Canterbury are reported to have stopped operations, in consequence of the unfavorable news received from England during the last few months. His Excellency has been pleased to accept the resignation of Edward Barff, Esq., of his appointment as Clerk of the Warden's Court at Kanieri, Westland. The Fiji Cotton Company, recently projected at Auckland, has been successfully all the shares having been taken up. The pioneer vessel of the company will shortly leave for Fiji with stores, &c. Mr Travcrs, member for Christchurcli, has announced his intention to place his resignation in the hands of the Speaker on the Ist proximo. He takes exception to an alleged scurrilous attack make upon him by the Lytlelton Times, and states that he is not inclined " to occupy any longer a public position which exposes me to such vulgar annoyances, which, at least, I shall be saved from by absolute retirement from all future interference in political matters." We are able to state that Manuka, once owned by Mr Bedwood, is in excellent condition, his legs standing the steady preparation he is undergoing without evincing any sign of weakness. Every confidence is entertained

in the horse by the stable, and if he is brought well to the post we have a strong presentiment he will win the Melbourne Cup, despite the weight imposed upon him, which we observe is complained of by the writers in the Australian sporting papers. At Paddy's Gully, No Town, not a drop of water for mining; purposes has been obtainable for a week in consequence of the severe frost. All the up-country gullies appear to be suffering for want of the necessary element. Mr Wilkie, one of the members for Grey, who has been twice rejected by the constituency and was finally returned owing to there being no opposition, addressed the electors at the Ahaura on the 17th inst. Throughout his remarks he makes reference to Mr Donne, the member for Charleston, imputing all man ner of motives to that gentleman, as also Mr Reid, the member for Buller. These groundless slanders, coming from a man whose political standing* is nil, and who, on other grounds, is by no means irreproachable, are not likely to have much weight either with those to whom they were imparted, or with the recipients of his scurrilous abuse. Thomas Hawley, charged with illegally carrying firearms, was sentenced by the Resident Magistrate at Tirnaru, on the 16th inst., to twelve months' imprisonment with hard labor. The prisoner had threatened to shoot a man named Smith, but was overpowered and his rifle, which was found to be loaded with ball, taken from him. James O'Grady, Benjamin Franklyn, and Prank Pox appeared on a warrant at Charleston, on Thursday, charged with absconding from Addison's Flat. By mutual consent the cases were taken to the civil side of the Court. It appeared in evidence that the defendants had divided ,£25 a man a few days back, and in the case of O'Grady who had £2O upon him, Mr Gallagher, the plaintiff, obtained the amount sued for £8 10s. Fox, who was sued for £22 10s stated that he had spent his money, and in default of payment, was sentenced to one month's imprisonment. Franklyn was sued for £l2 15s, and stated, on oath, that he had given £2O to a man whom he should recognise, but did not know his name. His Worship gave the defendant until the rising of the Court to state to whom he had given the money, but on being again brought up he declined to answer, and was committed to gaol for 14 days for contempt of Court, and one month's imprisonment in default of payment of the amount sued for.