Untitled

Westport Times, Volume VI, Issue 993, 6 August 1872, Page 2

It is notified that a meeting of the Separation Committee will be held this day at 3 p.m. We need hardly remind the members that a good and punctual attendance is absolutely necessary, as most important business will be discussed. In answer to a host of enquiries, -we are enabled to state that the anti-separation petition now in circulation in Westport, was. received from Nelson yesterday, and was accompanied by a precise letter of instructions from an officer of the Provincial Government. In the R.M, Court, on Saturday last, Theresa Gethings, under remand on a charge of vagrancy, was fined .£lO or three months' imprisonment in Nelson Gaol. The money was paid. All persons committed to tho Westport Gaol for lengthened sentences will, for the present, bo forwarded to Nelson Gaol, until the removal of Westport Gaol to Palmerston street is completed. ' • A correspondent calls attention to some "dreadfully hard swearing" heard within the precincts of the Court House on Saturday last, from individuals whose words should be above suspicion. It is suggested that, although when thieves fall out, just men and women get their due, it does not always so follow when two presumedly honest men of the same cloth disa- r . The work of removing the Postoffice buildings was commenced yesterday morning. The rearmost building lately occupied by Messrs Pitt and Fisher, having been dragged out of line, and now, mounted on rollers, is travelling up Palmerston street to the reserve, where it will do duty as a temporary office until the other buildings are also removed thither. Preparations are also being made for the removal of the gaol buildings. A accident happened to Mr George Falla's eldest son on Tuesday last, which has caused him considerable bodily pain and inconvenience. While engaged in adjusting an oat crusher in motion, the fore-finger of his right hand was caught between the cogwheels, and before the man turning the machine could stop, the finger was so badly crushed that removal of the first joint was necessary. The operation was performed by Dr Thorpe, and borne bravely by the young sufferer; who is now progressing favorably. In another column Mr Reuben Waite sets forth a grievance under which ho has long labored, and which he now seeks to remedy. In the record of proceedings in the Nelson Provincial Council 1868, it is shown that, on the motion of Mr Bentley, it was then r< s dved that Mr Waite should be allowed to purchase 80 acres in the Buller District aa a liuiuootoo,!. n .f, a cost of lOsper acre on condition that he paid for the survey. Such privilege having been accorded to Mr Waite as a reward for his pluck and perseverance in opening up the AVostern Goldfields. For some reason which needs explicit explanation, this privilege has been withheld from him, although ho has long since paid the cost of survey. It seems therefore a necessary subject for enquiry, and among the many acquaintances who know Mr Waite as an old experienced pioneer on the coast, few will be found to refuse their signatures to so legitimate a petition. Things have not gone well with him of late ; the recent lo3sof his schooner the Pioneer, in exploring the Karamea waters, was one among many mischances, and a littlo friendly help just now by the Nelson authorities would be nothing more than should be accorded him without much solicitation. Very melancholy intelligence was received here on Saturday last from Christchurch, announcing the death, under peculiar circumstances, of Mr Edward Balston, wellknown and respected in this port as the skipper and sole owner of tho schooner Blackwall, in which he has been trading on the coast for some time past. He had brought his craft safely to Kaiapoi, intending, as usual, to take in a cargo for Westport, and on Friday night he gave the hold a. fumigation, either with charcoal or sulphur, to rid it of rats and other vermin. After closing down the hatches he turned into bed, and, sad to relate, was found lying dead in his bunk in the morning. Death was evidently caused by the stibtle vapours from the hold penetrating into his cabin, and suffocating him while ho slept. Telegraph stations were opened at Ahaura and Reefton on Saturday, the 3rd. A horso express leaves Ahaura and Greym'outb daily at noon arriving at 4.30 p.m. The messages are transmitted from Ahaura to Reefton by wire. Residents in Westport, desirous of telegraphing to Reefton, should present their messages before noon in order to ensure communication the same day. Mr N. Salomon makes but a short stay in Westport, having arranged to leave for Charleston on Thursday next. - His sale of jewellery and watches, at the Empire Hotel, will continue only until ten o'clock tomorrow evening. Those who desire bargains should, therefore, lose no time in inspecting an I choosing from the magnificent display Mr Salamon has on view. The prices ho asks aro moderate enough to satisfy the most invetor de bargain hunter, and tho goods range in quality and pattern from the modest watch key or sleeve link, up to tho most elaborato and recherche specimens of lapidaries' and goldsmiths' art. The following Acts, passed during the last session of tho Nelson Provincial Council, have been assented to by His Excellency, the Governor :—Nelson Electoral Districts Amendment Act; Amuri Reserve Act; Nelson Highways Act; Nelson River Act; Licensing Amendment Act; Appropriation Act; Towns Improvement Act. The Nelson Board of Health, at a recent sitting, passed resolutions to the effect that, being only appointed for the Port to carry out Harbor and Quarantine regulations; the Board had no authority over the Town of Nelson, and could not therefore interfere in case of any infectious illness breaking out, and alsj that it considered the Provincial Government should at once take such steps, with the advice of the Provincial Surgeon, a3 may be considered necessary, and that the Board would render all the assistance and information in its power." The Captain of the Nebraska has written to the Wellington papers denying that

over small-pox was aboard. Ho says the vessel has been made a rictiui of provincial and political jealousy. A recent exchange says tliat Arnott, proprietor of tho ' Wairarapa Mercury,' has been committed for trial for the embestzletnent of fio from the funds of tho Wairarapa Institute. He was admitted to bail, but thero are other defalcations. An exchange states that Napier can boast of five places of worship, eleven hotels, and a like number of lawyers, and five billiard tables. Thero are now 271 miles of railway open for traffic in Victoria. Their total post of constiuction has been .£9,000,000.