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Westport Times, Volume VI, Issue 1020, 8 November 1872, Page 2

Twent.y.eight police ca?e3 were heard before the Westport bench during the past month. The party of prospectors, who, for. some months past, have been carrying on a careful research for quartz indications at .Vlt. William, have succeeded iu striking what appears to be a lead, running through slate formation at a depth of fifteen feet from the surface. A3 to-morrow will he the Prince of Wales Birthday, the Banks and Government Offices will be closed, and an official if not commercial holiday duly observed. The note of preparation has not been loudly sounded for any boating, fishing, pio-nic ing, or other holiday-making excursions ; but there is ample time yet during the next twelve hours.

The unusual influx of water in the Alpine Company's claim is now subsiding, and the manager hopes in a few days to be able to again raise stone. The main reef, struck in the main tunnel, about three hundred feet farther north from where the very rich stone was lately obtained, looks promising.

Mr George Bromley and Miss Holman gave another entertainment on Tuesday evening, and were again successful in attracting a good audience. The programme presented was only slightly varied from that of the previous evening, but the unbounded applause bestowed proved that it •was none the less attractive. Indeed if any fault could be found it was that Mr Bromley in his zeal to please his patrons, gave them too much for their money. A performance extending from eight o'clock till past eleven, with only a short intermission, and kept up with unflagging energy, is more than is generally received or expected. On Monday next Mr Bromley, and Miss 1 lolman, assisted by amateurs, -will give a benefit performance in aid of the funds of the Westport Hospital, at which a host of novelties will be presented, and to which of course there will come trooping a host of friends.

It will be noticed that the b.s. Kennedy leaves here on Saturday night for the south.

On the arrival of the Charles Edward, on Wednesday last, some interest was excited by the appearance of the Japanese troupa on board, en route for Hokitika, and Greymouth previous to their return here for a few nights performance. Their quaint costumes and peculiar physiognomies attracted much attention. The Jap's number four or five performers including one venerable sage, looking a hundred years old at least, and also two youngsters, a boy and girl said to be wonderfully clever. Besides tl.ese Asiat cs, the ompaay comprises Mr Tom Margetts who does the gentlemanly eomique singing busiuess, and Signor Ftri ari with his performing monkeys, who may be remembered as travelling with the Lenton troupe some years since, on this Coast. The company will appear at the Masonic Hall, in Lyttelton street, which by the tine they return, will be completed. Some portions of the submerged cargo from Perotti's boat have been recovered, but of course all more or less damaged. We hare heard since our last notice of the

accident that it was mainly attributable to tbo over-loading of the boat, and fears were expressed when she left Westport thiit she. would hardly reach the Lyell in safety.

We regret to have to record another boat accident on tho river, News reached town yesterday ]that the X.L. boat, belonging to W. Hannah, was totally wrecked, about three miles above Ohika, near Hawks Crag, and the goods either lost or seriouslv damaged. Tho crow were getting the boat up the Whirlpool Fall, by means of the usual double purchase adopted at difficult parts of the stream, when by some means they lost control and she sheered over, and soon struck upon rocks becoming completely stove in. The greater portion of the freight was consigned to Mr Gallagher, and other portions to Mr Field, andChing Bros. Some portions of the goods was brought back yesterday in CrCrowlo's boat and tho remainder saved has been stored on the river bank near where the accident occurred.

Fish, especially flounders, are so plentiful at the Ngakawhau, that all the residents there have to do to catch a supply, is merely to spread a net on the shingle, weighted down with stones, while the tide rises, and then as it falls, haul up again with the certainty of a good draught o: fishes.

The Westport Race Committee have succeeded in obtaining the use of the paddocks adjoining Mr Gibson's for a course, and on Saturday evening next the Committee will meet to arrange the programme of events.