The Westport Times. AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1870.

Westport Times, Volume IV, Issue 748, 10 December 1870, Page 2

The Westport Times. AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1870.

A gazette of the sth inst.. contains a notification of various alterations in the mining regulations. Certan clauses are repealed, and othors are substituted. For general information the Government will publish the amendments in the next issue of the Westport Times. Mr J. Bickerton Fisher haa notified his inability to act as Judge at the coming raees, as he anticipates being absent during the holidays. Mr Dobson has consented to act in that capacity. We understand that Wardens Giles, C. Broad, and L. Broad, held a confercxt3e yesterday, having for its object certain amendments in the mining regulations. The result has not been notified. A series of losses have recently been inflicted upon somo of the drapery establishments! in Westport and Charleston, which require investigation; A small case, cjn«gnod to Mo -.srs . Graves and Fleming,

arrived by the Charles Edward, and was supposed to contain two pieces of black silk of the valuo of 4-30. On opening the case the silks weiefoundtohave been abstracted! and their place supplied with straw and lead. This is the second loss this firm has suffered on goods transhipped from the Melbourne steamers. Messrs Thomas and M'Beath, of Charleston, have also incurred similar losses. The thief in this instance was evidently a skilful one, as the canvas wrapper in which the case was enveloped was sewn as neatly as if done by the original packer. The fact of the goods having been shipped under bond from Melbourne, and the irregularities being confined to goods received via Nelson, would justify a belief that the packages had been tampered with at that port, The news published in the form of an extra on Thursday was taken from the " Nelson Colonist," and purports to be one day's latter intelligence received via Auckland. The additional telegrams published are from the Melbourne " Argus,'' and include many items not contained in the telegraphic summary furnished on the arrival of the steamer Eangitoto at Hokitika.

, The Westport and Orawaiti Tramway will be completed to Atkinson's Hotel this evening.

Mr Dobson, District engineer, arrived in Westport from Grreymouth on Thursday evening having left there the same morning. Wo learn from him that a protective work will be immediately commenced between Gladstone street and Kennedystreet. The work will be carried out into the river in a line with the wharf, and will consist of a crate resting upon a foundation of boulders. Tenders are called for in another column for the execution of the contract.

In the R.M. Court, yesterday, there were two civil -cases called on, in which neither plaintiffs nor defendants appeared. The application of William Bentley for the renewal of an accommodation license, at the Ohika, was refused, his Worship stating that the accommodation was complained of, and that the boat at present used at the ferry was an unsafe one. A license would not be granted until suitable boat accommodation had been placed at the crossing, which was very dangerous. The •application of John Harris for an extension of license until 12 o'clock, for the National Hotel, Westport, was granted.

There was a large gathering of people assembled on the wharf on -Thursday to witness the landing of the thorougbreds ex Murray from Nelson, which have arrived to compete at the ensuing races. The three horses—Mistletoe. Quicksilver and Gamester—were landed safely and were taken to their . quarters. By the steamer Wallabi we notice the arrival of a fine bay horse, Gustavus Adolphus, the property of Mr Seaton.

At the meeting of the Volunteer Fire Brigade, held at the Empire Hotel on Wednesday evening, the subject of a site for an engine-house was discussed, and- it was finally resolved that it be erected on the Camp Reserve. A sub-committee, consisting of Captain Hughs, Messrs Bailie and Lloyd, were appointed to arrange for a suitable site on the Reserve. We understand that the Committee have made enquiry and that the enginehouse will be erected between the Telegraph and Survey offices. We notice the arrival of Mr Tabuteau, son of the collector of Customs at Napier, who has been appointed to the office in the Westport Postal Department, recently filled by Mr Frazer. Tho public will learn with pleasure that the latter gentleman, who by his courtesy and civility secured general esteem during his residence in Westport, has been promoted to Dunedin.

Mr Lewis, accompanied by other members of the Survey Department, left town for tho Inangahua yesterday. They will complete the survey of the-various claims in which the boundaries are disputed, and on their return will furnish the necessary particulars for the proposed line of road between the Landing and the reefs. We are requested by Mr Poole, house steward of the Westport Hospital, to acknowledge the receipt of a very acceptable contribution to the institution from Mrs Winstanley in the form of a parcel of linen. Similar donations will be thankfully received. There are seven patients at present in the Hospital, all of whom are progressing favorably. The prospectors Perry and party, who, as previously noticed, are testing the country in the neighborhood of the Little Wanganui, are still hopeful that their exertions will be ultimately rewarded. They have succeeded in obtaining a little gold, though not in quantities either .to satisfy themselves or to justify a rush. Complaints are made of the dangerous state of disrepair into which the Orawaiti Bridge has fallen. The planking in several places is broken,-and, until made good, it is impossible for horsemen to cross the bridge with safety. A skiff, uninjured, with the exception of the centre thwart being broken, has been thrown up on the Little Wanganui beach, between that locality and the Karamea. The boat is at present iu the possession of David Stephenson, and is supposed to belong to Greymouth. We are unaware that any boat has been carried from its moorings in the Buller river.

