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Westport Times, Volume VI, Issue 962, 16 April 1872, Page 2

.Hiere have lately been accounts from the Thames goldfields of most successful quartz crushing-, some particulars of which will be found in our present issue. But these do not equal a small specimen (41bs) of quartz saved from that alluded to in our last which lias since been crushed, and yielded three pennyweights. We leave to our readers the working out of this task of arithmetic, to see how msny ounces this would yield to the ton. On Friday night, in spite of the very unfavorable state of the weather, a tolerably numerous audience assembled at the Masonic Hall to witness the delineations of character by Miss Clara Stephenson, Mr Burford, and a gentleman amateur of this town. The entertainment commenced with that ever-pleasing scene from Sheri dan Knowles's play of " The Hunchback," where Helen, reversing the usual order of things in affairs of the heart, makes love to her bookworm cousin—and conquers him ; and no wonder, for who could withstand the lively wiles of Helen as enacted by Miss Clara Stephenson, whose delineation of this determined-to-conquer female character was everything one could wish. Modus, too was excellently played by the well-practised Burford. We know of no plays more favorab.e for selection than those of Sheridan Knowles; and we have been often astonished that they have not been more used for that purpose in the colonies than they are. Perhaps the reminiscence of our youthful days when they were first written and presented to the public, makes us partial. If our "friends the actors" will not take it amiss we would recommend selections from Knowles's 'Blind Beggar of Bethnal Green ' 'The Wife,' ' William Tell," &c, as far preferable to such miserable productions as the 'Unprotected Young Man,' of which the less said the better. Miss Clara Stephenson delighted her audience with her 'Flower Garden,' and long may she bloom as one flower of the sweet posy she presented to the public on this evening in the song of Ihe Eose, the Shamrock, the Thistle, and the Fern.' As old playgoers we can fairly say that we have many time and oft seen that beautiful part of Othella played with much less judgment and skill than on this occasion. The gentleman personating the high-souled Moor has a good conception of what has to be done. It is evident that great physical as well as mental power is required in the acting of a part descriptive if a man piactised from childhood to the din of arms—only caught in the soft meshes of love when he had somewhat descended into the vale of years—loved only as such men can love—then to have the cup of enchantment rudely dashed from his lips, and jealousy take part with love in his soul. Mr Burford'a personation of lago was excellent. We have often seen this supersubtle character outraged by a coarse vul-

garity which would at once have disgusted the noble Moor. There is groat temptation so to exhibit the charactor of lago, but Mr Burford acted on Shakespeare's own descvipton of what Desdeinona's countrywomen were, by widen lago finally entrapped the warlike loving Moor, in the conclusive sentence—" Sho did deceive her father, and may you." In the Magistrate's Court, yesterday, two cases of drunkenness were disposed of by fine or imprisonment, and the case of Ann Loekyer, who is considered of unsound mind, was remanded. Tn the Warden's Court some applications and protections were granted. The Court rose before 12 o'clock. Mr Warden Broad arrived in Westport Sunday aftenoon from Reef ton. The new sehoolhouseisnow ready for occupation. It reflects very little credit either upon the architect or the Board ; it is a low squat building, badly lighted, and no provision whateveris made for ventilation, except through the windows. Altogether it is a most unsightly and unsuitable building. The workmanship and material, which are very good, form the only redeeming feature about it. Sunday was rather a busy day among the shipping in Westport. The p.s. Charles Edward came in from Greymouth with a number of passengers and cargo for the Reefs, which were discharged at the Government wharf. Amongst the cargo we noticed several drays for Reef ton, At two o'clock the Charles Edward steamed away for Nelson, taking her departure by the new channel. With the same schooner; Mavis and Dunedin sailed out also by the new channel, which affords both a short cut and an increased facility for entrance or departure from the port. The Skibbereen Gold Mining Company's tunnel, Addison's Flat, broke down on Saturday night, owing to a crack in the ground where their tail-race crossed. It will take the party five weeks to repair the damage. Ever since Christmas the company have been getting everything into good working order, with undoubtedly fair prospects, and now nearly all the work has to be done again. On Saturday morning an accident happened to one of Pell's boats, which fortunately was not attended with any very serious damage. The boat was moored with several others at the Blackwater, the men were having breakfarst when suddenly they were startled by seeing the stern sheets floating down river; when they went to the boat sho was swamped, having been caught in some way by the current. Her freight was nearly all the property of Mr M'Kee, and consisted of a waggon, harness, and horsefee 1. The horsefeed has been recovered, together with most of the harness and wagjjon. The late heavy fresh in the river has done no damage to the bank, but, were it not for groin at the end of Gladstone-street, it is quite evident that the encroachment at that point would have been considerable. The sea has rounded off the point below Munro's wharf, thereby widening the entrance at the new channel; but along the beach, at the back of Gladstone-street, notwithstanding the prevalence of southerly gales, no encroachments have taken place. Property holders are beginning to smile again, in consequence of the improved appearance of the beach, which now seems to have a tendency to form in the shape of a spit, commencing close to the new channel and endir.CT aV>r..i+. Dc Thome's residence. A public meeting was lately held at Reefton for the purpos-e of organising a Sick and Destitute Relief Fund. Mr Warden Broad presided, and said, when introducing the business of the meeting, that he had made arrangements with the Provincial Secretary, so that in the event of such a desirable fund being created for the purpose, the Government would give a subsidy of two pounds to one on the amount subscribed. The proceedings wore of a very satisfactory character; and an influential committee of thirty members was formed to carry out the "object of the meeting.

