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Westport Times, Volume VII, Issue 1035, 3 January 1873, Page 2

The new regulations for newspaper postage,'by which only half-penny stamps are made requisite for papers posted for de-livery-ioithin the colony, 13 in forca on and after Jan. Ist, 1573. In addition to (hedramatic entertainment on Tuesday evening last, a second performance came off the following night. Mr Strachan having intimated that the drama would be reproduced in order to augment the funds so that the Hospital might reap all possible benefit. The attendance on Wednesday eveniug was small, in consequence of no reduction having been made in the price of admission to the Hall, but the performance went very smoothly and the after piece, a negro farce, sent the audience home in good humour. Among other little sporting events of the week, a running match took place at German Terrace, on the 3lst, between H. London and C. Dillner, for £1 aside, the distance being 100 yards. London toed the scratch and. Dillner started at 20 yards. London won. by three yards only, after a close race and hard pushed by Dillner.

Broad at Charleston- has boon still further reduced in price from 9d- the four pound loaf to Bd, for cash; milk ia retailed there at Gd per quart; and groceries, at.25 per cent, less .than at. Westport, The drapers there refuse no reasonable offer for their wares,, and boots and shoes are cheaper than ever.

The Treasurer's report of the Charleston U. M. Free Church for the year shows that during the year the receipt .and promised subscriptions have been £321 Bs, and the expenditure during .the same period £3lB Bs.

The public pic-nic gathering at Charles ton on Monday last, organised as a farewell meeting with tho Rev. T. Flavell, prior to his leaving the district, was a great success, over 300 adults attending, besides an innumerable fry of juveniles. The chief feature of the day was the presentation of a handsomely illuminated testimonial to the reverend gentleman, subscribed for by the members of his church. The test of the testimonial -was as follows :—" To the Rev. Thomas Flavell, incumbent of St. Mark's, Charleston, New Zealand: Eeverend and Dear Sir, —Prior to your removal from this district, where you have so well .and faithfully ministered for the past four years, -we desire to express c.ir gratitude to you for the zeal and integrity with which you have —under circumstances more than ordinarily trying and difficult—performed the duties appertaining to your office. In wishing you a regretful farewell, wo earnestly assure you that you will ever hold a prominent place in our hearts and prayers. Trusting you will meet with tho appreciation you merit in tho new sphere to which you have been called, we beg to subscribe ourselves, Sea," —(Hero follow the signatures.) The harvest in the Grey Valley will be astonishingly early this season, thanks to the favorable weather the farmers have enjoyed. 'Carve itinjj operations weie commenced on the 21st instant, on Mr R. M'Neill's farm, Totara Flat, by cutting down a fine field of winter sown oats', quite ripe and fit for saving. The work of fencing is going on extensively, and clearing ground for winter crops is being attended to. .

The Ahatira Church of England Csmraittec are makiugproparatioEs to suitably receive the Her. T. Flavell, and to enable him to hold service fit the chief mining centre-! .in the Grey Yalley. It is proposed to make such arrangements shortly as will justify the request to have a clergymen permanently resident in the district.

The Ahaura correspondent of the ' Argus' relates a laughable occurrence at a recant school examination there. A lad was given a passage in Scriptural history as a reading

exorcise. He came to the sentence describ. ing a quarrel between two Hebrews, which he rendered—"next day Moses saw two brewers fighting." This unfortunate mistake taken in connection with its apparent relation to a passage at arms between two of the trade, which occurred in the town a few days previously, quite upset the gravity of even the most serious person in the room.

At the Hokitika Eegatta on the 27th instant, the most exciting event pulled off was a ladies skiff race for five sovs. The contest lay between Mrs McKenzia and Miss Bradly, the one in the 'skiff Live Yankee, and the other in the skiff Eclipse. The married woman was the winner.

ThoDunedin 'Star' states officially, that the Government of New South Wales have offered to pay half the cost of laying a cable from that colony to New Zealand. The good old custom of singing Christmas Carob was observed at Hokitika on Cliristmas eve and morning. Some favored slumberers were roused on Christmas morn by the words and music of some of the fine old English and German Carols sung by boys, lead by some picked treble voices from the All Saints Church choir. A correspondent of the * West Goast Times' says•—They were sung excellently well, and, it would appear, so pleased the worthy Mayor of Hokitika and esteemed Judge, as to cause the former to rush out at *' past two o'clock in the'morning " in (proper) dishabille, and give our " waits" the hearty greeting they so well deserved, and the latter to present, next day, a general donation to the choir boys.