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Westport Times, Volume VI, Issue 974, 28 May 1872, Page 2

Dr Hcetor was a passenger by tho Kennedy to Nelson yesterday, having completed his inspection of the Coal area at Ngakawhao. We havo authority for stating that the favorable opinion formed by him on his former cursory examination of the locality, has now boon amply c nfinned; and his report to the Provincial Executive will doubtless bo eminently favorable Tho area now hold by the prospectors comprises twenty acres of coal, exhibiting a thickness of sixteen feet, and all easily workable. Upon a very moderate computation, this will yield 200,000 tons of coal, and beyond this area, coal out crops arc found for a loug distance up Mount Rochfort. Tho facilities for shipping arc all that can bo needed. Deep water, and abundance of stone for building wharves or piers. Tho prospectors intend sending coal almost immediately to tho West port market, where at anything like a moderate price it will command a ready sale. Wo hear that the price at tho Ngakawhao will be ton shillings per ton. The Result goes up during tho week, taking in tow the schooner Three Friends for tho first cargoes. Tho second Social Entertainment of tho season was given at tho Court House, on Friday evening last, and despite tho inclemency of the weather, attract ed a crowded audience. Tho receipts at the door exceeded those realised on the first occasion, and in every respect the entertainment was a success. Tho members of tli'c Managing Committee, who are evidently working with a will, had contrived to enlist the services of a number of gentlemen as readers aud vocalists, and uroduced a really good programme. Mr Crawford gave his valuable professional services as pianist, and afforded a rich treat to all lovers of good music by bis performance of tho overture and his skilful accompaniments. Tho readers included Messrs Buchanan, Northcroft, Day, Bush, and W. D. Kerr, and without making invidious comparisons, it may be safely said they each and all got through their choson parts exceedingly well. The comic element prevailed mainly in tho pieces selected, aud evidently tickled the fancies exceedingly of both readers and audience. . So too did the bit of burnt cork business, introduced by Messrs Dignam and Fernandez, who as " Two happy niggers," sang and danced as if to the manner born. Tho weak point in the programme was the lack of lady vocalists, conspicuous on this occasion by their absence, but Messrs Pain, Munro, Weston, and Hamilton, did their best to fill tho vacancy, and succeeded well. A new feature in, the proceedings was tho introduction of a lecture by the Rev: J. White, on the familiar incidents in the life of John Howard. As a lecture it was admirable, but- as suited to tho particular occasion it. lacked tho one essential quality of brevity; and although listened to with attention, grow slightly wearisome to many among tho audienca. Having a respect for ' the fitness of things ' wo venture to re-echo an opinion pretty freely expressed, that a rule should b.i adopted that no speaker or reader should occupy the attention of the audience at such gatherings for more than ten minutes; however strong may bo the impulse to improve the occasion. Perhaps as an agreeable variation to the musical entertainments, the committee may bo able to organise a series of popular lectures, and then we feel assured the Rev. Mr White's services will bo appreciated at their true worth.

The effort marie some time since to prospect the country at the head of the Waimangaroa river for quartz reefs, although not at the time productive of any tangible results, proved sufficiently encouraging to induce further efforts in the same direction, A r>rospecting party will start in a few days to thoroughly prospect ground at the back of Mount Eochford, the exact locality being for the present undivulgcd to any except those most particularly interested therein. The affair is in the hands of thoroughly practical and experienced men, and will no doubt lead to some satisfactory issue. The Queen's Birthday was not an enjoyable holiday at Westport, the incessant rain precluding any attempt at out door amusement. * Let us to billiards ' was the order of the day with a majority of the sterner sex, whilo the ladies were perforce obliged to content themselves with fireside comforts. The only display of bunting was at the signal station on the South Spit, but the banners that should havo waved proudly in the breeze, looked at a distance like a collection of Crimean shirts hung on a clothes line, and the spectacle was not impressive. In the evening the unusual sound of martial music floated on the murky air. The Westport Brass Band, braving the inclemency of the weather, marshalled at the the Court Houso and played a selection of music, displaying a skill and precision exceedingly creditable to every member, considering the scant ojjportunities they have yet had for practice. In a little time there is no doubt the band will prove a decided acquisition to the town, and the efforts of the members to provide good out door music are worthy of being warmly supported. A death under somewhat curious circumstances has occurred in the hospital. A man named John McCaul who had been brought down from the Upper Buller and committed to* gaol last Friday as being drunk and incapable, was found to be in a very precarious condition, and was removed to the hospital where every care and attention was paid him by the medical officer and attendants, however he did not rally, his bo becoming paralysed, and lie died about noon yesterday. The cause of his death is attributed to alcoholic poisoning. For the information of those interested in the matter, we have been asked to intimate that owing to the late war in France, the articles which had been ordered for the Bazaar and Art Union to be held on behalf of St. Mary*s Convent, Nelson, have not arrived yet. However,, information was received by last mail that four cases containing these articles have been despatched

l>y a sniling vessel, which was to leave London on tho 20th February last. As soon as they am to public notice will be given of tho time when tho Bazaar will take place. In tho meanwhile tho disposal of tickets will bo continued.

Tho demolition and hasty removal of dwellings in couscquonee of the irruption of fcheseaandriver, causes asuddon demand for carpenters. Tho members of tho craft in YYostport arc now all busily employed and trade will continue brisk with them for soma timo to come. The town draymen tw aro just now perfect masters of the situation, their services being at a premium.

