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Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 839, 20 July 1871, Page 2

The everity of the weather and the flooded state of the rivers have prevented the Warden from proceeding to Eeefton to hold a Court at the advertised time, July 19th. We understand that he will visit the Inangahua district at the earliest opportunity, and hold a Court at Eeefton on Monday, if possible. The San Francisco mail was due in Nelson on Tuesday; at. which date Bhe had not arrived. Yesterday telegraphic communication was suspended beyond Hokitika, so that the mail steamer may ere this have arrived. It has been known for some time that a coal seam of considerable thickness, but the value of which as a steam or household fuel has been hitherto untested, exists at Coal Creek, up tho Buller River. We are happy to state that discovery is now likely to be turned to account. Mr O'Conor, while up the Buller last week, visited the seam, distant about 22 miles from Westport, and describes it as being half a mile from the river, and of easy access. The seam is exposed to a depth of five feot above water, and is visible below tbo creek to a depth of about seven feot; the

scam apparently tending towards the Duller river, favouring the assumption that coal will be discovered much nearer to the river bank, thus enabling cargo boats to bring down coal at a very moderate price as return freight. Mr O'Conor has applied for a lease on behalf of the Buller Towing Track Company, and, if obtained, Westport will shortly Tank this mineral as a valuable item of export. Owing to the inclement weather, the date for the receipt of tenders for the various sec tions of the Buller Towing Track are extended bo the 3lst inst. The re-erection of the Little Grey Hotel has been commenced at the corner of Bright and Palmerston streets. A largo snag struck the buoy moored opposite to the end of Gladstone street with such violence as to produce a leak, and it sank shortly afterwards. The flooded state of the Totara River, yesterday, stopped communication between Westport and Charleston, consequently no coach arrived or was despatched. The s.s. Wallabi will probably sail this evening for Greymouth, where she will be met by Mr Nancarrow, inspector of steam vessels for the Colony, who will view her prior to granting a renewal of certificate. The Charles Edward is expected to arrive to-day, and will sail for Hokitika this evening, calling at Greymouth on her return trip. John Harris, late of Westport, and at presont in business as i pawnbroker at Greymouth, has been fined £o and costs for charging excessive interest. By the Act it is allowable to charge at the r;ite of two hundred per cent, per annum, but Harris, according to the evidence, appeared to have charged double that amount. A writer to the Dunedin " Star" contradicts the assertion that Mr Vogel had forfeited his interest in the Caledonian claim by non-paj'ment of calls. He 6ays : —" I have seen the books ot the Company, and have seen the receipts for Mr Vogel's dividends on fourteen shares, .£I6BO to this date, and more to follow. If he sells out now he caii clear £3500 or more on his interest." The schooner Cora Russell, whilst beating in for the Bluff, on the sth inst., struck on Tewai Point. She was got off, and brought alongside the wharf, when it was found that she had tour feet of water in the hold. The cargo, consisting of lime, having ignited, had to be rapidly discharged.