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Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 832, 1 July 1871, Page 2

The advocates of compulsory education will find additional grounds upon which to advance the truth of their opinions in the criminal statistics recently published. We find that the number of those imprisoned possessing superior education formed scarcely two percent, of those that were incarcerated ; while those unable to read and write compose twenty-seven per cent, of the whole. JYom the same source we learn that the annual expenditure for the repression of crime and punishment of malefactors reaches very nearly £BO,OOO. This sum does not include the cost of maintaining the Supreme, District, and Resident Magistrates' Courts, which, together with the outlay incurred by criminal prosecutions, represent an additional £40,000 to £50,000 yearly. Ihe cost of police and gaols in the different provinces varies considerably according to population, and the special circumstances of each division of the Colony. While, however, in Auckland these departments appear to be most economically managed, in Westland their maintenance seems to be on the most extravagant scale. In the latter, the cost of police, gaols, &c, for the year 1869 was £13,4-90, while in Auckland it did not exceed £BB7O. The total number of convictions throughout the Colony were 11.507, nearly one-half arising out of the abuse of spirituous liquors. Very severe, frosty weather has been experienced daring the past week in the vicinity of Keet'ton, the frost lasting eight days. On Kelly's lino of reef Nos. 2, 3, and 4 North hare amalgamated, Hud had been

driving for dome time in tho supposed direction of the reef. The reef was struck last week in a shaft which they had sunk in the tunnel, exposing a fine payable i eef, about six feet in thickness. This establishes Kelly's to be a well defined reef. The track constructed by order of the Progress Committee from Reefton to the foot of Murray's Creek is now completed, and will prove a ijreat public benefit. Miners will now be eaabled to visit the township in any weather with comparative facility. Mr Stidiu-e has announced a perfarmance at the, Masonic Hall this evening, which comprise* a most varied programme, consisting of music, magic, fun, and mystery. Mr James Kraham is announced to perform a feat a la Bljudin, which consists in walking on a telegraph wire extended from the stage to the ceiling of the Hall. Mr Stodare, whose skill as a pianist has been favourably spoken of elsewhere, is likely to be appreciated by lovers of mnsic.

On Thursday, and again yesterday, the sea continued to make various encroachment on the north spit. The strip of beach intervening between the rear of the properties in north Gladstone-street, and liiglt water mark has almost disappeared, and with high tides and a moderate sea tiieso properties cannot escape being flooded at spring water 'The near approach of the waves has compelled Mr Hughes, who represents Mr Williams, chemist, of Hokitika, to remove his stock to premises in Glad-stone-street south, and the vacant building will probably have to be taken from its present site. As it is, the overflow has broken down the fence, and filled the yard with sand to the depth of several feet. Further south the encroachment has been equally severe. A hut, occupied by a man named Jones, has been undermined, and the flagstaff adjoining will also require to be removed.

We learn that Mr Thiel is constructing a bridge over the Nine-mile Creek, Buller road. This, says a correspondent, will prove a great boon to travellers, many during flooded weather, having been compelled to remain for hours, awaiting an opportunity to cross. If a bridge were also constructed on the Ohiki, communication between Westport and Christy's could be maintained without interruption. The tenders for the alterations to the new Roman Catholic School and Hibernian Hall, Charleston, were opened by the Committee on Wednesday evening last, when the tender of Mr John Craig was accepted, ia»e amount of his tender being £6B. Mr Gully, of Nelson, received a letter from Mr Morrison by the San Francisco mail stating that one of his water-colour pictures, a view of Mount Cook, had been accepted by the Royal Academy, and that an excellent position had been assigned to it in the exhibition. So far as we° know, this is the first time that such a compliment has been paid to an artist resident in the Australian colonies.

The total amount banked as yet (June 23rd) from the present crushing for the Caledonian is 11.882 ozs 16 dwts melted, and 376 ozs retorted gold. The yield for the fortnight will probably be ! 5,000 ozs. Mr Rowe, the manager, reports fewer specimens to "hand to-day, but that the show in the face of the stope is magnificent, there being a seam of solid gold in sight. Good stone from the new shot on the other side of the claim continues to be extracted. The shot has been already proved over 25 feet wide. Caledonian shares were sold to-day at £212; Thames, £43 ; Prince Imperial, .£5; Tookey, £3B to £4O; Lowland Lass, 20s; Vulcan, £ls ; Dallarat and Rising Sun, 20s; Nonpareil, buyers, £5; Una, buyers, 225; sellers, 255.

The following are the particulars of a further outrage, supposed to have been committed by the same persons who stuck up Magoffin's store at Half Ounce:—At about the same time, says the "Grey Valley Times," intelligence was brought to the Police Camp, Ahaura, that a sawyer, named Roche, a foreigner, had been robbed of bis purse, which contained, according to his statement, a deposit on the London Chartered Bank, Melbourne, for £2700, together with numerous promissory notes and lOU's. He also says that he lost a silver hunting watch, with massive gold albert guard and appendages. Toe matter is ia the hands of the police who are makiug every enquiry. A man named Cameron has been since arrested on suspicion of having committed the robbery.