The Westport Times. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1872

Westport Times, Volume VI, Issue 1033, 27 December 1872, Page 2

The Westport Times. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1872

Two splendid nuggets, weighing together 57 ounces," were lodged in the Bank of new Zealand on .Tuesday last. Tliey were brought down from the Lyell, and ■were found some twolvo months ago in Irishman's Creek.

The concert last evening in aid of the Catholic Church was a nuocosa in every sense of tho word. The Masonic Hall was filled to overflowing, and the lady and gentleman amateurs acquitted themselves admirably. Wo withhold v.ntil our nest issue a detailed notice of the performance. The charge of one shilling, gate money, for admission to tho race courso seemed to nonplus a few visitors yesterday, from the fact of no previous notification. The reason is just this, the committee finding the funds a few pounds short, deemed it advisablo to levy a small contribution rather than break faith with the public and omit events from tho programme. Few we think will refuse a ' colonial' upon so reasonable a plea. Tho first new building opened for business on the tipper township is Mr E. Roclio's Harp of Erin Hotel, in Wakefield street, and if all other builders follow the good example ho has set them, Wostportiaus will havo littlo cause to be ashamed of their street architecture. The Harp of Erin is a commodious two-story hotel, containing comfortable accommodation for a host of customers. It is pleasantly situated, and commands river, sea, and bush scenery, and while oiForing tho retirement of a country residence, is sufficiently near to the site chosen for tho government buildings, public offices, and new wharf to suit the convenience of all comers. It i 3 just an easy uistanco too from the lower township, and a gentle walk to tho Harp of Erin will give an additional zest to tho glass of sparkling ale to bo found on tap there. Noticeable among tho window shows of Christmas daintios displayed during the week has been the spread of Christmas cakeß at Mr West's A. 1. Bakery. For abundance, variety, and tempting appearance, the display quite equalled the Christmas spread in many more pretentious establishments in much larger places than Weatport, and in mora -attractive thoroughfares than Lyttelton street. Conspicious in it's coat of sugary white, udornod with tho customary emblcru3 and quaint devices that betoken lismeneal festivities, was a noblo wedding cake, which attracted the gaze of every passer by, and there were many. Admiration of tho cake, and curiosity to know the names of the happy pair on whoso behalf so much skilful work had been lavished, wore equally blended.

Mr Simpson, with his usual enterprise, put on three coaches from Charleston yesterday, and they brought full freights of passengers for the races.

la the roport of tho opening proceedings of tho Christcburch laterprovincial Exhibition, the * Times ' of tho I.7th instant says. " The court for minerals, ores, &c, is tha first to attract attention. The exhibits are both numerous and varied, indeed, the department forms one ©f the leading features of the exhibition. Tho arrangements have been carried out under the immediate superintendence of Dr. Haast, .assisted, by the Curator of the Colonial Museum. Taken as a whole, it could scarcely have been made moro attractive, and it fully represented tho resonrcos of tho colony in its particular line. The first exhibits camo to nre specimens of coal arranged according 'to their value. They commence withjanthracite from the Acheron Afalvern Hills, and,include specimens from tho Crey and Bailor rivers. Next to these came fire clay and glas3 sand, all Canterbury contributions; and adjoin-

ing them is a largo show case containing a splendid collection of gold, quartz, ores, and 'other economic minerals. Those are contributed by the Canterbury and Wellington Museum's, and tho local committees of Westport; and lleefton. On the opposite side of tho court, in another glass case, we find some megnificent samples of kauri gum from Auckland, iron ore from Nelson, and building stones from this province, most of whic'i arc dressi»d. On tho walls in this court are also shown geological and other maps, architectural designs and sections. Some holiday visitors may be expected in a few days from Ilokitika. Tho s.s Waipara is chartered to run on an excursion trip to Westport and the Ntrakawhau river. The object beintr one of pleasure and business combined. The leading men in Ilokitika are rousing up to an interest in coal speoii" lation'B. Tho -Charleston * Herald' saV3 :—The price of cold this week at the local agencies of the bank 3 has bjen £3 18s 9d per ounce with b;er included ; just lOd an ounce and the supply of beer U3ed to each ounce of the metal purchased more than it is worth. We "cikmlate" miners will have to pay for this folly orercised by the banks, doubly at an early date,