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Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 852, 19 August 1871, Page 2

The Bank of Aew Zealand, Westport, forwarded by the steamer Kennedy to Hokitika, on Thursday, 871oz 9 :wt Bgr of gold, the export duty upon which amounted to .£IOB 18s Bd. We understand that the owners of the s.s. Waiparo purpose allowing her to proceed from Hokitika to Westport shortly, in order to run down to tho'Karamea with a cargo. The present weather offers a very favorable opportunity for the trip. The Government steamer Luna arrived at Nelson from Manukau with the Northern members on the 11th inst., and left for Wellington the following day, calling at Picton on her way for the Marlborough members. An inquiry into the circumstances in connection with the stranding of the schooner Canterbury will bo held by the Collector of Customs on Monday next. Some doubt having, wo believe, been expressed as

to whether any investigation would be made in the matter, it is as well that it should be generally understood that it is tho rule in any case of wreck, whether the vessel is insured or not, that an official inquiry should be made, and this duty is never omitted where evidence is forthcoming. TheSur.ey Depaitment have received instructions to survey the line of road between the Inangahua Landing and Reefton, and when completed tenders will be oullod, we believe, without any delay for the construction of the road. A number of blocks suitable f r settlement, situate along the proposed line of route, are also to be surveyed. Alexander Russell was brought before the Bench yesterday, charged with disorderly conduct in the public streets. A fine of 10s was inflicted, with the alternative of twentyfour hours' imprisonment. A laudable spirit of economy actuated members of the Otago Provincial Council at the commencement of the last session. All salaries, from tho Superintendent downwards, were reduced twenty to forty per cent., and the honorarium paid to country members was reduced twenty-five per cent. But, sad to relate, members quickly swerved from their,,virtuous intentions, and before the session closed, the country members' honorarium was restored to its original aniDunt, and the payment of town members increased ten shillings per day! An accident occurred to the Westport and Charleston coach while crossing tho Totara river on Tuesday last. A roller filled the coach, which was nearly upset, and several packages were washed out to sea ; the passengers fortunately escaping with a thorough wetting. A parcel, consisting of Oddfellows' regalia, despatched by the Charleston Lodge to the Westport Lodge for use at the approaching anniversary of the latter, has been since recovered on the beach about three miles to the north of the Totara. A carter named Weston had the misfortune to lose a horse yesterday while in the act of swimming it over from the South Spit, where the animal had been engaged carrying the discharged cargo of the schooner Canterbury. The horse was crossed at low water, being preceded by a boat. About half-way he showed symptoms of distress, and on arrival at this Bide was found to be quite dead. As the animal's head was kept above the water while crossing the river, it is supposed that death was caused by cramp or strangulation.

A private letter received in Westport, yesterday, conveyed the gratifying intelligence of the safe arrival of a cattle dealer named John Dick, who had made the journey from Nelson to Inangahua. In the early part of the week unpleasant rumours were circulating to the effect that Dick had met his death by drowning, but unable to trace the authority foi the statement to any reliable source, we withheld any reference to the subject. We learn with pleasure that the rumour has been proved unf >unded.