The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. THURSDAY, JULY 23, 1868.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 305, 23 July 1868, Page 2

The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. THURSDAY, JULY 23, 1868.

A serious disturbance occurred on Tuesday evening at the Dan O'Connell Hotel, at Addison's Flat. It arose through, the jealousy of two ladies residing respectively at the Dan O'Connell and Australasian Hotels, and a row resulted at the Dan O'Connell Hotel. The police interfered, and arrested a man named Burbidge, a baker, who, we understand, was rescued by his own exertions and with the aid of others, and inflicted a bad cut on Constable Franklyn's head with a stone. He was re-arrested yesterday under a warrant, and managing to get one of his hands loose was very violent, and struck one of the other constables a severe blow on the mouth. A crowd of about forty men surrounded the police whilst they were conveying the prisoner to the lock-up, and but for the firmness and coolness displayed by Sergeant Cfoodall it is probable he would have been again rescued. Burbidge is now locked-up at Addison's, and the police there, fearing another attempt at rescue sent for additional help to "Westport, we are Lold. He has been drinking heavily of late, having just sold out of some claims at Addison's, but is usually a well conducted person.

At the Eesident Magistrate's Court yesterday, Wm. Evans, for drunkenness, was fined 10s. Another charge for cruelty to a dog was preferred against him, but the case was adjourned till Friday, in order to allow the Magistrate time to satisfy himself as to the law of the matter. Yesterday morning when the John Penn came in, the services of the police were required for the arrest of a man named John Mackay, a sailor, belonging to that vessel. It appears that whilst on the trip he got the worse for liquor, and was very violent and abusive, so much so that at last Captain Carey was obliged to have him tied down. A.fter a while he promised amendment and was released, when he took it into his head to jump overboard, holding on at the same time to one of the braces that was loose. "Whilst thus towing alongside he negociated terms in reference to his prior conduct, and as Captain Carey's answers were not sufficiently satisfactory he let go the rope, and was with difficulty picked up, the night being very dark. On nearing. Westport the Penn passed near to a cutter, when Mackay again jumped overboard, and attempted to swim to the small vessel. The steamer was backed, and he was again fished out and secured, during which latter operation he kicked Captain Carey severely about the shins, and inflicted some nasty bruises. On reaching port he was given into custody, and on being brought before the Eesident Magistrate said, in defence, that, he was the worse for drink at the time, and did not know what he was about. He had no intention to insult or assault Capt. Carey. The Magistrate fined him 40s and costs, or three days' imprisonment. The fine was paid, prisoner having between £2O and £3O on his person when arrested.

Yesterday amongst many other distinguished arrivals, was the first bona jlde king of the forest that has ever visited Westport, in the person of the lion "Wallace, together with his queen, and a number of animals, all of greater or less rarity andlla well worth a visit. Mr Eoley'B Menagerie has been exhibited some time in Nelson, and the press of that town speaks very highly'in its praise,' whilst the training of the animals by Sign or Fernandez is said to be almost marvelous. Such a chance for the rising generation has never been in Westport, and we have no doubt that the exhibition will be crowded both with the younger and elder branches. We have the authority of the Nelson " Examiner" for saying that the state of Mr Kynnersley's health is likely to cause his resignation as Commissioner of the South West Goldfields. This it is to be hoped is not the case, for greatly as we have differed with Mr Kynnersley in reference to one matter, we have ever respected him most highly as an able, intelligent, and indefatigable officer, and we much question whether there is his equal as a public servant in the colony. He has spared no exertion, has worked without ceasing in the discharge of his onerous and difficult duties, and we most cordially hope that he may be long spared to the Coast. If we lose him, in all sincerity we believe we shall not soon ' look upon his like again.'

The English June mail via Panama was due in Wellington on Tuesday last, the 21st instant, and we may therefore expect the telegraphic news by the first steamer that arrives from any port. The towns of Greymouth and Timaru have been gazetted as corporate towns under the Municipal Corporations Act. When shall we be able to say the same of Westport ?

A shockingly sudden death occurred last week at Onehunga. The steamer Airedale was lying in that harbor, when her third officer, Mr Arthur Buckland was taken suddenly ill and died almost immediately. It was found that death was occasioned by disease of the heart.

Provincialism has a further lease of existence if the subjoined, taken from the Nelson " Examiner" is correct. That journal says : —" It is stated on good authority, that Government have been advised by the Crown lawyers, that the General Assembly have no power to alter the " Constitution Ac " so as to enable them to deal with the question of local self government, or, in in other words, to dissolve the provinces. It is stated that a bill will be immediately introduced into the Imperial Parliament, conferring such powers upon the General Assembly."

