The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. In the cause of Truth and Justice we strive. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1871.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 901, 16 December 1871, Page 2

The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. In the cause of Truth and Justice we strive. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1871.

Unusual pressure on our advertising columns compels us to hold over our leading article, report of Mr O'Conor's meeting, letters from our correspondents, and other local items. Mr O'Conor addressed his constituents yesterday evening at the Masonic Hall. At the close of his address, and after replying most satisfactorily to several questions, Mr Bull expressed his great pleasure in proposing a vote of thanks to Mr O'Conor for his very valuable services to the district and colony during the past session of Parliament. Mr M'Kenna seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously, and amid loud applause. The steamer Kennedy left Nelson for Westport late on Wednesday. Her detention is due to severe weather.

Mr Eteveneau, boat builder, has just completed at his workshop, Freeman street, another horse boat for the river navigation. This boat is considerably larger than any hitherto used in the up-river trade. She is built upon the diagonal principle ; her lines are fine. Altogether she seems admirably suited tu the work for which she is intended combining strength, speed, large carrying capacity, and light draught. Her length is fifty feet; beam, midships, seven feet four inches. She will carry seven tons, on a draught of fourteen inches. Mr Walton Poll, to whose order she has been built, intends launching her to-day at mid-day. She is to be worked by two horses, which will make the work easy, and enable him to carry his goods and passengers with greater speed and safety than at present. In the Warden's Court yesterday, Jacobsen and party, holding certificate of registration of an extended claim, situate at Giles Terrace, sought to have the names of Jolly and mates struck out of the certificate. The two parties, it appeared, had priginally undertaken to work the ground jointly, but the latter had since abandoned the ground. The Warden directed that the names of Jolly and mates be expunged from the certificate. An extended claim was granted to Henry Rowley for a beach claim, north of the Totara. Several applications for water rights were heard and granted.

We regret to learn that Mr Walton Pell has had the misfortune to lose two more horses in the Buller river, near Hawk's Crag. The accident took place about six o'clock on Wednesday morning, but what were the circumstances wo have been unable to gather.

Amateur entertainments in aid of the Westport District Hospital and tho Athenaeum will be gfven during the ensuing holidays.

The schooner Garibaldi, with a cargo of timber from Hokitika, sailed into port yesterday, crossing the bar without difficulty. Her cai-go is consigned to Bull and Bond.

A quantity of jewelry is announced elsewhere to be disposed of on the art union principle, at the Empire Hotel, during the ensuing holidays. The various articles represent what is very unusual—a money value in excess of the amount to be subscribed. The prizes are on view at the above hotel, and are worthy of inspection. Telegraphic communication wa3 restored with Christchurch yesterday morning. The coach due in Hokitika from Christchurch had not arrived on Thursday evening ; and the heavy rains are reported to have caused greater floods in the rivers of that portion of the island than have been experienced for a twelvemonth.

The Reefton mail will leave Westport this morning, the mailman having been unable to proceed during the past few days owing to the floods. On Thursday morning last the boat " Star" belonjlmr to Scott and Wilkie was found by the Harbor-master on the extremity of the spit running westward from Garden Island. Her back was broken rendering her of course a perfect wreck. A small stump was attached to the painter showing that the boat had been swept down while moored. It was rumored that the machinery forming her loading on her last trip from Westport was in the boat at the time of the accident, in which case the loss is a vary severe one, as imp irtant portions of the machinery for Mr M'Lean will be missing. No boat has arrived from up-river since the recent flood so that we have been unable to gather any reliable particulars.

Several parties started from Reefton before the floods to attend the sale of Inangahua mining shares at Charleston, but were stuck up by the high state of the river. Their intention was to go as high as ,£6OO for tho purchase of Hodge's interest. The shares advertised to be sold by the agent of the curator of intestate estates were disposed of on Thursday by Dwan and Co., at Charleston. The first lot, the interest of the late James Hodge, was knocked down to Mr John Brownlie for the sum of £36 ). The second lot, tho interest of the late George Howe Warne, was purchased by Mr M'Kee for £74. It will be seen by advertisement that tho sale of the grand stand, booths, &c, at the ensuing Westport sports and races will be sold by auction to-day at twelve o'clock in front of the Post Office Hotel.