Carters and others complain of the condition of the Orowaiti road near Brown's paddock. We believe Mr Courtney undertook to caary out some trifling repairs in that locality for the convenince of traffic, and will shortly do so. Mr Lowther Broad visits the Coast on an electioneering mission, and w'e believe it is his intention to stand his candidature as member for Westland North in the General Assembly. Mr Donne will, it is said also solicit the suffrages of the electors.

The " Charleston Herald " of the 7th inst. has published a report, of the evidence in an affiliation case, which was heard at Brighton on Saturday last. The evidence, if in any way coinciding with the report, was filthy and altogeter unfit for publication ; but however lewd and disgusting the ■same may have been, it could not possibly enter into competition with the obscene ribaldry of the report, and the individual who could authorise the publication of such disgusting details must be equally impure in action, in thought and in language. The more offensive and indecent items, for the purpose of being rendered more prominent are italicized, and in the selection of the matter to be so treated the editor would appear to have, evinced an exceptional congeniality to foul and vulgar depravity. It is not likely, however, that any ordinary condemnation will affect one possessing the unblushing effrontery to publish such a report. It rests with the publio themselves to resent or approve the matter. That it willreceive their well-merited censure cannot b3 doubted; and such mark of disapprobation will be necessary in order that the stigma which has been cast upon them by that disgraceful report, may. be removed from the people of Charleston. We believe that this is an outrage without a parallel ;

aud, if especially intended as an insult, one more impudent and gross could not have been conceived. A paper is more or less regarded as an index of the social, political and material condition of a people, and they, who at a distance may chance to see the report referred to, cannot but form an unjust estimate of the Charleston people.

In a few days the arrival of Mr Kyanersley is looked for. lie purposes laying before the constituency an account of his stewardship as our representative in the House, but it is not thought that he will again go before the electors of Westland North in the light of a claimant for representative honors. If election gossip bo correct, this gentleman has been requested to come forward for Picton.

It is high time that the Race-stewards were getting everything in order for the Christmas meeting. The course, after the heavy rains at the commencement of the week, will require draining and put in g into proper condition ; hurdles must be procured and other preliminaries arranged. The Committee should also make an effort to collect the balance of the outstanding subscriptions. The tea meeting held at the Methodist FreeChureh, Charleston, in aidof the Church fund was very successful. About 200 ladies and gentlemen were present. Speeches appropriate to the occasion were delivered, and the evening's entertainment was augmented by music and recitations. The tables were very tastefully decorated, and the appointments generally di.l much credit to the caterers, Messrs Hatch and Sarglaon. Our Charleston correspondent reports a deep channel at the usual fording-place of the Totara river. Quicksands are also numerous at the mouth of the stream.

In alluding to the Almanac for 1871, published in Westport, the " West Coast Times" says:—"We have received from Mr G. H. Moss, bookseller, Revell-street, a copy of ' The West Coast Almanac for 1871,' of which he is the publisher. The almanac is one of the most admirably compiled issues of the kind that we have yet seen produced on the Coast. Besides the usual calendar there are 150 pages of mining, mercantile, and other information, besides any number of tables, "useful hints," and such items as constitute tnat valuable volume " Inquire Within." The paper and letter-press are in keeping with the excellence of the production otherwise. The printing and preparation of the work were done by Reid and Co., of Westport, but the contents are apparently made applicable to general use on the West Coast, or in similar mining districts." Banking facilities for transactions between New Zealand and foreign countries are, and have been for some time past, offered by the Bank of New Zealand. We observe that institution advertises in the Auckland and other papers that drafts of the Bank can be made payable at its agencies in California, Honolulu, Canada, New York, Mexico, Peru, Columbia, India, China, and Japan. It is also notified that American specie is exchangeable at the bank.

