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Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 447, 6 January 1869, Page 2

A considerable number of men have, within the past few days, proceeded up the Buller and the Lyell, and others are expected soon to follow. From a correspondent of ours who accompanies one of the parties, we expect in a few days to have a full account of w y hat is being done in the district, aud of the inducements which exist for this increase to the population. The party who, with the assistance of a company of the town's people, have been driving a tunnel at M .nuka Flat, have, we understand, cuuimmcctl a, nocoml tvinnol eiicty feet lower in level than the first, and the share-holders have each subscribed other £5 for the prosecution of the work.

The organization of a prospecting party at Charleston has not been hitherto attended with any result. The men who first went out have decliued to take any further action. The Herald trusts that the Committee will yet think fit to equip a second party, and, if necessary, extend the area in which they shall prosecute their researches. We notice that Mr M'Leod has commenced the construction of the wharf which, with the leave of the Nelson G-overnment, he purposes erecting at the river end of Bright street. The wharf is situated misLwpy between the wrecks of wharves which now form the only accommodation for shipping, with the exception of Stanley Wharf; and it is a work which we may well wish to see completed with expedition and efficiency. The situation is one in which any work constructed is likely to have to contend with the full pressure of any flood that may occur, but Mr M'Leod seems to be beginning his work sufficiently well to enable it to resist any ordinary accident. An accident happened in the river on Monday, by which two men were placed in a position of considerable peril. A waterman was rowing across the river when he fouled a rope which had been run out from the steamer Wallabi. There was a strong stream running, and the boat was quickly capsized, precipitating both its occupants into the water. One of them fortunately reached the chain of the Wallabi, and managed to keep himself afloat. The other recovered his hold of the boat, and they were both fortunately rescued by the occupants of another boat which happened to reach the spot shortly afterwards.

It is now some weeks since we announced that the Athenaeum building had, at least to all appearance, been completed, and that a consignment of books had been received. The institution has not yet been opened, however. Perhaps the Committee would kindly state " the reason why." The Nile Hotel, till recently the property of Mr Thomas Dwan, has changed hands, the purchaser being Mr W. Russell. The Charleston JSerald states that the premises were sold for £3OO, exclusive of furniture, stock, and! fixtures. j

The following, extracted from the Melbourne Argus, of the 17th ult., will probably be of interest to our legal friends:—" A new point in prxctice relating to the law of evidence in the courts of petty session was raised yesterday, at the Richmond Police Court, in the case ofHogaa against Michael and Gerald Moore. Mr M'Kean, who appeared for the defendants, who were in custody for assault, put the defendants into 'the witness box and examined the one prisoner on behalf of the other. Mr Read, for tho prosecution, objected to this course, but Mr M'Kean cited an English authority from the 20th vol. of ' The Justice of the Peace,' in support of his position, and Mr Templeton, P.M., ruled in his favor." Another Cobden correspondent of the Grey Itioer Argus favours the idea of separation from Nelson. He writes : —" The last heavy flood proved unmistakeably that there are required protective works on the Cobden side of the river, and we innocents thought the Provincial Engineer was going to take some steps to have it done when he was here a few days ago. Delusive hope ! There are two ways to bring about so de irable a consummation—the first is to purchase a few town sections and present thorn to the Superintendent and other Nelson magnates; the other is to petition for separation and not rest till we get it. Let us try to throw off the intolerable millstone now grindind us to the dust, Now as the latter is the most honorable and above-board course, I hope to see it acted on at an early date." The Dunedin Garrick Club have given a j ertbrmance for the benefit of sufferers by the Poverty Bay massacre. They played the comedy of " The Poor Gentleman," the cast including Messrs C. White, James, Barron, Reid, Fish, Tully, and Lilly. Louis Martin, who disappeared suddenly in the Grey district, has not yet been found, and it is feared he has been drowned in the river. Another man named Thomas Finlay, a miner, who was working at Nelson Creek, is also-missing. The Melbourne Herald has been purchased by the nroprietor of the Age. The Geelong Adccriiser says:—" It is expected the issu3 will continue as usual until the expiration of the year, when it is expected it will make its r*cw Voar'o apponranoo ao an overling issue of the absorbing journal." Thirty-six more recruits for the Armed Constabulary have been obtained at Greymouth, making a total of forty-seven. A meeting has been hold at Greymouth for the purpose of formiug a new Yoiunteer Fire Brigade. "