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Westport Times, Volume VI, Issue 997, 20 August 1872, Page 2

A letter received from Reef ton gives the net amount resulting from the crushing at Hunt's claim as 868 ounces of gold. The metal has been cast into four bars, and is now on view at the Bank of New Zealand, Greymouth. The Westport Post-office and Telegraph department have been shifted from Gladstone street, to temporary premises in Palmerston street, a littlo above the junction of Lyttelton street, Mr Alexander aud his staff having, on Saturday night last, after office hours, shifted their quarters, and removed all the departmental fixtures, documents, and accumulated letters to the new quarters, and oponiug on the following morning at the usual hour for transacting public business. An inquest was held at the Orawaiti Hotel, on yesterday afternoon, touching the death of the infant child of John Diekman, who died on Friday night last, about twelve o'clock. From the evidence of the parents, it appeared that the infant was about two months old, and had been ailing from its birth. On the night in question the mother suddenly discovered that it was dead, and attributed its decease to her having accidentally overlain the child while asleep. The principal evidence given was that of the parents, and the jury, after some little consideration, returned a verdict that the child was accidentally suffocated in bed. Somf excellent specimens of stone from the " .lust in Time" claim have been again brought into town. The stone, when broken, shows gold plainly interspersed throughout. The reef, as at present opened up, is some four feet in width, at a depth of about 150 feet from the surface, and is worked from a drive put in from the face of the hill. The shares are getting in demand, and present holders are sanguine of having struck something good. Mr Sontgen. of Gladstone street, following the example of his neighbors, has removed to a. safer location, and has just opened new premises in Bright street, facing Moleswor f h street, where, with a new stock of broadcloths, tweeds, and various fabrics, he is ready to give ocular demonstration of the fact that dress, well-made, and well-fitting, can be supplied at prices suiting the means and particular fancies of all classes of customers.

The contractor for the formation of the extension of Wakefield and Rintoul streets, baa, despite the long continuing wet weather, and I he scarcity of really good working hands, made fair progress ; and if the present fine weathei prevails, will soon make the thoroughfare passable from end to end for pedestrians. The work of clearing timber is extremely heavy, but fire and axe. set vigorously to work, is steadily clearing the track for settlement. Some doubt seems to exist as to the exact position of the streets leading to the river, whereat it is intended to hereafter build wharves, from the fact that, as at present indicated, Kintoul street at the river end is overlapped by the lung spit of shinglo which, gradually forming downwards in the river, is causing a preemptible shoaling of the water at the precise place where it is presumed the wharves will be built. We notice a goodly heap of survey pegs piled near the Survey Office, and probably they are designed as landmarks, to enable the allottees of sections on the new township to take the precise bearings. An appeal for sympathy and kindly assistance to those in distress, ever meets with a ready response in Wcstport. It is therefore only necessary to call attention to a ca<?e deserving present consideration. Mr A Brown, of Keefton, well known here as a former resident in Gladstone street, has experienced a long rim of misfortune, bringing him very low in worldly possessions, and ultimating in a dangerous illness, under which he now sutlers. His numerous family suffer likewise, as they absolutely lack many of the commonest con-forts of life, and their state during the present hard winter has been really deplorable. The members of the Westport Lodge of O tdFellows have already extended the right hand of charity to their brother in distress, and arc now about to get up a friendly little raffle on his behalf, the pai'tioula- s of which may be read in our advertising columns. We need hardly hint that the kindly disposed will do well to take a chance therein, as an easy means of affording succor to those who sorely need it. The Gorman professor of magical art, the renowned Hnselmayer, is advertised to make his first appearance at Sheahan's B jon Theatre Thursday evening, and, from the nurnei' u I enquiries already made for reserved seat tickets, the public are evidently in a high state of pleasant anticipation. In this respect no one need forebode disappointment. Mr Haselroayer has excited the wonder of intelligent audiences wherever he has performed. His necromantic feats are scientific, astonishing, and new; the musical portion of the entertainment is highly original; and the performing birds are, each and every of them, a rara avis not often met with. They are wonderfully trained, and wonderfully sagacious. American papers speak of Mr Haselmayer in glowing terms, and laud him as a refined gentleman and polished scholar, quite as much as they praise him as an unrivalled genius in his particular vocation. The arrangements made for the reception of a large audience are all that can be possibly desired, and the most fastidious need not fear the slightest discomfort or inconvenience.

