The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 1868.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 318, 7 August 1868, Page 2

The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 1868.

We are glad to observe that the beach at the North spit is again making up, though a small portion of the gravel bank opposite the Roman Catholic church is crumbling down, and will still more until it has found a slope which the wash of the waves will not affect. Every sandy beach is of course from its nature shifting, but is increasing from the continuous supply of so large aud. rapid a river as the Buller, draining as it does an area of close upon 2,000 square miles of gravelly country, the sand and debris from which is continually being thrown back upon the beach. This accounts for the gold found on the beach between here and Mokihinui, where a few parties who can do no better are still working, and making from £2 to £3 per week, and can as they say always do so. The denizens of the beach need not therefore fear that the sites on which they reside will be washed away; if the removal of the timber along the shore is not again renewed, the ground will soon be beyond the interference of any but a very extraordinary tide.

The Foley troupe may be expected hourly from Wanganui, per the Beautiful Star, and on their arrival they will play at the Adelphi Theatre, in Gladstone-street. As yet we can only judge from hearsay as to their performance, but in all other places whei'e they have appeared they have given unlimited satisfaction, judging from the notices that have appeared respecting them. We may add that the Beautiful Star was to leave the tide after the Wallaby so if this was the she should be on hand to-day. We hope that the weather during their stay may be an improvement on what we have recently endured, and if such is the case we have no doubt the entertainment will be largely patronised by the playgoers of Westport and surrounding districtsA well-known hotel-keeper,, late of this town, was yesterday brought back per Charles Edward, on warrant, to answer a charge of obtaining goods under fraudulent pretences. Detective Lambert was the pursuing constable, and the accused will be brought up at the police-court to-day. At the hospital committee meeting on Wednesday evening last, a question was raised as to the liability of shipownei's to pay for hospital accommodation. It seems that one of the seamen of the Nightingale broke his

arm during the fearful weather she experienced, and was taken to the hospital when the vessel came in, The committee considering that the owners, Messrs Spence Bros, were entitled to pay for the attendance he received, as ho was injured whilst in the discharge of duty on board their vessel, applied for payment but were refused, the firm saying that if they did meet the demand they would deduct it from the wages due to tlie injured man. Undes these circumstances the committee were rather at a nonplus, and there was some idea of legallv testing the firm's liability though whether this- will be carried into offec't we do not know, but it is certain that some provision for such cases should be made. It would be cruelly unjust to compel the sufferer to pay for the aid he received, and on the other hand it is scarcely reasonable that a larjre and wealthy firm should escape scot free under such circumstances. How the Committee have settled the question we shall learn next week, we presume. The menagerie recently exhibited, will be taken down to Greymouth and Hokitikato-day.by the Charles Edward, and will receive, we have no doubt, a large run of patronage at both those places. Last evening the leopard got out of her cage and attacked Mr Fernandez, but fortunately did him no injury and he hoisted her in again without any damage whatever being done. If this had occurred during exhibition, there would have been a skedaddle and no mistake. The little cubs are growing apace, and the southern visitors will see them to great advantage, as they begin to play about the cage. We have previously spoken of Mr Fernandez's extraordinary exhibition, and in terms not one whit too strong. We may conclude by saying that it must be seen to be believed.

We are informed on good authority that another of our local members, Mr Bentley,has serious thoughts of resigning his seat in the Provincial Council. In such a case we think Mr Luckie of the "Colonist" wouldnot be disinclined to offer himself, and a better representative Westport could not have.