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Westport Times, Volume VI, Issue 1021, 12 November 1872, Page 2

It was rumoured yesterday that a rush had set in for the W ainiangaroa, and it is known that for some days past several men have wended their way there, travelling also even by moonlight. The only authentic news we can obtain as showing any reason for a rush, is that in Martin and Overhagen's claim, which has been held under a lease for five or six years past, good surface stone has lately been found, and the party, on sinking a fourteen feet shaft, struck a leader six or seven inches in width, gold bearing throughout and gradually widening. In the casing of this leader gold indications were also thickly distributed, and the probability is that the machinery at the Wainiangaroa, which has so long remained unused may at last be profitably employed.

An accident occurred on the wharf on Saturday morning on the arrival of the steamer Kennedy. A boatman named John Reid, who was lying on the wharf, by some means rolled ovt rand fell off, first striking heavily on the side of the steamer and then falling into the water. He was quickly picked up again but insensible, having received a severe blow on the skull which caused blood to exude from his ears and nostrils. He was taken to the hospital, where he still lies in a precarious state. On the 25th October last the St. Mary'g Art Union was brought to a close in the presence of a great crowd of visitors, Messrs L. Broad, Lowe, Otterson, Dr Williams, Dr Squires, M'Lean, and Adams, who conducted the proceedings of the drawing of prizes for three nights, expressed their satisfaction that the art union on the whole had been carried out with a marked character of the strictest honesty. The amount received, after all expenses, was a net balance of £228 ss, which is considered a great success.

Three casualty cases hare been admitted into the hospital during the last week. The man who fell from the wharf; a miner from the terraces with a broken arm ; and a familiar character known as the Count, who received severe injuries from sorue cowardly ruffian, whom, he says, knocked him down and jumped on him. It is intended, we believe, to bold during the coming Christmas week, two concerts for church purposes. The memhers of the vestry of St. John's Church are anxious to raise a fund apart from ordinary church revenue, for the purchase of a new harmonium which is much needed; and they will depend on the pecuniary returns from a benefit performance for a portion of the purchase money. Another benefit will also be organised in aid of the funds of the Catholic church. In either case the object sousrht to be attained is worthy of public support ; and a more auspicious season for social enjoyment could not have been selected. In thus giving timely notice it may be inferred that the committees of management intend, in either pase, to produce a really good performance, and, from the names of the ladies and gentlemen already mentioned as willing to render their services, little doubts can bo possibly entertained that such anticipations will be fully realised.

A benefit performance in aid of the funds of the Westporfc Hospital came off last evening, and although perhaps not quite so well attended as some previous performances for the same object, drew a good and appreciative audience. The programme was long and varied, the chief feature being the performance of Mr George Bromley and Miss Holman, who had profferred their services, and who each in new characters and new songs, won deserved applause. They were assisted at intervals by amateurs, some among them new to local fame, but each achieving success. The inevitablo " Box and Cox," with Miss Holman as the immalculate Mr? Bouncer, and the negro farce of a "Ghost in the Pawn Shop," brought the entertainment to a satisfactory conclusion.

The familiar voice of "Mac the bellman" was heard once more in our streets yesterday, after a long interval of silence, caused by his enforce.! sojourn in the Hospital. Dr Thorpe has set Mac on his pins in a much shorter time than any one anticipated, and Mac, if wise, will avoid again putting "an enemy in his mouth to steal away his brains," and weaken his powers of locomotion.

News from Anderson's is exceedingly good. We do not care to vouch for the thousand and one rumours afloat a3 to the extraordinary richness of the stone, but we may state the one, all important, fact that shareholders will not sell their shares at any price, although eager, would be, purchasers are offering heavy advances upon late quotations.

From Rainy Creek, Larry's, and Boatman's, there is not much to report. At the former place the prospectors have advertised for tenders for the supply of machinery, but have postponed opening them for a month longer than was originally arrangedAt Boatman's, the Just in Time claim has struck the reef next to Thompson's, and shares are now buoyant. Protection in the sole right of ferrying, has been granted for six months to Mr B. Gough, for a self-acting punt on the Ahaura river, opposite the Ahaura Island. The authorised tolls being, for each person one shilling; for each horse and rider two shillings and sixpence.

The ' Thames Advertiser' says " the loan is flowing away like a river." It has been decided by the directors of the Reefton Tramway Company to abandon the project of carrying the line along the bank of the river near to Black's Point, as the formation of the slope is too loose to render the work secure from slips, and their present intention is to overcome the difficulty by tunneUing through the hill, a distance of 200 ft to 300 ft. This determination is probably a wise one in the interests of the company, as they will thus avoid all risks from floods or landslips. The number of ounces of gold exported from Otago since its first discovery has now "turned" the third million, the quantity exported up to the the 30th September last being 3,003,8410z5, valued at £1 1,745,000.