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Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 297, 14 July 1868, Page 2

The first prosecution under the late regulation in reference to the removal of drift-wood from the beach, at the South Spit, came off yesterday in the Resident Magistrate's Court, a man named Walker being fined 5s for the offence. The Magistrate intimated that he would in future inflict the full penalty of £5. Amongst other matters that the Hospital Committee have to consider, is the establishment of a female ward. Up to the present time when females have been ill and fitting patients for the hospital, they have been sent either to Greymontb or Nelson. It is only

right that the Westport Hospital with the funds at command, should be complete in itself, and no institution can be that, unless there it» ample accommodation for both sexes. Mr Courtney's portion of the Caledonian track, will be completed by Friday next, after which he commences to coustruct a bridle track from Charleston to Brown's terrace. The eorv struction of this track to Addison's, will not at present be proceeded with, but the Charleston folk are making every exertion to have it extended to A ddison's. Amongst the passengers by the Kennedy was Mr Johnston, barrister, who is en route to the Nelson Lunatic Asylum, in charge of constable Paul. The unfortunate gentleman has been in charge now, more than a week, and it is clear that only prolonged treatment will restore his reason. He has long been known on the coast as a clever and educated man, and it is to hoped that his intellect may, under the care he will now meet with, be restored. A correspondent writes us, complaining of a dangerous amusement the boys of thistownindulgein,|in the shape of what are termed Shanghai's, consisting of a forked stick to which are attached elastic bands. Stones and other substances are propelled by these mischeivous engines with a force that few people would believe, and several windows have been broken with them. Amongst other places we understandthe Catholic Chnrchhas suffered, and it is only a wonder that no greater damage has hitherto been done. In Melbourne these machines fbeen been prohibited, and it would be a good thing if the same course was taken here.

A meeting of the Hospital committee was held last night at the Commissioner's office there being present Messrs Tvler, O'Conor, Munson, Harris, M'Parland, Bailie, Field, Munro, Drs Giles and Cotterell. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed, after which the Treasurer reported that he had received the sum of £385175. 6d. from the treasurer, of the Provisional Com mittee, and that the amount had been paid in to the Bank of New Zealand to the credit of the Committee. There were also some unpaid subscriptions on the lists, but the Provisional Committee had promised to go over them with him, and he would be able to explain more at the next meeting. Dr Giles reported that a site had been discovered that might be available for hospital purposes, between the Catholic chapel and Mr Kynnersley's house. It was on the shingle, and either two acres and a-half or three acres. Mr Kynnersley who was in Nelson, had promised to make application for it, and he had no doubt it would be granted. Mr Harris in reference to the same subject said would be no difficulty in getting this site, as there were no rights or interests affected by its grant. After some further discussion, any positive action on the question was postponed until Mr Kynnersley's return. The committee then went into the question of rules, a code of which had been brought up by the sub-com-mittee, appointed for that purpose. The discussion of these occupied some time, but they were eventually agreed to, and the Committee then adjourned.

It may not be generally known that the Divorce Act, passed last session of the Assembly, is now in operation in New Zealand. It was reserved for her Majesty's assent, and as this has now been obtained, those who have legitimate grounds for desiring to throw off the matrimonial shackles, can do so at once without a great deal of trouble. The General Government Gazette, of the 29th ult, publishes some statistics of considerable interest in relation to the gold and wool export, and the imports into the colony, for the quarter ending March, 1868. The total quantity of gold shipped during that time was 160,313 ozs., valued at £630,623. Dunedin heads the list with 43,953 ozs., but this it must be remembered is the total yield of all the fields of Otago. Hokitika comes next with 40,352 ozs., and Westport stands third with 29,823 ozs. The total produce of the Nelson province was 39,848 ozs., valued at £160,672. The last quarter will greatly' exceed that, and we think that when the returns are made it will be found that the Nelson province will stand at the head of the list. The total exports of the colony for that period were £1,558,442. The imports for the same time to £1,311,778.