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Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 388, 28 October 1868, Page 2

"We learn from Inspector Franklyn, that we were in some degree misinfor. med as to the cauine crusade that the police were about to enter on. They are most anxious to do so, but the Dog Act has not yet been proclaimed as extending to Westport, and till it is no action can be taken. As all that is required is the insertion of a notice in the Gazette, surely the Progress Committee will take the subject up, and impress the necessity of its immediate extension to this towu. The curs have thus a reprieve, but let us hope that their execution will not be lono- de layed. G-allagher and partv, whose claim is situated north of Deadman's Creek, have struck a lead of gold supposed to be the same as that of Martin and party. There are now several claims on gold in the district, and a prosperous township is quickly springing up.

Whether owing to the changeable and occasional sultry weather, or to other causes, a great deal of illness has recently arisen in AVestport, and in a largo number of families sickness is now prevalent. The complaints are chiefly diarrlicea, fever, and rheumatism, all are painful and dangerous, and the public could well dispense with such visitations. If at the outset of summer, or rather the middle of spring, this is the case, we fear that as the season advances, we shall have graver causes of complaint to chroniclle.

At the Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday, there were no police cases on the sheet. There were four or five civil cases set down for hearing, in only one of which an appearance was put in and judgment was given by default. We remind our readers that the hospital Ball takes place on the 3rd proximo, Tuesday next. Invitations have been issued to the Odd-Fellows, the Masons, and the Volunteers, but up to the present time, only one of those three bodies, the Odd-Fellows, have signified their intention of honoring the ball with their patronage. No doubt both the others will do so, and their delay in reply has been an accident. Altogether there is no question that a large accession to the funds of this valuable institution will be made, and the Committee have spared no exertion to make the occasion an enjoyable as well as a charitbale one. We have time after time drawn attentiou to the condition of the back and unimproved streets of the town, but without the least success. With Dr Q-iles' warning riuging in their ears the public seem ready to risk everything without an effort to save themselves, and if a fatal epidimic breaks out, on their own head 3 will be the blame. On some of the Jate close, sultry days, a steaming fog has arisen in the streets in question, that mis;ht almost be cut, and the effluvia arising from the decaying vegetable matter, and the undrained localities, at times has been horrole. Any one who chooses to visit these parts at the close of warm day can judge for himself as to the danger to the public health the -e-

by created, and the necessity there is for something to be done. A short time asro one or the streets in question was staked oat by the District Engineer, aud we were told that drains were to be cut by prison labor forthwith, but the white flags still flutter, and not a spadefull of swamp has yet been touched. Whether it will bo remains to be seen. If the Progress Committee were to ask Dr Thorpe to favor them with a report on these streets, as honorary Health Officer, we feel convinced that he would comply with the request, and some certain data as to the probable effect of the swampy malari on the health of the inhabitants could be ascertained. Unfortunately none of the members reside in such an unpromising part, but notwithstanding, as they are appointed to 'ook after the general public, we trust they will turn their attention in this direction.

It has been truly said whilst the grass is growing the steed may starve. It is probable that in the same summary manner that the " protective" works were swept away, the deliberations now pending in reference to their renewal may be rendered unnecessary by the bank departing in company with a large slice of the dwellinghouses now on the Esplanade, or rather Wharf-street. The bank is crumbling away day by day, and lumps of earth, some of a ton weight, are falling into the river tide by tide. If this is the case in calm weather and almost neap tides, we may look for far larger destruction al spring tides, even if unaccompanied by heavy freshes or unusual atmospheric disturbance. An inspection of the bank will show the dangerous state it is in, and whether the Government will interfere or not, for our own security's sake something must be done without delay. Whether from an excess of vitality or a lack of business, some of the citizens have recently been amusing themselves by playing cricket in Molesworth street, rather at the risk of the window-glass in close proximitv. One panehas onlysofar suffered, butit is by no means improbable that the g'aziers may yet have more work to do in connection with the novelty. How is it that these cricket enthusiasts do not organise a proper club that can practise in a rather more appropriate place ? There is a good cricket spirit in Westport, and every one would be delighted to a flrst-class club constituted. Carried on, as at present, the practice is more dangerous than desirable to all not engaged in the game. A. correspondent writes to draw the attention of the Hospital Committee to thy fact, that in the new building there is only provision made for one ward, to contain all classes of patients, and suggests that they should take into consideration the advisability of dividing the space at command. There is ample room for accident, fever, and general wards, and the ouly extra cost would be a few partition boards. It certainly does seem as though there was reason in the suggestion, and as it is meant in all courtesy, we hope the Committee will at least take it into consideration. Another question that should surely be discussed is the necessity for establishmg a female ward. It is not at all likely that the weaker sex are to enjoy immunity from the ills that flesh is heir to, and there should certainly be some provision made for them, in what might almost be termed a county hospital. If a destitute woman at present is seized with illness, there is no refuge but the gaol or the lock-up, and in the present century this certainly should not be the case. An inspection parade of the Westport Volunteer corps will be held this evening, and it is particularly desirable that every member who has the good of the corps at heart should be present, as the muster has to be reported, and will be taken to represent the average strength of the company. Captain Stack, adjutant of the district, will not be able to hold the inspection for some little time, as he has not recovered from the effects of his late accident.

