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Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 773, 7 February 1871, Page 2

It is our painful task to record the death of Mr John Leece, who was accidentally drowned while bathing in the surf at the North Beach, Westport, yesterday morning. The circumstances attending this tragic incident are detailed in the report of the inquest held on the body of the deceased yesterday afternoon, when the jury found a verdict of accidentally drowned. It appears that Mr Leece had been in the habit of bathing in the surf regularly for some weeks past, and had attained a moderate degree of proficiency as a learner in the art of swimming. Yesterday, however, he ventured a task beyond his strength, and when already exhausted, was evidently suffocated by rollers bursting over him in quick succession. He was then swept away by the current when within a few feet of securing a foothold, and, when his body was recovered ten minutes later, life was found to be extinct. The melancholy circumstance has spread quite a gloom both in Westport and Charleston, where the deceased was deservedly esteemed, and enjoyed a very wide circle of acquaintance. In the latter district he was for a long time engaged mining on Argyle Terrace. We understand that it is the intention of the local lodge of Oddfellows, of which order the deceased was a member, to attend the funeral which takes place to-morrow at 2.30 p.m. Mr and Mrs Collins gave their first entertainment in the Masonic Hall, yesterday evening. There was a good house, and the various performances were well received, every one appearing highly delighted with the programme. There will be a second performance this evening, when wo trust these talented artistes will receive the support they so well deserve. The license of the Alpine Hotel was transferred on Friday last from Joseph Parer to John Barnes M'Connell, not to Eugene J. O'Conor as stated in error. A private letter received in town this week from the Thames, contains the following paragraph, which may be read with interest by some of Mr Berry's friends:— " Mr C. D. Berry, lately a resident of the Buller, took up a claim only the other day, which he called the " Cock-a-Doodle" claim. On Friday last they took out the finest specimen that has come from this field since it has been opened. It was a large specimen of stone, as much as a barrow would hold, and was completely covered with gold. Fortunately for him, he has two shares in the claim." The writer goes on to say that Mr Berry has been offered a thousand pounds for his interest. The claim is only four men's ground, and next to the " Yankee Doodle," in the Tararu Creek. The anniversary of the Province was celebrated in the city of Nelson by processions, sports, and an Oddfellows' and Foresters' dinner. Baker, who recently reported the discovery of a large goldfield at the Little Grey Saddle, has been brought before the Bench at the Ahaura, and sentenced to six months' imprisonment with hard labor as a rogue and vagabond. An hotel-keeper in the locality of the alleged rush is stated

by the '* Greyruouth Star" to have beeu instrumental iu forging the canard. Mr G. Donne, Goldfields' Representative, arrived from Charleston yesterday evening, for the purpose of opening the tenders for the construction of the Westport and Charleston road, via Addison's. They will be opened this morning.

The occurrence within a week of three destructive fires in Auckland, and each believed to be the work of an incendiary, may well create alarm. First, the ship Auckland, lying alongside the wharf, with the greater portion of her cargo on board, is discovered on fire on the morning of the 24th ultimo, which caused, it is estimated, a loss of property of the value of £24,000. Two days afterwards, a kerosene store, containing 12,000 cases of that inflammable article, was found to be on fire, which caused a loss of ill,500; and, on the following day, the Choral Society's Hail was destroyed, causing a further loss of .£ISOO. These repeated fires, all bearing a highly suspicious aspect, have induced the Government to offer a reward of ,£SOO for the discovery of the incendiaries, and has led to the swearing-in of special constables to guard the principal buildings of the city. The "Grey River Argus" is indebted to the courtesy of G. W. Moss, Esq., Secretary of the Murray Creek Cement Gold Mining Company for the perusal of a report from the working manager. From it we hear that the men have cut through the bottom of the face of the tunnel, and have commenced to drive a lead. Prospects from the deep ground have been tried, and they promise very well; the manager estimating that from half a dozen prospects he tried from the tunnel, the ground would average from three to four grains to the dish of dirt. It is also stated as an important indication that after washing off, the dirt that came from the dish was pounded in a mortar, and gave a similar result—about two grains to the dish. A very serious bush fire occurred on the 25th ultimo, which threatened to destroy huts, Qumiug, and other works, but after great eft they were saved. The oldest y(igger does not remember such a fire.

The mail via San Francisco was in future to be despatched to New Zealand on the 15th instead of the 10th of each month. Assuming that the regulations came into force with the January mail, it will not be due at Auckland till February 18, according to the average passage made by the boats now employed in the service.

The Catholics of Dunedin are making great preparations for the reception of the new Bishop, Dr Moran. A Chinese missionary, attached, it is said, to the Presbyterian body, has commenced his labors amongst his Celestial brethren in Otago. Mr Shepherd, formerly of Greymouth, and who has just been defeated by Mr Haughton, at the recent election for the Lake district, in Otago, asserts that Mr Haughton's return was secured by improper means, and states his intention of prosecuting an appeal. A serious error was made in the directions upon the voting papers at the recent election at Caversham, Otago. There were three candidates and only one member to be elected, but the voting paper contained a direction to strike out the name of only one candidate instead of two. Mr J. G. Scott, one of the unsuccessful candidates, has protested against the validity of the election, and the matter is in the hands of the Government. It is expected that a fresh poll will have to be taken.

Bishop Viard, the Eoman Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Wellington, left England on the 30th of November, in the England, accompanied by the Revs. O'Reilly °Pressalet. Cummins, and Cypuan. An organised band of incendiaries seem to have started into existence in Auckland. They have sent letters threatening Lady Bowen, the Superintendent and his wife, and also the premises of the "Southern Cross."

The appointment, of Registrar of Deeds under the " Land Transfer Act " has been conferred upon Samuel Kiugdon, Esq., at present a member of the firm of Adams and Kiugdon, who will receive a salary of .£450 a year. Mr Shapter, of the West Coast, is said to have been appointed Examiner of Titles under the same Act, at a salary of .£325 a year. A five occurred in Auckland on the 28th ultimo, which destroyed a kerosene store containing 12,000 cases of kerosene for town supply. The value is estimated at £'lsoo, the whole of which was uninsured. A most unfortunate accident occurred a few days ago to Mr Robson, the refiner at the Band of New Zealand, Auckland. This gentleman was occupied on some work with the furnace, when a crucible, which he was holding, burst, anda quantity of fused gold ran into his boot, burning the side of his foot in a most dreadful manner.