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Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 399, 10 November 1868, Page 2

The steamer Kennedy, wliich arrived from Nelson this morning, brought several passengers more or less distinguished in connection with the interests of "West-port or the West Coast. There was Mr. Blackett, the Provincial Engineer, who has come to Westport for the purpose of examining the banks of the Buller, with a view to determining the best way of protecting them from further encroachment at those points where damage has done, and may again be done, to the serious detriment of this port and its people. And there was Mr. Harrison, M.H.R. for Westlarid, who returns from his political duties at Wellington to resume his more local political duties in the County Council at Hokitika, which County Council meets tomorrow. And there was an old resident of Westport, Mr. John Southern, who, with his partner, Mr. Crcswick, has returned here to undertake the business now carried on by Messrs Smith and M'Dowell, drapei's, Gladstone street. There -was an expectation (hat .Mr. Greenfield, the Provincial Secretary would have visited Westport, in company with Mr. Blackett, and we believe that such was his intention, but latterly he ha 3 been seriously ill. It is possible that he may yet pay a visit, at-an early date. Since Mr Blackett's arrival, he has been busily engaged surveying and sounding the Buller and its branches, and he will,no doubt, at earliest convenience, subm it to the G-overnment a report upon the works necessary for the protection of the river banks, or for the diversion of the stream from its design of washing away the town. It is to be hoped that he may discover that the cost of any works required will not amount to anything like the sum he is stated to have suggested to the Superintendent as the probable expense. We understand that Mr Hughes and Mr Milne were

deputed by the Progress Committee to' wait upon or coiumunieiite with Mr Blaekott, and, if any communication wore necessary, they have no doubt done so.

Various shocks of earthquako were felt in Nelson up to tho 3rd iust. 'J'he Culoni.il says :—They have boon slight, although the first of them, which occurred on Friday shortly after midnight, was sharply ' perceptible. It was followed during the same night by two or three slight motions, observable between the lulls of a strong south-west wind which was blowing and occasionally in powerful gusts. On Saturday a few small shocks were noticed, and both that night and on Sunday night there were others. It is considered by long residents that these small motions are indications that we shall not be visited by any large shocks. The transit of tho planet Mercury across the sun's disc occurred on Thursday last. It was this event which was the subject of Captain Cook's visit, when the place at which the observation was made w T as named Mercury Bay. It occurs nest in 1878. Volcanic eruptions seem to have accompanied the late earthquake in the North Island. It is stated in tho Taranaki papers that Tongariro, in the middle of the Northern Island, is now burning, and that the flames are distinctly visible. The City Councillors of Christchurch have presented a silver cradle to Mrs Wilson, the wife of the Mayor, to commemorate the birth of twins. The present was accompanied by a " complimentary address."

There lias been a fire in Wellington. A house belonging to Mr M'Elwain, tailor, and insured for £2OO, was burnt. Telegraphic communication is about to be established with Wangariui. This will be a convenience to Westport as much as to any place. Mr Gallagher, M.H.E., towards the close of the session, proposed " That it is desirable that section fifty-sis of ' The Gold-fields Act, 1866," be repealed, in order to provide for the establishment of mining boards by the Governor in Council, without the necessity of petitions to that effect being received from the miners." There voted —Ayes, 10 ; Noes, 18. The motion was, therefore, lost.

Mr. Wrigg, C.E., has been appointed Provincial Engineer of Auckland Province, as well as Chief Engineer and Surveyor of the Goldfields in that Province.

Mr. Haughton, member for Hampden, and the whipper-in of the Government, receives the appointment to the newly made office of Secretary for Defence. A contemporary exclaims ""Virtue rewarded !"

During the quarter ending September 30th, the province of Nelson exported 50,000 ozs. of gold ; Weslland, 49,000 ozs. ; Otago, 37,000 ozs. Westport alone exported 34,282 ozs. ; Greymouth, 24,501 ozs; and Hokitika, 37,942 ozs.

We noticed yesterday that "the meantime of New Zealand " was now observed at the Telegraph office, and at other public offices, The time adopted as the mean time of the cjlony is the time corresponding to the longitude of 172 deg. 30min. east from Greenwich, which is exactly 11J, hours in advance of Greenwich time.

At the Resident Magistrate's Court, yesterday, Denis Malonoy, charged with a serious assault upon his wife, was brought up on remand, and Mrs Malonoy was examined. Her evidence was that the injury inflicted upon her had been done by Malonoy, more by accident than by design, during a quarrel between them. Dr. Thorpe, in answer to the Court, said also that the wound received by Mrs Maloney might have been accidentally caused. The Magistrate considered that, under the circumstances, there was no case to proceed with. Inspector Pranklyn was of the same opinion, and the prisoner was discharged.

festerday was the anniversary of the birthday of the Prince of Wales. Loyal subjects in Westport who had colors to show showed them, and a fair amount of bunting fluttered in the breeze. Otherwise the day was not very particularly observed, and of holiday sports there was none. The Westport Rifle Volunteers—or such of them as had received their suits undamaged —made their first appearance in their new uniform last evening, and, if not numerically, they were, at least, in other respects a credit to the corps and to the clothing they wore. We understand that thoaccepted tenderer for the conveyance of mails between Westport and Addison's Flat, Charleston, Brighton, and Greymouth, for the year 18G9, is Mr James M'Laughlin.

We notice that, on the motion of Mr Harrison, in the Assembly, J230 was added to the salary of the letter-carrier at Greymouth. Why is it that Westport is without a letter-carrier. Or why is it that tho postoffice in New Zealand does not discharge tho duty of a post-office, which is not only to receive letters, but to deliver them ? In discussing postal charges, when tho estimates were before the Assembly, Mr Gallagliei' asked if there was likely to be a regular service to Westport. Mr Hall said that it was at pi'escnt impossible. He had made inquiries of the Companies, and found that they could not carry on the service.