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Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 179, 26 February 1868, Page 2

Tiik Weather. —The rain which had threatened during the day, at nightfall turned to a steady downpour, and as the sky gave every indication of a continuance of wet, we may look to more severe freshets in the river. Departure op the Southland.— Now that the Southland is about to leave our port probably for some time, the services of a tug boat will be much needed, and we shall look forwarded as soon as sufficient inducement offers to the establishment of a local boat company, which would be of frreat benefit to the trade of our port. Captain Kirkpatrick has made himself so well known and so popular whilst sojourning in our midst that his loss will be felt, and many a pleasant trip over the bar in the Southland will no doubt be long remembered with pleasure by his numerous friends. We wish him every luck in his journey South. Stephenson's Assembly Rooms. — The instruction in dancing fixed for this evening is unavoidably postponed until Friday night in consequence of Monsieur and Madame Simonsen giving their farewell performance. Return of the Coat.—The coat in the possession of Mr Bowman, was given into the Police Camp immediately after the trial of the Superintendent v. Bowman was concluded, so that after all Ave cannot say that there was " much ado about nothing-"

TitE Simonsens.—Notwithstanding the wet weather there was a good attendance at the concert last evening, far greater than we expected to see, when the inclemency of the weather is taken into account, and those who ventured out were rewarded for their

perseverance. Tho programme comprised selections from no less than four operas, and the different styles of the various composers could be distinctly traced in the rendering of the music by Madame Simonsen. The operas selected from were " William Tell"

(Rossini), "Faust" (M. Gounod), "Martha" (Plotow), and "Lucia de Lammermoor" (Donizetti), and as the selections comprised the gems of each of those operas, it has seldom fallen to the lot of the residents of the

have Buller to such an opportunity. In our opinion the chefd'auvre was "The Last Rose Summer," from " Martha," which was beautifully given. Miss Jones improves on acquaintance, and the manner with which she sang Linloy's ballad " Only for Thee," was deserving all the applause it received. But what can we say of M. Simonseu himself, except that he, if possible, surpassed himself ; and his selections from English and Irish airs was a treat, comprising as it did the beautiful air of " Home, Sweet Home." He was encored, as a matter of course, and he then gave "Auld Robin Gray," so plaintively and with such pathos that we hardly believed it was possible for it to be played in such a manner. He also played a fantaisie "Souvenir de Bellini," and another fantaisie on Themes from " II Trovatore," and as an encore played the bacchanalian song "We won't go home till morning," in a style as to almost demand another encore. Mr Price sang several buffo songs very nicely, and as an encore to one of them sang Hatton's sang of " Phoebe, dearest, tell me," better than

an3'thing we have yet heard him sing, nor must we forget the piano-forte playing of M. Artot. The entertainment this evening will be a complimentary benefit to Madame Fanny Simonsen, under the patronage of the Masonic body, when a splendid programme is announced, and as this is the last appearance in Westport of these talented artistes we have no doubt the house will be crowded. Oitk New Governor.—ln a Gazette,

dated the 6th instant, appears a proclamation, in which Sir George Ferguson

Bowen announces that he has taken

the prescribed oaths, and assumed the the office of Governor of the Colony of New Zealand. In a notice which followed the names of the following gentlemen are given as being appointed Members of the Executive Council: — The Hon. Edward William Stafford, the Hon. Theodore Minet Haultain, the Hon. WilliaraFitzherbert,the Hon. John Hall, the Hon. James Crowe Richmond, the Hon. John Larkins Cheese Richardson, and the Hon. John Hyde Harris. A notice also appears, which states that the Governor will receive persons on public business every Wednesday and Saturday, between the hours of eleven and two, and that Lady Bowen will receive visitors every Wednesday between the hours of twelve and two.

Another Earthquake.—The Colonist of the 21st inst. says : —There was a rather smart shock of earthquake on Wednesday night, a few minutes before eleven o'clock. It lasted about ten seconds, and was very distinctly felt; the return movement being markedly perceptible, It is a noteworthy fact, that in this month for several years, and almost at the same time of the month, esrthquakes have occurred. On 21st February, ISG4, on a Sunday evening, a smart shock took place ; on 21st February, 1866, a similar but slighter movement was experienced, and on Wednesday last, 19th February, 1868, as sharp a shock occurred as that of 1864. Gaol Reeurn. We have been favored by Governor Maguire with the following report for the week ending 24th February, of Her Majesty's gaol at Westport : —Eeceived, hard labor, males, 2 ; females, 1; debtors, males, nil ; females, 1; total 4. Discharged, hard labor, males, 2 ; females, I ; debtors, nil; total, 3. Admitted to bail, 1 male committed for trial. At present confined —Hard labor, males, 11; females, 1. Debtors, males, 3 ; females, 1. Awaiting trial—Males 2 ; females 1. In default of bail—l male. Total, 20. Horse Sale. —The sale of horses belonging to Mr Finnimore came off yesterday, and were all sold but two ; high prices were, however, not realized. This was partly owing to the horses being seized by the bailiff under a distress warrant against their former owner, during the time the sale was going on ; the amount of the debt on which they were seized had been previously paid to Mr Pitt, to whom a warrant had been sent from Wanganui, but the bailiff having a received a dupli-

cate warrant seized the horses, thus giving rise to great inconvenience and loss to the present owner. The only blame attaches to the authorities at Wanganui.