The Westport Times. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1869.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 600, 30 December 1869, Page 2

The Westport Times. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1869.

Mr Magner'a " grand distribution" of £\oo worth of jewellery, on the art union principle, was accomplished at the Post Office Hotel on Tuesday evening, to general satisfaction, the arrangements being superintended by a committee of gentlemen. The numbers of a few prizes remaining unclaimed are advertised. The meeting of miners to which reference has already been made will probably take place in the Masonic Hall on Saturday evening—the first evening on which the hall is available. Mr James Graham and others are actively interesting themselves i 1 the matter. A flood in the river and encroachments by the sea are likely to be the subject of local interest to-day. There is every appearance of the weather eventuating in an unusually heavy flood ; and on the seaside Mr Tyler's house, the flagstaff, and the cemetry seem to be in danger. Mr Tyler's house, if not removed to-day, stands a good chance of being demolished after the fashion of the school-house. Already Capt. Leech has " housed " the topmast of the flagstaff, and is prepared for contingencies. A meeting of foreigners resident in the district was held at "the Prince of Wales Hotel, on Tuesday, with the object of making preliminary arrangements for a grand picnic, which is intended to be held in February next. The programme will shortly be before the public, aud it is expected that there will be representatives of all nations present. A large committee has been formed, and the members are convened this day at three o'clock. The large nugget discovered in the Buller district and of which the public have bo often heard, is positively to be disposed of on the art union principle on Friday even ing at the Empire Hotel. The four hundred tickets have, with a few exceptions, already been purchased. A committee of gentlemen will be appointed in the Masonic Hall at nine o'clock to arrange and superintend the drawing. The weight of the nugget in solid gold is 92ozs sdwts 12grs, or in value, at £3 18s per ounce, ,£359 17s 6d. The value of the first prize is .£l5O, the second £IOO, the third ,£SO, and three others .£2O each.

The Rev. W. D. E. Lewis will hold Divine service in the English church on Sunday nest at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. A special sermon will be preached at the evening service in connection with the new year. Members of the congregation are invited to attend a choir practice to be held in the church this (Thursday) evening, at 8 o'clock. Mr Lewis purposes visiting the Caledonian, Giles, German, and other terraces during next week. He woidd be glad if arrangements could be made for an evening service at Giles's on Wednesday nest (Jan. sth) at 7.30 p.m. The programme of the town sports has been before the public for some weeks, but, for the better guidance of competitors and others, we put, in the shape of a paragraph, the details of the programme as arranged by the Managing Committee. On Friday, the flat race of 150 yards will be started at the Empire Hotel, and will finish at the top of Gladstone street. Putting the stone will take place opposite the Albion Hotel. The running high leap will be held in front of the Oddfellows' Hotel. The sack race will bo started at the Victoria Hotel, and will terminate in front of the Spanish Restaurant. Vaulting with the pole will be held opposite the Nelson Hotel. In front of the Little Grey Hotel the running flat leap prize will be competed for. The boys, under twelve years of age, will start from the National Hotel and finish at the Post Oiiice. Opposite Smyrk's Hotel the competition for the standing high leap prize will take place. The hop, step, and jump will bo in Wharf street, between Hughston's and Eoches; the standing flat leap at the top of Gladstone street, near Mrs Hall's. The one mile race will be started ivt the National Hotel and will terminate sit the Victoria Hotel, the runners going four times up and down Gladstone street, round flagstaffs which will be erected. The pig hunt will be started at Grady's Hotel in Kennedy street. On Saturday, New Ttar's day, the wrestling in the Cumberlan<| and Westmoreland style will be held opposite the Court House. The swimmers who compete for the £8 and .£3 prirfs of the swimming match will dive off M'Leod's wharf and swim round a buoy or boat to be placed in the river, and land at the steps at the end of Gladstone street. The second pig will be let loose at the Albion Hotel. Entries will be received by the secretary, Mr Hughes, and the treasurer, Mr Sheahan, and judges will be appointed for each sport.

The-children at the Westporfc School were presented with prizes on Friday last, previous to the breaking up of the school for the Christmas holidays. A few words were addressed to the children by one or two gentlemen, who in return received three cheers from the youngstersbeforedispersing, vrhich were followed up by similar salutations to their teachers. A children's picnic is intended to be held to-morrow at Gibson's grounds, to which place they will start from the school-house at twelve o'clock.

The annual Masonic banquet of the Charleston Kilwinning Lodge will be held at Charleston to-morrow evening. The installation of officers for the ensuing year took place on Monday last, when the following gentlemen were installed: —Bro. C. Broad, B.WJtj Bro. Parker, D.M.; Bro. Thompson, CM.; Bro. Isaacs, S.W.; Bro. Alexander, Secretary j and Bro. Bowen, J.W.