WESTPORT NEWS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 916, 20 September 1889, Page 20

WESTPORT NEWS.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Westport, September 12. The elections for two contested wards of the borough took place to-day, exciting more interest than usual. In the Middle Ward Thomas Williams defeated Charles Lampert by a majority of one vote. In the South Ward John Dolan had a large majority over John Morris, The fresh in the river having subsided, soundings were taken by the Harbourmaster to-day, showing 25ft of water on the har and 19ft fiin in the river.' These figures indicate that a considerable deepening has resulted from the late fresh. News is to hand from Mokihinui to the effect that the dredge Hapuka broke away from her moorings during the flood and was carried down the river. One of the punts is said to have been carried across the bar. Westport, September 16. The Cape Foulwind contractors have decided to discharge some 35 or 40 men from the stone quarry. It is said this action is consequent upon a request from the Labour Union that the crane drivers be put on full t ! me. At present all hands are working three-quarter time, owing to the staging work limiting the stone output. Westport, September IS. A rumour is current that the China steamer Chang Chow is likely to come here to load. The Cairntoul wai to have come this week, hut a rush of other steamerß will crowd her out for the present. She will probably visit this poifc in the course of a month. In reference to the defalcations in the Charleston Hospital accounts, the Chairman has received a telegram from the AuditorGeneral stating that the police have been instructed to take steps in the matter, and that the Audit Inspector will leave Nekon on Friday for Charleiton. The following figures show the present position of the harbour as regards depths at various points :—There is 25ft of water on the bar at spring tides, the average being 22ft Gin ; in the river the depth runs from 16ft to 19ft, averaging 17ft 7in ; while at the deep loading berths at the staiths, it is 20ft at low water spring tides.