The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. In the cause of Truth and Justice we strive. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1871.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 907, 30 December 1871, Page 2

The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. In the cause of Truth and Justice we strive. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1871.

By the steamer Kennedy on Thursday two of tbe three local banks forwarded parcels of gold for shipment at Hokitika. The' quantities were as follows:—Bank of New Zealand, 4,448 ozs 14 dwts2o grsj Union Bank, 2,596 ozs 9 dwts 6 grs; total, 7,'.'40 oz3: 4 dwts 2 grs. The export duty paid oa the above amounted to JJBBO 13s Id. The storekeepers at Reefton are loudly expressing satisfaction at the despatch with which goods are now being forwarded from Westport. A number of orders were forwarded thence on Tuesday week last, and the goods were received at Reefton the Sunday following in excellent order and the packages entire. This is said to present a striking contrast with the length of time occupied in obtaining goods by the Grey route, and in point of condition in which goods arrive no possible comparison can be instituted between the two lines of road.

A prospecting area was granted on Thursday by the Warden at Westport to Hugh MeMast ?r, John McMaster, Edward Maddisoh, M itthew Steel, Alexander M'Kenzie, and Murdoch M'Kenzie. The area is 600 feet x 400 feet, and is situate at the foot of Giles Terrace, half way between Beaton's store and Orawaiti. The working is alluvial, depth of sinking, 78 feet; and the ground is described as very wet. The amateur entertainment in aid of the funds of the Westport District Hospital will take place, at the Masonic Hall, Empire Hotel, on Monday evening. The programme, published in another column, is a very attractive one, and the performance in every respect bids fair to be a great success. In addition to tbose gentlemen who rendered such efficient service on Tuesday last, we notice the names of Mr H. Pain and Mr Alexander as taking part in the entertainment for Monday evening. Mr Crawford, of whom we omitted to mention how largely he contributed to the general success of the previous entertainment, will again preside at the pianoforte. Altogether, a first-class evening's amusement will be offered, and we have no doubt that the funds of a deserving institution will bo largely augmented. Wo regret to learn that a boy, named Creed, who took part in a foot race in the s ports at Reefton, had tho misfortune to break, his thigh bone. It appears that whilst running, he was tripped by a dog, and hence the sad result. We understand that he bad previously suffered a fracture of the same joint. The election of officers of the Loyal Westport Lodge, M.U.1.0.0.P., for the ensiling quarter, took place at. the Odd-Fellows' Hall, on Thursday evening, with the following result:—Bro. V.Q-. Charles Bishop, as N.G.; Bro. W. Abernethy, as V.G.; and Bro. Wm. Hannah, E.S. An art union of jewelry, comprising 27 valuable prizes, will be drawn for at the Empire Hotel, on Monday evening. Highly encouraging news reached town from the Inangahua reefs yesterday. Claim No. 12 North, Kelly's line of reef, have struck the reef with highly payable prospects. The future prosperity of the j Inangahua dis" district is entirely beyond doubt. The schooner Maid of Erin left Melbourne on Saturday, the 16th inst., in company with the schooner Aborigine bound for Hokitika. Experienced northsrly and westerly winds during the passage, with fine weather. Arrived at the anchorage on Tuesday last at noon, and crossed the bar the following evening in tow of the steamer Kennedy. Owing to the absence of the wind, the vessel did not sail in. The vessel will complete discharging to-night, and sail for Melbourne on Monday on Tuesday. On her ''arrival in Melbourne she underwent a thorough overhaul, and has been re-caulked and coppered anew throughout.

The body of the deceased William M'Elwee, whose death by drowning was recorded in our last issue, has not yet been recovered. Thei *' Charleston Herald" performs the duties of Greville's agent at Charleston ; and I iu that" capacity forwarded the following digest of Mr O'Conor's meeting at Charleston :—" Mr O'Conor, M.H.8., addressed his constituents on Saturday night. Tke proceedings were very tame, and only about 100 people were present. A vote of confidence was passed without remarks, no one speaking for op against it. He admitted having received the full amount of tbe honorarium, although, lie'had been absent during a part of the session. It had, lie said, been forced on him by the Speaker. He denied having a ;pehny,£br his overland; travelling in that report the sender has evinced a most complete dWegvd of truth. So far from the proceedings being tame, Mr O'Conor was repeatedly, and warmly cheered, and with respect to the honor., riuro or other matters, no questions whatever were put, and it was inr

