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Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 382, 21 October 1868, Page 2

By the Kennedy, we learn, that while lying in Wanganui, she experienced a very sovere shock of earthquake, which commenced at ten minutes past twelve on -Monday morning, and lasted a minute. One of the Nelson's passengers informs us that when lying in the cave, where they took shelter, they felt the earthquake very violently. The highest tide ever seen in Nelson, by the oldest inhabitants, was that of Thursday night last.

The Libel Bill, introduced by Mr Vogel to relieve newspapers from unjust actions, arising from bona fide reports of meetings, &c., afterpassing through the preliminary stages, has been thrown out by the House of Representatives, by a majority of two. In its place a bill has been brought forward by Mr J C. Richmond, and passed a second reading, devising most stringent pains and penalties, for moat trivial offences. An informer, for example, may raise an action against a newspaper publisher, if the latter neglects to put his imprint to any extra slip of news, and can claim not less than £5, and not more than £2O, for every copy of such, extra printed and published, not exceeding twentyfive copies, which gives simply a power of inflicting a penalty of £SOO. for an offence of the most venial character. The Provincial "Gazette" of the 10th inst., contaius notifications of the bankruptcy of the following persons:— Joseph Watkins, of Quail Valley; T. C. Crook, of Nelson; Philip Rooney, of Charleston; and Michael Roache, of Brighton.