Untitled

Westport Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1198, 31 July 1874, Page 2

The following is a copy of a letter from the Post-Oflice authorities, in reference to tho petition which was forwarded from Charleston to the Postmaster-General in March last: —Sir, with reference to my letter of the Bth nit., I have now the honor to inform you, that after enquiry into the matter of the complaint embodied in the memorial which accompanied your letter of tho 23rd March last, the PostmasterGeneral is of opinion that it would be injudicious for tho present to disturb the existing mail arrangements between Westport and Charleston ; and I am also to state that the complaint of insufficient time being allowed the public of Charleston to answer letters by return mail appears more apparent than real. 2. I am, however, to add for your information that tho Postmaster at Westport, has been instructed to arrango as far as possible, consistent with tho convenience of the general public, for the despatch of the mails from Westport on Saturday so that they may reach Charleston in time to be delivered the same afternoon. I have the honor to be Sir, your obedient servant, W. Gray. Secretary.

At tho half-yearly meeting of Court Charleston, A.0.P., tho following members were elected and installed iu the various offices,---Win B. Oalland, 0.11; W. Price, S. K; A King, Treasurer; C. Bowater, Elective Secretary ; J. Somerville.'S. W ; James 11. Green, J, W; J. P. Garduer, S. B ; Joseph Ballard, J. B ; Joseph Henry, M. D. Medical Officer; Thos. Dollman, Permt. Sec, Lovers of skilled music are reminded that Mr J. Obughlin will make his appearance at tho Masonic Hall this evening, and perforin a varied selection on the Harmonic Union Pipes, an instrument now to tho Westport public, aud as different from tho' ordinary bag pipes, in tones aud compass, as a Collard and Collard's Grand is from a hurdy gurdy. Tickets for this novel entortianment are being rapidly sold. The entertainment at tho Masonic Monday evening drew a respectable and appreciative audience, to whom tho program me presented gave entire satisfaction. The instrumentalists were Messrs Ililler, Dobson, and Crawford; the vocalists, Messrs Browno, Hiller, Muuro, Pain, and Fernandez ; and tho readers, Messrs Larehin, Day, Shapter, Northcroft, Cross, and Whyte. With such an array of skilled and painstaking amateur talent success was assured, and tho entertainment was one of tho most successful and complete of tho kind yet given in Westport. There was no ostentation, no fuss, no excitement, no vain parade. Those who appeared on the stage were as much at ease as if mingling in a circle of friends at home, thus ensuring the quiet enjoyment of their audience. Iu every sense of the word a thoroughly pleasant evening quickly sped, and a very general wish is expressed that a series of similar fortnightly entertainments may bo organised ; as involving little expense, aud affording rational amusement, while also suggesting the means of rendering financial help to local institutions standing in need. No. 1 section of the Reef ton road, between Christie's and M'lnfcyres, was passed -on behalf of the Government, and taken over from the contractor on Friday last. The river is at present good for cargoboat traffic. White's boat, on the last trip up, with five tons aboard, made the Junction iu two days, i Montgomery's now boat, recently brought up from Greymouth, also made the trip, with siz tons aboard, in quick time.

Specimens of quartz brought down from Anderson's, taken from the present workings, show that the character of the reef is undergoing no change, except for the better. White quartz, with a bluish tint here and there, and thickly impregnated with gold. The Rcefton and Lyell mails arrived hero at 3 o'clock on Monday afternoon, some hours in advance of the usual time, having boon sent down by White's cargo boat.' This arrangement, we hear, will be carried out whenever found possible until the roads become a little more practicable for travelling. At present the difficulty of getting the up mail through to Christy's in one day is very "great indeed. The distance is but twenty-eight miles, but many of these miles are a succession of quagmires and mud deposits, through which horse and man struggle and flounder for dear life. On the last up trip the mailman's horse fell three times in as many miles. Another month or so gone by and the track will be firmer, but just now travelling thereon is' a very weary pilgrimage.

The following paragraph interesting to supporters of municipal institutions appeared in the Now Zealand Times of the 13th instant:—As affecting the prospects of the municipal bodies of the Colony, a proposal which shall shortly come before the General Assembly has a great deal of interest. It is nothing short of a suggestion (which emanates from the Christcburch City Council) that the whole of the revenues arising from business licenses, hawkers' licenses, and possibly publicans' licenses, shall be handed over to the corporate body ot each city in the Colony. The proposal is certainly rather a bold one, but his Worship the Mayor has been communicated with upon the subject, and a special meeting of the City Council will be held next Monday with a view to obtaining the support of the Wellington Corporation to the proposal. All other municipal bodies existing under the Municipal Corporations Act have been communicated with, and the subject will bo brought before the General Assembly iu the course of a fortnight. With regard to the present condition of the Greymouth aud Eeefton road, the Herald writes:—"A few days ago one of tho coach horses belonging to Messrs Gilmer Bros, was found dead in the stable shortly after running tho stage between Eeefton and M'Hardie's, which includes about ten miles of frightfully heavy road. Tremendous efforts have to be made in order to get the mail through as nearly to contract time as possible,-and some idea may be gathered of the wear and tear of horseflesh from the fact that not a single horse now used on the line was running two months ago. There are about twelve or fourteen miles of distressing road, being during the winter mouths a perfect sludge track nearly tho entire distance, aud crossing the liver beaches the rough boulders are equally trying both to horses' aud vehicle." Okarita has been closed as a port of entry and Mr J. La Nauze of the Customs is about taking bis departure therefrom. It is stated that all the applicants for shares in tho Colonial Bank of New Zealand will have the full number applied for allotted to them.

A eoirespondcnt of tho Grey River Argus telegraphed from Hokitika on Tuesdaylast : —News reached libra to-day that 6igg and party's prospecting shaft at tbe Greenstone rush is bottomed, and excellent prospects were obtained. The Charleston butchers intimate that in consequence of increased wholesale rates they have been compelled to increase their retail prices. The Register says:—We are informed that tho Grcytnouth Porough Council has raised the tonnage rates by one shilling per ton. If this is not the case, no doubt our Grcymouth contemporaries will correct us. From the Register we learn that Messrs Shain and M'Gregor's tender for the building of the new Post and Telegraph Offices, at Hokitika; has been accepted for tho sum of £I3BO 7s 2d, tho only other tenderers being Messrs Sinclair and Jack, ot £IGOO. Tho site of the new building is to be between the present Post and Telegraph Offices. The principal entrance, of course, fronting Sewell street. The size of the structure is sGft by 43ft. An Okarita cou'gsppndcnt writes to tho Register that the,high price of beef at Hokitika is awakening up some of the southern cattleholders. Mr Friend lias started with about seventeen head of fat bullocks for tho Hokitika market.