The Westport Times. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2O, 1870.

Westport Times, Volume IV, Issue 713, 20 September 1870, Page 2

The Westport Times. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 1870.

Business people and others complain, not unreasonably, of the delay in paying accounts for Provincial Government services. It has been customary hitherto to settle on the first of the month, but owing to some financial changes the day has been altered. In what that alteration consists, none, but the Warden who now acts as paymaster, know, and the consequence is thatthe numerous creditors of the Government have' to dance attendance daily at the offices for the purpose of obtaining a settlement. The loss of time and inconvenience thus entailed upon the public are simply scandalous. If for the purpose of proper investigation of the accounts more time is required previous to payment, the Government should at least have the courtesy to acquaint the public with the proposed change, and fix a time for the monthly settlement of accounts.

A meeting of Germans, resident in the T3uller district, was held at the Prince of Wales Hotel on Sunday afternoon for the purpose of organizing an Aid Society to assist the widows and orphans of the slain. About a dozen were present on the occasion referred to, among whom were delegates forwarded from the various terraces. The sum of .£l6 lGs was collected at the meeting. Subscriptions will be made And a fund, amounting to about £6O is expected to be raised in this district—a very creditable contribution, when we consider that the German nation, in point of numbers, is but weakly represented in this district.

The fire-engine for the Westport Volun•leer Fire Brigade was shipped, by Messrs Shand, Mason and Co., to Melbourne, per British Envoy which left England on July Ist, and is consequently now nearly due in Victoria. The cost of the engine and .appliances will be about £2OO, landed in Westport. The engine is constructed to be worked by 22 men, and together with the fittings is described in the invoice as follows : —" The engioe is fitted with metallic valves, two •gun-metal cylinders and pistons of Clinch diameter and Binch stroke, a strong copper spherical air-vessel and an improved suction air-vessel. The works are fixed in a strong oak cistern with side pockets for suction and branch-pipes, and a mahogany box for hose implements. The works are constructed to draw water either from a cistern or through a suction pipe, and will deliver the same from either or simultaneously both sides of the engine. The forelocking carriage is of wrought iron with pole and swing bars for horses and a drag-handle for men. Subjoined is a copy of the invoice : Fire engine £llO 0 0 Extra patent axles 5 0 0 31$ feet leather auction pipes 9 16 10 6 pair coupling screws ... 410 0 4-40 ft. leather hose and coupling screws 26 16 0 1 pair lamps 2 15 0 12 helmets 8 14 0 Packing and shipping charges 11 6 6 £l7B 18 4 Less cash and discount ... 158 7 4 Balance due £ 20 11 The above balance of £2O lis together with fre'ght and charges to Melbourne and from that port here will bring the cost to the sum previously stated.

The Odd-Feliows iu connection with the Woatport branch of the Order will celebrate the third anniversary of the formation of the Lodge by a ball and supper, to be held at the Empire Hotel this evening. Every preparation has been made for the convenience of the large number of guests who will assemble to do honor to the occasion this evening, and no effort has been spared, either by the Committee or the caterers, to render the preparations as perfect and complete as possible. The meritorious character of the institution of Odd-felloT/ship has deservedly secured for it a large measure of popularity, and their annual festivities have not only been numerously attended by members of the Order but also by the outside public who willingly appreciate the effort to organise one yearly festival in whijh all cla3ses may join in deriving enjoyment. Aa in previous years the entertainment is likely to prove an unqualified success ; the weather promises to be all that could be desired—the only item in the programme that might have been wanting to contribute to the unmixed enjoyment of the occasion. In the Resident Magistrate's Court, on Monday last, Mrs Fry was brought before the Bench charged with the use of obscene and abusive language on the Bth instant. The charge was fully proved, and the prisoner was sentenced to three months' imprisonment with hard labor. The sentence will be completed in the gaol at Nelson, where she will be forwarded by the first steamer.

One thousand tons of the four thousand to be deposited in the river-bed have been already brought down, and the remaining portion will be delivered at the rate of nearly 500 tons weekly. On the 12th inst. the second barge was worked for the first time, and is found to answer the purpose admirably ; her carrying capacity exceeds by several tons the first barge constructed, while being built of well seasoned wood, she is also worked with greater facility. The contractor is using every exertion, after vexatious delays, to get the work completed within the contract time, and to effect that purpose extra hands have been employed.

The meeting of the Westport Jockey Club, announced to take place at the Post Office Hotel on Saturday evening, was adjourned until Thursday evening next, in consequence of the absence of the Treasurer and Secretary. The Christy Minstrels, after a series of successful entertainments in Hokitika and Greymouth, will again visit Westport for one night only. An entertainment is announced for to-morrow evening at the Masonic Hall, and, as it will be the last opportunity for some time at least that the public will have of witnessing this superior company, they cannot fail to have a large attendance.

The dispute with respect to the right to take water from the Deep Creek, Charleston, has been finally settled by an amicable arrangement between the disputants, Hunter and party and Haines and party. The conditions are that the latter construct a reservoir at the lower basin for the use of Hunter and party, who undertake to cease from litigation in upholding the superiority of their prior right. The unfortunate man, William Beattie, who was recently injured at the Lyell, rendering amputation of the leg necessary, expired at the Hospital yesterday afternoon at 2 o'clock, Prom the outset the Medical Officer entertained no hope of the deceased's recovery. Yesterday a man, also named William Beattie, was admitted to the institution, suffering from injuries received at the Wareatea Flax-inills. The injured man was oiling the machine when his clothes became entangled in the cog-wheel, and he was much lacerated about the chest before those present succeeded in extricating him.

Workmen on the Dunedin and Port Chalmers Railway have struck for 8s a-day. The contractor offers 7s, which has been refused.

A branch of the Hibernian Society has been opened at Grahamstown, and 50 members elected. The following officers were appointed :—President, Peter Griffin; VicePresident, W. J. Mooney; Secretary, W. M'Goldriek; Treasurer, J. O'Hea; Warden, E. Twohill; Guardian, J. G. Quinn; Trustees, E. Twohill, P. Griffin, and Patrick Burke.

A private telegram to hand, yesterday, gives the result of the racing at Greymouth between P. Twohill and Howe. The two first events were won easily by Twohill, and he walked over for the third.