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Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 886, 11 November 1871, Page 2

The larger portion of the machinery and quartz crushing plant belonging to Mr M'Lean arrived in Weatport by the schooner Ceres from Melbourne. The machinery is to be placed on ltyan's claim, Kelly's line of reef, and the contract for the transport has been let, as previously announced, to Messrs Wilkie and Scott. The boiler has yet to arrive, and is already shipped by the schooner Kate Conley, which left Melbourne for Grey mouth on the Ist iist., and is consequently now due at that port. The

machinery was supplied by the Langland's Foundry Company, Melbourne, and consists of a 14-inch cylinder engine, with 30-inch stroke, of 20-horse power nominal; a tubular boiler, twelve feet in length, and four feet six inches diameter, containing 42 tubes; and a five-head battery, the stamps weighing 560 lbs each. There are also added to the plant two patent steam ripples for facilitating the saving of fine gold. The plant appears to have been turned out in excellent style, and to be in every way well adapted to the purpose for which it is destined. In addition to the above, two lighter batteries of five heads each, weighing 400 lbs each, will be placed upon the ground, and have been forwarded as far as the Inangab.ua Landing. The entire plant will be placed on the ground as expeditiously as possible, and it is expected that it will be up and at work in three months. A practical engineer has been engaged in Melbourne to put up the machinery, who will arrive at the end of the present month. We hope that the speculation, which is reaUy a very heavy one, will fulfil the expectations of those who have invested capital and labour in the undertaking. A track has been cut from Murray Creek to the claim, and a site prepared for the machinery. Small trials, previously reported, have been made of the stone which, after giving a wide margin for contingencies, prove the body of the stone to pay one and a half to two ounces to the ton. There is an abundance of coal on the claim, and the speculation has every prospect of proving pre-eminently successful. The " West Coast Times" learns that the inquiry, before Judge Ward, which has been recently taken into the conduct of a gentleman occupying a high official position .t Hokitika was dismissed, the charges made being of a general character, and unsubstantiated by proof. Under the heading of " Pedestrianism Extraordinary," Messrs Austin and Edwards, the champion runners, announce that they perform in this district on Satur. day next, when Austin will repeat the feat of running ten miles, within the hour, Edwards walking seven miles within the same time. The Canterbury Race Meeting opened on Tuesday. The Maiden Plate fell to Defamation, Patch being second, and Gossip third. Knottingley and Peeress ran a dead heat for the Cup. Ou running off Peeress ran away from Knottingley, the latter being nearly distanced. The Free Handicap fell to Envoy, Exile getting second place. The Wizard Weston will give one of his popular entertainments at the Masonic Hall, Westport, on Monday evening. Mr Weston possesses a rich fund of racy humour in addition to a musical and well cultivated voice.Amid jest and song he introduces his " oil" to the audience, the remarkable properties of which have, we understand, in various instances been satisfactorily demonstrated in Westport. CTKo ■Wcat.port Volunteer Fire Brigade mustered in tolerable force foi practice yesterday evening. A meeting of members took place afterwards, particulars of which we hold over.

The sweep on the Melbourne Cup will be drawn this evening at the Empire Hotel.