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Westport Times, Volume VI, Issue 937, 6 March 1872, Page 2

A very interesting lecture was given yesterday evening at the Masonic Hall, by the Bishop of Nelson, Dr Giles in the chair. The subject chosen being the "Early History •of the Manuscripts of the Bible." The lecture was highlj' interesting and instructive ; it was delivered in a simple and impressive style, plentifully interspersed "with anecdotes and illustrations ; altogether it \vas : such an event Westport seldom affords. At the conclusion, a vote of thanks was unanimously accorded to his Lordship, in proposing which the Rev. Mr Scrotal* took occasion to remark that he had some hope that he might prevail upon his Lordship to give another lecture upon his return from Charleston. The chairman, in conveying the thanks of the audience to the right rev lecturer, remarked that it would be a happy thing for Westport if intellectual lectures, such as that afforded by his Lordship, were to take a more prominent here • and said that the Athenaeum committee, being most anxious to provide a series of popular lectures or readings, he hoped that some residents in the place, who were qualified to do so, would come forward for the purpose. In case that were done, he promised his assistance and cooperation. The lecture was concluded by a few remarks from the Bishop, thanking the audience for their attention, and urging future study in pursuit of the interesting subject he had introduced to them. The usual thanks were voted to the chair.

A trifling accident occurred to one of Mr Pell's boats, proceeding up the river yesterday. The boat struck a snag and sprang a leak, necessitating unloading for repairs, which were promptly effected. The boat proceeded on its journey to-day.

The Hon Mr Reeves, Messrs Haughton and Dobson arrived in Westport early this morning. They halted last night at the Ohiki Hotel. Upon their arrival they found a considerable number of travellers already established at the hotel. The accommodation at the disposal of the new host being taxed to the utmost.

We believe that the Minister for Public Works has made all the necessary arrangements for pushing on the road works with utmost speed. Tenders are to be immediately invited for the remaining portions of the road through the Inangahua. Mr G. White's large cargo boat returned to town early to-day from the Inangahua, accomplishing the trip in two days and ahalf. An other boat, of the same line, which left late yesterday morning, arrived early to-day at the Inangahua Junction. We learn that when the steamer Murray, having goods on hoard for Mr Moffatt, of the Anatori, was passing that -place, she displayed a signal—before agreed upon—that it was not safe for such a boat as Mr Moffatt's to come out and take cargo from the steamer; but it seems that the boatmen on shore mistook the signal, and came near the steamer, when Captain Palmer advised them to come on hoard, as it was dangerdas for them to return in the state of the surf then at the mouth of the river. The boatmen asked what they were to do with their boat, and were told that the boat must take its chance j they then decided to return, but, on nearing the river, the boat upset and the men were seen from the steamer straggling in the water. One of them quickly got on shore, and was joined by some other persons, who, undressingtheinselves.waited an opportunity and gallantly rescued the other man from

Lis perilous position, afterwards they were observed using means for his restoration* A boat like Moffatt's is not fit for such & place, and it is madness for men to expose their lives in such a manner. A gentleman returned from the reefs tegted some stone, at one of the banks, Charles, ton, on "Friday last. From eleven ounces of quartz taken from Shiel's prospeetihi claim, three grains of gold were obtained■'and from seven ounces of qUartz from's clairh on Kelly's line of reef, one and a. half grain of gold was the result. The stone, previous to being reduced, looked perfectly destitute of gold, and before it had been tested the party who brought it 'down, as'well as peveral to whom he showed it, doubted very much the fact of gold'et. istihg'i'n it. It 'ls "already suggested that a Court of Appeal should be held at Reefton, oh account 'of"the number of disputes concert, ing both the old and new reefs. Should such "a court be constituted, Judge Harvey, is likely to preside. We are glad to see that means are to be taken by 'which more frequent postal eoni. munication between Reefton and the sea board will be established.

The erection of an Episcopalian Church at'Reefton having been decided upon at the late meeting when the Bishop of Xelsoii was there, two sections of land have been -taken up for that purpose. An Oddfellow's Lodge, Manchester Unit?, is about to he established at Keef ton. Mi iTvess was voted to "the chair, when it was decided that it should be called the Lojaj Reef ton Lodge. At Reef ton the sawyers are getting upi -petition to Mr Warden Broad, stating the objections t'o the two agricultural lease granted to Mr McLeod and Mr Graham. These leases comprise 100 acres each; and two saw mills are about to be erected hi these gentlemen. The price of timba would certainly be reduced by the intro du'ctibn of machinery; but we do hope thai means will be taken to preserve the ei lusting rights of individual sawyers. The schooner Jupiter arrived in Constant Bay, Charleston, from Lyttelton, on Sunday evening. She is consigned to Messrs, Gardner and Sutton, and brings a genera! cargo in good order.