A sad accident occurred on Wednesday or Thursday last on the Upper Buller, at the ford known as the Wire Kope Crossing, near Jaklin*s. It appears two brothers lived there named Kerns or Kearns, carrying on business as storekeepers and butchers, and they purposed taking some oats down the river to some carters, and this necessitated their crossing to the other side from their store. The only canoe they had was leaky, and hardly fit to carry more than one passenger, and one of the brothers alone crossed in it, the other, Charles Kerns, decided on attempting to ford and swim the stream on horseback, lea.ling also by a rope another |horse. For this purpose he 'divested himself of a portion of his clothing, and mounting one borse ventured into the current. The led horse, however, proved restive, and dragging at the halte-, pulled Kerns off the back of the other into the water; but baring struggled out he remounted and again essayed to cross. Unfortunately, when about four yards only from the landing, the horse he was riding suddenly sank underneath him, and Kerns was again thrown off into deep water, wherein he instantly sank, after raising hid arms once only for help. His brother was within three yards of him with the canoe, but the heavy fresh in the river prevented the possibility of rendering anv assistance. The deceased was twenty-two years of age. and well known and respected on the river and amongst cattle dealers. He was a native of Wakefield, near Nelson, where his father resides.

It is rumored in political circles in Wellington, that in the event of the Ministry being defeated, a new Government would bo formed, with Sir David Monro as Premier ; Mr Stafford, Colonial Secretary; Mr Fitzherbert, Treasurer; Mr Curtis, Conn issioner of Customs; and Mr Gillies, Native and Defence Minister. Mr Haughton, in his report upon the Goldfields, and in regard to the subject of water supply, says : —"Up to the present date, so tar as I am officially informed, applications for aid by way of subsidy under the reflations have been lodged with the Goldfields Wardens to the amount of £2',850; but I have been made aware lhat further applications to the amount of £24,000 are in course of preparation, and will, in all probability, be sent in within the present month. Only one advance has, at present, been sanctioned by the Government, viz., £1533 to the Greenstone and Holionu Water li.iec Company." Ho adds:—"From my own personal knowledge of our goldfields, I unhesitatingly assert that the sum of £3.000,000, instead of t! e £ 3on,(Kio, judiciously expended upon water supply, woidd prove an expenditure directly remunerative, and indirectly productive of such an increase to the population of the c >!ony as would confirm us in a position of unexampled prosperity." In his report upon the expenditure of Goldfields Revenue in the different Provinces, Mr Haughton gives the figures relating to Auckland, Otago, and Westland, but lie adds :—" In the Province of Nelson I have absolutely no data upon which to base even an approximate estimate of the past or proposed expenditure upon the goldfields by the local Government." Mr W. M'Lean, as manager for the Westland Quartz-crushing Company, advertises that a legal manager is wanted, and that a call of 2s per share his been made. In the Supreme Court Christclmrch, Mr William Reeve Haselden, late in the Registrar's Office, Hokitika, has been admitted as a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court, of Now Zealand. The Excelsior Goldmining Company at Ross, have struck very good gold in a monkey shaft, sunk about 30ft below the present level. The Morning Star Company are again in full work. On the authority of the * Lyttelton Times,' it has been stated that tho coal burnt in tho hold of the ketch Blackwall, the fumes from which caused the death of the skipper; was Grey River coal. From the report of the inquest we seo that tho