possible, therefore, for Mr O'Conor to have made any such admission as the correspondent would imply. Finally, in place of 100 persons being present there were fully 300, any of whom will be able to judge of the correctness or otherwise of the above statement. JBT ELEOTBIO TELEGRAMS. (pee geeville's telegbam compant, eeuteb's agents). Wellington", December 29. Mr Haughton has been appointed Under-Secretary for the Goldfields.. It is probable that Eichardson will resign his seat for Nelson Suburbs. J. C. Richmond and Luckie will' stand. Dune din, December 29. The Inter-provincial cricket match was commenced on the 28th. 'Otago in their first innings scored 128, and Canterbury 84, with four wickets to fall when the stumps were drawn. GrEErMOUTH, December 29. E. B. Fox has been elected a member of the County Council for G-rey-mouth. The election was contested by John Harris, formerly of Westport. RESIDENT MAGISTRATE COURT. Feidat, December 29. (Before J. Giles, Esq., E.M.) special licenses. Extensions of publicans' license were granted to Timothy Sheahan for Jan. Ist and 2nd, to D. Emanuel for the 'same nights, and to Elizabeth Savage and Margaret Cooke for the Ist of January. CIVIL cases. Lund v. Norman.—Claim for £2O 19s for wages. Mr Pitt appeared for the plaintiff. A set-off had been filed for £lB 7s 3d, a portion of which was admitted. After hearing evidence on both sides, his Worship gave judgment for the plaintiff for £l2 lis lOd and costs. • Courtney v. Kelp. Claim for damages Is. This was an action brought by the lessee of the Orawaiti Tramway for damage alleged to have been sustained by reason of the defendant having used the roadway along which the tramway is laid for packing stores. The action was to establish the precedent that the line was protected from trespass. The facts were admitted, and his Worship gave judgment for the plaintiff in the amount claimed and 9s costs.

Eafferfcy v. Harley.—Claim for £3 13s. Adjourned to January 17, in order to admit of the evidence of the defendant and others to be taken before the Eesident Magistrate, Nelson, being received. Williams v. M'Kenzie.^—Claim for £2 for carriage of stores from Westport to Inangahua Landing. Mr Pitt appeared for the plaintiff, who stated that he was informed by a storekeeper named Martin that he had certain goods to be forwarded to Inangahua Landing for M'Kenzie. He took the goods accordingly and delivered them at the Landing to a packer, who conveyed the goods to the defendant at Reefton. He saw M'Kenzie at Reefton, and the latter said that it was understood Martin was to pay. In any case he had no money in his possession at that time, and he must wait until they had a cruoliing. He thereupon summoned the defendant.

By the Bench : M'Kenzie previously paid me for goods carried to the Landing. The defendant stated that the plaintiff had previously conveyed a keg of butter for him from Bailie and Humphrey, the freight upon which was paid by the defendant to the plaintiff in Westport. He was in no way liable for the present claim, and Martin, the storekeeper, was willing to pay, and would have paid had he been applied to. The understanding was that the goods were to be forwarded at Martin's expense and risk to the Inangahua Landing, where the defendant was to receive and accept delivery. He did not instruct the plaintiff, nor authorise Martin to employ him. Joseph Martin, storekeeper, stated that he delivered the goods to the plaintiff, having first informed him that he had some to send to M'Kenzie. He did not tell the plaintiff that he (Martin) was to pay freight. It was customary for the consignee to pay freight. He should have paid the freight had Williams rendered any account. The first account he had seen was that attached to the summons in the present case. Mr Pitt thought it scarcely necessary for him to address the Court. His Worship thought there was some difficulty attached to the question. He was aware that the custom in Westport was that tho consignee should pay freight, but he should like to hear, argument to show what the legal aspect of thei case was. Mr Pitt then argued the case, and at the conclusion of his address, His Worship decided that the defendant in this case was liable, and gave judgment for the plaintiff in the amount claimed and costs. Emanuel v. M'Cue.—ln this case a summons had been served upon tho defendant to show cause that he had failed to pay the sum of £2 os, being the jfrnount of plaintiff's judgment. The defendant did not appear, and his Worship ordered a warrant of arrest, to issue upon the application of the plaintiff.

West v. Davis.—Claim for £2 18s 6d. Judgment for plaintiff by default in the amount claimed and costs. Rogers v. Mahuika.—Claim for £2 13s. In this cose the defendant had paid the amount of the claim into Court, and the money had been received by the plaintiff, who, however, failed to give notice of discontinuance. The defendant thereupon employed Mr Pitt, and defended the action. - Judgment for the defendant, with costs of attendance, and counsel's costs. - tt^t