The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. In the cause of Truth and Justice we strive. TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 1872.

Westport Times, Volume VI, Issue 948, 19 March 1872, Page 2

The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. In the cause of Truth and Justice we strive. TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 1872.

Twenty tons of machinery and merchandise were dispatched this morning for Reefton and intermediate places, but we regret to say that complaints are still general as to the impossibility of obtaining boats to convey the necessary provisions to the inhabitants in the interior, where even now with all the fine weather provisions are at famine prices. A gentleman just returned from Reefton informs us that there is not a hundred weight of flour in the place, and no horse feed whatever; unfortunately too the potatoes of a local growth, upon which so much dependence has been placed, are becoming infected by a blight brought on by the late frost. The prospect is not reassuring, and we fear that the scarcity of provisions on the Inangahua this winter will be a thing to be remembered. All that can be done is to hasten the road making, and draw the attention of boatmen, waggoners and draymen to the opening there exists here for them. We believe that nowhere in the colony are men of that class making anything like the profits that they command here, which we do not grudge them, while we desire to see the work done, which they are evidently not competent to do, nor would they be even if their numbers were doubled. At tile arrival of every boat the owner is besieged with applications to take loading; and lucky is he who succeeds in getting his goods underweigh; then again the same difficulty occurs at the Landing with the waggoners and draymen. We understand that a petition is now in course of signature asking for increased postal communication between Westport, The Junction» Lyell, Boatman's, and Beefton. The subject is one of considerable importance, the weekly mail service being a mere mockery; very few at present avail themselves of it at all, letters " en masse " being conveyed by privato hand* We hnye been shown a very fine specimen of alluvial gold, consisting of three nuggets weighing about forty ounces, which were obtained at Irishman's Creek, Lyell, and brought to town yesterday. So much is being said about the Inangahua that the Lyell is now scarcely ever mentioned; still there is no doubt that both in reefs and alluvial mining it will bear comparison with any part of this district.

A quarter share in the prospector's claim, Larry's was disposed of on Thursday for the sum of £2OO.

Mr W. Courtney is preparing for the construction of the tramway between Reefton and Black's Point. Tenders «,re called for the supply of rails. Mr P. Wakefield, some time telegraphist it. Westport, lately Warden's clerk, Ahaura, has been appointed clerk to Warden's and Resident Magistrate's Court, Reefton. Protective groius are being constructed at Reefton to divert the river from the bank upon which the town is built. Mr Gr. Donne, M.P.C., has distinguished his arrival at Reefton, as the following extract from the "Herald" ot the 16th shows : —" The hearing of the case Donne v. M'Phefe yesterday excited considerable attention, and great satisfaction was expressed by the public at the decision being given in favor of the defendant. Jumpers do not generally meet with much approbation, and when one takes into oossideration that the section in dispute had been thoroughly cleared at a considerable outlay, that the defendant's servant was in actual occupation at the time it was jumped, and that a large quantity of timber had been ordered for the immediate erection of a building on it, it will be easy to Understand the applause which greeted the verdict in Court yesterday." Lowther Broad, Esq., R.M., has been appointed Sheriff for the District of Nelson, vice T. Brunner, Esq.