seaman William Pepper in giving his evidence said, " we brought Grey coal up in the vessel, but the coal used in the fire was some Newcastle coal that Hunt got from the heap on Birch's wharf." A movement has been set on foot in Grey mouth, for building a Masonic Hall, to be available,also for other purposes. A memorandum of association has been adopted and a committee appointed to form a company for the purpose, under the Limited LiabilitjgAet, with a capital of J-1500, in 300 shafts of £5 each. A providontal escapo from a serious, if not fatal accident, occurred very recently to two children who were in one of the coaches from Arahura to Hokitika. As the matter has been related to the ' West Coast Times,' a wedding party was going down to Hokitika, and just as the coach started tho horses bolted. With a courage tiiat cannot be sufficiently commended, the driver jumped off, leaving the horses, coach* and passengers to arrange the affair between them. The passengers, however, were not to be outdone in gallant bravery, for they contrived to scramble out also, leaving, with a humanity quite beyond praise, tho two children in tho vehicle. The horses galloped on, and, having at length expended their superfluence of spirit, trotted up to the stables in Hokitika, without having done any damage, although they passed several vehicles on their way to town. The children were unhurt, though certain ly somewhat scared. The manufacture of paint has become a local industry at Nelson. The ' Nelson Examiner' says:— "Apropos to the very excellent pigments which Mr Tatton showed us this week, manufactured by him from chrome, lead, and zinc ores, we were much, gratified yesterday on visiting Mr T. B. Louisson's painting and paperhanging establishment, to see a considerable manufacture carried on by him of iron minium for brown paint, from the brown haematite of tho Parapara district, near Collingwood, and of black paint from plumbago, from the vicinity of Pakawau, both of a first-class character. We trust to see these manufactures soon making their way in our intercolonial markets.

A very distressing occurrence took place iu Moorhouse street, Koss, about four o'clock on Sunday afternoon, the 11th inst, and caused considerable excitement in the locality. A poor little child, about six years of age, daughter of a person named Dottier, was sitting by the fire in the house where her family reside, when a spa-k flew out and ignited the front of her frock. The little thing did not appear to notice it until the whole of her upper clothing was on lire, when she ran screaming into the street. Her father was at some little distance down the road, speaking to a friend, but, hearing her cries, he at once rushed to the spot, and catching the child in his arms, rolled her on the ground, and succeeded in extinguishing the flames, but not before the chest, throat, and arni3 of the little sufferer were frightfully burnt. She was immediately wrapped up in linen saturated with kerosene, and put into bed. It is to be hoped that no serious result will ensue. A correspondent writing from Sacramento City says :—Trade in California is reviving, the spring crops appear in good condition, and the mining towns are lively. The writer who bad recently visited Salt Lake City, says the opening of the railway line through Utah Territory has caused a great influx of strangers there, and the mines are becoming very rich. One mine, called the Emma mine has been bought by an English company at an immense price, and Americans are offering many inducements to English capitalists to developo American mines. Barmun is now travelling the states with an immense circus and museum, which, in its transit from place to place; by rail, requires seventy cars and four engines to convey the animals and curiosities. Amongst other attractions, the show comprises souieFigians—a woman and three or four boys—who, taken from Fiji to America as a speculation", have become part and parcel of the great showman's wonders.

On Monday last tho machinery and plant of the United Steam Drainage Company, Boss, was sold by auction at Hokitika, Mr M. Cassius becoming th; purchaser at the sum of iIGSO, paying xiOuO down at the fall of tlie hammer, in accordance with the terms of sale.

