Untitled

Westport Times, Volume VI, Issue 1009, 1 October 1872, Page 2

We have seen some specimens of stone obtained from the gold bearing leaders just opened up by Allen and party, at Manuka Flat, Lyell. It is very like the Little Wonder stone, studded with good sized pieces of gold, and showing indications of bearing finer gold throughout. Awakened interest in the district is culminating in excitement, and a few more such finds will cause a rush to the Lyell that may equal the palmiest times at Eeefton. The first crushing of the Little Wonder stone is completed, and from recent indications it is confidently expected that the 95 tons of stone put through will yield from 800 to 850 ounces of gold.

If ace's third crushing was completed on "Wednesday last, and 2SO tons yielded about 600 ounces, The gold was sent to Greymouth last Friday. Tho Excelsior Company, Lyell, are now driving through the main reef, finding the stone exceedingly hard and requiring blasting. They are through the reef on chu floor of drive, but owing to dip have not quite cleared it on the roof, and have passed through a well defined body of stone 7 feet thick, and gold bearing throughout, as proved by prospects from the line pulverised dust obtained from the drill holes, which, although only ten inches deep, have in each instance where tested, yielded several coarse specs of gold. Willie Steel gave his Friendly Social Concert at the School House, on Friday last. The audience was good in point of numbers ; friendly because forbearing ; social because every one 'went in' to amuse himself and neighbours. Willie did his level best to win applause, and got it.

Through rates of loading from Westport to Reefton, reduced last week to £l2 per ton, has been again reduced to ,£10; at which price our boatmen aud carriers should be able to command the greater share of the Reefton traffic,

Tho ' Charleston Herald' of the 29th says: A very narrow escape from fire occurred yesterday forenoon, a foul chimney in Cadigan's Hotel igniting. The bell was rung and several members of the Brigade turned out with the engine in double quick time, but fortunately a few buckets of water had the desired effect. A minute or two longer with the gale of wind blowing at the time, and it is hard to say where the mischief might have found an end. The party of miners known as the Enterprise Goldraining Company, Charleston District; have filed a declaration of Bankruptcy.

In reply to a question asked by Mr Harrison in the House, as to whether any steps had been taken in pursuance of the 29th section of the Payment to Provinces Act, 1871, to distribute three-eleventti3 of the sum allotted under that Act to the Province of Nelson, as contribution to Road Boards, amongst Road Boards on the South-West Goldrields, south of the northern boundary of the electoral districts of the Duller, and. if not, whether such sums will b3 held in reserve for that purpose; the Government replied that no steps had been taken as no Road Boa'ds had been constituted, but the amount would be held in reserve for the Boards to be constituted.

On the evening of Friday, the 20. L h insfc., a few minutes after five o'clock, a smart shook of earthquake was felt in Nels.m, which caused many people to suddenly leave their houses. The shock was the severest felt for some time, It was proceeded by a very slight tremor, -with an interval of a few seconds. The shock was also felt at Kniapoi and Kangiora, Canterbury. The Wellington correspondent of the Dunedin 'Star' says that Mr Joshua Strango Williams, of Christchurch, is to have Mr Moorhouae'a appointment. The ' Lyttelfon Times ' states that there is private intelligence from Wellington to the effect that a new bank for the Colony is about to be started in London, under auspices that will ensure auccjss. Mr Moorhiuso in his published address at New P'ymouth, gives utteraaces to opinions showing that he strongly opposed

the Stafford Cabinet, mid believes that the good Government of the country ia more likely to be secured by the Opposition party. He expresses implicit faith in Mr M'Lean's conduct of Native affairs. He ia opposed to any combination with Mr Stafford, Mr Atkinson also denied that lie comes forward as the supporter of ihe Stafford Ministry, but the subsequent speeches of both candidates have created an impression that they are still both open to conviction. Some little mis-conception \3 afloat aa to whether Mr Curtis can retain his Superintendence*, and at the same time hold a seat in the Ministry, in face of clause 3, of the Disqualification Act, 1858, which provides. " If any member of the House of Kepresentalivesof the Superintendent of the Province, or any member of the Provincial Council shall hereafter accept any such oliiee of emolument or place of profit during such time as he shall be a member of the said House or the Superintendent of a Province or a member of a Provincial Council, his seat as a member , or his office as Superintendent respectively, shall thereby become vacant and a writ shall issue for a new election in the same manner as though such member or Superintendent, had resigned his said seat or office," We may note that this clause of the Act has been repealed by XVII Victoria, 1870, clanse 3, and that no such restriction now exists on Superintendents holding a duality of offices.