The "Examiner" gives the following account of the storm of Monday last, as experienced in Nelson: "On Monday forenoon the weather began to wear a more threatening aspect, and squalls of wind and rain, accompanied by thunder and lightning, visited us at intervals. About midnight it grew worse, and as yesterday morning wore on the storm increased until it blew exceedingly heavy, the rain coming down in perfect sheets of water. The lightning and thunder also increased, and for a couple of hours the storm was one of the most severe we ever witnessed, after which the weather gradully cleared. During the height of the storm the rainfall was greater than ever was recorded in Nelson for the same time. The total quantity that fell in the twenty-four hours was 2-30 inches, but the greater part must have fallen within the space of two or three hours. Two fine willow trees, at the residence of Mr Cross, at the Port, -were struck by lightening, and split in twain, the leaves being all shrivelled up. We have heard of no other damage which the storm inflicted.

Mrs Knyvett's run, on the north bank of the Rakaia, Canterbury, has been sold for ,£9OOO, the value for that being 9000 sheep, and 18,000 acres of run, without any improvements except fencing.

A Chinaman living in Tuapeka is prepared to grow the tea tree, and make a marketable commodity of it, if any encouragement is given to him by the Government or any capitalist. He 'believes the Dunstan climate and soil well suited for the cultivation of the tea tree. The introduction of such an industry into Otago (says a local paper) is worthy the consideration of the Government.

The Duke of Edinburgh is expected to arrive in Auckland next month. The " Pioneer" says: H.R.H. sails for England, calling by the way at the Falkland Islands or Monte Video. H.R.H. no longer commands the Galatea. The beautiful ship is flying the flag of Commodore Stirling, the Duke of Edinburgh being condemned (for after the Galatea any change is for the worse) to the Clio, a vessel with only half the good looks and two-thirds of the good qualities of the Galatea."

A rush is reported in Marlborough. The "Press" of the Ist inst. says:—"There is a report of a rush to the Kaituna Valley. Two men are known to have sold 22 ounces of gold in Blenheim. They are supposed to be working in one of the gorges, but the precise locality is not known. There are several parties out in search of them. At Rock Ferry, one party is doing well. As they descend the gully the sinking becomes deeper. There are several shafts going down, and hopes are entertained of them. At Bntland Reef, they are going to commence operations next week to fetch in a water-rac •, -which is necessary for the working of machinery shortly expected. Dr Tatton, of Nelson, showed some stone which he had tested from different portions and depths of the reef, and the result was very satisfactory."

The machinery for the Waimea Quartz Crushing Company was landed from the steamer Phoebe at Nelson on Tuesday last. The " Wanganui Chronicle " says:—" It is reported among the natives—we know not with what truth—that Topia has been appointed a sort of Secret Native Government Agent witlfc a salary of .£2OO a year. Major Kemp feels annoyed that he should have been passed by in any such appointment, conceiving that his services give him a much stronger claim upon the Government than any that Topia has rendered." The telegraph line has been advanced from Napier to Roturoa, between which places communication is now open. The report of the Otago Commissioners on retrenchment has been printed. It recommends a reduction of salaries in tho various departments of theservice, amounting to .£4BOO a year. The following items of information ate gathered from a party returned from Greymouth. The election of members to serve in the County Council was to have taken

place on Thursday, but it was feared would have to be postponed owing to the nonarrival of the authorised stamps to be used in marking the voting papers. Messrs Kilgour, Guinness, Lahman and Payne are the contending candidates ; with the probability of Messrs Kilgour and Guinness being returned. Mr Kilgour is stated to be a staunch supporter of Mr Hoos, and that he is pledged to support his re-election as County Chairman. A sum of about £IO,OOO is said to have been recently paid into tho County Treasury by the Canterbury Government, as a settlement of certain re-adjustments of accounts between that Province and the County of Westland. At the New Creek diggings between No Town and Red Jack's, where a nugget weighing 5 lbs. has been recently discovered, the workings are progressing satisfactorily. About 150 men are on the ground.

The action of the Resident Magistrate of Invercargill, in committing three halfcaste youths charged with rape, to the Industrial school for two years, has been brought under the notice of the Colonial Secretary by his Honor the Superintendent, and the Resident Magistrate has been called on for an explanation. The Chinese question continues to occupy attention in the mining districts of Otago. The " Dunstan Times " urges that fair play should be accorded them, and that no special taxes should be imposed upon them, as Mr Shepherd suggested. The Southland " Times " also takes up John's cause. We may mention here that the Queenstown journal states that " Chinese gambling has taken flourishing root " there.