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Westport Times, Volume VI, Issue 973, 24 May 1872, Page 2

This being her Majesty's Birthday, will as a matter of loyal duty be celebrated by customary holiday observance. No preparations have yet been made for public amusements, but possibly during the day sports may be extemporised to wile away the passing hours and afford a little relief to the monotony of a blank business day at Wes f .port. Telegraphic communication northward was interrupted for several hours yesterday, and in consequence our telegrams of the English News reached us too late to admit of an 'Extra'being published. Our readers will find on the fourth page, our Nelson correspondent's report of the Provincial Treasurers Financial Statement, and also an interesting report by Dr Hector, on the Ngakawahao coal field. That we have not been called upon to 1 ecord a series of Occidents at the Orawaiti Bridge is attributable to the lucky escapes

ot individuals rather than to the exercise of precautionary measures. In tho contro planking of the bridge there yawns one hole in particular sufficiently wile for an ordinary sized man to fall through. A most dangerous pitfall for benighted travellers. In many places tho timber is so rotten that it may bo easily bored into with an ordinary walking cane ; suggesting the idea, that, liko a cheap built craft, the bridge has been spoiled to save a han'orth of tar. Tho customary quietness of even tide at Westport was somewhat enlivened on Tuesday la3t. The lights of the s.s. Murray were seen off the bar as she came up from Greyuionth, and her arrival was the evident cause of more than usual interest. Kennedy street wharf was thronged with spectators, and the absorbing question of the moment was "are they on board." Slowly the boat came up current, but more quickly gathered the crowd on shore. Muffled in cloaks and comforters, numbers of tho fair sex were there. So too were the irrepressible boys, armed with sticks and staves and bearing empty kerosene tins, and in evident high anticipation of coming fun. As the boat breasted tho wharf the excitement became more intense as it was seen Captain Palmer intended mooring higher up. An instant stampede was made, through mud and mire, and over perilous ground, and Cobden street wharf was quickly gained. Still the question passed from mouth to mouth " are they on board." Soon the well-known form of a jovial bonifaco was discerned on the poop, and an instant shout arose " come ashore Jimmy." The ladies Hocked closer and closer, giggling delightedly, the men chaffed, the boys suffered under suppressed excitement, the crowd still gathered, and the interest of .the scene culminated as a well-known couple stepped demurely off the boat. The mystery of the kerosene tins was soon solved, the previous preternatural quietness of the youthful heroes was accounted for. In an instant their long pent up energies found vent in vigorous exercise, and roused a * discord of sweet sounds,' which mingling with cheers and laughter, formed the welcome homo of the newly married couple. A flambeau was displayed, a procession formed, and amid increasing din and much good humour, tho happy couple were escorted to their residence, where let us hope, they will find their bright '* Star" ever in the ascendant.

We are requested to call attention to the postponement of the social entertainment, originally advertised for Wednesday evening last; and also to some necessary changes in the programme. The entertainment, will bo held at the Court House this evening. The efforts of the contractors to raiso the sunken machinery from the river have not yet proved successful. One of the stamper boxes was brought up to the surface, but the grappling hook parted with the strain, and the box again sank. It is proposed now to engage the assistance of a diver from Lyttelton. The machinery under water consists of two boxes weighing about 35ewt each, and two wheel centres, each weighing I7cwt. Since Tuesday last the devastating influence of flood and tide has made sad havoc at the end of Gladstone-street. Another large slice of river bank and foreshore has been swept away and the familiar ' Empire ' Corner is numbered among the things of the past. Readers at a distance may have a melancholy interest in learning the incidents of the disaster. All day Thursday a heavy swell prevailed, the wind blowing from north-west j and it was seen that as the spring tide made in the evening; trouble must inevitably ensue. Precautions were therefore taken to resist encroachment. Men were busily employed forming a temporary breakwater of cases, barrels, atid bags laden with sand, in the hope of breaking the force of the surf. Their labors, however, were useless. As the tide made, the feeble barrier gradually gave way like a wall of stones, and the cases, emptied of their contents, were soon knocking about in the surf and river. There still remained a good many feet of garden ground at the rear of the Empire, but in a very brief period it was literally licked up by the influx of water, which beating against the end of the Masonic Hall soon sapped its foundations. With all speed the fittings of the stage and hall, and the various properties of the Masonic Lodge and Odd Fellows Society, were removed for safety, and ere the task was finished, startling evidence was given that the hotel itself was doomed. The buildings standing between the Empire and the river bank toppled over with scant warning, and the surf came washing up right under tho floor of the hotel. Tho only resource left was to clear out the furniture and stock and dismantle the building. Two score or more busy hands went quickly to work and plied their task vigorously all night long until every portable article was removed, the doors windows and fittings cleared away, and the building left a mere skeleton of its former self. Since then the work of demolition has been carried on with little intermission, and the great mass of timber and iron carted away to a more safe resting place. The loss to Mr Hughes will be serious, but he has taken temporary refuge at the Prince of Wales Hotel, where pending future arrangements, he finds time amid all his perplexities to welcome his visitors. The occupants of the adjoining premises to the Empire have also received notice to quit with little ceremony. Mr Hughes of Williams' Medical Hall, had wisely cleared out a few days previously, Suisted Brothers are located in Kennedystreet, the business of the Union Bank is transacted at the Clarendon corner, Mr Corr has cleared out the major portion of his heaviest stock and will speedily remove to other premises. The dwellers in Free-man-street have been equally busy. The buildings nearest the beach have been pulled down and the inmates of others are prepared for a hasty flitting. Wednesday morning's tide caused another slip of the river bank, extending from the Bank of New South Wales corner up to Kennedystreet wharf.

