The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. In the cause of Truth and Justice we strive. SATURDAY, MARCH 25, 1871.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 793, 25 March 1871, Page 2

The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. In the cause of Truth and Justice we strive. SATURDAY, MARCH 25, 1871.

Wo again direct public attention to the registration of claims to bo placed upon the electoral roll. All claims for this portion of the goldiields must be lodged at tlio Court-houses at Westport, Charleston, or Brighton, on or before Friday next, the 31st instant. Forms of application may bo obtained gratis at the office of this paper. The autumnal equinox was ushered in yesterday with tlio customary boisterous weather. A heavy North-westerly gale drove the surf home with great fo.vco, and we have again to record rapid encroachments by the sea on the lino of beach from the North Spit in the direction of the Orawaiti. At the rear of Gladstone-street a clean breach has been made, and the position of properties in that 'quarter of the town will shortly become very perilous if the present violent weather continue. The danger as yet is not, however, bo hnnihient as it was a few months ago. In the Warden's Court yesterday, a few applications wore beard, involving nothingof public interest. On Friday last Armstrong and party, who had previously applied that certain gold mining leases at Addison's should bo declared subject to tho regulations applying to wet claims, renewed tho application in another form. The party desire to participate in tho benefits derivable from a drainage tunuol belonging to M'Laren and party, who opposed the application. The hearing of tho matter was postponed for the production of the plans, &c„ showing tho relative position of the claims and the Tvorks in connection with them.

An accident occurred to the s.s. Wallabi on Thursday morning. While Landing cattle at the South Spit, the stock of the rudder broke at a point where it had been previously fractured and welded. The necessary repairs were executed by Mr Reuben Carne, yesterday, and the, rudder was reshipped the same evening. The celebration of St. Patrick's Day at Addison's this year certainly surpassed anything previously attempted in this locality. Although the population has very much diminished, nothing was wanting to make? the festival everything that could bo desired. At an early hour, a Band paraded the main street, playing the Irish natioual air and other appropriate music, by which the inhabitants were awakeued to the day and its time-honored associations. At eleven, the members of the Hibernian Society mustered at their Hall, and shortly afterwards formed in line, and inarched to the chapel. The orderly and respectable appearance of the Society was highly creditable, while the display of regalia in green and gold had a very pleasing and gorgeous effect. After divine service, the Rev. T. Walsh gave a brief but interesting ar.d edifying sketch of the life and labors of St. Patrick. In the evening the Hibernian Society again met to close the day by a grand ball and supper. The hall was tastefully decorated for the occasion with evergreens, worked into emblematic figures, and several handsome transparencies also displayed various national emblems, seen with very good effect amidst the green foliage. Danciug was kept up till an early hour, when all dispersed, greatly pleased with the entertainment.— Contributed. The "Post" says, that Mr Halcombc is to be Secretary to Dr Featherston as Agent-General for the colony in England. This will mean another office, with a probable salary of .£BOO a year. When will the end come of all this extravagance ? The nomination of the Rev. Mr Nevill, Ecctor of Shelton, a parish in the Potteries, Staffordshire, as Bishop of Otago, was all but unanimously acceded to by tho Synod recently sitting in Dnnodin, there being only one dissentient.

An Auckland paper says that Mr Abraham Cohen, the now proprietor of the Al-

bion Hotel, Grenfell, had a very providential escape from death a few days ago. lie was engaged in tapping a cask of rum, assisted by a lad who wa3 holding the candle, when the cask exploded with a terrific report, blowing out one side of the premises, but not injuring the parties, who had apparently overlooked the danger of carrying a light in the immediate vicinity of such strong spirits. The appointment of William Simpson as Harbor-master at the port of llokianga, is oilicially announced, vice Alexander Beveridgo. The sub-enumerators employed in taking the census will have completed their labors in a few days. Several have already sent in their returns, including, we believe, the Brighton, Wcstport, Mokihinui, and Lower Karamea districts.

Police Sergeant Beat.tie, of Christchurch, has been found guilty of embezzlement, and is sentenced to twelve months* imprisonment, A Capital tale was told by Mr J. B. Patterson, at a recent election meeting at Cast leucine, illustrating that the p'iuciples of the Permissive Pill are not thoroughly understood. A man taking his first, pint of beer said, " Don't you think the Permissive Bid a good thing ?" Mee'ing him again after a, second pint ho said the Peimissive Bill was a first-rate thing. (Great laughter.) Seeing him again in the evening when lie seemed to have had several pints, ho declared that the Permissive Bill would bo carried against all opposition. (Renewed laughter.) It clearly appeared to mo that the nvn thought the Permissive Bill Mas a permission to drink. Under the head " Brilliant Prospects," the " Western Post" (New South W;des) says : —We learn from the testimony of several, whoso evidence we cannot doubt, that a diamond has been discovered at tho Twomile Plat, by some diggers who wero pro?'_ pe ting in that locality, weighing sdwt. (?) and valued at about £, 12,000.