The Westport Times. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1873.

Westport Times, Volume VII, Issue 1044, 7 February 1873, Page 2

The Westport Times. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1873.

Cut off from civilisation! Suchhas been the experience of the past fov/ days in "Weatport. The Post and Telegraph Offices, the only means of communication with the outward world having been ruthlessly spirited away, out of sight and well out of reach of all engaged in active business. No news of mails, no chance of posting letters, •no telegraphic messages, oxcept after a weary tramp over a level mile of the roughest road that engineering perversity has ever accomplished. The public are indignant, aud . anathemas loud and deep are invoked on the heads of the little somebodies who have caused this utter subversion of all public convenience. Numberless are the enquiries by what covert means this sudden action of the postal authorities has come to pass. In reply 1 hereto it is necessary to explain the facts, so far as known, leaving the general public to form their own conclusions. It was recently suggested in the columns of this paper that an appeal should be made to the Chiefs of the Telegraph and Postal Departments to permit the business to be, for a time, still carried on at tho Cobden Htreet office, as being centrally situated, and most convenient for the mercantile residents in Westport, who had been compelled to rebuild their houses of business in close proximity : to that office, in consequence of the plow progress of tho Provincial Go- '

vernwent works in the formation of the uew township. Such suggestion merely giving utterance to generally expressed wishes. Acting on the suggestion, a respectful memorial was signed by the principal business men in "Westport, praying that the use of the temporary offices might be retained until the new township site had bocome more fully inhabited. "From an ordinary business point of view nothing could seem more just and reasonable, but behold the demon of selfishness starts into instant life and activity. Individual interests would be jeopardised, official convenience imperilled. "What need that the vulgar public, the natural enemy of petty officialdom, should be listened to ? There was an instant hurrying too and fro, and the rumour quickly spread that so and so didn't like it —that they were telegraphing —and so and so, their bosom friend, was helping. How far such rumors were based on actual facts, is only known to those who, perhaps injudiciously, gave reason by their ill-kept counsel for such rumors circulating; but at all events the memorialists, in self-protection, were compelled to telegraph also. Their request was that action should be stayed until their memorial had reached Wellington by mail, and with it also a letter and map of the township more fully elucidating the exact circumstances of the case. The slightest deference to a respectful expression of the public wish, the ordinary courtesy that should mark official actions, the observance of common decent behaviour, should have prompted a ready acquiescence to this request and due consideration of the appeal thereafter ; but, to the lasting disgrace of those in authority, it was treated with contempt ; neither memorial nor letter was deemed worthy of waiting for, and the only reply vouchsafed the memorialists was a telegram as follows :—" He removal of Office.—Commissioner regrets cannot comply with your request. We have gone to great expence in making preparations for removal.— C. Lemo>~, Lreneral Manager." Instantly following this was the hasty closing of the Cobden street office, and stampede of the Postmaster and his staff to the unfinished offices in Wakefield street. The hot and eager haste displayed in running away from the public having even its ludicrous aspect, resembling more the flight of frightened whelps before an imaginary foe, than the dignified or deliberate action of public servants. Howsoever much the plea "acting under instructions" may be held as an extenuation. The public now have to request the authorities to provide a regular postal delivery throughout the township. It will be an act of further injustice, of rankest extortion, to expect the public of Westporttobear the expense, seeing that the offices have been shifted nearly a mile from the inhabited portion of the town, solely to suit the convenience of those connected therewith, and not the public. There should be at least one postman appointed and paid by the Post-office, and a receiving box centrally erected. It is, though, a subject calling for action rather than remark. Comment thereon in print may perchance only again evoke the spirit of contrariness so lately evidenced.

The mails, per Wallace, for northern ports, will close ut half-past one p.m., this day. The telegrams of English news appearing in this issue should have reached us in time for publication on Tuesday last. For some unexnlained reason we only received the message at 11.30 a.m. on Tuesday. Eighteen hours after it was handed in ut the Wellington office. A the last -sitting of the E. M. Court at ■ Lyoll, on the 3rd instant, seven cases were heard, but none of any special moment. In the Warden's Court one case was heard. The objection made by Zala and party to Cairns and Carrol's application for a lease, which was said to include the residence area of the objector, was withdrawn. Tho extension of the machinory in tho Alpine Claim will shortly be commenced. Mr Binney, cngiuoor, who superintended the erection of tho Energetic machinery has been engaged by the Alpine Company. W. Seed Esq., Secretary and Inspector of Customs, in company with Harbor Master Captain Leech, visited the Ngakawhau coal mine yesterday. Mr Vorley lias been successful in taking some good photographic views of the Ngakawhau Coal Mine, which ho is prepared to supply at a moderate price. The views are large sized, and give a capital idea of the situation of the mine and surrounding scenery, and will prove of interest, to all concerned in the question of coal development. Mis 3 Clara Stephenson's dramatic company, strengthened by some members of the Variety Troupe lately performing in Hokitika, will appear here for a few nights and also at Charleston. It will be seen by reference to.tho advertising columns that they will give their opening performance at the Masonic Hall, Lyttlcton street, to-mor-row evening. Tho fact that Miss Stephenson and Mr Burford have been enabled to keep up a series of dramatic entortainuionts for a ton months' season at Greymouth is sufficient proof that the amusement they will profer the patrons of the drama here, will lack in no essential requirement. lI.M. Gaol, Westport, is now in course of removal, the contractors having the buildings disconnected.and ready to go on the ways. The absence of the buildings will leave a wide open spaco in front of what remains of Kennedy street, which will now be tho very modest marine parade of Westport. The sale of furniture and effects at the Star Hotel, on Monday last, realised exceedingly good prices, the competition being spirited throughout. About fifteen residents at Groymouth were had up before the Eesidont Magistrates Court, a few days since, for being concorned in a prize fight on a Sunday morning. They wero only charged with a common breach of the peace, and tho two principals wore fined £3 each, the rest being lot off with a caution,

