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Westport Times, Volume VI, Issue 931, 24 February 1872, Page 2

The Superintendent, the Hon Mr Fox, and Mr O'Conor returned to Westport on Thursday evening, having left Reeftpn oi_ the morning of the same day. They rode from Eeefton to the Landing, thence by boat down to town. ': A gentleman, writing from Eeefton, mentions that the machinery at Shiel's claim will the started this day (Saturday). We believe this will be the first in operation at Reefton. We bkewise learn from the same source that scrip in Anderson's was selling on Thursday at £9. The beautiful weather which we have had of late was succeeded on Thursday last by a fierce gale from the north, which lasted all day, blowing the sand about the streets and making walking an effort. At night the gale increased, and the sea rolled in most furiously, causing those who resided near it to prepare themselves for a sudden removal.; and the fact of its beine spring tides did not at all diminish the fears of the inhabitants. About nine o'clock the work of destruction commenced and from that time the sea encroached on all sides, more especially from Freeman street northward. One or two small houses were upset, and the drift timber brought up in abundance as far as Gladstone street. All the fencing round Mr Fruser's buildings (the school house, &c.) was swept away, and his garden entirely destroyed by the action of the water and deposits of sand. Further encroachments were made on the beautiful garden belonging to Mr Hughes of the Empire Hotel. Dr Thorpe, Mr Munro, and Sergeant Kiely were also sufferers, although living so far north of the town—the latter two vacated their

houses; Mr Falla's garden was completely under water, and has the appearance of being blasted by a hot wind. Many people have been forced from their homes and have to seek others further inland. It is rather singular that the part about Tibby's old stores, in the neighborhood of Stanley Wharf, should have escaped with so little damage as considerable encroachments are being daily made from the wharf seawards. Many chimneys were blown down, and many roofs were stripped, among which the Episcopalian Church may bo mentioned. The tramway from Dr Thorpe's nearly to the hospital has almost totally disappeared; and the quantity of driftwood in the same locality is almost inconceivable. A heavy squall from the south-east is said to have passed over the city of Nelson on Tuesday last, doing considerable damage to the various hop gardens and orchards, and blowing down a chimney in the centre of the city. The steamer Kennedy arrived in port on Thursday morning, with a number of passengers and a large cargo of fruit and other produce, besides general cargo. On her last trip up she went into the Karamea and took Mrs Waite out of her solitary abode, but who has returned to Westport, as we see by the passenger list. The Kennedy left last night for Ilokitika and Greymouth. The steamer Wallaby arrived yesterday morning from Wanganui bringing cattle, sheep, pigs, &c, for this port and Greymouth. Captain Daniel informed us that there was a very nasty sea on all day on Thursday, althoughj-e experienced nothing of the gale which proved so unwelcome an invader here.

Prom a Eeefton correspondent we learn that the Hon Mr Fox arrived at Reefton from the Ahaura on Tuesday evening. He travelled by the new track on foot in order to enable him to judge of its capabilities as a dray road; it is at present in a very rough state, a range of 200 feet high has to be surmounted. Mr Pox did not arrive in Reefton until dusk. Just as he was entering the town he was met by the Provincial Engineer and Mr O'Conor, who had organised a search party, fearing that he had lost his way. Neither postage nor duty stamps are to be had at Reefton. The supply of miners' rights is also exhausted. To a numerously signed petition presented to the Superintendent asking that sittings of the Warden's Court be held at the junction of Murray Creek, his Honor expressed himself as favorable to the object of the petition, which he said came more directly nnder Mr Broad, who, he had no doubt, would hold courts both at Murray Creek and at Boatman's-

We publish the following as a caution to those who may unconsciously, commit a breach of the Arms Act. Mr Samuel Solomon, ironmonger, Ilokitika, has been committed for trial for having in his possession more than ten pounds of gunpowder, not having a license to sell that article. The punishment for such an offence is imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years with or without hard labor, and a fine not exceeding J2500, at the discretion of the Judge. For selling gunpowder, arms, &c, without a license, penal servitude for a term not exceeding six years, and not less than three. Surely it is time that this foolish Act was repealed. We owe it to Mr Stafford's Government.

Our readers will probably notice, in the account of the death of " Cranky Dudley," caused by a blow of a whip given by his employer, the singular circumstance that, although the unfortunate affair took place in December, the defendant was not committed till February. The celebrated Caledonian shares are now quoted in the Auckland market at £l6 10s.