A now local industry has been startod at the south spit; likely te> flourish and in .time assume goodly prospects. Eopes and cordage of all sizes are now made at Mr John Hay's rope walk, and mattrasscs and door mats turned out in superior style, at prices that must commend the articles to all purchasers. We are informed the experiment of local manufacture has so far proved a success, and Mr Hay contemplates at an early date, an extension of his factory, and the introduction of improved appliances. A death occurred on board the Wallabi on her last return trip from Westport to Wanganui, one of the hands named Charles Noble having died on the 19th inst. Deceased was about 45 years of age, and had had been on the steamer for somo three years past. Referring to his death, the Wanganui Chronicle says:—Not a little uneasiness was felt by a number of persons ytsterday who observed the above steamer coming slowly up the river with her flag half-mast high. On the vessel reaching her moorings we learned that a seaman named Charles Noble had been ailing for some few days and had received medical advice at the

Bullor and decided to return hero by the vessel as ho had friends in Wanganui. On the up passage Noblo became rapidly worse and died about 4.30 a.m yesterday. Wo believe deceased was suffering from iniornal inflammation, and that no inquest will be held. Noble is an old frequenter of this port as ho was formerly mate of tho Tyne, and was in that vessel at tho time she was wrecked. Ho was a steady trustworthy seaman, and is much regretted by tho officers and crew of tho VVallabi.

