The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. In the cause of Truth and Justice we strive. THURSDAY DECEMBER 28, 1871.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 906, 28 December 1871, Page 2

The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. In the cause of Truth and Justice we strive. THURSDAY DECEMBER 28, 1871.

The Bank of New Zealand, Westport, has made up for shipment to Hokitika 4,4480zs of gold, and the Union Bank also has a parcel of 2,5960z awaiting shipment We believe that the Bank of New South Wales will also forward a parcel. A handsome nugget, weighing 6oz 15dwt 12 gr, recently found at the Waimangaroa, forms the first prize in the Art Uuion, to take place at the Empire Hotel on Monday evening. The remaining twenty-six prizes comprise two valuable gold lever watches, a handsome diamond ring, and twentythree signet rings of excellent quality and design. The s.B. Kennedy left Nelson on Tuesday morning for Westport, but did not arrij-o here until the afternoon. Her detention was probably owing to strong headwinds encountered off the Sandspit. Her arrival was anxiously looked for, owing to the scarcity of fruit and other garden produce. The ketch Venture, bound to Charleston ■with general cargo put in on Monday last at this port through stress of weather. An application has been forwarded by Mr Courtney, t.ho lessee of the Westport and Orawaiti Tramway, to his Honour the Superintendent for protection of the lin.i for four months. Mr Courtney has been compelled to take this course in consequence of the insufficient support derived from the public. A number of the inhabitant* of Westport have subscribed towards a premium for the construction of such largo boat or boats as will enable tho freight between Westport and Roofton to bo brought down to at most JEIS per ton; Tho"Timaru Herald" is n w published tri-weekly. ,

The amateur concert in aid of the funds of the Westport Athenamm fook place at the Masonic Hull on Tuesday evening. The room was crowded to overflowing. The performance opened with the " Miner's Song" by the Glee Company, and in that as also in the " Hunting Chorus," and "The Chapel," the company showed the effects of careful preparation. The variou H pieces were harmoniously and effectively rendered, reflecting the greatest possible credit on the performers. The musical glasses were skilfully handled by Mr Cox, who played several popular airs in a manner which elicited warm applause. Mr It. Davidson contributed the song of " Pretty Jemima, which was also well received, and was followed by Mr Munroin "The Village Blacksmith" and "Put me in my little bed." In'the latter song Mr Munro was very successful. A step dance by Mr Fernandez, in which he was warmly applauded, concluded the first part. The sejond portion of the programme consisted of an entertainment a la Christy by our local minstrels. Mr Pagg enacted the part of Mr Johnson with ail due solemnity and importance. Mr Dignam, than whom no better representative could have been found, appeared as Bones, and Mr Fernandez very creditably filled the not less important part of tambourmist. The other minstrels were Messrs Hamilton, Fama, Weston, Dunn, Cox, and Hughes. The various songs were well rendered, and the local hits introduced by Mr Dignam in " Oh, boys, carry me 'long," and "So early in the morning," created much amusement. The "gag 3," which partook chiefly of a local character were uniformly good, but, while care was taken to avoid the laborious efforts by which the listener generally is brought to understand the pungency of the joke, there appeared to be a trifle too much haste, causing difficult;,', particularly to those in the back seats, to fairly appreciate the different witticisms. On the occasion of a future performance it would also be advisable for the minstrels to take their seats as near as possible to the foot lights, as the difficulty in making themselves heard was jrainfully apparent. We think also that the exaggerated absurdities indulged in by Mr Fernandez as an accompaniment to sentimental songs would lose nothing by toning down, The performance concluded with the farce of " The Echo," in which Messrs Dignam, Fernandez, and Fama took part. The get up of Mr Fernandez was highly comical, and the acting of all the gentlemen was very effective. At the conclusion ot the performance, Mr Hughes on behalf of the Athenaeum Committee, thanked the public for their liberal patronage, and the amateurs for their kind and valuable services. Ho concluded by stating that a second performance, with a change of programme would take place on the first night of the new year in aid of the funds of the Westport Hospital. The company then dispersed, very much gratified with their evening's entertainment.

Parcels of gold were forwarded by the Charleston branches of the Union Bank and Bank of New Zealand on Monday last for shipment at Westport. We regret to have to record another case of death by drowning. The victim in this instance is the son of Mr M'Elwee, a boy of about seven years, who accidentally fell into the river from Langdon's punt, on the afternoon of Tuesday last. None but children of tender years witnessed the lamentable occurrence, and ere efficient help could arrive the poor little fellow had sunk to rise no uioro. A child who witnessed the sad affair says that the deceased rose twice to the surface before he finally disappeared. Every effort was mado to recover the body. On Tuesday evening one of the boatmen dived to the bottom of the rive", but was unable to discover any trace, and yesterday the search was resumed by Mr Lavette, Mr M'Farlane, and other neighbours of the deceased, assisted by a number of boatmen. It is now supposed that the body has been carried out to sea, and that it will be recovered on the beach near the Orawaiti. The utmost sympathy is felj with the bereaved parents, in consequence of the deceased's untimely end. The little fellow, by his gentle and confiding disposition, had endeared himself to his sohool-fellows and (laymates, and was established as a general favurite. A young man, a miner, was brought to town yesterday, afflicted with lunacy. We believe that the derangement will prove only temporary, and that it is in a great measure due to internal ilisorder. A soiree in connection with the Methodist Free Church was held at, the school-house, Molesworth street, yesterday evening. The room was neatly decorated, and tea was laid for n large number of guests. After those assembled had partaken of refreshments, spirited addresses were given by the Revs. J. White and T. Parkin. The seh> uer Mnid of Erin*- Captain Cairns, from Melbourne arrived in the roadstead on Tuesday afternoon, and was expected to cross the bar in tow of the steamer Kennedy last night. In Napier a meeting- was reeently held to consider the question of petitioning for a municipality, when it was decided to take the necessary steps towards it.