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Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 781, 25 February 1871, Page 2

At the opening of tho District Court, yesterday, there were no members of the bar present;' while some of those having business at the sittings barely arrived in time to answer their name when called. Tho fact of a sitting of tno District Court taking place yesterday had not been notified in the customary manner, which will account for the apparently discourteous manner in which his Honor was received. Witnesses had to bo sent for, and even persons officially connected with the proceedings, causing interruption and delay, all of which would certainly have been averted by the usual public notification. We are glad to learn that tho Government have taken steps to repair the Orawaiti Bridge. Messrs M'Lood and Atkinson have the work in hand, and the bridge will be rendered passable by Wednesday next.

All persons interested will ploaso take notice that this and tho succeeding month foriys tho i eriod appointed by law for the registration of claims to vote. Forms may be had gratis at the office of this paper. A somewhat amusing incident, arising out of the dispute between Messrs Hooper and Dodson, the owners of tho National Hotel, and their late tenant, Mr Harris, took place on Thursday last. It appears that Mi- Harris, after giving up possession of tho hotel on Wednesday, retained a building adjoining, respecting which there was some dispute, though alleged to form part of the same holding. Advantage was taken of Mr Harm's absence, when seeing his daughters away by the s.s. Wallabi to Greymouth, to enter the building, and on bis return, several carpenters were busily employed pulling it to pieces, tho doors having been already unhinged. MiHarris, however, consented after some demur to leave the premises. We are informed that the three old buildings in the vieinity will be removed shortly, and their site converted into a garden, tho encroachment of the river two years back having destroyed tho valuo of the situation for business purposes. A well-known resident of the Caledonian Terrace has favored us with tho following oxtiac': from a letter received from his family, who are residents of Schleswig Holstein, The writer describes the sufferingin Germany as intense. He says—"All our men, between the ages of 18 and 40, are drafted away to the war, except such as found immunity by flying the country; our horses and the best of our cattle have been taken long ago. A fresh decree has now been issued, by which the Government are authorised to seize two-thirds of the stock remaining in the country, so that any poor man having six head of cattlo will have four taken from him ; we receive no money for anything that is taken from us, nothing but a. receipt. Our crops are everywhere rotting on the ground; even if tho women, children, and old men could do the field work, the crops could not be removed to a place of safety for want of horses. Nothing but total ruin stares, us in the face, and tii make matters worse, wo are constantly hearing of the death of our dear friends who are the victims of this inhuman war."

The Nelson '• Examiner " feelingly refers to the effect ef their opposition to the Ministry • " The present Government know how to reward theirfriends; they know also how to punish their opponents, and their conduct towards the latter is alike mean and contemptible. All governments have notices to give and announcements to mate, for which newspapers are made the vehicle, and hitherto it was the practice to bestow this patronage pretty equally between the journals with anything like equal circulation, without reference to thenpolitical sentiments, as indeed was necessary if full publicity is desired, the readers of one paper very often never seeing the other. But this act of common justice is too great for the present Government. For the first time since Parliamentary Government has been established in New Zealand, Government notices are withheld from our columns. Yet this is styled a liberal Government. Its liberality may bo great for its friends, but it refuses justice "to those who will not bow down to it in worship.''

The following circular, addressed as underneath, and signed, " A Church Member," was issued in Wellington at the late election:—"To Sabbath School Teachers and Church Members—Your vote and interest it most prayerfully requested against the return of Mr J. C. lilchmoud to Parliament, ho being an infidel." An English paper says that owing to the efflux of money to Prance, for the relief of the sick and wounded belonging to" the French and Prussian armies, some of the most valuable of the charitable institutions of London are being deprived of their customary contributions.

A late number of the " Fiji Times" states that the United States Government intend taking prompt action about the protection of the Fiji Group, and will very shortly have a man-of-war stationed a l -, Levuka, and institute a Court, to which people of all nationalities may appeal. Mrs Suter, who accompanied Bisho > Su er oa a visit to Hanmor Plains, na - rowly escaped drowning' lately in one 01 the Hot Springs. While bathing, she got out of her depth, and would have been drowned but for the bravery of her companion, who rescued her. Mrs Suter was afterwards resuscitated.

We learn from the " Otago Daily Times " that the Otago Meat Preserving Company will be ready to start operations in about a fortnight. The factory at Green Island is adapted, when in full working order, for the consumption of 2000 sheep per week, or of cattle in proportion. As it is the intention of the Company to be large buyers in the local market in preference to entering into contracts with stock owners, the opportunity appears very good for the immediate establishment of special market days for stock at Dunedin.

There is a rumor-prevalent in Ohinemuri that the King intends to declare war in March next.

On Saturday morning, 7th January, a very serious riot occurred in the Industrial School at Newcastle, New South Wales. The girls, it appeai-s, went to bed at their usual hour, and remained quiet until after midnight, when the disturbance commenced. After howling and yelling like maniacs, they pulled the legs off their bedsteads, and smashed windows and windowframes, besides demolishing everything

that it was possible to break in their dormitories. Tho officers endeavored to quell the riot, but without success, and tho police were then called in. With some difficulty (for the girls fought most indefatigably), eleven of tho rioters were arrested and confined in tho cells, and seeing this, the othei'3 became quiet. A sitting of the Waste Lands Board was hold at Ilokitika on Tuesday. One pastoral license for 1000 acres, and another of 800 acres were granted, and 25 acres of rural laud were sold. Several other applications were received.