It is high time tho authorities, whoever thoy may be, supposed to have caro of the Westport Cemetery, should set about making provision for its bettor conservation. Its present state is a disgrace to any civilised community. It is not enough that the remains of poor departed humanity should bo '* rattled over the stones," and shook and tossed in most indecorous fashion through sandy sloughs of despond, on the way to a last resting place, but the cemetery itself is a scene of ruin, neglect, and shameful desecration. The apology for a fence that surrounds it serves no purpose but to tempt wandering beasts of the field to indulge their instinctive proclivities to break through and steal. Horses and ca+tle tread and trample the ground therein until tho enclosure looks like nothing more than an ill-kept stockyard- Hungry swine root and riot at tho graves in a manner horribly suggestive. If there existed any public body in Westport appointed for and holding authority to exercise supervision on this and a hundred other matters of public importance, such a state of affairs would ' probably not bo long poimitted, but under present circumstances it is tho old adago verified " what is every one's busines3 in no ones." It is very evident that a Provincial Government caring so little for the interests of the living are not likely to care at all for the decent bestowal of the dead, and it, therefore, is the more necessary that some few private individuals should act in this matter. The plan adopted in Otago might bo well followed here. A committee of management is chosen from among the residents of any locality where a cemetery is needed. The names of the individuals thus chosen are forwarded to the Superintendent, and by him Gazetted as managers of the cemetery. The name and address of the clerk and treasurer to the committee, generally an honorary office, is also published, and also the rate of burial fees and charges for burial areas. Proper account? are kept, and published annually, of all receipts and expenditure, all available moneys being expended in keeping up fences and in the proper planting of shrubs and flowers, beautifying the ground. Thus in course of time the cemetries become quiet secluded retreats, whero friends of deceased members of society, "looking from Nature up to Nature's God," may find some solace in quiet reverie over the graves of those they loved. God's Acre is thpro well cared and tended for as hallowed ground, and not, as with us, permitted to lie in ruin and desolation. If some few individuals, having respect for tho higher and better feelings of human nature, will exert themselves herein they will eminently deserve, and doubtless gain, the gratitude of their friends and neighbors. At the Rui.'s Court, Westport, on Monday, the following cases were called in addition to those already reported :—Bingham v. Braithwaite.—Claim for five days' labor and balance of store account. A set off was pleaded for £4 16s damages sustained. Judgment was given for plaintiff.—Messiti, Lawrence, and King v. Anderson, were both struck out. On the 21st, John Crapper, charged with drunkenness, forfeited £1 bail, and Allan,.charged with a similar offence, elected to take 24 hours' imprisonment. In the Warden's Court, on Monday, tho proceedings in two cases occupied several hours, the- Court being kept open until nearly 7 p.m. In the first, Peter Sorensen v. Kenneth M'Leod and Pierre Bosard; the plaintiff complained that defendants had on the 10th May unlawfully interfered with and damaged about 80 feet of water race, belonging to plaintiff, and running through a claim held by defendants at Caledonian Terrace. The damage arising from defendants having, by ground sluicing, undermined the race in question. The damages were laid at £25, and plaintiff also claimed payment of £5 for loss of time, and that the race. should be restored to its original condition or payment made to him of £IOO. Mr Fisher appeared for the defendants, and a number of witnesses on either side gave voluminous evidence. Judgment was ultimately given for defendants with costs. The Court being of opinion that the race injured was not the registered race of the plaintiff.—Henry Ericksen v. George Way and party.—Plaintiff claimed that defendants should be restrained from interference with supply of water from head water race at Giles Terrace. Mr Fisher for defendants. Nonsuit with costs recorded.—Applications were made by the following persons :—For Water .Paces—Thomas Butterworth, P. Sorensen, C. Beal. Extended Claims—Thos. Butterworth, Charles Dwyer, K. Paflett. Dams^— R. Blackburn, C. Borris, J. Molloy, P. M'Caffnoy, Alex. Cales, Jas. M'Laren, W. N. Beckham. Protection for Business Sites J. L. Mivnson, E. J. O'Conor (2), F. M'Farlane, T. Crockford. A fire, resulting in the destruction of a cottage on Bradshaw's Terrace, occurred under somewhat strange circumstances on Tuesday last. The owners Messrs Penniall and| Bradshaw had, with Mrs Bradshaw, left the place in apparent safety, about six or seven o'clock on Sunday evening, securely locking the door and leaving no one in or near the promises, situated about half a mile from any other habitation. They had been engaged on this: side of the river attempting to lift the submerged machinery belonging to the Band of Hope and Wealth of Nations Companies, and neither of them, nor the sister, had gone back to the place in the interval. !On Wednesday a message was brought them that dense smoke could be seen from the neighborhood of their residence, and on crossing over they found the place in ruins, building, furniture, clothing, and every thing they possessed destroyed. The loss is estimated at £2OO, and no cause can be assigned for the outbreak of flames except it arose from sparks from a fire left smouldering on the hearth. The recent restrictions made in the granting of leases at Inangahua has had little effect in lessening tho number of applications. Upwards of thirty applications for gold mining leases have been made during the last week, and the greater portion have been recommended by the Warden. Messrs Pell and Atkinson expect to have their section of the Inangahua road completed by the Ist proximo. Mr Warden Broad, in his annual report to the Provincial Secretary, gives a detailed account of the Various workings. Referring to the Lyell he writes:—This place is noted for the celebrated reef, discovered by Antonio Zala and others, whose perseverance and energy for some years in developing the reef cannot be too highly praised. Many tunnels have been driven; roads and races made, and in fact the whole claim is in thorough working order, tho machinery being erected some throe and a-half miles from tho Lyell township, to the north. , There is also here a lease, held by the I

