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Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 775, 11 February 1871, Page 2

The recent Buller election has not been without its incidents, serious and comicA good anecdote is related how the staunch supporter and intended scrutineer of one of the candidates was effectually hocusssd the day previous to the election, and continued in a state of forgetfulne3S of the vast trust reposed in him until the hour had passed for tendering his favored candidate any assistance. In another instance the warm adherent of one of the contesting candidates was effectually checkmated by his brother, who in proof of the strength of the fraternal tie, took advantage of his slumbers to abstract the only qualification under which ho might have yoted—his miner's right. At Brighton, however, the rival sentiments of the electors found vent in a form more objectionable. Some of Mr Donne's supporters, it appeared, had swung a banner of white calico with a red and blue border, across the main thoroughfare, bearing the inscription, "Vote for Donne." This gave umbrage to some who favored Mr O' Conor, and the result was that the banner was torn down and destroyed, while some of Mr Donne's partizans were assaulted, doubtless, in their efforts to resist the destruction of their flag. 'So far as we have learnt, no serious personal injury has taken place, but the aggrieved parties have issued seventeen summonses, which will be heard at Brighton *o-day. Mr J. Bickerton Fisher proceeded from here to Brighton yesterday, having been retained by the various complainants. An unsuccessful attempt was made on Wednesday by the men in the employ of the Harbor-Master to blow up a large snag that has impeded the entrance to the river at the bar for the past two years and a half. The men, acting under the superintendence of Captain Leech, fixed a box containing a 1001b charge of powder, under the snag, and the fuses were ignited, but did not explode the powder. It was attempted the next morning to recover the box, to ascertain the cause of the failure, but the men had to desist their efforts, owing to the heavy surf. It may be added that a similar box was used with perfect success about twelve months ago. The attempt will be renewed at the first favorable opportunity. By a notice in another column it will be seen that divine service will take place at the Eomsn Catholic Chapel, Westport, on Sunday next.

The Hospital Committee held its monthly meeting at the Court House on Tuesday evening, at which nearly all the members were present. The Treasurer acknowledged subscriptions from James Milne of £l, and from H. Pain, of 30s. He also reported that the subscriptions for the year, to date, amounted to £340 Is 3d ; that .£3OO had been received from the Government, as subsidy, and that the institution would only require the additional amount of £4O from the public during the currency of the financial year, ending in June, to provide for its maintenance until that time. The average cost of maintaining the Hospital for the past five months amounted to nearly £IOO per month. The Medical Officer's report was read, showing that seven patients were in the Hospital at the end of January, that there were nine out-patients, several of whom had been attended at their private dwellings. Mr Munro moved that the thanks of the Committee be accorded to those who assisted at the Amateur performance, in December, in aid of the funds, which were increased, with the subsidy, over £9O, through the result of the entertainment. Mr Munro resigned his office of secretaryship and also as member of the Committee, and a vote of thanks. for his past services, and expression of regret at the resignation, on the part of the members was recorded. Messrs Pjwell, Humphrey, and Reid were appointed a Visiting Committee for the month of February. It will be noticed by our advertising columns that Mr Malcolm Stevenson has opened a receiving store at the Landing, Inangahua, for goods in transitu to the reefs in that district.

In the Warden's Court, yesterday, several applications for dams, races, &c, were disposed of. In the only case before the Court, C'onnell v. M'Merryn, the complainant obtained judgment for<£2 10s for wages. The number of patients under treatment in the Nelßon Hospital during the month of January was 52, and 223 persons, including out-patients, Asylum, Gaol, &c, received medicine or medical attendance gratuitously during the month.

Two destitute children—a boy and girl—aged seven to eight years, belonging to a man, named De Loree, were taken in charge by the police yesterday. The boy, we believe, has been without shelter for some time, sleeping under houses at night, and obtaining a bare subsistence in the best manner he could, while the girl has been subjected to the crudest treatment by an unworthy step-mother. We understand that De Loree, who is supposed to havepro-

ceeded south, will bo communicated with, and, if necessary, steps taken to enforce from him suitable provision for the maintenance of the children referred to.

Yesterday evening the bachelors of Charleston gave a ball at the Literary Institute instead a of pic-nic an originally intended.

Complaints are daily reaching us of the disgraceful state of the track between Addison's Flat and this town, and we fear that the late rains will make it almost impassable. One complainant wants to know whether the old adage—" a stitch in time " would not act as a useful reminder to the powers that be in this case.

