The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 1868.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 323, 13 August 1868, Page 2

The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 1868.

We observe that Mr Long has leased a portion of ground at the Westport side of Poverty Terrace for horticultural purposes, which he is at present clearing. The soil appears to be superior to that in the immediate vicinity of Westport, and will no doubt in the ensuing spring amply repay its cultivator the trouble and expense that he is now bestowing upon it. We are sure after late discoveries to have a greatly augmented population, and we hope that others will follow Mr Long's example in taking up garden land. There is a ready market for any quantity of vegetables that can be raised, and few more profitable undertakings than market gardening could be entered into near this town.

We yesterday stated, as a rumour, that Mr Kynuersley had tendered his resignation as Commissioner on this Coast, we have now such authority as to be able to state it as a fact. When it is officially announced, we shall have more to say about it, but in the meantime can only reiterate our regret that such is the case. It is intended, we believe, to get up a monster testimonial from the miners of the Coast, which will take both a substantial and complimentary shape, a vast amount of sovereigns made from West Coast gold at Sydney, being fixed as the former, and some five or six thousand signatures to an address the latter. The monument ordered by the Yates' Memorial Committee is nearly finished, and may be expected from Nelson, where it is being manufactured, in a few days. Its cost will be £67 15s, the railings will amount to about £2O more, and for these sums the Committee are responsible. As yet there is a small deficiency in the sums gathered, but we are sure that this has only to be known to get ten times the sum required. Though weather paragraphs may be said to be standing stock for West Coast newspapers, we cannot help chronicling the fact that yesterday was a beautiful day, for the rarity of such a visitation during past months has almost led us to believe that it would never occur again]. What is more, the weather appears to be settled for a short time, and if so, it could not come at a more opportune time, and will enable the miners to test the newly opened ground without hindrance.

There was no business at the Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday. The escort arrived yesterday from Charleston, and all three banks sent gold; They decline, however, for reasons best known to themselves, to furnish the press with the quantities, thoughexact returns are, freely given in every other town in New Zealand, and we are unable therefore to furnish other than an This escort was not so heavy as the last, and was about 3000oz. Some time we directed attention to the fact of the fishing grounds that exist off this port being wholly uncared for, though a small fortune for the first plucky individual who goes into the speculation, is waiting. There is an abundance of ling, habuka, and other species of fish, not forgetting our old friends the barracouta, to be caught with lines even,.just outside the bar, and if proper trawl nets were procured there is little doubt that the same kinds, including the true sole as caug'it off the Otago Heals, would be got in plenty. Our bar during summer time is passable at all times nearly and even watermen's boats can frequently, cross it without the slightest danger, so there is nothiug whatever to prevent the fish being brought to market without difficulty, and in splendid condition. There are plenty of small vessels on the Coast that could be fitted up for the purpose, and there are any number of men who have had long experience as fishermen in the old country. If no single individual likes to risk such a speculation surely it would pay a small company to do so. There is an almost unlimited market, and the fact of having a change from our beef and mutton diet would be hailed with great satisfaction by the public round, miners as well as townspeople. "We understand that the Charlestonians intend to have a really good race meeting in the coming spring, and promises of funds have already been made. One or two meetings on the subject have also been held, and in about a week it is very probable that all necessary arrangements will be completed, and the programme arranged. Why should we not get up a meeting in Westport? It must be borne in mind that races are not only a holiday in which nearly alienations can enjoy themselves, but one in which those of home extraction especially take delight. But there are other more material grounds in the fact that, if properly conducted, they can be made fully self-supporting, and the money spent in the locality through their being held, far more than compensates any subscriptions that may be collected. The tradesmen reap a harvest, the publicans more especially, and as a matter of simple self-interest, it is surprising that they have not taken !>tens to hold races before this. Tf a meeting is arranged to be held in Westport, say a week or ten days after Charleston, the horses that competed there would come up her", and owners at a distance, that, would not send them for one meeting would sead them for the two, the interval being sufficient and the distance between the places short. Handicaps would adjust any difference in superiority, and the horses again could fight their battles, by these means, on equal terms. The handicappers, too, would have previous running to form their opinions on, and there vvould be no excuse for an unjust weight on any horse. We do hope that the subject will be taken up, and that Westport may show itself equal to its rising fortunes. Plenty of suitable ground near the town can be got, and with good management, first-class races may be inaugurated. The meeting of the Hospital'Coinmittee which was to have taken place yesterday evening, was adjourned in consequence of Mr Low not having returned from Nelson. We may mention, that that gentleman is expected by the next boat. The chief business to be transacted had reference to the new building and as Mr Lowe is the architect to whom the erection of the building is to be entrusted, his presence was necessary. Last evening the Poley Troupe gave their first entertainment at the Theatre Royal, late Adelphi, in Gladstone street, in which a considerable amount of improvement, as far as the interior fittings are concerned, had been effected. The house was crammed in every part and many who had taken reserved tickets were obliged to content themselves with second price seats, although every effort was made, on the part of the manager, by the aid of chairs, &c. to accommodate visitors The performance opened with Madame Tournear on the tight rope, which was extended from the stage to the inner bar. It is needless to say that her formerly well won laurels on this very limited stage were fully maintained. A duet by Master and Miss Foley, of

