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Westport Times, Volume IV, Issue 740, 22 November 1870, Page 2

The up-river roads are now getting into good condition in consequence of the continued dry weather, and the creeks have run very low. Numbers continue to arrive at the Murray Beef, chiefly from the Grey district, and the population now reaches three to four hundred. The arrivals from Wes-tport are limited. Mr Matthews,has completed an accommodation house three miles above Christy's on the Lyell road, and on Saturday last celebrated its opening by a free ball and supper which was numerously attended. At the" Lyell a small lot of cattle and horses arrived overland from Nelson on Saturday morning in charge of Mr O'Malley. The lot were put across the Buller in a couple of hours by the ferryman Joseph Sullivan, and were landed without casualty, although the crossing at this point is very "difficult and.dangerous, owing to the falls and the rapidity of the current. Sorhe of the horses were very valuable, having cost as much ;w ,£3> each in Nelson. An interesting" race took .place bqtween jfche>Kennedy and the Murray from WestP'b to Nelson. Both- vessels crossed the ■with the 'sam¥ tide,' on the ■Murray getting a few minutes' start of her opponent. The- former vessel arrived at frelsori'three-quarters of an hour in advance of theKonnady.

The Thistle Lodge of Westport purpose celebrating the anniversary of the local branch of the order by a banquet, to take place on St Andrew's Day.

A meeting of theEace and Sports Committee will beheld atLempfert'sHotel this afternoon at five o'clock, for the purpose-of determining upon the disposal of the Grand Stand' and for the transaction of other business. The newly appointed stewards are especially requested to attend. His Honor the Superintendent and Mr Shephard, Provincial Treasurer, were passengers by the Kennedy for Nelson. It is notified by advertisement that the right of erecting booths at the forthcoming races, will be disposed of at auction by Messrs Robertson and Co., on Saturday next.

Several of the planks on the Orawaiti Bridge are so loose and broken that horsemen and others ought to be careful in crossing, and the District Engineer's attention should be directed to its repair. Yesterday afternoon, Mr Jones's horse put his foot through one of the planks, giving Mr Jones a very awkward and severe fall. Both rider and horse came to the ground, narrowly escaping broken limbs. The criminal sitting of the Supremo Court, at Nelson, commenced yesterday. There are five prisoners awaiting trial, namely;—F. Harris, for larceny and forgery; Mrs Needham, for uttering a forged cheque; Mrs Carroll, for attempted suicide; Burke, for assault; Lynde, for embezzlement. The only three civil cases down for trial, are Sargood and others v. M'lntosh ; Bank of New Zealand v. Redwood and others, executors of H. Godfrey, and Cullen v. Gaby and others. An interesting paper has been furnished to the Wellington Philosophical Society on the tutu plant by Mr Hughes, of Westport, being the result of the prosecution of the search after properties of the plant, commenced first by Sir Skey. An important result of the observations was the discovery that lime-water is an infallible antidote to the poison of the plant, and also that the juice of the plant can be largely used in dyeing, as it yields several brilliant colors that will fix themselves readily in cloth or yarn.

The charge against Mr Maddock, solicitor, has been withdrawn, and Gleeson the prosecutor, is now charged with malicious prosecution.

Heller opened at the City Hall, Auckland, on the 3rd inst. to a crowded house. The debate on Mr Busby's claim for .£23,000 has been resumed in'the Auckland Provincial Council. Mr Phillips proposed an amendment—"That this Council admits the advisability of settling the Busby award, but considers it ought to have been consulted before the settlement was concluded." The amendment was carried by a majority of two, and thus, after thirty years' perseverance, Mr Busby's claim will be settled. The Government accepted the amendment, and there will therefore be no alteration in the Executive.

The result of the last crushing of the Perseverance Gold Mining Company was 102oz 6dwts of gold to 164 tons of stone. Dr Hector, Colonel Haultain, and J. Kebbell, Esq., are appointed Commissioners to carry out the resolutions of the House of Representatives, to ascertain the value of 'phormium tenax,' and the purposes to which it can be applied. On the 12th inst., the day following the is.tiv.OT at •oiir'BLoiiurcn, mure was xne customary sale of thoroughbreds at the Horse Repository. Mr Redwood bought back his old mare Ladybird, with a foal by Malton, for 100 guineas. Mr Stafford's chesnut gelding Mariner', brought £36, but he refused a bid of .£l4O for Lacenfeed. Mr Redwood offered the whole of his horses for sale, but the bids did not come up to his price, although .£SOO was offered for Peeress. Mr Steedholne sold Wide-awake for £SO, and Thornie for .£29. Mr Webb sold Flying Fish, a filly by Malton, for £lO5, and Swindle, a filly by the same horsft out of Revoke, for .£95. Mr Redwood announced his intention of holding annual sales of yearlings in Christchurch.