The Westport Times. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 1874.

Westport Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1210, 11 September 1874, Page 2

The Westport Times. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 1874.

The vital need for the construction of water races as tho only effective moans of realising the auriferous wealth of the Coast goldfiolda is well shown by the report of Mr Warden to the Under-Secretary for the Goldfields. Referring to Jones's Flat, ho says tho " visitor of some five years back would scarcely recognise, in its present lifeless and desolate aspect, the place then teeming with life and activity. Where five steam engines were busity at work nothing now remains but great heaps of tailings and skeleton poppet-heads, and the sole cause of this sad change is want of water. These engines, which cost the district many thousands, are now either lying eaten up with rust or are dismembered and sold. From the fate of these engines it is evident that steam power is a thing of the past, ho far as Ross is concerned. Had the capitalists of the district had the experience of the present to guide them, the whistle of a steam-engine would never have been heard in Ross. A race such as the proposed Mikonui could have been constructed twice over with the money thus thrown away, and the district, intead of being what it is, would have been, as it was at first, the most prosperous and largest contributor of revenue in tho province, This goldfield is different from, and superior to, any other in tho Province, from the fact that gold is found in payable quantities, in successive bottoms or layers, at the greatest depth yet reached. To give an idea of the possible future in store for Ross, with a largo supply of water for the flat, it may be stated that when the drainage engine was in operation, one claim of about one acre ai:d a half in extent was giving handsome dividends, though rated for drainage at £7O per week. There is a large por- * tiou of ground on the flat, known to be equally as good as the above claim, as yet unworked, and yet while the miners know such to bo the case they are obliged to leave for other and poorer fields." At last it has been decided that tho race shall ho constructed and resulting, as it undoubtedly will, in permanently reviving tho languishing industry of the district through which it will pass a strong incentive and good precedent will bo

established for fcitnilar works in districts wherein the struggling miniug population eke out but a scanty subsistence, wanting the one essential to profitable work, an unfailing supply of water. In the present Hush of anticipation of prosperous times to arise from the development of tho coal fields of this district it should not be forgotten that auriferous workings have been the mainstay of the district for many years, and that the want of a permanent water supply alone prevents the yield of gold giving assurance of continued prosperity;

The result of tho Municipal Election has been to infuse new blood into the body politic of the Borough Council. It has placed at the top of the poll Mr John Maura, heretofore an unsuccessful candidate, and has giyen double honors to Mr John Coir, who, when municipal rule was first established in Westport, received an influentially signed requisition to consent to bo placed in nomination, although he subsequently retired from the contest. There seems just a possibility of technical complication in tho present position of affairs. The precise observance of statutory rule in the matter of nominations is yet a subject of doubt, and tho legal bearing of any act of resignation even by a member elected to two seats, will require careful consideration. Supposing, however, all doubts cleared up, and a new election to ensue, the Consolation Stakes thus created for the defeated candidates should induce a sharp contest. The candidates will be put upon their mettle, and the vote and interest of their friends will be at a premium. It should bring the best man to the head of the poll, and create a more abiding interest in affairs Municipal. The members of the Council during tho first year of office have had much unprofitable and unthankful duty to perform, and it is not unreasonable to suppose that in any new election the votes of the burgesses will be given to those who have already proved their capacity for public business, and willingly borne the brunt and burden of public duty. Tho steamer Alhambra is expected to leave the Bluff at 11 a.m. on Saturday the 12th instant. Telegrams for the Australian Colonies or Europe via Java Cable, will be received at Westporfc Office for transmission to the Bluff up till 9.30 a.m. of the 12th instant.

The Reefton mail contractor, accompanied by Messrs C. Broad, Mindermann, Hazelden, and Chichester, arrived in town last evening from the Junction, but the Reefton mail had not reached there when the party left, owing to the heavy flood on the Inangahua river. The Charleston Herald of Wednesday' last says.-—After a lengthened connecti' ii with this district, during which he has earned the respect and good will of the whole population, Mr Alfred Greenwood takes his final en route to England. ,We feel sure all our readers will join with us iii wishing Mr Greenwood a pleasant and quick voyage. The same journal also reports that a presentation of a Bible and an address was made on Sunday last, to Mr Alfred Greenwood, by tho teachers and scholars of St. Mark's Sunday School, the same being some acknowledgment for the valuable services rendered by that gentleman to the institution. This act of gratitude on the part of his young and affectionate friends, coming as it docs on the evo of his departure for England, will we feel sure, be highly appreciated by that gentleman. Tho winning numbers in Tonks' Eandwick Metropolitan Sweep, drawn by Charleston tickets holders are as follows:—117, Surbiton; 135; Andromeda; 139, M'Callum Mohr; 145, Miss Jessie. The Charleston Herald says :—As much inconvenience and loss of time is experienced by the public through the irregularity in the arrival of the mail from Westport, tho postmaster at that place would bo doing the people here a service by telegraphing to the Charleston office the time of tho contractor's departure om Westport'so that it could be posted outside ; th residents would then be saved the annoyance of having to be uselessly running to the Post Office so frequently, as the time of departure being known they would, by allowing six or seven hours the journey, be able to arrive at a pretty correct, calculation of the time when the mailman would arrive.

Another casualty case from the railway works has been admitted to the Hospital. The case being somewhat peculiar. The sufferer, a man named Murphy, -while working with a long handle shovel gave his body a sudden jerk which fractured one of the bones of the spine. In the Warden's Court an application for a residence area at M'Kenzie's Creek, south side of Hatter's Terrace was granted to William Barclay, under miner's right 11631.

The Loyal Troupe of Gymnasts and Dancers purpose visiting Westport by the next steamer from Wanganui. Miss Clara Stephenson (Mrs Wills), who was a passenger on board the Murray for Greymouth, also intends bringing a dramatic company hero for a short season.

A mishap that might have ended fatally, occurred on the river on Wednesday. Mr 11. Turner, compositor, was disporting himself in a Rob Roy Canoe, and managed to capsize in deep water. Fortunately he could swim and getting hold of the canoe he pushed towards shore. Some men who saw tho occurrence lent him assistance, and he escaped with nothing worse than a good ducking. Besides the attractions provided elsewhere on Wednesday evening, Mr Maguiro gave a railway celebration ball, which attracted a good concourse of friends, and passed off successfully.