We had expected further intelligence by telegraph, relative to the reception of the petition by the Superintendent, and the action the Executive propose to take in reference to it, but we received nothing. It is probable that the meeting either did not take place till late, or that it had not concluded before 5 o'clock, the hour for closing the telegraph. "Wo may look with certainty, however, to-day for some information on the subject, and can only hope that the delay augurs a favorable result.

We recently referred to the adventures of a bullock that swam over the bar, and after being in the sea some hours lauded safe and sound some miles up the beach. After the performance of this feat, his owners, Messrs Dick and Seaton, condemned hira to the slaughter-yard, and he

proved a splendid animal. A large number of wagers were laid in reference to his probable weight, and one sporting hotel-keeper lost several hats in this way. A sweep was got up by sixty members at 2s 6d each, each member to judge the weight, and the nearest to it to take the whole. This fell to the fortunate lot and good judgment of Mr T. Cato, who, by the way, found the beast on the beach. The total weight when dressed was 1410 lbs, Mr Oato's estimate being 1430 lbs. The foro-quarter3 weighed respectively 393 lbs and 383 lbs ; the hind-quarters 326 lbs and 323 lbs. This is, we should imagine, one of the largest bullocks ever killed on the coast, and the quality of the meat is first-class.

The Q-rey Biver Argus has the following in reference to the farewell visit of Mr Kynnersley to that part:—"Mr Kynnersley, late Commissioner of the Nelson South West G-oldfields, is now on a visit to this district—the last which he expects to be able to pay it for several years to come. A committee was lately appointed, and a movement -vas set on foot for the purpose of collecting subscriptions, to present to Mr Kynnersley a parting testimonial, aud in order to give the miners in the Grrey District an opportunity of showing, in a substantial manner, the high esteem in which they hold that gentlemau. The subscription lists are now called in, so that the presentation may be made within a few days. It is to be hoped that the miners in the Nekon portion of this d ; strict will not be forgetful of the many special benefits they received while they were under Mr more immediate care, the attention which he has always shown to their wants, and the expeditious manner in which he has remedied their grievances. They ought to embrace the present opportunity of testifying their appreciation of his public services, by swelling the subscription lists ere they are sent in, in order that the testimonial may be one worthy of the occasion, and of the district from vfliich it is to be presented." Cactus leaf is said to be an almost certain cure for whitlows and splints in the flesh. A lady in Daylesford recently ran a splinter into her thumb, which turned black, and amputation was ordered. The patient, however, having heard of the virtues of the cactus, resolved to try it, and theresuit was that after two or three weeks use the thumb regained its natural colour, and though disfigured, is now as sjood as ever.

Chief Justice Arney has decided, at the hearing of an important case, Anderson v. Grraham, at Auckland', that whenever a defendant's body has been taken and kept in gaol for four months, under committal for a judgment debt, his goods could not be taken in execution for the same debt. The Evening Post of the 17th says: —The G-overnraent has received information from Napier that the Chatham Hau-haus are likely to prove ao-ain troublesome, and that considerable'excitement is felt in the vicinity of Wairoa. The overtures made to the Government through Mr M'Lean have not come to anything after all, and there is little doubt but that soma energetic action will be required in Hawke's Bay without loss of time, as those rebels have been lately joined by some disaffected natives from the interior, and appear to meau mischief. They are at present encamped within a few miles only of th« outlying settlements on the other side of Mahia, and it is thought that they may at any time make an inroad towards the W airoa.