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Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 791, 21 March 1871, Page 2

In a few instances umbrage was taken at the extras of the mail news issued on Sunday, bo'ng charged for. Although claiming an indisputable right to fix the price at which the news shall be furnished to the public, a price, it should be added, most ridieiilomdy inadequate to reimburse the cost of telegrams, compo&i tion, and destribution, it may be as well to explain for the benefit of the public generally, that the small sum derived from the sale of extras is not the motive that has induced a, departure from the custom of free distribution. Complaints have been numerous from subscribers that they had not received copies of the extras, and stating their willingness to pay for the same. It is a matter of fact that the runner objected to performing gratuitously several hours' work in distributing the extras, and as the subscribers referred to outnumbered as ten to one those who deem the charge of sixpence an outrage upon their pockets, and as the views of the former are alike reasonable and just, v/e shall continue, at the possible hazard of offending a few, to make a chargethat will ensure the thorough distribution of any important news when coming under exceptional circumstances. Another large snag, which was embedded in the river opposite to Gladstonc-otreet was_ removed on Saturday, under the directions of the Harbor-master. A heavy rainfall set in on Sunday evening and continued without intermission yesterday. All the dams in the district are filled and consecpuently great activity is. observable. Wo have received no news of injury to races or reservoirs in consecmonco of the severe rain fall. Early yesterday morning there was a small freshet in the river, which rapidly increased in volume, bufcwithout causing any serious injury tothe river bank, the grom recently constructed near the Kennedy-street wharf proving a very valuable protection. The water was

diverted by it clear of the wharf and of the Steamer Murray moored alongside. Some protection is, however, still greatly required to the upper face of the bank which suffers severely from the action of the tide.

At the Resident Magistrate's Court, yesterday, Edward Harris, charged with feloniously stealing a cheque for £B, was brought up on remand. The evidence of William Logan and of John M'Kenzie was taken. Logan proved having received a cheque for £8 from John Corr, which he enclosed with a loiter in an envelope in the presence of Corr and M'Favlane. The letter was addressed " John M'Kenzie, No. 1 South, Anderson's," but the witness could not recollect whether instructions were added " to bo loft at Oxley's store." He handed the letter to M'Farlane for transmission to M'Kenzie. John M'Kenzie proved that the cheque had not been delivered, and that he had not authorised the prisoner or any other person to open the letter or cash the cheque. The prisoner, who reserved his defence, was committed for trial at the next sitting of the District Court to bo holden at Westport on April 24th.

At an adjourned meeting of the Greymouthy Licensing Bench, held on the 9th inst., it wa3 decided not to renew the license of a man named Stratford. The "Argus" says:—"Tho application of Edward utratford occupied the attention of the Bench for a considerable time, and evidence was taken both on the part of the police and the applicant with regard to certain allegations made as to the improper conduct of his hotel. It transpired that although the applicant had been cautioned at the last sitting of the Licensing Bench as to the employment of abandoned women on his premises, he had not done more than substitute one prostitute for another as barmaid, and had closed a certain means of communication between his hotel and neighboring houses of ill-famo. The Bench decided not to renew the license in Stratford's name, and gave him the opportunity of obtaining *v.ot*;?r person to apply for the license, at an adjourned licensing meeting, on the 23rd inst The Licensing Court was then adjourned until that day." The same paper in a leader upon the subject obierves with satisfaction that the Magistrates are becoming more particular with regard to tho granting of public-house licenses. In reference to the case of Stratford it says:—"Yesterday, a license was very properly refused to an applicant, who, although cautioned at the last time of obtaining his license, ha 3 persisted in harboring prostitutes. We hope the Magistrates will continue their strictness, and in future withhold licenses from improper persons. There are far too many public-houses in this town, which are nothing removed from brothels and resorts of criminals of both seses; and we have no doubt that if the police find they are supported by the Bench, many of these places will be suppressed." There are numerous instances here in Westport of licenses being granted in which a like scrutiny into the character of the persons applying, and the mode of conducting their houses would result in many licenses being refused. It would necessarily tend to a decrease of revenue, but we think the cause of public morality and decency should form the first consideration. At the Resident Magistrate's Court, Greymouth, on Friday, a man named Patrick Cruise, who formerly acted in the capacity of night-watchman at Charleston, was charged with violating a child under ton years of age. The name of the child is Redmain, and she was living with her mother in the vicinity oc Sefton Bridge. The _ evidence adduced is quite unfit for publication. The charge was remanded until the 24th instant, but the prisoner was admitted to bail.

