The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1870.

Westport Times, Volume IV, Issue 733, 5 November 1870, Page 2

The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1870.

His Honor the Superintendent, accompanied by the Rev. W. D. R. Lewis, senting the Westport Education Committee., visited the local schools on Thursday after-

noon.

His Honor spent nearly two hours in examining the several classes in reading, spelling, writings, history, and arithmetic. After the examination the Superintendent addressed the children (76" in number), and gave them Rome good sound advice touching thtir duties in and out of the school, particularly pointing'out to them the importance of being punctual in their attendance, and of paying strict attention to the wishes and rules of the teacher. Harry Field, on behalf of his schoolfellows, asked his lienor, in a nicely written letter, to obtain a holiday for them in commemoration of his visit. 1 he Rev. \V. Lewis said he would confer with two other members of the Committee, and he had no doubt they would bo pleased to gratify the wishes of the children. Throe cheers were then given for the Superintendent, and the children were dismissed. His Honor made the following entry in the visitors' book: —"November 3. —Both upper and lower classes read and spell fairly, and answer questions, especially the upper class, in history intelligently. In the writing 30'ne improvement is desirable. The children under the charge of Mrs Fraser read exceedingly well for their ages.— Oswald Curtis, Superintendent." A.t Charleston, a meeting was hold on Thursday evening, to consider the steps to be taken in meeting his Honor the Superintendent. About thirty townspeople were presont,andMrT.G. Macarthy occupied the chair. The following resolutions wertf carried:—l. That a deputation, consisting of Messrs Macarthy, Jackson, Jones, Noahs, Henderson, Dwan, M-Beath, and Liddle wait on his Honor and the Executive, to lay before them the requirements of the district, and to request an explanation of the reason that the votes, parsed at two consecutive sittings of the Council, had not been expended and the works performed. 2. That iles*rß Collingg and Masters form a sub-committee to urge the necessity of a road being formed between Charleston and Addison's Flat. :;. That Messrs Collings a-id Hunter ascertain tbe views of the Government with respect to the Kale of the town allotment** of Charleston. It waa also decided to direct his Honor's attention to the necessity Of fencing the cemetery, and to the great want of suitable linos for the port. IXhe advantages of Charleston, as a suitable locality to participate in the funds available under the General Government financial scheme, of the last session, were also to be laid before the Superintendent and Executive. Tho practicability of placing Charleston in communication with tho Inangahua district is at present under consideration by our neighbours, and in believed to be feasible. There is said to bo a naturally easy line of country intervening, and the blazing of a track would offer a short means of coinmcnication with the roofing

di.triets, and, it is reasonably believed, would also open up a large tract of auriferous country, for the purpose of prospect-

In the case of M-vrks and Puerst v. Hayman, brought before the Court at Hokitika, and adjourned to Greyinouth, for the production of necessary doeumeuts, the petitioners Bought that the debtor bo adjudicated a bankrupt. The ca3o was urgued, Mr Harvey appearing for the petitioners, and Mr Pitt for the defendant. The Court discharged tho petition with costs, and the debtor was ordered to ba released from custody. A battery, consisting of a single stamper of 400 lbs and washing table have been temporarily placed on the river-bank by Mr M'Lcod, for the purpose of crushing tho sample brought down from the reefs. The stamper is worked by hand, and, although a slow process, is nevertheless a considerable improvement upon the system of pounding in an ordiuary mortar, which has been hitherto the custom. His Honor the Superintendent, accompanied by Messrs Shephard and Donne, proceeded to Charleston, by coach, yestorday morning. His Honor Mr Justice Ward arrived by the steamer Kennedy yesterday evenhig, and will hold a sitting of the District Court, at Charleston on the Bth, and at Westport on the 15th inst. As stated at the previous sitting, the Court will open each day at 10 a.m. Mr Barnes, of the Survey Department, returned to Westport from the Lyell, yesterday evening. Ho reports tho letting of the contract for the construction of the track, between the Lyell township and the Maori Bar, to Eumondson and party, at £1 7s per chain. The track i 3 about a mile in length. In consequence of heavy rains and their effect upon the course, the race for the Melbourne Cup has been postponed. The V.K.C. Derby will be run to-day, and the Cup on the 10th inst.