After tho Ist Juno reduced rates of commission for Telegraph Money Orders issued in New Zealand will bo charged. Tho now rate will be 4d in tho pound," in addition to tho Telegraph feo of of Is. or each order. In accordance with tho provisions of the Education Act 1803 the election of members to fill vacancies in tho Local Committee of Westport School is fixed for tho Bth Juno next.

A telegram received on Monday announced the sudden death by apoplexy of Mr Nelson, Solicitor, of Blenheim. The Nelson Acclimatization Society are obtaining from Melbourne hares in exchange for pheasants and Californian quail.

During tho financial year ended 31st March la3t, the revenue received by tho Nelson Government from the Brunner Coal mine was £O2l-0 3s Cd, and the expenditure in working it ,£5406 9s 4d. The following is tho Provincial Bill introduced into the Nelson Council in reference to tho Ahaura and Arnold road. The discussion thereon was fixed for the 21st inst. After tho preamble admitting the necessity for tho road, and quoting tho Nelson Waste Lands Act as empowering such a mode of payment, tho Bill says:—i. It shall be lawful for the Superintendent to enter into one or more contracts with any person or persons or company for the construction of a dray road from tho Arnold river to the town of Ahaura, in the said Province, or any part of such dray road, in such manner and upon such terms and conditions as shall bo agreed upon between the Superintendent and any person or persons or company agreeing to construct tho same, and to agree to give such quantity of the waste lands of tho Crown in the Province, not exceeding in tho whole five thousand acres, as payment or part payment for tho same as shall be agreed upon between them ; provided always that not more than one acre of land shall be given for every pound sterling expended in the construction of any such dray road. 2. When such contract shall have been made, the land so agreed to be given shall forthwith be withdrawn from sale. 3. No grant of such land shall be made until the whole of tho work included in the contract shall have been completed according to the terms of the contract as certified as provided by the said Act. Importing grouse into tho colony should be a paying spoculatior. if the price iIOO recently asked for a pair in Canterbury is anything like their market value. The following telegrams have been received from Dunedin :—A Bill has been introduced to give the school committees power to levy an education rnto for the purpose of making repairs to buildings and the erection of new schools, but tho province will maintain the present teachers' salaries.—lßo,ooo acres of the Hundreds have been placed in the market at 10s per acre.—The estimated revenue is £207,800; expenditure, .£25t,323. —The reduction of the balance against the Province has been <£53;000 as previously stated.—The Government proposes to give a bonus of £2,500 for the establishment of a paper factory, in addition to the offer of the General Government. Tho selected 1,900 acres of the Moa Flat realised 33s per acre. Clarke purchased all save three sections.—A large concourse of people assembled to see the Auckland prisoners land.—A motion for the repeal of tho 40th clause of the Educational Ordinance providing for the reading of tho Bible was negatived by 16 to 11. Mr Macassoy's motion that tho Council regrets the unnecessary appointment of judge Ward, especially as the provincial authorities were nut communicated with, was carried—Mr G. B. Barton threatens an action against tho 'Wakatip Mail' for ,£IOOO damages for libel in a late ''leading article in that paper. It is thought that it has reference to Macassoy's action in the Council.

A hint, says a c ">nt mporary, as -to providing a precaution against vexatious actions ioi- libel cguinst newspapers comes from California. On tho 9th. February a bill was introduced into the State Assembly, which, says tho Sacramento Union, " contains provisions that have long been needed to protect the independence of the Press. The main feature of th bill is the compulsion of the complainant in action to give bonds, with sureties to the amount of l.OOOdols, to pay the costs in case of failure, and lOOOdols for lawyer's fees to the defendant. A like provision is contained in the bill, that the defendant shall pay the plaintiff lOOdols. for lawyers' fees, if the former is found guilty." The Provincial Council of Otago, have voted an endowment of 50,000 acres for Comnxin Schools. Tne following quotations are the latest for Auckland mining shares, the market being reported brisk, and buyers plentiful: —Green Harp, £7 ss; Beach, 16s; Thames, buyers £5 10s; Windsor Castle, 13s 6d; Crown Prince, large parcels, at 4s 6d; Alburnia, £4 2s 6d to £4 ss; Cures, 28s ; Nonpereil, £4; Otagos. buyers £1 10s; West Coast, buyers 12s; Bright Smile 20s. A monster specimen of brown coal from the Malvern district has been lodged in the Christcliurch Museum. It is 7ft in length, is about 3ft square in the largest part, and weighs \ ton 3cwt 2qr. The quality is good. A correspondent sends to the 'Ota<?o Daily Times' a clipping from an English trade circular (apparently Tickle and Co.'s) showing the dates on which the mails from the colonies were delivered in London. From this extract is taken the following:— "Tho Brindisi portion of the mail from Australia was delivered with usual punctuality on Monday, 19th February, dates being from Melbourne, 2nd- January; Auckland, N.Z., 23rd December. The New Zealand mail, via San Francisco, even exceeded all prior mails in its delay; and, much to the inconvenience of all concerned, was not delivered until Monday, 11th March, dates being from Dunedin, 21th December; Auckland, 30th December." From this it will be seen that mercantile men at home, in common with those-in the colony, have been suffering from the leisurely manner in which the San Francisco service is conducted.