We understand that tho petitions for the establishment of a mail service between Westport and the Inangahua, signed by residents of the latter district, were, some time ago, forwarded to the PostmasterGeneral, and enquiries are being set afoot to ascertain the probable cost of such a service. At least a weekly service each way will bo required, and, as soon as it has been decided upon, tenders, no doubt, will be called for the carrying out of the service. The extension of the Westport and Orawaiti tramway, from Bright-street to Gladstone-street, is being quickly proceeded with. Tho sleepers and rails are already laid to Kennedy-street, and the remainder of the line will be completed in a few days. Mr Donne, Goldfields' Representative, will proceed to Nelson by the steamer Charles Edward to attend a meeting of the Provincial Executive.

Mr Dobson, District Engineer, is expected from Greymouth by first steamer, when probably something will be decided upon with respect to the tenders for the Charleston and Addison's Road.

Tuesday next is St. Valentine's day, and already our local bookseller has decorated his windows with comic and sentimental epistles suitable for the occasion.

On Tuesday evening next the members of tho Westport Volunteer Fire Brigade purpose holding a ball, at the Masonic Hall, to celebrate the inauguration of their body, to augment the funds, and to off or to the people of Westport an opportunity of meeting together in a friendly, familiar way. The number of tickets already sold, and the cordial support so popular an institution is certain to command, justify the prediction that the ball will be an unmitigated success.

A boat of similar dimensions and draught of water to the one completed early in January, was turned out of the work-shop of Messrs Efcavanaux and Company yesterday. She is built on the diagonal principle, and will be employed in the Lyell and Inangahua trade. A telegraph station was opened yesterday, at Ashburton, in the Province of Canterbury. A sitting of the Warden's Court will take place at Christy's, Inangahua, on Tuesday. There being no reference to the arrival of his Excellency at Hokitika in our telegrams of yesterday, the bad weather, we presume, must have interfered with his visit so early as was expected. He was to have arrived in H.M.S. Clio on Tuesday last. A very rich sample of stone, taken from the various claim? at Anderson's reef, was brought to town by Dr Rockstrow. On the stone being broken into minute fragments, gold was visible on almost every piece, indicating that the claims must be of very exceptional richness. The sample has been submitted to one of the local banks, in order to ascertain the value of the quartz, and, on learning the particulars, we shall place them bjfore our readers. A correspondent, whose letter appears in another column, calls attention to the dangerous state of the Orawaiti Bridge. We believe it is not the intention of the Government to effect other repairs than such as are absolutely urgent, until the Council is called together in April next. A cordial manufacturer (Mr Gledhill) of Auckland, has added another branch to his establishment in the shape of an ice manufacturing machine, at a cost of over .£IOOO. The speculation promises to be a success.

Dr Hector has estimated the meteor that was visible in many portions of New Zealand, a month ago, to have been fifty-tive miles distant from the earth, at the time of the explosion.

The Auckland Regatta took place on January 30th, being the 31st anniversary of the Colony. There were eleven races, which were well contested ; the amount of money given in prizes being ±'l79, and 38 guineas worth of plate. A beautiful silver cup, valued at .£25, presented by Messrs Shaw, Savill and Co., of London, was won by the cutter Nautilus, 29 tons, Hooper. On the same day, nine swimming and diving matches came off at the Auckland salt water baths, when about .£lO were distributed in prizes. Fish-preserving is likely to become anew industry at Akaroa, Canterbury. The " Herald's " telegram, dated Alexandra, January 27th, say that Tawhaio has been dethroned, and his son made King. Rewi has gone to Taupo, with 150 men, to close telegraph, roads, &c. Referring to Provincialism in Wellington, the " Advertiser" says:—" Poor Provincialisnar! Iti supporters in Wellington have been consoling themselves with the idea that the absence of Dr Featherston wa3 the cause of its decadence, and that his return would be the signal for a brilliant revival. How they must weep over the downfall of their hopes. What a state of flutter and consternation they are in. It would be amusing were not their woe almost tragic. Among the old Provincialist party, there is none able to take the lead now. They have so long been accustomed to look up to the Doctor, and to recognise in him a ruling spirit, that the fact of his removal to another sphere of usefulness is to them a glimpse of utter annihilation."