Upon Shield's claim crushing is going on, rather under difficulties, but still it is going, and everybody anxiously waits for the result as a kind of practical test of the value of Shiel's line of reef. The company expect to have a washing about the end of the present mouth. The Westland Company have obtained some very rich stone. The gold is in the seams, and the specimens are the richest yet obtained, except those from Porter's claim at Larry's Creek. It is reported that Mr Coates of Greymouth has undertaken to furnish machinery to No. 1 and 2 south, Adam Smith's line of reef. Section jumping seems to be very much practised at Keefton. The' Herald' reports fresh cases at every issue. At the Inangahua landing and at the Mi Mi some hundred tons of goode are awaiting to be sent on to Eeefton, at which place they are much required. By a late fresh in the river Inangahua the advantages of the protective groins already constructed were proved. Others axe recommended to be at once commenced. Application has been made for a quartz - mining lease of 161 acres for ground situated between Snowy and Big Rivers, Ahaura, some excellent epecimens having been found there. It is stated tint the making of the Landing and Larry's section of the Inangahua road is going on satisfactorily, and it is estimated that it will be finished by the middle of May, _ The great panorama of the stupendous civil war in the United States may be daily expected here. We are sure that such an exhibition will be liberally patronised. To the young it will be especially interesting, as impressing on their minds the incident's of one of the most gigantic wars that ever took place in ancient or modern times. To those persons who imagine that they cannot get their portraits efficiently taken, Mr Vorley's announcement that he has just received a new apparatus by means of which the dullness of the weather is rather an advantage than otherwise, will be very acceptable. Mr Vorley intends to leave Westport in a few days, therefore all who desire to have their portraits taken by this new process should lose no time. The attention of all those engaged in the extracting of gold from other matters is called to an article in another column entitled " Treatment of Gold Ores." We are authorised to announce that direct communication by telegraph with Auckland was opened on the 13th instant. This will be a great boon to many members of the community. The office-hours in Auckland and Grahamstown are from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mr Thompson, agent for Langland's Foundry Company, has left Eeefton for Greymouth, where ho anticipates concluding arrangements for the erection of machinery upon the Wealth of Nations and Energetic claims, both situated upon Adam Smith's line. Water-power will be used, I

for which both claims are pretty well adapted, the former getting a good supply from a tributary of the Inangahua, and the latter taking the tail water of Nos. 1 and 2 South Shiel's. As a sign of advancement in the town of Beefton, complaints are made of want of gaol accommodation. We have yet to learn that such a state of affairs exists at Reefton and tlio surrounding districts as pictured by the Hokitika •Star.' It says:—Recent visitors to the Inangahua state that a great reaction has commenced at that place. It is said that there is no employment for the majority of those on the groivd, and that the rush is most uniustiflable and unaccountable. Beefton and the surrounding district are said to swarm with men who are bitterly disappointed at being unable to obtain work of any desciption at any rate of wages. The following in reference to the representation of Nelson City ij copied from the 'Colonist'of April 9:—'• A rumor having been circulated in certain quarters that there is some probability of Mr Luckie's withdrawing from the coming contest in the event of certain contingencies, we are authorised to state that there is no foundation whatever for such rumor, and that Mr Luckie has no thought of withdrawing, but will go to a poll, whoever may come forward." We believe that Mr Saunders, formerly a member of the House of Representatives, and lately Superintendent of this Province, has been invited to stand whea Mr liightband resigns. This probably will account for the conclusion of the above extract. Mr Sanderson, late miller in Tokomairiro, and late partner and manager in Messrs Robertson and Sanderson's flourmills, Tuapeka, died suddenly a week ago. He was a gentleman much respected in that district. The 'Otago Times' chronicles the capture of a, brown trout from the Water of Leith, weighing a pound and three quarters. A baker named Johnson, whose shop was recently burnt down, has been charged in the Auckland Magistrate Court with arson although the New Zealand Insurance Company, who were the interested parties, declined to have anything to do with the prosecution. The writer of Casual Notes in the 'Otago Daily Times,' in reference to the honor recently bestowed upon the hon. J. Vogel, says: —Here also I may refer to the new honor that has been bestowed upon our Julius. He is now enrolled among the members of the Order of St Michael and St George. Creations of Companions of this Order have been very numerous within the last year or two, so that the value of the honor ha-* greatly declined. In fact, it has come to be generally looked upon as a reward for third-class official merit out of Britain—an honor given on the same principle as a gaudy handkerchief or necklace to a savage, for it delights the recipient while its intrinsic value is trifling. Mr Stafford and Mr M'Lean appear- to have recognised the trumpery character of the honor when they refused it about two 3 ears ago. but those gentlemen are men of a very different stamp from Mr Vogel. It may yet be hard to determine -which is the weaker sex, for the ladies are certainly " going to the front" in various parts of the world at no small rate. The latest New Zealand example of the reversal of privileges or protections, we find in a late Dunedin * Star,' that a lady named Maria Fairbank, hailing from the Portobello-road, announces that she wiil not be responsible for her husband's debts from iha*dato. MiFairbank ought to feel proud. The naming of a young bull Julius "Vogel, raferred to by the writer of Casual Notes in the ' Otago Daily Times' a few weeks ago, reminds the * Evening Post' of a story which may be new to many people:—A lawyer, who resided in Dunedin some years ago, kept geese, and named them after the Judges of the Supremo Court. Occasionally they went the way of all geese, and were cooked, the lawyer issuing invitations for dinner, saying—"l've killed Richmond (or Gresson as the case might be), and hope you won't find him tough."