The Government have chartered the s.s. Waipara, in order to convey troops from Napier to Poverty Bay, or any portion of the coast where the escaped prisoners from the Chatham Islands are likely to be found.

The share in a water-race on German Terrace, which waa raffled on the Art Union principle, on Tuesday evening, was won by Mr David Barrie. storekeeper, German Terrace. "Value, £l3O. The tickets were £1 each.

i An amateur theatrical performance will be given on Thursday evening by the Charleston Histrionic Club, in aid of the funds of the hospital. Ad attractive bill of fare has been put forth, and as the exchequer of this useful institution wants replenishing, we shall be glad to see the large hall of the Casino Theatre crammed on the occasion.

We are informed that the Govern ment have appointed a commission of enquiry relative to the conduct of Mr Commissioner Kynnersley, in connection with the Addison's Plat riots. The commission consists of Mr J. W. Hamilton, collector of customs at Lyttelton, and Mr Bowen, resident magistrate of Christchurch. "What good can arise out of the enquiry to any one we cannot imagine; the whole facts were made patent by Mr Kynnersley himself in his letter to the Superintendent, and what more can be elicited we do not know. At the same time we are really sorry, as the enquiry has been withheld three months, that it should be held now. Everything has settled down, and the old illfeeling has passed off almost completely, and it is quite probable that the commission may be the means, of again breeding dissension amongst the community. ? If it was to be ap-i pointed at all it should have been appointed directly after the occurrence, and not months afterwards, when it can by no possible means be of any service, but on the other hand may reopen old wounds, and occasion endless mischief.

The Eev. E. J. Thorpe of Nelson, arrived yesterday by the Charles Edward. He will hold services as we have previously stated on Sunday next, in the room ofEev W. Harvey who

iy thus enabled to visit the members of his church resident on Addison's Flat.

Wo learn from the Examiner, that in the case of Trimble v. New Zealand Insurance Company, when the plaintiff recently recovered a verdict, that " the defendants on Friday last moved, in chambers, that judgment should be stayed for a month, to enable the agents to learn the wishes of the Directors of the Company, residing in Auckland, whether a new trial should be moved for, or the case be carried to the Court of Appeal, or whether ihe verdict given by the jury, on Tuesday, shall be accepted. No opposition being offered on the part of the plaintiff, the required time was given." The brewery, at the Junction Hotel, on the road to Addison's, has commenced operations, and is turning out a very excellent article. A correspondent has suggested that some of the pheasants represented to be a nuisance on the North Island might with great advantage be introduced to the West Coast in parts of which they would rapidly thrive and breed. He proposes that for this purposes a subscription list should be opened to procure the birds, and pay expence in bringing them, and intimates his willingness to contribute to it. The idea is by no means a bad one, and we should be glad to see it acted on. The lovers of the gun, as well as the more epicurean portion of the community, who look chiefly to the culinary results, if sport could alike agree as to the desirability of introducing such birds here. Yesterday we had another, and an unpleasant change in the weather, a strong northeaster accompanied by rain, having set in. The steamers in harbor were detained in consequence. TheWanganuiTimes ofthe 18th inst. is very severe on Major Hunter on account of the extraordinary delay he manifested innotproceedingtothe relief of the garrison, at the Turu Turu Makai redoubt. The following correspondence, published from letters in reference to it, and ourcontempory calls for a court martial on that officer. —;' The Maoris attacked the stockade at Turu Turu Mokai, at 5. 30 in the morning, and continued fighting until after sunrise. Now as the sun rose at 7.22 on the morning of 12th July, the fighting must have continued for 1 hour 52 minutes, or close upon two hours. Therefore, as the firing was distinctly heard at Waihi, only three miles distant, why did not Major Hunter, in command of the Cavalry at that post, rush to the rescue? The same correspondent says : —" The firing was heard at Waihi, and the Mounted force were ready to start, but they were ordered by Major Hunter, to take off their bridles and feed their horses, thus losing time that should have been used in cutting off the rebels from the bush, so that Von Tempsky's men would have them in open ground. This Major Hunter could have done and saved many lives." Another correspondent says:—" The Mounted Constabulary when saddled and ready to start, were ordered by Major Hunter to dismount and feed their horses before starting. Had he allowed them to go, there would not have been the number killed and wounded that there has been and they would have been able to cut off the rebels from the bush. Upon Von Tempsky's men arriving at the scene of action, the men holding the redoubt cried out — *: Had you been here ten minutes sooner you would have saved many lives." Why was not Major Hunter there half an hour sooner with his men who were anxious to be led to attack.