The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 1968.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 190, 10 March 1868, Page 2

The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 1968.

Fenian Procession in Hokitka.— By a passenger, per Waipara, last night, we loarn that the funeral procession at Hokitika, on Sunday, was a complet ■ success. The procession, consisting, of nearly every Irishman in the locality, proceeded to the Cemetery with the empty coffins, on which were the names of the three executed Fenians. The crowd took off the cemetery gates —marched through it but without performing the symbolical interment, and after perambulating the principal streets of the town, quietly dispersed. Every public-house was closed, and the town was quite orderly. We are unable to give full particulars as the Waipara left early on the Sunday. Our next files from Hokitika will, doubtless, contain all the intelligence respecting the mock funeral. The Climate of New Zealand.— It is probable that the British Army engaged during the late war in New Zealand enjoyed better health and sustained fewer losses than in any previous campaign. Dr Mackinnon attributes this to the very beautiful and salubrious climate ; and he adds, that the change which it effected in the men on arriving from India was most marked. Sick and sallow-coinplexioned on arrival, they soon lost the marks of ill-health engendered by tropical sdvice, and regained health and strength while undergoing arduous service in the field. The late Staff Surgeon, Dr Thompson, in his admirable " History of New Zealand," pointed out the importance of that country as a sanitarium for our Indian invalids. It is not a little curious that there is an entire absence of malaria in New Zealand.— Lancet. Gossip froii the " Owl " —A convention has been recently signed at Vienna between Austria and France, on the affairs of the East It consists of two articles. The object is to guarantee to Turkey her present territory. Baron Beust's visit to this country was undertaken with the view to obtain tke adhesion of England ; but Lord Stanley refused, on the ground that the stipulations of the treaty of Paris of 1856 were sufficient for the purpose. —The Government of Prussia has refused to enter the congress ou Roman affairs, on the ground of being a Protestant Power. England, it is said, will decline for similar reasons. —A vacancy is shortly expected on the Judicial Bench, which will be filled by Mr Baliol Brett, Q.C., M.P. for Helston. —It is the expressed opinion of several of the Judges that the new County Courts Act, coming into operation on the Ist of January, will lessen by at least one-half the common juries' work at nisi prius at Westminster and on circuit. The Act, which was evidently intended by the Government as a means of evading the cry for more Judges, will, therefore, enable them to attain that object.

Fisiiixg.—The fishermen of this port are taking advantage of the fine weather, and are daily making large hauls of fish. One boat yesterday brought in amongst other sorts, several of the largest groper we have yet seen in Westport.

Gallant Conduct of Mb Kissling.—The Marlborough Press of the 15th ult, thus speaks of Mr Kissling's conduct during the floods in that province. He is well known to most of our readers as being connected with the Bank of New Zealand here and at Greymouth. In one instance Mr Kissling was engaged in rescuing a child, when, in wading through the deep water, he stumbled into a hole, whereupon he lifted up the child in one arm, while with the other he struck out manfully, and thereby succeeded in saving it. Had he not been an adept in swimming, both lives would have been sacrificed. In another case he swam out with a female at considerable risk. The Gaol. —The accommodation in our gaol, especially for debtors and females is anything but sufficient, either in quantity or quality. Mr J. O'Neill, M.G.A., on his way to Nelson, has inspected our gaol, and although bestowing high praise on the conduct of the officials, has entered a protest against the insufficiency of decent accommodation. Miner Lost near the Baton River.—"We learn from the Nelson Examiner that a miner is supposed to have been lost in the bush between the Baton river and Nelson. A party of lour diggers, who had been regaling themselves at Taylor's store, at the Baton, left there on Friday morning last, on their way to Nelson ; but after they had crossed the river, one of the men named Gray, being overcome with

drink, laid himself down. The man who was in immediate company with Gray went on leisurely, expecting his companion would join him, but he failed to do so, nor did he reach Sutcliffe's Accommodation House on Friday night; where the other men stopped. On the following morning, Gray's mate went back to Taylor'd store to learn whether Gray had recrossed the Baton and returned there, but he could gain no intelligence of him anywhere, so he came on to Waimea-west. and guve information of what had occurred to the constable of that district A search party is now out looking for the man, and it is to be hoped that his mysterious disappearance mav be cleared up. Bailiff's Sale.—The sale yesterday of the household and business effects of the proprietor of the AVellington Hotel, did not realise high prices; sufficient, however, was obtained by gutting the place to pay the amount and costs for which distraint was made.