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Westport Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1143, 20 January 1874, Page 2

According to the report of the last meeting of the Inangahua District Board, that body contemplates the expenditure of £I7OO on tracks between Reef ton and Capleston.

Two government townships were marked out during the past week in the Inangahua District. One named Capleston, at the junction of Boatman's and Little Boatman's Creek ; and another named Colinton, at Larry's Creek. The trading prospects of Westport are improving, and the rumor thereof has quickly spread. It is said that several coastal mercantile firms purpose opening branch establishments at Westport at an early date, and other commercial men, in a smaller but perhaps not less useful lino of business, are also looking to Westport as a desirable place of settlement. We notice that by p.s. Eesult Mr Coffey, well known in Brighton for some years past, has arrived, bringing with him a stock-in-trade of drapery, boots, and clothing, and also the materials for a store, which he will at once erect in Palmerston street.

Reports from the Lyell speak in high terms of the prospect of the Monte Christo claim. The present crushing of 150 tons of stone from the flat leader recently opened up, aud now being crushed at Carroll and Cairn's batten', is expected to yield at least 5 ozs to the ton. The reef in the M ruia claim is now reported as tending in a direct lino for the Monte Christo, and shares in the latter are now quoted at 6s Cd to 7s 6d per scrip.

A rush is reported as having taken place at Boatmau's, about four miles above Gorgetown, on Monday last. A man named Collins got payable prospects in the casing of a veef, cropping out on the surface, runuing North and South. About twenty claims have been pegged out. Some misconception appears to have arisen as to the act ion of thecrickot club, as reported in '1 hursday's issue of the Star The purpose for which they desire a reserve is for a public recreation ground—and as rega ds the Social Entertainment Committee, they considered that as nothing had been done for the last eighteen months, it would be to the public good if the money now lying idle were given to assist in cl< aring the ground. The Council of Westland consists of the following members : —The Hon. J. A'. Bonar, Superintendent ; for Hokitika, Messrs White, Tahart, and Todd ; for Greymouth, Messrs Lahman, VVoolcock, and Wickns ; Pnroa, Messrs Guinness and Dnngan ; Waimea, Messrs Seddon and Houlahan; Boss, Messrs Cnmming and M'Gaffln; Kanieri, Messrs Robinson and Mitchell; Okarita, Mr Canavan. |

A farm of IJO acres leasehold, on the ' Little Grey district, was sold on Monday last at 50b por acre. It was reported in Reef ton on Saturday last, that anew reef has been discovered by Mr George Welsh. The locality ij said to be north of Painkiller.

Late news from tho Lyell is to tho effect that the directory of the William Tell Company has decided to at ouce resume work, and that all claims against the company up to date have been paid off. Shares of £SO each, are now quoted nominally at Is, but with an upward tendency.

An almost miraculous escape from death or serious injury occurred a day or two since at the Cape Fonlwind Terrace, where workmen are now engaged clearing timber for the lighthouse survey. One of the employees, generally known as Jimmy,' and usually employed on field and bush work, had gone up a tree to lop off limbs, and while so engaged he lost his hold and fell forty feet, alighting on a small pile of dead wood and rubbish. Beyond a few bruises and a shaking ho received no injury, and was at work again as usual on the following day. His escape is the more extraordinary by reason that all around the tree young saplings had been cut off breast high, anrl the stakes stood erect and jagged, ready to impale him had he not fortunately fallen clear. The total amount of entries now received for the Greyinouth Jockey Club Handicap is ten, and comprise Yatterina, Lacenfecd, Malvina, Hatred, Calumny. Gossip, Malice, Azucena filly, Kakapo, and Tauranga. The price of the 41b loaf has been reduced to lid at Hokitika by one baker, as an experiment to gain increased custom. The Grey River A'-gus considers it probable that Mr John White will be proposed as Speaker of the Provincial Council, and considers that gentleman well qualified for the position. The English mail brought by the Tararua* ex the P. and O. steamer Ellora, was an extra one, the usual monthly mail via Suez not being due in Melbourne until the 13th instant. The Ellora left Southampton on the Ist November ; Colombo, sth ultimo, and Adelaide, 2nd instant. A recent report of the Dunedin share market quotes Albion Coal Company shares paid up to 20s, at seven and sixpence, buyers ; and Grey mouth Coal Company shares, 5s paid up, at seven shillings. Tenders are invited for the purchase of Simpson's line of coaches, horses and plant, now in use between Westport and Charleston ; also the stables at Brighton, Charleston, and Westport.

In reference to the late assault case at Charleston, arising out of election excitement, the Charleston Herald reports that on Wednesday last the case came on for hearing, and resulted in the dismissal of Joseph Drumgool, and the sentencing of Edward Guynan to six weeks imprisonment in Westport gaol. His Worship Dr Giles, R.M., in his summing up, delivered a good sound lecture, strongly condemning the brutal conduct that had been exhibited.

The following was the result of the election of officers in the Loyal Charleston Lodge of Oddfellows, for the current year : —Bro. Jas. Taylor,. N.G. ; Bro. Wm. B. Galland, V.G.; Bro. Wm. Eowe, E.S.; Bro. A. Sargison, Warden; and Bro. C. Campion, I.Gr. A meeting of cricketers is to be held at Nahr's Hotel, Charleston, this evening, to organise a club, which may at once get into active practice, with a view of doin<? battle at an early date with their brother Knights of the Willow at Westport. There is little doubt that a good club will be formed at Charleston, and, with this incentive to steady practice, the Westport men will no doubt put forth their best efforts.

The Greymoutli Mail says :—So the presence of a Governor for ten hours is a more expensive luxury than many ratepayers at first estimated. Twenty pounds an hour is not bad for the Greymouth Corporation exchequer, considering that the citizens provided a banquet likewise. It is to be hoped that the Superintendent will subsidise the Hokitika and Greymouth Borough funds from the Provincial chest in equal proportions. Fifty pounds, we understand, wai promised to Greymouth, but it is understood that .£l5O has been given to Hokitika to defray its share of the expense.