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Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 858, 7 September 1871, Page 2

A meeting of the Hospital Committee took place at the Court House, on Tuesday evening. Present—Dr Giles (chairman), Messrs 3. Gilmer, Whyte, Munson, Rowlands, Powell, and Humphrey. The previous minutes were read and confirmed. The Treasurer reported that he had received subscriptions amounting to about £3O since the last monthly meeting. Mr Munson stated that he had collected £22 15s at Giles Terrace, and expected an additional sum of £3. Petty accounts, amounting to .£l3 14s 6d, were passed for payment. A vote of thanks was accorded to Mr Harrison for his valuable assistance to Mr Munson in obtaining subscriptions. The Visiting Committee's report was favorable. The Medical Officer's report, which Was read and adopted, is as follows • In Hospital on August 1,8; admitted during the month, 6 ; discharged, 9; remaining in hospital, 5. Four out-patients were treated during the month. Messrs Bailie, Roche, and Munson were appointed a Visiting Committee for the current month; and the meeting adjourned.

Mr Dobson returned f rem the Karamea early in the week. He states that insurmountable difficulties lie in the way of making a road by the beach between Mokihinui and the Little Wanganui, and that any track that may be constructed must be taken inland. He expresses a very favourable opinion upon the entrance of the Little Wanganui and its capabilities as a port of shelter. At the south sido, the river is rock-bound for a considerable distance above its mouth, and the latter is protected by a reef extending from the south bank for a distance of about ten chains. During southerly weather the river may be entered with safety, but there is no protection from northerly weather. Owing to the presence of rocks at the entrance, the channel is stationary, with a depth of fourteen feet of water at high spring tides. The stream may be ascended in boats for a distance of seven miles, and the country is described as having the appearance of being suitable for settlement.

Telegraphic communication was interrupted on Tuesday with all stations excepting Greymouth, Brighton, and Charleston, and yesterday until 4 p.m. Up to the hour of poing to press the Suez mail had not arrived at Hokitika.

The s.s. Wallabi reached Wanganui yesterday at 4 p.m. The first fall of snow that it has fallen to our lot to witness during a ten years' residence in New Zealand took place at Westport on Tuesday afternoon, lastinp for about half an hour. Snow storms are of common occurrence on the ranges and elevated table lands of both islands, but rarely experienced on the seaboard. On the Northern Terraces the ground was covered to a depth of two inches, and the sport of snowballing was pretty generally indulged it. The dismantling of the Nelson Hotel was commenced yesterday. It will be re-erected in Lyttclton street. The premises known as Cass's store have also been takes down, and the building materials will be sold.

The s.s. Alhambra left Nelson early yesterday morning for Greymouth, whence she will be despatched to Melbourne to-day.

The Protestant education meeting convened by the Rev. Messrs Fiavell and White, was held at the FuMio Library, on Tuesday evening. Mr Broad was voted to the chair. The speakers were the Rev. Messrs Fiavell and White, Messrs Burcham, Walker, Jones, and Graham Greenwood. The Rev. Mr White's resolution was carried, " That in the opinion of thin meeting the provisions of the Nelson Education Act are working admirably, and should be preserved intact in any Act of the General Assembly, with the addition tta". education should become compulsory." The meeting was well attended, and the speakers were warmly applauded.