The first of a series of weekly Quadrille Assemblies was held on Tuesday evening last, and considering the short notice given, was wttl attended. The arrangements were good, and the ladies and gentlemen present enjoyed a most pleasant evening. A larger attendance is anticipated on next Tuesday evening. We have received a pamphlet, entitled '* The Finances of New Zealand, by Master Humphrey." It consists of a reprint in a condensed form, of the letters on the finances of the Colony published in the ' Daily Times' by the writer assuming the mow de plume of " Master Humphrey" The pamphlet is neatly printed and may be obtained for one shilling from the publishers, Messrs Mills, Dick and Co. Work at the Anatori quartz claims has for the present nearly ceased, as the men find it impossible, with the scanty appliances at their disposal, to eke out a living. The stone shows excellent prospects but requires good machinery for its profitable working. Many of the miners from Anatori are setting in at the Karamea, the ketch Mary on her trip down bringing eleven passengers for that river, and more are preparing to follow. A Public Hall Company was successfully floated at Eeefton. Probably when the building is completed it will be used on Sundays for holding therein the religious services of the Church of England, Messrs Suisted Brothers of Westport have extended their business operations by the purchase of Hilderbrand's butchery establishment at Greymouth; which branch will be for the present under the superintendauce of Mr James Suisted. The entrance money taken at the Christchurch Exhibition amounted to within a shilling or two of £l2O, while the receipts from the same source at the Holcitika Exhibition amounted to £203 18s. This is a very significant fact, showing the dispositiyn of a mining community to avail themselves of a higher class of entertainment when such is presented to thena. With regai-d to the Energetic Company's claim, Inanghua, ihe mining reporter of the ' Herald,' of Saturday, says —" As numerous prejudicial reports have been current of lato relative to this claim I may state that they are, as at present known, entirely without foundation, as not the slightest effort lias been made as yet to discover the result from the stone crushed. There are few, if any, who believe that the stone wa3 likoly to average anything like the yield obtained from th« trial crushing, which was known to be from a particularly rich patch. Tho more practical portion of those interested did not expect any such results, and will, therefore, be well satisfied if the stone turns out payable, and from present appearances there is no doubt but it will do so, particularly when the economical mode of working is taken into consideration. The top and second plate of the tables are well covered with amalgam, and between those are two ripples, the contents of which is of course unknown. It is proposed by the Catholics of Stafford Town and Waimea to give, on the 9th proxa banquet to Dr Moran, in honor of his visit. It is not yet settled in which town the banquet will be given, but the members of tho Hibernian Society are to receive the Bishop on arrival. The bazaar lately held at Greymouth in aid of the funds of the Presbyterian Church proved an unprecedented success. At a meeting of the Committee on Friday evening last, Mr E. C. Eoid, in the chair, Messrs Hamilton ana Barkley read the statements from No 1 and 2 stalls, which showed the gross takings to be .£IOB6 4s Id; the expenditure .filc'S 4s 7d; leaving a balance £657 19s <sd. After paying all debts in connection with the Church, the Committee are able to carry to their credit the sum of £2GO. The Westland County Council a few days since resolved to accept the proposal of the Superintendent of Nelson, that half the cost ot tho work should be secured upon the mine on the Nelson side of the and the other half upon the reserve on the south side, " on condition that a sinking fund be established on account of tion of railway, and a first charge of not less than 2s. per ton be levied on all coals raised from either mine, to be devoted to said sinking fund." Tho following replv has been received from the Colonial Secretary's office. " Unless the conditions attached to the resolution re Brunnerton Railway, are withdrawn, I am afraid they will constitute a serious obstacle to the work being proceeded with." The County Council will, therefore, have to reconsider and amend its resolution, otherwise there is very little hope of the line being proceeded with until next session of the Assembly. The Eeefton Committee appointed to draft memorials to be presented to Mr Curtis on his arrival there have drafted the following referring to the sale of the town lands. "To His Honor Oswald, Esq.. Superintendent of the Province of Nelson. New Zealand. Sir, —We, the undersigned holders of business licenses and of sections in the town of Eeefton, desire to avail ourselves of your presence amongst us to press upon you the necessity existing for the withdrawal of the town from the Goldfields Act, and appointing an early day for its pnblic sale. Like concession's have been made to tho inhabitants of. Charleston and ihaura, and tho circumstances of Eeefton wo consider fully warrant us in anticipating a similar result from our action. When it is considered that very largo sums have been expended and so many difficulties have been surmounted by the residents of Eeefton, it will scarcely be deemed unreasonable that an opportunity should be afforded the inhabitants of purchasing freeholds at such moderate prices that will encourage tho investment of capital in substantial improvements, and so advance the work of permanent settlement which we all desire to see effected. The action of the residents of Nelson, and this your Honor's second visit to Eeefton, lead us to indulge the hope that the importance of our district is at last forcing itself upon tho attention of the Government, and that in future the wants of the district, will be freely recognised and supplied in a manner at onco prompt and efficacious. We have the honor, &c." Tho ' Grey Valley Times' says :—" A private prospecting party is about to be formed here, for the purpose of exploring the country to the East and South-east of the source of the Ahuara river. The expedition will consist of five persons, who will take with them three months supplies. The party intend to follow the Ahura river as far as Hoschetter, and erect a substantial building on tho North-east shore of tho lake. This building will form a permanent camp, and will be supplied with an ample store of provisions to servo the party in case of floods. Tho 'West Coast Times' says :—" A boat accident occurred last Saturday, at tho I Mahinr»pua Lake, to four compositors from this offico, which was very nearly proving fatal. They started off in tho morning (two having their wives with them) to en Qjoy tho pleasure of a sail on tho lake. Having dined, the ladies wore left on shore.

