THE SITE OF WESTPORT.

Westport Times, Volume VI, Issue 974, 28 May 1872, Page 3

THE SITE OF WESTPORT.

Tho following is an extract from Mr Dobson's report on the damage done at Weatport and elsewhere by tie February floods:—I cannot recommend that any portion of the existing reserves be cut up and thrown open to occupation by business license. The land on one Bde of the street is all freehold, and it is quite open for those wishing to occupy sites to make terms with the present proprietors. I do not see the obligation on the part of the Govern-" lent to provide sites, to be held by. business license for all those who may bave been obliged to quit their previous holdings. I mention this because it has been urged by many that, Government should at once lay out a new Bite for a town on the south bank of the river. If it is admitted for a moment that the occupants of business sites are entitled to a new site in I fresh place, because their holdings oecomes untenable, it will be only carrying out the principle with justice, to admit the right of the freeholders «• new sections, and when it is considered how much land is freehold in [ Westport, the question of setting out j & , new town, and fairly allotting aec- | bona to all freeholders and holders of | business sections becomes an exceedpty difficult ono, apart from the wnost insuperable difficulties con-

uectod with obtaining deep water for shipping on the south side of the river. As long as the river bank is protected, I consider all the central and upper portions of the surveyed town safe, and I should recommend the construction of Palmerston street, that the Government offices and dwellings might be moved up to the reserve, if rendered necessary by the sea encroachment. At the same time I would not allow anyone to sotfcle upon or interfere with the land upon the river side of Palmerston street. Especially cattle and pigs should be prevented from going into the bush and destroying it. THE POLICE. The Inspector of Police has in accordance with a resolution passed last year, laid his first report before the in which he says:—" The force, exclusive of the district police, in the year 1868-9, consisted of 45 men. Since that time two of the then existing stations, namely, Addison's Plat and Napoleon Hill, have been closed, and five nevy stations opened, namely, Granville, No Town, Motakitaki, Waugapeka, and Reefton, making three more stations to provide for than existed in 1868, nevertheless a reduction of 21 men, and a saving of £4,598 in salaries, have been effected. Although the officers ■in charge at Westport and Ahaura rank only as Senior Sergeants, the duties they are performing are-the duties of Sub-Inspectors, and I strongly recommend that, in future, they receive their proper rank. In my estimates for the present year I have classed them as Sub-Inspectors, but without increasing their rate of pay. They are both very efficient officers, to whose good judgment the Inspector is much indebted for the successful carrying out of the numerous instructions it becomes necessary for him, from time to time, to communicate in writing. During the year 1871, there were 729 cases brought into court by the police, 80 for assault, 18 for lunacy, 20 under the Vagrant's Act, 33 for larceny, and one case of cattle-stealing. There have been a few cases of malicious injury to property, indecent assault, and assault with intent, but the Province has enjoyed an immunity from crime of the gravest character, for a long time past. There were 34 Coroner's inquests held during the year, many of which related to accidents on the goldfields. [The suggestion as to the use of the term Sub-Inspector for Sergeant was not approved of by the Government or the majority of the Council.]

THE LUNATIC ASYLUM. Dr Boor in his report on the Lunatic Asylum, says:—" I cannot but plainly draw your serious attention to the fact that the number of patients has quadrupled from eleven in 1867, to forty-three, the number now. under treatment, and that the limited space occupied by them, together with the indiscriminate mixing of the various forms of mental disease renders special treatment almost unavailable." After describing the lamentable want of accommodation for any class of patients, he refers to the absence of provision for the reception and treatment of habitual drunkards, and adds: —"I wish to draw your attention to the proportion of cases that come from the mining population on the West Coast. Half the number of males now in the Asylum are from that district, and, without entering into all the probable causes that develop insanity in that calling, there is sufficient reason for believing that spirit-drinking is one of the chief, and that deleterious ingredients are present in the spirits, other cerebral symptoms quite independent of intoxication having been induced."

THE KELSON HOSPITAL. The Committee of Management of the Hospital report to the Council that the sum placed on the Estimates last year was £2500, which leaves a balance unexpended of £465, but as the services of the medical officer still coatinue to be given as Provincial Surgeon to the Lunatic Asylum, Gaol, and destitute poor, a, portion of head officer's salary might fairly be charged together with medical comforts and appliances, (say £200) which would reduce the expenditure of the Hospital to about £1832, and, deducting £lO5 paid by patients, the actual expenditure would be £1727, and the weekly cost per head £1 8s B£d. They add that no donations or subscriptions have been made to the Convalescent Fund. £29 was expended in relieving destitute persons leaving the Hospital and £32 only remains. The total number of cases treated during the year was H 7. £> DESTITUTE POOR. Inspector Shallcrass, as disburser of the fund for charitable aid, reports that the sum expended in that way during the year ending March 31st was £1566 including £371 distributed in cash, £590 outlay at the Motueka Asylum, £2l given in assisting passages, £354 for rations, £9l for firewood £2B for the support of children, in Nelson, and other miscellaneous items. There are at present 3-4 destitute children provided for at the Asylum, at Motueka, which it is proposed to enlarge at a cost of £l5O. The £2B " for the support of children in Nelson," is for the care of children who are sent up from the West Coast, and have to be provided for before they are forwarded to Motueka, or for the support of children whose parents are in hospital or gaol.

The Melbourno ' Argus,' on the authority of a letter received from homo last mail, Bays it would seem that the losses incurred by the Liverpool and London and Globe Insurance Company, in consequence of the great Chicago fire, have amounted to something stupendous, lho eompany have been called upon to pay no less a sum than £COO,OOO, and by this time all the insurers' chiitns have been satisfied. In the whole history of insurance companies, this is the largest amount that has ever been paid by one company on account of ono fire. Exercise is a very important vital stimulus: that is to say, the organs of the body cannot perform their functions properly unless the. body bo frequently put for a longer or shorter time, into more or less rapid motion. Exercise is required in order to keop the circulation from becoming slow, and the respiration from becoming languid ; to preserve muscular strength and nervous power; to maintain the appetite, and the nutrition of the body ; and to cast out fully and freely the poisonous secretions.—Dr. Johnson. A very loquacious old lady offared to bet her husband five pounds that she would not speak a word for a week. " Done," cried the delighted husdand, instantly putting down the money, which the lady as soon took up and put it in her pocket, observing naively that she would'secure it until the bet was decided. " Why," said the husband, " I have won it already," and required her to fork over. " Not at all," said the lady, " you are mistaken in the time —I mean the week after I am buried." The lady went shopping the same afternoon. A poor fellow was brought before one of the police justices recently, charged with being intoxicated. "Well, why did you get drunk ?" " See here " was the reply, uttered in a hiccough and accent of a drunken man, " what did you give a licence for ?" Query —Was He Such a Fool as He Looked ? —Creditor (a little be-hind-hand); So the Captain's gone, is he ? Can you tell me what packet he took? —John (from the provinces): —Well, sir, I can't say exactly, but I think it wur a gurt big carpet bag. It is found that the earnings of the La Trobe and Dcloravne Tramways Tasmania, will not cover working expenses, and the line has to be closed There is ateo of late a serious fallingoff in the earnings of the Launceston and Western Railways. (For remainder of news see 4/7* page.}