The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. In the cause of Truth and Justice we strive. SATURDAY, MARCH 9, 1872.

Westport Times, Volume VI, Issue 940, 9 March 1872, Page 2

The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. In the cause of Truth and Justice we strive. SATURDAY, MARCH 9, 1872.

The Hon Mr Reeves left Westport last night by the Charles Edward for Hokitika. Previous to his departure he paid a short visit to the diggings on the Northern Terraces. While the Minister of Public Works was at Reefton last Monday a deputation waited upon him for the purpose of representing local requirements—the roads, the insufficiency of Court accommodation, the abolition of provincial miners' rights, and the substitution in lieu thereof of a miner's right for the colony. The extension of postal and telegraphic communication were the topics. Mr Reeves replied in a satisfactory manner upon the subjects under his control, and promised to submit others to the cabinet. The Harbor Master reports that the old channel is in excellent condition, still retaining six feet of water on the bar at low water, spring tideß, and seventeen feet at high water ; the channel is also wider and better defined than heretofore. The new channel still continues in good condition, giving, from its position, great additional facilities to vessels frequenting the harbor. The beach at the back of the town still continues to increase. Several claims have been pegged off at the head of Murray Creek, which is not far from 1 the machine site of the Westland Company. I It will be perceived by advertisement that ! Professor Strachan, well "known for bo rriany years in Wangwui, has succeeded to the business lately carried on by Mr Dupuis. .The Professor advertises an addition to the machine-power of the district. j

It is stated that the road has been cleared as far as the vreek by contractors for Broadway, they being under a fine of £1 per day should the work not be completed in a month.

Mace and Company commenced operations this week in the Inangahua. We have not yet heard the result. The protective works at Reefton consist of four crate groins, one of which will be forty feet long, and the others thirty* More payable reef has been struck at Boatman's, in the neighborhood of Larry's Creek. Water-power can be used, anil machinery can be conveyed to this place without the trouble and cost which usually attend such operations. A pugilistic contest is reported to have taken place when it was known that the reservo at Reefton was thrown open for selection. Food tor the lawyers is the anticipated result.

Charleston narrowly escaped being the scene of a serious conflagration on Friday morning. At about 5 a.m. a man, named Charles O'Dounell, discovered a fire at the rear of the City Hotel, in which he happened to be sleeping in a room just alongside of where the fire occurred. He immediately gave the alarm, and gome people having assembled the fire was luckily quickly under control. Owing to the early hour at which the fire occurred, had it not been seeu in such good time, the entire block, which is the most valuable in Charleston, must almost inevitably have been consumed. The fire was caused by the servant in the City Hotel throwing burning ashes into a barrel some time on the previous day, and is another instance of the gross carelesucss so frequently exhibited from time to time in and indeed ; Charleston no later than Sunday last, a similar instance occurred at another portion of the town. It therefore behoves the business people of the town to have some competent person appointed to see after and examine the chimneys and the back premises of all the houses within the township. The Charleston Fire Brigade held their first practice under the new organisation on Thursday evening. Upon the call of the roll about thirty answered to their names, and apologies were received from several others. The engine was brought out and worked for a while, and proved to be in first rate condition. The Auckland horse, Black Eagle.it is said, has accepted for the G rev mouth Handicap. This will make altogether six acceptances. At Maori Gully, No Town, a miner named McConnel received very serious injuries about the head, by falling over a precipice into a creek on Tuesday last.