and the male folks went off on a cruise> but they had not been gone more thcui a quarter of an hour when a sudden squall caught the pail and upset the boat, pre? cipitating its occupauts into the water. They, however, clung to the boat, and after being in the water above two hours they contrived to reach the shore, and having righted the boat, ultim.tely got to the place whence thoy had smarted,- but minus a greater part of their i{jto"thing, of which they had contrived to' divest themselves so that tht y might not be encumbered in their efforts to get to shore. It may be of interest to mention that the ex-Emperor Louia Napoleon, at the time of his death, was approaching the completion of his 65th year, having been born on the 20th April,. 1808. The ex-Empress Eugenie is 18 years younger, and her son is close upon 17 years of age. The ' Westland Register' newspaper is about to change hands and be enlarged. The Nelson Racine; Club have invited Mr Walter's to enter Peeresa for the forth, coming races. The Presbyterian Synod of Dunedin are trying hard to enforce the stern Scottish idea of Sabbath keeping, and wish to invoke the arm of the law, and make Sabbath desecration punishable by legislative enactment. Amusingly enough three of the 'unco' guid' members of the Synod wore hauled over the coeds for Sunday travelling, having come up to Dunedin in the Stormbird, which sailed on a Sunday. They excused themselves, after afashion, by saying they had gone on board on Saturday; that it was the fault uf the owners, and that the crew and; passengers had gained much "spiritual comfort from their preaching on board. In justice to the reverend gentlemen, it is stated that they sought the privacy of their cabins during the bu3y half-hour preceding the steamer's departure—a sort of compromise like that of the converted greengrocer, who closed his door and shelled the Sunday peas in the back shop," A Melbourne telegram of the 24th Jannary, says—" The Melbourne coal supply at present is four thousand tons, exclusive of the Melbourne Gas Company, who have about three to six weeks supply. Prices to steamers, 603 to 65s per ton; for ordinary use. 72s 6J to 755. Many engineers are using wood, and will do so until the price is reduced to 30s. Seventy to eighty vessels are lying idle at Newcastle." If Melbourne consumers and Melbourne shipowners were made more familiar -with the fact that on this coast thousands of tons of coal are lying idle, their eneigies would be directed towards obtaining shipments; even if they lightered the coals from the Ngakawhau to vessels lying in the roadstead. Another telegram says :—Newcastle colliers are still on strike, and all attempts at reconciliation have failed. Master's offer to raise the price of coal to 12s, miners receiving 3d advance, but will make no reduction in the hours till next January. The Melbourne Gas-works Company are paying £3 10s per ton. The 'Otago Daily Times' says.—"Mr Casey has another piece of business to transact in New Zealand, besides inspecting the coal mines near Westport. The ' Argns,' in a late issue says:—" The Minister of lands, during his trip to New Zealand, will procure a number of plants of the Huon and kauri pines, and other useful trees, for the state nursery at Macedon. The object is to acclimatise useful trees, and propagate from them. At present, there are specimens of the New Zealand pines in the Botanic-gardens, but few anywhere else."