The Westport Times. AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. In The cause of Truth and Justice we Strive. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1872.

Westport Times, Volume VI, Issue 927, 15 February 1872, Page 2

The Westport Times. AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. In The cause of Truth and Justice we Strive. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1872.

Mb Fox, in answer to the deputation that waited upon him on the fckh inst., said that now he was here he should see the condition of things with his own eyes, and hear with his own ears the representations of the people. By recent news from Australia we learn that the Governor of Queensland, the Marquis of Normanby, is adopting a similar course in that colony, much to the annoyance of the officials connected with the various departments. It is stated that he has the habit of wishing to know ail about everything and everybody. The "Lyttelton Times" has an excellent leading article on the subject; and as it is very apropos at the present time when the Premier of New Zealand and the Superintendent of the Province are both on the West Coast at the same time, either by accident or design, we shall make free to select a few observations from it. It states that they do not wish to imply that his Excellency of Queensland is a Paul Pry, or a busy-body, or an old weman, but, on the contrary, that he displays a very proper and useful desire to make himself acquainted with the people over whom he has been appointed to rule—their material condition, prospects, wants, and aspirations. This is just what Mr Fox seems to be about, and we may very fairly trust that beneficial results will follow his visit to the "West Coast districts. The " Lyttelton Times " goes on to state that the Governor insists on acquiring this knowledge at first hand, and not through the medium of his "responsible" advisers. He will persist in visiting the various parts of the colony; in talking to the settlers about themselves and the resources end capabilities of the country according to their actual experiences. It seems too that he has published a plain unvarnished tale of " what he has seen with his own eye, heard with his own ears, and deduced from hiß own observation." This paper then expresses its opinion that it would be well for this and other colonies if the, Governor would follow the example of the noble Marquis and Governor Weld of Westepn Australia; the latter of whom spends the greater portion of his time in roughing it among the wilds of his little known and less-developed kingdom, with the view of making the world aware what its attractions and resources are. Sir George Grey was a very active Governor, and rather addicted to the pig-skin, and there is not a doubt that, had be been here in these peaceful times, he would have visited the West Coast and seen with his own eyes partially what was wanted, and heard with his own ears from the people the wants he could not see. If we cannot get the Governor to visit this distant part of the colony, let us be thankful that Mr Fox, whose whole interest, and we may say affection, lies in the country of which he has now been a resident since it became a part of the British dominions, is making an inspection now for the purpose of rendering the country more adapted for a home for our race.

The annual ball of the Westporfc Fire Brigade took place at the Masonic Hotel, on Monday night. Though not so well attended as on former occasions, those who were present seemed fully to enter into the enjoyment of the mazy dance. The ball was anything but d la Spurgeon, we hear, the fair portion of creation forming a majority^ The Brighton Hotel at Charleston, opposite th« premises of Messrs Dwan and Co., has been converted into a store by that firm.

Several townsmen met at the Poet Office Hotel on Tuesday evening last, for the purpose of taking the case of George Lowe and his family into consideration. It was determined to make a collection, and devise other moans of achieving the object of the meeting. A committee was formed, consisting of the Rev Mr Soutar, Messrs Falla, O'Conor, Bond, Buchanan, and Neil. Mr Oldfield was appointed secretary, and Mr Humphrey, treasurer. -,

Sailor has been entered by his owner, Mr Thomas M'Kce, for three events at the Wakefield Steeplechase, Nelson, which is to come off on the 21st inst.

It will be seen that the steamer Charles Edward from Nelson is advertised to sail from this port for Greymouth to-night at 12 o'clock.

His Honor Mr Curtis, Superintendent, arrived in Charleston by coach on Monday evening. He has announced a meeting of his constituency, to be held at the Casino do Venice, on Wednesday evening. He has also received some deputations with regard to local matters.

Captain Baldwin delivered a lecture to a large audieuce, at the Literary Institute, Charleston, on Tuesday evening. The Eev Mr Flavell was voted to the chair, The lecture was well delivered, seasoned with many pleasing anecdotes, and was listened to and frequently applauded. The Murray Circus troupe have been performing at Charleston for the past eight oxten days with much success. Monday evening concluded the company's entertainment. Tuesday evening was devoted to Mastec Braham's benefit, when the price of admission was reduced. Upon this, as upon the preceding evening, the performance concluded with Dick Turpin's Ride to York, and from the manner in which it was performed upon the first evening its announcement for the second evening drew a much larger house than would otherwise have attended, the performance of Turpin's Black Bess, in itself being a sight well worth witnessing. Towards the conclusion Mr Murray returned thanks for the support he had received in Charleston, and expressed a wish to visit Charleston upon some future occasion and cater more extensively for its amusement.

We hear that John Hale has the contract for the supply of stone (increased to 1500 tons) advertised for by the Provincial Engineer in our last issue.

Preparations are being made to remove the Harp of Erin Hotel, near the wharf, belonging to Mr E. Roche, several feet to the rear of its present somewhat perilous position, caused by the late flood. Mr Duff, the Premier of "Victoria, has publicly stated that the Melbourne mint will be able to purchase gold at a shilling an ounce over the price paid at present' Through this advance, Mr Duffy calculates the miners will gain between £BO,QOO and £90,000 a-year, without the Government losing one penny. The Ross "Guardian" of Feb. 6, announces the death of Mr Wm. Hay, which occurred on Friday night or Saturday morning. The body of the deceased was found by Mr Stewart in the bush on Sunday morning, who gave information to the police. The remains were brought to the Camp on Sunday, and an inquest was held yesterday, at which a verdict " died from rupture of the heart" was returned. Deceased was last seen on Friday afternoon, when he seemed to be in his usual health.

At the ..Resident Magistrate's Court, Greymouth, on the Ist inst., Mr William M'Lean, of Murray Creek, obtained a verdict of .£SO damages and Costs, or in default four months' imprisonment, against Robert Batters, engineer, of Melbourne, for breach of contract. The plaintiff engaged the defendant in Melbourne as a practical engineer for ten months, at £6 per week. The defendant arrived and commenced his duties. When his services were just about to be put into requisition, he made tracks. However he had to pay dearly for his delinquency. The last number of the "Inangahna Herald" says, that the excitement about Boatman's has subsided. Shares in the various claims there have considerably increased in value since our last.K: Several fresh claims have been taken up, and the miners are now settling down to test the ground. The "Inangahua Herald" of the 7th inst., says:—The work of conveying the boiler belonging to the Westland Company, was commenced yesterday morning, and, notwithstanding the late hour at which they commenced operations, it was conveyed nearly half-a-mile. It is expected that, if the weather continue fine, Friday will see it placed on the site. The French Academy of Science asserts sea water can bo used in making bread, but not in cooking meat; and, by the addition of sugar, is made quite drinkable. The following from a Paris correspondent of an English paper reminds us of some recent descriptions of serious accidents in this country : —"A journal here (Paris) publishes the terrifying calamity at Chicago, which makes me shudder on reading, in its ' anecdote' column I"