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Westport Times, Volume VI, Issue 1018, 1 November 1872, Page 2

Telegraphic news, two days from t,onclon to Melbourne, and fivo days to the New Zealand Coast, and thence quickly flashed to all parts of the colony, is, as an accomplished fact, worthy of record in the annals of colonial history. The time was, and not so long since, when the bare idea of such a rapid transit cf news would have been scouted as -wild and chimerical in the extreme. To-day the public receive the news with unruffled equanimity, accepting it as purely a matter of course, and express no greater wonder in it 3 perusal than in reading their ordinary mail correspondence. The present generation has ceased to be astonished at anything. Ariel's feat of putting a girdle, round the world has been accomplished, and the world, thus fortified against all doubts as to the power of science, io prepared to do and believe in still greater wonders. Unexpected blessings are not often received with unreserved thankfulness, but an incident occurred yesterday which should prove the exception. The inroad of flood and tide necessitated the pulling down of Br Bruen's tenement in Kennedy street, among others, and the removal of the roof led to the discovery, by the carpenters, of a roll of notes, in value £3l ; which, for a long time past, had escaped the Doctor's closest search. They had been placed some months ago somewhere about the roof lining, and had apparently slipped not only out of sight but out of reach, and but for the accidental pulling down of the building might have laid long undiscovered. Now in losing his house standing on a treacherous foundation, the treasure trove provides the wherewithal to rebuild it in a more safe abiding place, thanks to the honesty of the finders.

At the adjourned meetm? of thn Westrort Sports and Race Committee, held on Tuesday evening last, at the Post Office Hotel, Mr C. Brown in the chair, the following business was transacted. A teler gram was received from the former Secretary of the Jockey Club referring to the club books, and Mr Seaton explained that there was no money left in hand from the last collections, and that the books could convey no further information. The following gentlemen wore elected collectors : Messrs Riding and M'Kenna for the terraces ; Messrs Gilmer, Clark, Brown, and Robertson for the town. It was decided that collecting cards should be printed, and distributed among the principal hotels and stores, so that subscriptions might be obtained from travellers and others doing business in the town, as was customary in other places. It was also decided that, in the event of the adjoining paddocks being obtainable, the sports should be held at Gibson's course, Orawaiti, and Mr Gibson was deputed to make enquiries and report at the next meeting. The meeting stands adjourned until Tuesday evening next. A meeting of the parishioners will be held at St: John's Church this evening, to elect a churchwarden and vestryman, in consequence of the resignation of Mr Buchanan. To day being All Saints Day, service will be held at the Catholic Church, the Rev. Father Walsh officiating. Thirty-six hours rain has brought about the usual consequences; a flooded river, crumbling bank, and dismantled buildings. Up to twelve o'clock on Wednesday night there had not been any very perceptible damage done, except that the last remaining piles of the old Kennedy street Wharf had been swept away, and the river bank upward to Kennedy street kept gradually loosening and falling away. About two o'clock yesterday morning the flood was at its highest, and it was discovered that the river had cut deeply into the bank above Kennedy street, and was clearing a straight course through to the beach. It was necessary at once to remove goods and begin pulling down buildings. Dr Brum's surgery, Mr Powell's old store, Mr Carne's residence and back workshops were all pulled down piecemeal, and the materials stacked in the street for removal. At the end of Wallabi street also a lot of building material had to been shifted, and at Bright street the transit shed was seen to be so endangered that its instant removal was necessary. It is now placed on ways, and is being shifted to a more safe location. Yesterday the flood abated considerably and the damage for the time is stayed, but from present indications there is very little doubt that the river is shaping for a straight course right through the block bounded by Molesworth, Bright, and Kennedy streets, and that it is only a question of time before the buildings thereon will be wiped out of sight. Where Gladstone street once was the sea comes in with steady encroachment, and mine host at the Post Office Hotel will be enabled soon to build a suite of sea baths opening out from his bar-room.

Now that Anderson and Company's machinery has been set in motion, there is a slight improvement in the district, and shares in the claim ave being brought up at from £8 5s to £8 10s, with every probability of further advance, Energetic's are quoted at £2 10s ; and in the Lyell district Alpine's and Excelsior's have advanced in value, the latter finding buyers at £5 5s to £5 10s, The ' Wanganui Chronicle * says:—Mr Moorhouse intends remaining at Wanganiu and following the profession of a solicitor, &c, wo are told that negotiations are now pending between him and the leader of the Wanganui bar as to the purchase of the latter's practice. The ' Wanganui Herald' says :—"We hear on good authority that Mr Hutchison is about starting a paper in Wanganui, that the plant has been purchased, and the staff engaged. Mr Hutchison's experience in

Wanganui might have suggested a more I profitable investment for him than a newspaper. The following touching appeal to the possessors of hearts and homes, appears in the ' Grey River Argus':—Wanted—very much wanted —by a person of twelve years experience of board, lodging, and vexation of spirit, in colonial hotels, the honor and pleasure of living with a private family, to ■whom he will giv.e no trouble beyond the preparation of his bed and breakfast. The applicant believes himself to be moral, and (comparatively) temperate in his habits, and any person who will take him in will confer a benefit upon him individually and upon society at large. Such an opportunity of doing good, and being sufficiently paid for it, rarely offers. Personal inspection of the applicant invited. Address 0.K., office of this paper.