the mature ages of 7 and 10 years respectively, followed, and elicited an encore. A fancy dance by Madame Tournear, songs, the " Nelson Races," and "Mv Little Nelly," acrobntie feats and a Maori extravaganza by Mr Temple concluded the first part of the entertainment. Apropos of the Maori extravaganza, much credit is due to Mr Temple for his very accurate representation of Maori character, but at the same time if his pantomime was not quite so natural, as far as insect life is concerned, we think Europeans generally would be quite as well satisfied The second part consisted of comic songs by Mr Temple, which were very welf received, dancing &c, the closing item being the ascent aud descent of little .Tohnnv, on a wire cord extendad from the sta<?e to the boxes" The litfellow did his part cleverly and gallantly, and received the applause that his actually painful feat, as far as look-ers-on were concerned, deserved. A slippery wire cord stretched that distance, with a fearfully dangerous fall in case of a foot slipping, is a performance that few children of his years have ever ventured. He got through it successfully, however, and will one day be a star iu the profession he has commenced. The Swiss Cottage concluded the entertainment, and in it little Tohnnv and Katey shone again and did credit to their instructors, whoever they may be. Owing to the late hour at"which the entertainment terminated, we are unable to do full ins'ice to it, but wiH do so in a future

ISSUPS. "We ["Grey Kiver Argus"] have received the "following letter from a miner on the Auckland Gold Fields which fully bears out the remarks we made in our last concerning the prospects of those who proceed there:— " Auckland, July 1, 1868. Dear Sir Will you allow me a little space in your valuable paper to give a small bit of information to my fellow-diggers respecting the Thames Gold Field. I have spent some time there, and have trained a knowledge of the field ; and from its appearance, I should say it is most likelv to be rich in the product of gold. Many claims are on gold, but the great want is machinery. The ground is taken up for miles, and for the present there is not much chance of getting a claim. I hope and believe there will be ground opened before long ; but at present it would be madness to go into the bush to prospect, the weather is so very wet, and the bush is as bad as it is on the West Coast. Wages are very low, from 30s to £2 perweek, living is cheap but is rising every day as the population increases. I would advise my fellow miners not to start for this place at present, unless they have some capital to stand by or to speculate with. There are any quantity of shares for sale, and great swindling going on in buying and selling. Hunt's claim is getting plenty of gold, but I have seen the amount of. gold taken from it reported over and over again in the papers for a week ; so when those papers reach other parts of the country, they quite startle the people. This is their policy for attracting a population here in order to consume the storekeepers' stock of provisions, and to keep wages down. There are hundreds of diggers hanging about doing nothing; the rate of wages is just sufficient for a man to keep himself. So I asking my fellow miners to reflect on their position before they make a start for this gold field. lam, &c., Joseph Fohstth, a digger."