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Westport Times, Volume VI, Issue 970, 14 May 1872, Page 2

Owing to a press of matter and late advertisements, we hold over report of Resident Magistrate's Court, and other notices, until our next issue. The rain prevailing for the last thirtysis hours, with scarce a break in the clouds, or cessation of downpour, has caused a rapid fresh in the river. Sonic cargo boats from the Lyell, coming down the forty miles distance in about four hours. The boatmen report a heavy fall of rain up country. Fortunately nearly neap tides occur at present, and neither sea or river has yet risen to any extent, justifying apprehensions for the present safety of property. The Westport Educational Committee are about to make an attempt to convert the School-house in Palmerston street into something like a fit and proper building for educational purposes. Tenders are called for additional windows, ventilators, fire place, chimney and other absolute essentials, and the section on which the building stands is to be fenced, cleared, and drained, and partially gravelled. The fast approaching winter renders the prompt performance of such improvements almost imperative. The Rev. A.. G-. Johnstone gave another lecture at the Court House on Friday evening, and, despite the short notice given, attracted a more numerous audience than on the previous occasion. The subject was " British Possession in India." Drawing largely ou his store of experience and personal reminiscences of Indian life, manners, and customs, the reverend lecturer gave, in vivid details, a most comprehensive resume of Eastern history. The lecture occupied nearlj two hours in delivery, and embraced social, political, statistical, theoretical, and practical points of interest. We regret, that the exigencies of space preclude a more "lengthened rotiee. Mr R. Wliyte ably occupied the Chair, and the

Rev. A. 0.. Sou tat proposed the customary voto of thanks, to which tho audience warmly responded. Three venturous youths, of erratic tondoueies, were rocout arrivals ofc Wostport.. These young gentlemen, of ages varying from twelve to fourteen years, finding scholastic discipline somowhat irksome, quietly took * leg bail' from tho classic shades of Nelson College, and made their way in search of adventure towards Eeei'ton. There they arrived in safety, with light hearts and lightened purses, but ready and willing, as thoy averred, to do "anything for a living," Their pluck, however, was not severely tested. They seem to have fared passing well among straugers, and ultimately under the parental earo of a familiar friend, whoso presence on tho reefs they hardly anticipated, thoy were safely convoyed to town, from whence a trip by steamer to Nelson concludes their expedition. Tho moving incidents whereof will doubtless be an oft told tale to admiring comrades. Pains, penalties, and terrors of scholastic law notwithstanding. A raid has been made on tho bakers, by the Inspector of Weights and measures, at Greymouth, under clause 10 of tho " Bakers and Millers Act" which enjoins that " all bread shall be sold by the several bakers or sellers of bread by weight and not otherwise, and may be made of such weight or size as tho said bikers or sellers shall think lit, and in no case any baker or seller of broad shall sell or cause to be sold bread in any other manner thon by weight, then 'and in such case, every such baker or seller of broad shall for every such offence forfeit trad pay any sum not exceeding forty shillings." Some of tho delinquents have been fined 20s and costs, and similar penalties have been also inflicted on coal dealers, for selling by measure and not by weight. A meeting, convened by the Mayor, has been held at llokitika, for the purpose of adopting measures to press upon tho General Government the importance of completing communication "by road between llokitika and Reefton. Many divers opinions were expressed as to the proper route to be chosen, and the meeting resulted in the following resolutions being adopted " That viewing the importance of tho recent quartz discoveries jin tho Inangahua district, it is desirable to connect Hokitika with Reefton in as direct a manner as can possibly bo done." "That in the opinion of this meeting tho connecting link on tho Ross and Grcymoutli road, viz., from Marsden to Omotumotu should bo immediately proceeded with ; such road having already been sanctioned by the General Assembly and the necessary surveys made." " That with tho view of opening up direct communication from llokitika to Reefton, tho Minister of Public Works be requested to obtain the sanction of the House, at its next sitting, for the construction of a road leading from the thirty-second mile post on tho Christchuroh road via Bell Hill, to join tho Reefton road to Arahura at Napoleon's." " That the County Chairman bo requested to communicate with his Honor tho Superintendent of Canterbury regarding the construction of a road via 801 l Hill to°Roefton, and to point out tho facilities which this road would afford as an outlet for Canterbury produce and stock, and to request tho valuable assistance of his Government in getting it constructed." A committee consisting of Messrs Cassius, Bonar, Todd, John Hall, John White, and Hawkins was appointed for tho purpose of drawing up a memorial to the General Government, embodying the resolutions. Tho following anecdote, illustrative of Earl Belmoro's character, is related by tho Sydney correspondent of the ' Argus':— " While the Governor lay at anchor in tho bay, the Colonial Treasurer waited on him daily with a days' salary: 'lt is an ill wind that blows nobody any good,' and the strong southerly wind that prevented the Sobraon from going out, blow Lord Belmore two days' more salary than he bargained for." The s.s.Murray left Nelson on Wednesday lash, for Anatori, having been chartered by a storekeeper there to convoy goods. Wo understand that a small rush has set in to this now field, .and that the 'diggers generally are doing well. Tho Bank of New South. Wales has declared a dividend of 12£ per cent. A sum of £ 10,000 lias been added to the reserve fund, and £ 3700 carried to tho credit of a now account. It lias been decided, says tho Hokitika " Star," to despatch a survey party, headed by Mr Browning, to the head waters of the Kokotahi and the llokitika Rivers. This is a step in the right direction ; and Mr Browning's present knowledge of the principal features of the country will doubtless be of considerable assistance to him in acquiring further information concerning a large district which, for anything which is known to the contrary, contains unlimited mineral wealth.