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Westport Times, Volume VII, Issue 1076, 30 May 1873, Page 2

This evening the Masonic Hall will no doubt be comfortably filled, notwithstanding tho discomfort attendant on braving a passage attor dusk amid the pitfalls and miry places abounding in Westport streets. Tho claims of tho Piro Brigade upon tho support of tho public are so manifest that any action to benefit their funds should meet with prompt and cheerful response, and the programme of the dramatic benefit performance to-night offers in itself sufficient inducement to attract a good audience, apart from any other consideration. Tho tangible benefit accruing should place the Brigade in funds sufficient at least to cover the cost of shifting tho engine-house from its present unsafe position on the sea beach, and, hereafter, during tho winter a series of similar efforts might be well made to raise moneys sufficient to meet the other items of outlay so urgently necessary to place tho brigade in a thoroughly efficient condition. Just before the present fresh on the Buller, the beaches in many places being

dry and easily workable, attempts were made to prove whether the drift lying beneath tho shingle contained gold in payable quantities. At one place near Christy's three men succeeded in a very short time in getting out 23 ounces of gold, and had not the river risen so suddenly would have done much better. The precise locality is of course a eeoret, but they intend trying again the very first opportunity. It is not at all improbable that systematic research at favoring seasons would prove the bod of the Duller to be as rich as even the Shotover in its palmiest days. The funds of the Hospital heed replenishment. A fact broadly stated and undeniably impressed of late, but producing only slight response in the shape of subscriptions. The Sub-committee appointed to canvas the town did so, but With scant success, the one general-reply being "no money." It is now proposed that lacking silver : and gold the piiblic might-give of such as they have, and combine and profit while aiding the institution. A "Grift Auction" has been proposed to'come off in a month or so from the present time, the stock of merchandise to consist of all such gifts and unconsidered trifles as friends may feel inclined to donate, and which gathered together in varied profusion will be then offered for merry competition in lots, as auctioneers say, to suit purchasers. Needle work, nick nacks and bijouterie from the ladies, clever handiwork from the ingenious, eatables from stores, potables from bars, cakc3 and confectionery triumphs from the pastrycooks, fancy trimmed joints from the butchers, vegetables from the gardeners, poultry, Jive stock, and dead stock, dippings and pickings from every tradesman's shelves, odds and ends from every household, all and sundry, of whatever shape or fashion, will be received, and thereafter immense fun and not a little profit should arise from the eager competition among friends and acquaintances eager after bargains. Gilmer Brothers' Post Office Hotel, rebuilt at the corner of Wakefield and rahnerston streets, relargcd and improved, was opened on Saturday last, the Queen's Birthday. Tho building presents an imposing feature in the now township, and will, as population extends in that direction, hold a commanding position as a commercial centre. Beyond the very meagre information to bo gained from the notices of motion made hi the Provincial Council, nothing has yet transpired concerning "Walker's" Waimangaroa coal prospecting license. Many rumors are afloat, and the names of Provincial officials are freely quoted as being concerned therein, and no considerations whatever should prevent Goldfields members from getting a full and explicit statement of facts connected with this suspicious looking transaction. Tho next advices from Nelson should convey the desired information. It is high time something more definite was said or done concerning Municipal matters. Forty days have now elapsed since Westportwas gazetted a Municipality, and tho sooner the machinery is set in motion and the Council gets to work the better. There is much concerning public need and public welfare that demands instant attention. The good effect of the rainfall has been already proved by the sale of some few parcels of gold during tho past week, showing satisfactorily that the claims are all in full swing of work again. Unfortunately the present peculiar arrangements for the purchase of gold by the local bank agencies of the district, drive away many miners elsewhere to sell their gold, and Wcstport suffers. Addison's men travel to Charleston where rival bank agents proffer ,£3 19s per ounce, much of the lieefton and Lyell gold finds its way to Greymouth, where it realises £3 18s Gd and £3 18s 3d per ounce, while the maximum price given in Westport is £3 17s 6d. It cannot be wondered, therefore, that miners sell as little as possible of the gold here, and as a natural consequence spend as little money. A telegraph station was opened yesterday at Te Awamutu, in the Province of Auckland. The Marlborough Express of the 14th instant says, "We hear that a requisition is in course of signature in Nelson, asking Mr Moorhouso to come forward for the Superintendency." Prom the returns laid before tho Nelson Council, the total number of Provincial Government officers appears to be ninetyeight, with salaries amounting to about £17,146. The Invercargill election on tho 23rd instant resulted in placing Mr Cuthbertson, a strong Ministerialist, at the head of the poll. Firm prices are still maintained for grain and breadstuffs. Anderson and Mowat, of Dunedin, quote flour at .£ll 10s; oats, 4s; oatmeal, 2Us; barley, 7s; pearl barley, 325. At Christchurch prime wheat obtains 4s 6d, inferior, 4s; flour, very firm at £ll ; oats, advancing, 4s 3d asked. Stocks are light. The latest Auckland quotations are,—Flour, £ll 10s to £l3 10s; oats, scarce at ss; wheat; 5s 6d. The General Assembly is convened for the 4th June next. The native disturbance having rendered necessary an earlier meeting than was at first anticipated.

Tho readiness of the Hebrew race in finding' apt answers to complaints was perhaps never better exemplified than in a recent instance which occurred in Sydney. Visitors to Sydney may know Moses Levy's eatinghouse, and may have tasted his capital soup, which he dispenses at a penny a basin. Not long since one of his customers, a cabman (cabmen are fond of soup), having quickly consumed his pennyworth, told the accommodating Hebrew that his soup was bad, he had found in it a piece of worsted stocking, Levy retorted, " D'ye think I can afford to put bits of silk stocking in soup, at a penny a basin."

The total imports into the colony during the quarter ended 31st March, were £1,517,312, against £1,219,497, for the corresponding quarter in 1872—Vessels entered outwards: tonnage of 73,144, against 72,440 last year. Vessels entered inwards to the amount of 72,410 tons, against 72,771 tons last year. The exports were.£2,550,915. against £2,411,787, in the corresponding quarter of last year. The Otago Daily Times says:—"A mooting of gentlemen interested in the formation of a Lodge under a dispensation from the Protestant Alliance Friendly Society in Victoria, was held in the Athensemn Hall, Dunedin, on the 18th instanb. The chairman, Mr Charles Johnston, introduced to the meeting Special D.G.M. Uro. Walker, from Victoria, who gave all the information necessary for the formation of a Lodge here, and explained the principles of the Crier. The fees and dues, benefits, and other matters, in connection with this Order, are almost entirely similar to those in Oddfellowship and Forestry, with this exception, that all parties belonging to it must be Protestants, It was moved by Mr C. de L, Graham, and seconded by Mr W. Sly, "That it is desirable that such a Lodge be formed in this town." Tho motion wa3 carried unanimously. A number

of those present Rave in their names, and there appears to bo a likelihood of a Lodge soon being opened in Dunedin.