Excelsior Company, who after many drawbacks and difficulties, ,are getting into shape, At and near the Matakitaki, some one hundred and twenty scattered parties are engagod in obtaining alluvial gold. Flax Bush Creek, and other creeks, betwoen the junction of the Buller and Inangahua Rivers, are all being worked by detached parties of miners, and patches of very heavy water worn gold found in the former creek, a nugget was found a few days ago weighing nearly fifty ounces. The proprietorship of the Nelson 'Examiner ' newspaper has passed to a Joint Stock Company, with limited liability, who will continue to issue tho paper in its former shape of a broadside sheet. In tho Provincial Treasurer's statement, the revenue for the ensuing year is estimated at .£85,000. The Greymouth bakers have now a wholesome dread of the Inspector of Weights and Measures and the " Millers and Bakers Act" Bread is now advertised at threepence per pound, instead of so much per loaf as heretofore. The cargo of the Ocean Bird, consisting mainly of oats, bran, and wheat, has been sold at auction, at Nelson, realising nominal prices only—averaging about sixpence per bag. Large numbers of mining companies are being formed in Coromandel. A recent ' Gazette' contained ten applications to register new companies. The Arrow District Miner's Association has forwarded a letter to his Honor the Superintendent of Nelson, written on behalf of the miners of that district, to express their gratitude for the manner in which his Honor opposed the apparent wish of the General Government to have the public works constructed by Chinese labour. And in order that the circumstance may not be forgotten, his name has been enrolled as a honorary member of the Association.

We have received the first number of a new paper, the ' Waikato Times/ published at Ngaruawahia; which was but recently a centre of native disaffection and rebellion. The' journal thus affording in itself an incontestable proof of the steady advance of peace and civilization. The ' Times ' contains a very fair amount of local information, and introduces a somewhat novel feature in journalism; an address in the Maori language; setting forth the merits of tho " niupej:>a," the rate of subscriptions and other particulars. From its columns we gleam that Ngaruawahia boasts of a Town Board and possessing sufficient vitality to take active steps in street improvements ; an Odd Fellows Lodge; and a Chess Club. The Waikato Steam Navigation Company perform a regular transit service on the Waikato river, carrying freights and live stock at moderate charges, aud connecting with Auckland boats. Judging from the advertising columns trade and agricultural seem to flourish, and the district is evidently progressing. Thief catehing is being rapidly elaborated as a scientific vocation, The following extract is an indication of one description of institution which for Metropolitan purposes the ordinary " hue and cry" does not answer. —" In consequence of cases of successful swindling having of late increased,' an office has been opened in London lor the purpose of concentrating all information obtainable as regards the doings of swindlers, and to record it." The second extract i 3 from a new Act for the prevention of crime, 34 and 35 Vic. cap. 112, which statute contains an enactment to facilitate the identification of criminals. The clause is to this effect: A register of all persons convicted in the United Kingdom is to be kept. Kegulations are to be made for photographing all persons convicted of crime in the United Kingdom ; and prisoners refusing to be photographed are to be deemed guilty of an offence against prison discipline. The expenses of keeping a register in London, Edinburgh, and Dublin, are to be sanctioned by the Treasury and to be paid out of moneys to be appropriated by Parliament. The expenses incurred in photographing the prisoners are to be deemed part of the expense for the maintenance of the prison." The new District Hospital at Naseby, Mount Ida, Otago, has been opened for the reception of patients. Mr James Smith's lectures on spiritualism and public discussion thereon are strangely agitating the staid Dunedinites. The local papers teem with correspondence on the subject. One correspondent, signing "Pax Vobiscum," but in evident perturbation of spirit, writes to the editor of the " Daily Times : " For God's sake '• throw your warder down," and stop the hot, fierce, and unseemly strife that agitates the town on this unfortunate question. Look here ! I'll " owe him £5 a blessing," who will start a subscription to get the teterrima causa of these bella removed to the sixth, or even the sixteenth sphere (so long as he is out of this hitherto peaceful community), before bloodshed ensues among the ravening wild beasts, who, under the combined influence of myrrh and assafoetida, are tearing at each other's throats."

The ' Press' says:—ln a case heard last week before Mr Justice Gresson, a certain deed, which had been deposited in the Registry Office, wag proved to have been tampered with, and altered while in the custody of the department. We offer no opinion as to how or by whom this was done. But we understand that solicitors and their clerks are habitually allowed access to the room where the deeds are kept, and are permitted to remain as long as they choose without any supervision by the officials. This is not as it should be. Such a practice affords opportunities for fraudulent dealing which may be taken advantage of, and which should under no circumstances be allowed. No one should on any account be suffered to enter the deed room, and the examination of any document should invariably take place in the presence of an officer of the department. The Oamaru paper of a recent date says: A crrious reptile was brought to our office. It is stated that on splitting a block of stone it was found in a small cavity within it, to which no entrance could t>e found from without. The creature is alive still, and will be forwarded to the N.Z. Museum. It is about 13 inches long and about threeeighths of an inch in thickness, and bears a close reseuibance to a gigantic centipede; though being evidently of marine habits, what would correspond to the feet of a centipede are arranged on each side of tho body, and act as so many short oars or jpropellers.