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West Coast Times, Issue 231, 15 June 1866, Page 2

Tho programme for the Princo of Walos Thoatro, this ovoning, consists of Tom Taylor's celebrated drama, " Still Waters Sun Deop," and the farco " the Widow's Viotims."

Yesterday* Mr Brackon's Queenstown Hotol was offered to tho publio at auction, and as tho stand is a good ono, and tho frontago unusually wide, it was anticipated that a good prioo would be roalisod. At tho time appointed for tho sale a goodly numbor of " speculators and others" wore collected inside and out of tho hotol, and for a time- the bidding was spirited, and promisod to {ernri- 1 nate in a figure vory far in oxlcess of that one which was fixed upon as a reserve by "tho Major." Suddenly, however, it collapsed, and tho building was then pronounced tho pro* porty of Mr Moo, who bid L 620 .' Wo, how ovor, heard that after all tho salo was not a salo, unless tho proprietor so willed it, as tho roservo ho had plated upon it was LBOO. Wo havo, however, boon informed that a price in oxcosb of the highest bid has since boon offered, and that it is quito possiblo a salo will bo effected to-day.

We are glad to loam that tlio arrangomenls, for tho Masonjo ball to bo hold on Wednesday next, aro proceeding most satisfactorily, and that tho affair promises to bo in ovory sonso a groat success. Mr Wagnor, of tho Shainrook 'Hotol, to whom tho task of catoring for tho guests has been entrusted, is carrying out his work" with spirit and a liberality oven in ox* ucss of the conditions imposod upon him by the terms of his contract with tho committee. Tho Princojof Walos Thoatro will bo handsomely decorated, and ovory provision made for tho comfort of tho numorous com* pnny assemblod. Wo may add, that ovory necessary stop has boon tak'on by tho committee to rondcr tho boll, in tho striotosfc souse of the term, soloct. Information was rocoivod yesterday at tho telegraph office that tho accident to tho wire which has had tho offoot of interrupting communication for some days past, occurred somo sixty miloß on the eastern side of tho Bealey. It appears that along a considorablo portion of tho lino, tho wiro and tho isolators had been carried away from tho posts by tho hurricane which provailod. It is satisfactory, however, to kuow that' stops for ropairing tho damago aro being taken, and that thoro is every probability that communication with Christchurch will be resumed in tho course of this afternoon.

Tendora have boon called for, and sont in to tho Engineer of Works for keeping the Waimea track in good repair and woll gravelled in cortain places. Also, for planking ovor that portion of tho wharf not yet flnishod. These tenders are yet unopened, through tho absonco of Mr Rochforfc at tho Groy. We are givon to understand that tho construction of tho dray road along Gibson's Quay will soon commence, tho plan of tho work having been drawn out and assented to.

Tho following paragraph having a most (< lamo and impotent conclusion," wo clipped from tho columns of tlio " Ilawko's Bay Times " : — A' " correspondent at Waipawa, under dato 25th May, sends ' us tho following account of a torriblo oucounter with a boar, which wo trust will eorvo as a warning to all who may — whether compelled by nocessity or for pleasure — happen to bo travelling in tho bush. Our correspondent says s — "*A Mr William Loughton, a shophord in the omploy of A. Chapman, Esq., was ono day lately going round the boundary, wlion his attontion was attracted by tho fierce barking of his dogs in an adjoining scrub. Naturally enough he wont in the direction from whence tho noise came, to soo the cause of the barking. What was his surprise to soo his dogs engaged with a very largo wild boar, Loughton immediately cocked his rifle and flrod j the boar dropped } and ho (Loughton) thinking that ho had killod tho bruto, went up to him, wlion, to his consternation, tho woundod animal mado a rush at him. A torriblo encounter onsuod — men (for there was anothor poison, yclept Tittorus, with Loughton), boar, and dogs, aU rolling on tho ground together. The contest waß, however, but of short duration. Tittorus, who also belongs to Mr Chapman's station, and is a universal favorite, was frightfully mutilated, and, I regret to add, very little hope is ontortained of his recovery. Loughton fortunately osoapod with but slight injurioß., Tho courago ho oxhibited in this affair was most praiseworthy, and dosorves consideration. Further particulars lam unablo to give, but just enough has boon said to provo to ovory ono tho" groat danger of travelling iv tho bush in Now Zoaland. In conclusion, I may stato that I cannot vouch for tho truth of tho abovo, but sond it to you just as I got it from an oye-witnoss."

Wo tako the following from a colonial papor, withroferonoe to tho lato captain of tho London :— " Captain Martin had tho greatest confidence in his ship, and usod to boast thnt ho could manage hor as a gooi equestrian could his horso. Ho was a very popular man with his pauengora and crow, loved tho sea, and stuck to it bocaußo ho did lovo it, Ho was romarkablo for keoping a good table on board, and was oxtrenioly particular about his 1 wine and cigars. Ho had shaves not only in the London, but in two or three other ships, and possessed proporty in Australia. Ho loft a will by which ho bequoathod the. entire of his property, amounting to about £80,000, to his mother for hor life, and after her death, to his brothers and sisters. Ho was unmarried. Ho loft threo brothers (ono of them a oivii engineer in large praotico) and two sistors. Through life ho boro tho reputation of being a disinterested and noble-minded man j and by his last acts ho fully sustainod that reputation, and loft a memory which will bo honored as long as true gallantry conthutos to bo appro* oiated." ' ' „,-*+

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT (Before G. G. FilzGerald, Esq., 11.M.)