In a water-dam near Nelson Creek, Grey, the body of a minor, named William Eob, has been found; and a man named Edward Mulvena and two horses were drowned whilst taking a boat across the mouth of the Arnold river. Thes.s. Alhambra took from Greymouth, on March 29, 5586 ounces of gold for Melbourne. On April sth, the share .market at the Thames was lively, and the following prices were reported :—Euby, 6s ; West Coast, 7s; Caledonian, £2 l; Moantairia, 755; ex dividend; Red Queen, 6s ; Waitemata, 7s. A man named John Martin, was lately fined five pounds at Wellington for nonattendance at court after being summoned as a juryman. There are 825 Justices of the Peace gazetted for the Colony of New Zealand, or, as near as may be, one Justice of the Peace for every 275 men, women, and children in the colony. For the Colony of Victoria the number of Justices is under 600. In the case of Wi Moka, charged with cattle stealing at Wellington, the prosecutor was too drunk to appear in Court. The Judge ordered that his recognizances of .£SO should be forfeited. At Mosgiel, Otago, a man named Peter Hanning has been found dead in his hut. The police on searching the clothes of the deceased, found the sum of £9 Is lOd, a silver watch and chain, two gold lockets, three rings, and one very small piece of gold; also three receipts of money paid into the General Post Office, Wellington, through the Dunedin branch, for the three following sums—£s, £22, and £42. A splendid waterspout was visible a short distance to the S.W. of Knpiti, on Tuesday afternoon, April 2. A passing shower came overland near Otaki from the direction of the watery column, but the weather was otherwise clear and warm at the time. The railway employees resumed work in Canterbury, the Government giving the old rate of pay. Four true bills are found against Cyrus Haley, Auckland, on all charges. It seems there is likely to be a great scarcity of potatoes in the Wanganui district this winter, in consequence of the crops being nearly all destroyed. A short time ago a fisherman discovered, in a cave at Akaroa, a quantity of gumo, estimated at about ten tons. A sample has been forwarded to Messrs Duncan and Son, Christchurch, for the purpose of being tested. The Canterbury ' Press' says that the lute Mr Douglas Graham, whose death from the administration of chloroform wo announced some days ago, was '' in some sort an historical personage, being a descendant of Tarn O'Snantor, whoso exploits are supposed to ba recorded in Burns' poem." The 'Otago Daily Times' and 'Witness' Company, we are informed, havo purchased at a cost of £I6OO, the cornor site n\ar Rattray street Jetty, Dunedin, next Messrs Dalgety, Nichols, and Co., upon which a large empty shed, onco occupied as a soda

water factory, now standa. They purpose erecting a printing office upon the site at a cost of JE2OOO, including several shops for rental, the printing office to be on the upper story of the building. The ' New Zealand Herald,' in a late number, savs: — We are not by any means fond of appealing to popular feeling, but we give the Government fair warning, that unless the attempt which is now being made to flood this colony with foreign labor, at the expense of British labor and British colonists, bo discontinued, a hostile public opinion will be roused. And should such an agitation commence, we are safe in saying that it will not bo a ' flash in the pan.' On the contrary, it would in all likelihood, be ably led and judiciously eonducted ; and say further, that no Government could stand against it. The London correspondent of the ' Age' says : —lt is proposed to start privately a fund for sending to Australia a couple of hundred repentant Magdalenes from the vicinity of the Haymarket, Strand, and similar thoroughfares. The idea is kindly meant, but it is doubtful whether the colonists will feel much flattered by it. The Golden Crown (Thames) has given 183 ounces of gold from 45 tons of stone; and 286 ounces were obtained from 220 tons of stone in the Sons of Freedom claim at the '1 hump.a.