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Westport Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1204, 21 August 1874, Page 2

The steamer Omeo is expected to leave Hokitika at 1 p.m. this day, the 21st instant. Telegrams for the Australian Colonies or Europe via Java Cable, will be received at Westport office for transmission to Hokitika up till 12 o'clock at noon.

The steamer Charles Edward left Nelson yesterday afternoon. She has on board 52 immigrants for Westport. The Mayorreceived a telegram yesterday stating the number, and authorising him to make arrangements for their temporary reception. Messrs Bailie and Humphrey's empty store in Lyttelton street will bo occupied as a temporary barracks, and the new arrivals will receive one weeks rations at the expence of the Government. The majority is made up of single men, who will readily find work on the railway, and the married couples and two or three single females of the party will no doubt soon shake into their places in Westport. Smart work has been done by tho party of Maoris clearing the line of railway along Adderley street from the junction of Wakefield street to the terminus of tho line. They have opened up a clear view to the seaward from the front of Koclre's Hotel, and if all the clearing on the line is done as expeditiously, the track will be ready for laying the permanent way in a few months.

The New Zealand Times, in commenting on the import and export returns for 1873 as highly suggestive of neglected opportunities, and especially in the item of coals, 108,203 tons, valued at £187,833, says:— " Greymouth can never hope to see large vessels entering and leaving its harbor, engaged in the coal trade of the coast as well as of Australia and the Eastern seas : but she may and does expect to supply the other markets of the colony by means of small vessels, and by their help to load larger vessels in some convenient harbor— Nelson or Wellington—where a depot mightbe established. But Nature lias denied a port to the West Coast other than that of the Buller River, and when the railway from Westport to the Mount Eochfort Coalfield is constructed, or a new port established in Golden Bay to enable the coals in the Collingwood district to be shipped, we may hope to see the figures set down as representing the value of imported coal very much reduced."

The West Coast Times says that 1300ozs of gold reached Hokitika on Monday week from Boss, forwarded by the Bank of New Zealad, being the purchases of live weeks. Considering the limited number of miners in the Totara district, this remittance must be taken as highly satisfactory to the few remaining in the neighborhood. During the hearing of a case in the Warden's Court at Cobden, on August 3rd, it transpired that ground of more than ordinary richness is now being wrought in the vicinity of the Eazorback range.' One person declined to state his opinion of the value of the ground in a certain claim, giving as a reason that he could not expect any one, who had not tested the washdirt personally, to believe in the richness of it. Mr Thomas Toole of the Nile View Farm has turned out some healthy California!! quail and the Herald pleads that individuals out shooting, should be careful not to interfere with these birds should they come across them. The rapid rate at Which the quail increase their numbers is well known, and the exercise of a little restraint for a time on the part of sportsmen will, in the course of a few years, be rewarded by their having a plenlitude of birds of that species in the district. The barque Adamant made a good passage of 93 days from Plymouth to Nelson, and but for the strong easterly winds she experienced after rounding Tasmania (which she did on the 79th day), the voyage would have been several clays shorter. She sailed from Plymouth with 340 immigrants, equal to 277 statute adults. The immigrants speak in the highest terms of their treatment on board, and of the kindness of Captain Grant and his officers; also of the skill and attention of the SurgeonSuperintendent. The mortality among children on board, was high, twelve having died on the passage, from bronchitis, measles, or diarrhsu. There were three births during the voyage. There has been a great deal of " chaff" and various sneers at the " unknown" route to Canterbury, without the necessity, should a railway be required, of a tunnel at all. We (West Coast Times, August 14), may state for the information of the incredulous that the gentleman in question started on Thursday, en route for further exploration, and what is x more he expects to telegraph to us withuVa week of his successful penetration of a yet unknown country. We need hardly add that, we wish the plucky explorer all success, which, should he succeed in obtaining, wo will givo early notice of, News form Okarito has been received that the high tide on the 2nd instant did considerable damage to mining property in the district. The sea rolled in mountains high, submergiag the beach claims, carrying away sluico boxes, fluming, and working

gear, and filling up the paddocks. The cultiration clearings along the beach were covered with sand, and fences and outbuildings washed away. In tho town of Okarito the surf rolled along tho front street and dashed against the buildings in a very unwelcome style. The south end of tho town suffered the most, but tho damage was not heavy. The Hokitika mailman reports all the Bluffs in a very bad "condition, the top tracks in most of them boing washed away. The next sitting of the District Court will bo held on Monday next. The criminal cases aro Regina v. Whelau, and Itegina v. Benzie. Applications in bankruptcy will be heard in re Joseph Mason, Walter Lavette, and VV. F. Laming. Mr Elliott, the Emigration Commissioner at Nelson, has telegraphed to the Mayor enquiring " if rations could bo provided at Westport for 50 immigrants." Nelson ideas of tho Coast are evidently still befogged, and tho prevailing idea of Westport is that it is but a place on the borders of a wilderness, where food is scarce and the comforts of civilised life prevail not. It is reported that Mr Scanlon of Charleston has made arrangements to open a butchery in Westport, facing the upper portion of Palmerston street. The importation at Hokitika of carcase meat from Wellington by every steamer continues, and with satisfactory results to vendors aud purchasers, Latest reports from tho Greenstone state that tho washdirt averages about 4 dwts. to the load. The New Zealand Gazette of the Gth instant, notifies the appointment of Mr John Mackrell of 21 Cannon street, London as Solicitor in England to the Government of New Zealand. • In the Lyell Creek claim, the leader has improved in appearance, and in thickness. Shares are held for 2s and upwards. Complaints are niado in Nelson against the ratepayers being saddled with the heavy annual loss, likely to accrue on the City Gas Works, in the construction of which it is averred, the Provincial Governmeat have displayed gross extravagance and mismanagement. Mining matters in the Brighton district are progressing favorably, the late fall of rain having enabled the miners to keep steadily at work, and it is to be hoped for the good of the district, that the present cheering state of affairs will continue. The steamer Hero is expected to leave Auckland at noon on Thursday the 20th instant, Telegrams for the Australian Colonies or Europe, via Java Cable, will be received at the Westport Office for transmission to Auckland, up till 10 o'clock of the 20th instant. The Oineo will leave Hokitika on the same date, and telegrams wiii be received here up till 11 o'clock a.m on the 20th The exemption of firemen from duty on juries, will only apply to persons who have been members of brigades for at least twelve months. A Revision Court, under the JMunicipal Ordinance, was held at the Court House on Wednesday, and the Westport Borough rate for the current six months confirmed. It will be observed that the Hospital Committee have decided on holding a Bazaar in the Christmas week, in aid of the funds of the institution. Nomore popular way could be devised of assisting the languishing finances, and the success attendaut on St, John's Church Bazaar last year ensures the success of the new effort.