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Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 820, 3 June 1871, Page 2

The following telegram in reference to the proposed diversion of the Buller river, transmitted by the Provincial Secretary to the Warden at Westport, has been handed to ns for publication : —" Nelson, June 1. — Warden Giles, —I send copies of telegrams between Provincial Government and Colonial Engineer, which please make public : ' Colonial Engineer, Greymouth,—Westport in danger from sea. Proposed to expend £250 in opening a flood channel south of Garden Island. Would this be likely to cause a deposit on the north beach? Would opening a fljbod channel be likely to cause harm to the port or township ? Reply imProvincial Secretary.' 'To the Provincial Secretary, Nelson, —Vote of £250, to open south channel at Weßtport. I am very doubtful that it would have the desired effect, and it might do harm in another direction, for which the Government would be responsible. I cannot, therefore, recommend the expenditure. John Blackett, C.E.' Aifbed Greenfield, Provincial Secretary." We understand that Mr Donald Ross, of Reefton, is about to erect a bridge across the Inangab.ua river, which will bo thrown open free to the public. It is to be hoped that the enterprise of Mr Ross will be rewarded in a corresponding extension of business. Mr John Dick has purchased a half share in the Anderson's Creek Quartz Mining Company.

A progress committee has been formed at Reefton consisting of Messrs Barker, Monabau, Franklyn, -Oxley, Eockstrow. Rowlands, and Cato. The committee have already invited tenders for the construction of a bridle track from Keefton to the foot of Murray creek, to be formed on v the right bank of the Inangahua, and, evidently, appear determined to push forward the interests of their town and district in every possible manner. In the course of the speeches, made on»the occasion, Mr Franklyn observed that it was a very happy circumstance to see them all there that evening so united, and determined to exert themselves to advance the district t>.ey were resident in. He was sure, from what he had seen and known of the working of progress committees at Westport and Charleston, that a great deal of good could be done by such public bodies, provided always that personal and political feelings were laid aside, and when their only object was to minister to the public good. He trusted that they might all remain as united in the future as they were at present, and that the newly appointed Progress Committee of Reefton would be a success. The remarks of Mr Franklyn are certainly sensible, and quite true, and we must congratulate our Reefton friends upon the election of a member who utters such sentiments. A meeting of the Charleston Hospital Committee was held on Thursday evening last, at the Melbourne Hotel. The following were present—C. Broad, Esq. (chairman), Messrs H, Jones (hon. sec), T. G. Macarthy (hon. treasurer), M'Beath, M'Parland, Riordan, and Scanlon. The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed. Correspondence was received relative to some beds, &c, sent to the Charleston from the Brighton Hospital, also a letter from Dr Henry, recommending that a small ward bo partitioned off for serious cases, and that some cocoa nut matting be procured for the purpose of preventing the noise of footsteps disturbing the patients. Mr Broad stated that there was a large screen at the Brighton Hospital, which could be procured, and would answer all purposes. The Secretary was directed to write for it. Upon the motion of Mr Scanlon, 12 pairs of slippers were ordered to be provided for the use of the patients. The Visiting Committee appointed for tho ensuing mouth are Messrs T. G. Macarthy, P. M'Carthy, and D, M'Beath. A mining accident, happily not attended b,' any very serious results, occurred on Thursday last, at the Back Lead, Charleston, to a miner named Michael Cadigan, who was struck to the ground by a fall of cement. When extricated, it was found that, beyond some slight bruises, he had escaped uninjured. Messrs Dwan and Co. sold, on Thursday last, Behan's Hotel, at the corner of Camp and Princes streets. Charleston, for the sum of ,£l2O, to Miss Catherine Carmody of the City Hotel. A small portion of the furniture was sold, and the remainder will be sold on Monday next. The bodies of two men belonging to the VU'ago have been found in Wellington Harbour, and were buried with military honours. Both bodies were mi ch mutilate ', tho head and limbs being wanting. A movement is on foot amongst the Scotch residents of Christchurch and Lyttelton to have a dinner or some such public gathering at an early date, to commemorate the marriage of the Marquis of Lome to H.R.H. the Princess Louise. The "West Coast Times" of May 16 mentions the likelihood of the Brothers and Sister visiting Charleston with a cargo of timber. It is Captain Perkins's intention to enter the river Nile this trip, the navigability of that river having only been tried on one occasion by the schooner from which it has derived its name. There is plenty of water in die river, but the entrance is anything but favourable, being narrow and rock-bound, and almost too much sheltered for a continuance of wind to carry a vessel past the Narrows. If she should miss the entrance there would be no alternative but drifting ashore along the long flat beach between that place and Westport." The information contained above is not likely to be correct, as the timber requirements of the Chaideston district are easily supplied by the local sawmills at a price that would preclude favourable competition. According to the "Brisbane Courier," there is now in the Brisbane Hospital a a man named John Welsh, who says he is 102 years of age. He professes to have taken part in the Irish rebellion of 1798. The Sydney Meat Prt serving Company's works, which are eight miles from Sydney, on the Parramatta river, will be prepared in a short time to tin 1000 sheep per day.