Morrison, landlord of the Benmore Hotel, near Invereargill, has been imprisoned on a c'-.arge of manslaugher. A witness swore at the inquest that he saw him strike a man named Simmons over the head with a potato masher. The deceased, who was recently employed at the Meat Preserving Company's Works, Winton, had been bronght to the hospital insensible, and suffering from paralysis of the left side, and shortly after admittance had died. Among the papers presented to Parliament, and copies of which have been forwarded to us, are several series of papers relating to the construction of roads in the goldfields of Nelson and "Westland, containing some statistics which we shall take an early opportunity of quoting. Another fire occurred at Timaru on the 12th instant. Lay's stables, opposite the ' Herald' office, were burned. The property was insured in the New Zealand office To.' L2OC

Jerusalem Smyth has been appointed Messrs Brogden's agent for the Otago railway lines, and Chief Engineer Henderson will arrange for the Auckland lines being under the control of some local engineer. ■ James, the second mate of the s.s. Maori, was washed overboard and drowned during a. gale, on tho passage from Lyttelton, on the morning of the 12th. A lode of silver and lead, about ten inches thick, has been discovered in the Carrick Range, and is believed to be very rich. James Morrin, of Auckland has been fined LSO for a breach of the Stamp Act, by signing an unstamped share transfer. The Thames district is going to petition for increased representation. Tho Ohinimuri natives are indignant at not being allowed to deal with their lands. A heavy gale at the Thames washed down the AlbioD tramway, and knocked down two houses, in one of which a man and his wife were in bed. They were covered by the heavy frame of tho tramway, but were got out afterwards unhurt. An Alexandra telegram discredits Nelly's report respecting the Taupo goldfield. A man named Erskiae, a practical digger, could find no gold at the spot indicated. fin the Napier Supreme Court, Shuker, charged with assaulting Mrs Hardy and servant at Poverty Bay, has been sentenced to penal servitude for life. Firth, owner of the To Ante saw-mills, was sentenced to three years penal-servitude for receiving stolen property. Judge Johnston, in his charge to tho jury, said he would deeply regret if the grand jury was abolished in a Colony like this. He considered it would be a great misfortune. Tho following is a specimen of tho trash which is being circulated i:i England as "information to emigrant?." It is an extract ftorn a pamphlet published by the Hev P, Barcley, M.A., lately of Napier:—

'* New Zealand is a good land—a land of brooks, of water, of fountains and depths, that spring out of valleys and hilly; a land of wheat and barley, and vines and fig-trees and pomegranates; a land of oil olive, and honey ; a land wherein thou may est eat bread without scarceness; thou shalt not lack anything in it; a land where stoneß are iron, an i out of whose hills thou mayost dig brass," The bakers have gained the short hours demanded, and and will commence uow at four o'clock in the morning. There is now on view in Auckland, we learn from the ' Southern Cross,' a very beautiful Maori mat, worked by the natives, and intended as a present to the Duke of Edinburgh. The reason his Royal Highness did not receive this very valuable gift was owing to the Maoris engaged upon the mat not being able to complete it in time, when it was subsequently purchased by Colonel M'Donnell. The body of the mat is composed of a very beautifully prepared flax fibre, sewn together with elaborate minuteness, and is most artistically covered with choice feathers taken from the kiwi. This mat has been the work of many months by highly skilled natives, and probably nothing exhibiting finer workmanship was ever turned out by Maori hands. The ' Otago Daily Times' has the following : —" Among the passengers by the Wave Queen, which arrived lately from Bristol, is Mr Amos, engineer, formerly of the Kuipara flax mills, who went home some eighteen months ago, and has returned to take charge of the Siting up of the locomotives, carriages, trucks, &0., for the Port Chalmers Kaihvay. He is accompanied by two assistants, Messrs Thomas and Gatwood. Photographs of the plant imported have been shown to us, all of which look sub tantial. First and foremost are two of Fairlic's patent double engines, weighing close on 25 tons, one firs-t----class carriage, three composite carriages, one break goods van, one passenger break van, six timber trucks, fourteen platform trucks, and ten covered gools waggons. The engines are respectively named the Rose and Josephine—names selected by Mr Oliver, one of the promoters, while on a visit to England. ft is intended that the Wave Queen will come alongside the Railway pier at Port Chalmers and discharge the plant. The pier is no*v 400 feet in length, and has 18 feet of water alongside it. The pier is to be extended over double the present distance.