An accident of a very painful nature occurred on the Arahura road en Wednesday last. The unfortunate sufferer was a boy named Entile Rohloff, a son of Rohloff, baker, Rovell-strect. While enjoying the boyish luxury of swinging behind M'Gu.Vs coach, one of his lega was caught by the spokes of ono of the coach-wheels. In a moment he w-as whirled round with the revolving wheel, and, by the entanglement of tho limb between the wheel and the body of the vehicle, the leg bones were so shockingly crushed in some places that they protruded through the flesh. The passengers in the coach alarmed tho coachman, who at once stopped the horses. The boy's injuries are of so severe a kind that it is expected amputation will be necessary. The above simple, bub severe accident, should serve as a salutary warning to children who indulge in the dangerous practice of swinging behind vehicles in motion.

The following h the rosulfc of the racing at Blenheim on Wodnersday last:—Hurdle Race: M'Shane's Flying Buck, 1 ; Boner's Ranger, 2. Blenheim Cup: Redwood's Anticip aion, 1 ; Grimstone's Azalea, 2, Hack Race: Bridge's Rollo, 1. Consolation Stakes: Humffrey, lj Rapid, 2; Rhone, 3. Mr Fitzhorbert, should he come forward, is to be opposed in his candidature for the Saperintendeney of Wellington by Major Finnimore, who is already in the field. The latter gentleman is pledged to the abolition of Provincialism, and being strongly supported by the electors of Wanganui and Rangitikei, has a fair chance of returned, Wednesday last was observed as a holiday at Dunedin in honor of his Excellency. A levee was held ut 2 p.m., which was largely attended, and the Governor also received ah address from the Corpora! ion. He afterwards opened the flower show held by the Horticultural Society, and inspected the Volunteers, whom he eoinplimcutul on their soldier'}' appearance.

A case has been heard by Mr Price Warden at Okarito, in which Dixon, the brmge-owner at the Three-m So, sued Scallv a miner, for evading bridge tolls. Defendant was fined, sixpence, the Magistrate remarking tnat had defendant : ut in his plea what ho stated—that iio having passed below highwater mark was not liable f.»r toll-he would ':ave dismissed the case, as he (the Magistrate) did not see that there existol any power in the local Government to enforce such tolls, and his decisio, s w uld be framed inthat belief until by an appeal case, or otherwise, it was shown to the contrary. The population of Okarito district is estimated at 571, and of that number, it is said, 450 arc adult males.

Tho New Town Hall, the Old Town Hall, the supper and retiring rooms, and a shop in I lie same street in Christchurcli, have been sold at auction to Mr L. E. Nathan, for &>9OO. The new hall, shaken by earthquakes, had been condemned for public purposes. The Kaiapoi Hotel, the oldest hotel m that town, has been destroyed by f!fißK builcli " g Bnd stook wcre insured By a private telegram the "Wellington Independent," learns that Mrßranigan is «' calm composed, and rapidly recovering." ' The Okarito Eoad Board Imva decided to cut a road along tho Waiho river up to Okarito Lako, whero coarse gold has been round, and where it is thought good diggings will be opened,if access is provided. 'The land around the Lake is of fine quality, and lightly timbered—mostly with totara.

About six weeks ago (says the " Ot:igo Daily limes") sixton-of quartz were sent to Melbourne from Mr (Initio's reef. Saddle Hill. Information has just been received that the crushing has tinned out satisfactorily, the result exceeding the most Banffuiue expectations of the promoters. One lot, consisting of three tons taken at random, yielded at the rate of 13dwts to the ton. Tho other Ihrec, a different qua ity, yiolded lldwtstothe ton. But what i-'still more satisfactory, tho quality of the gold is very su-p-iior. It has been fully tested aid assayed, and i 3 valued at i! 4 per ounce. The prospectus of an undertaking entitled " Tho New Zealand Gl io Company Limited " haying for its object the manufacture of glue by the process of Mr G. Beissell, of Dunedin, has been issued.

Pleuro-pneumonia is again alarmingly prevalent iu New South Wales. It is supposed to have been introduced by herds of fat cattle from Queensland. Iu t ; o Supreme Court, Christclmrch, last week, Walter Johnson, an old and hardened criminal, called a witness to character. The announcement of the name of tho gaoler, Mr Boston, as his witness, was tho occasion for loud laughter. Mi- Beaton stated that the piisoner had been under his care on three s; para:o occasions, and informed the Court that Johnson was "an excellent prisoner" — (laughter)—" that ho had learnt to be a good practical blacksmith during his incarceration, and that he always endeavored to induce his fellow prisoners to observe tho rules of prison life." His Honor addressing the prisoner, said that but for Mr Reston's evidence, lie would have passed n much severer sentence upon him, but, under tho circumstance-, he would sentence him to penal servitude for three years.