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Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 177, 24 February 1868, Page 2

The Simonsen's. —We beg to remind our readers that these talented musicians, whose able performances we reviewed at length after their first performance, will re-appear to-night at Stevenson's Assembly Rooms.

The Hospital.—Since the first of January, thirty-two patients have been admitted to the Westport Hospital, in ejrery case cures have been effected. The number of patients at present undergoing medical treatment is nine. This number includes Constable Dorriß, and two other men suffering from severe injuries received in mining; in one case fracture of the skull, and in the other severe crushing of the thigh. All the patients are reported as doing well, and considering the limited space at the command of the surgeon are as comfortable as they can be made.

False Report.—Yesterday a report was current that u man had been found dead on the Caledonian Track. On enquiry at the Police Camp last evening, we found that there was no truth in the report, one of the constable's just returned from the Terrace being our informant.

The Beautiful Star.—This fine screw-steamer, during her stay in Dunedin, has undergone a thorough overhaul in her passsenger accommodation, and has had a new deck cabin and saloon built. The after cabin, below deck, will now form a saloon exclusively for the use of ladies, and will be a great improvement on her old accommodation. The Nathan Troupe.—The farewell performance of this company was not s well filled in the reserved seats as formerly ; but the " Gods" mustered as strong as ever. We have frequently commented on the acting of these clever children that we need only say say that Saturday eveniugwas no exception to the rule. Little Marion was as amusing and as piquante as ever, and her inimitiable impersonation of the " Unfortunate Man," a la Small, brought down the house. This troupe will appear to-night at Charleston, and we can only anticipate the pleasure they will give to all who visit them.

Robbery at the Casino.—On Saturday evening Mrs Hamilton missed a silver cup containing money from the topmost shelf in the bar. On giving information to the police, it was ascertained that a similar cup had been seen at another house in Westport, and shortly afterwards a man was apprehended on suspicion of stealing it, who will be brought up for hearing to-day.

Mr Weitzell's Brewert.—We visited Mr Weitzell's brewery, at Addison's Flat, on Saturday last, and we were much surprised to find an establishment on so complete a scale, their being every requisite for carrying on an extensive business, and every thing in first-class working order. We were kindly shown over the premises by Mr Weitzell. He also asked us to sample some of his beer, and we immediately complied with his request, and to make sure that we would not be mistaken in the quality, we tried a second glass, which we found to b» equal to any colonial brewed in the colonies.

Bishop Selwvn.—The Loudon correspondent of an English paper gives the following interesting information regarding the Selwyn family : —There was a wonderful gathering of hishops, clergy, and laity, at St Gabriel's, Pimlico, on Sunday evening. I noticed not fewer than six bishops. The preacher was the Bishop of New Zealand, who, though looks somewhat older than he did (as who would not ?) when he was here fourteen years ago, is still the same clear ringing organ that it always was, and displays his splendid eloquence to the best advantage. Those who have known him in New Zealand speak in enthusiastic terms of him. He is the boldest of swimmers, the most expert of swimmers; the tenderest of nurses, as well as the most devoted of missionaries. The Selwyns are in truth a fine family, and their father, the Q.C., would have been proud of them. Besides the Bishop, who was a firstclass in classics, there is the Lady Margaret, Professor of Theology at Cambridge, who was sixth wrangler and Chancellor's Medalist, and who, I am glad to say, has quite recovered from her recent -accident ; Captain Selwyn, a distinguished and most ingenious naval officer; and Sir Charles Selwyn, the Solicitor-General. Nor are the energy and the talent confined to the male branches of the family. Miss Selwyn is worthy of her brothers, and has established near Birmingham an institution unique in its way. It comprises under one roof a home for indigent ladies, a training school for servants, and an orphan school for boys. Attached to the house—a very large one, and lent, I believe, by the Duke of Devonshire—is a farm, on which the boys work, and raise the produce required for the establishment. The girls are trained to wait upon the ladies, and thus the whole institution is made mutually dependent and mutually helpful.

The Duke of Edinburgh.—The Dunedin Star has reason to believe that it is the intention of the Colonial Government to devote £ 15,000 in lieu of £SOOO, voted in the Assembly for the reception of the Duke of Edinourgh in New Zealand, provided H.R.H. visits all the provincial provinces.

Sir George Bgwen.—lt is stated that his Excellency Sir George Bowen has announced his intention of leaving for Auckland early in March, and will remain in the north till the arrival of H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh.

Mcrder and Arson. —A fire took place in Christchurch, opposite the Post-office, last week, by which four shops were destroyed, and one man lost his life. This "was Mr Rankin, of the firm Swale and Rankin, grocers, and we learn from the Lyttelton Times of the 10th instant that suspicions of foul play "with reference to the origin of the fire have become very grave, and Swale has been arrested. It appears that a few days ago, Rankin and Swale had agreed to dissolve partnership. On Friday night they were heard to enter the shop together, and shortly afterwards they went up stairs to bed. Soon after, high words took place between them, and then a shuffling sound was heard by a neighbour. All became quiet, but on the neighbor going into the back yard shortly after smoke was observed issuing from the back premises of the house, and Swale looking on unconcernedly at the far end of the garden. The alarm was given, and although Swale was seen about several times, he said nothing respecting Rankin being on the premises until the flames had broken out in every part of the building. A travelling-bag, containing wearing apparel and other articles, was afterwards discovered behind a cask near where Swale was standing. On examining the ruins, it would appear that the fire commenced in the back room of the first floor, the only place where the flooring was burnt through. Mrs Pope was the first to raise the alarm, and at that time the back premises only were on fire. The number of shops actually destroyed is four, being Mrs Pope's fancy repository; Swale and Rankin's, grocers (where the fire originated') ; empty shop formerly occupied by Mr Cass, butcher; and a small shop, without back premises, occupied by J. Clark, shoemaker. The two first shops belong to' Mr Walton, and neither was insured. The two latter shops belong to Mr Stewart, and they also were uninsured. Mrs Pope was insured for her stock in . the Royal for £6OO, and in the New ! Zealand for £l5O, and Messrs Swale and Rankin for £4OO in the Globe In' addition to those destroyed by fire, there was a building pulled down belonging to Mr Money, and used as a store for wines and spirits. It was only a small one, however, and Mr Money estimates his damage together with the loss incurred in removing stock, and from the water thrown over the hotel, at £IOO. —An inquest on the body of the deceased was held on the 10th.,and a verdict of" Wilful Murder" was returned against the prisoner, J. D. Swale.