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Westport Times, Volume IV, Issue 665, 31 May 1870, Page 2

The contract for the completion of the Nile Bridge, Charleston, expired yesterday, but its completion has been delayed in consequence of the exceptionally severe weather. The greatest inconvenience has been experienced during the erection of the present structure owing to communication between Westport and Charleston having been impeded during the past few weeks. The new bridge will be opened for traffic in a few days. We understand that a requisition i 3 in course of signature at Addison's Plat and in the Upper Grey District requesting Mr E. J, O'Conor to offer himself as a member for the goldfields to represent Westland North in the General Assembly. By telegram, published in another column, we learn that Mr Franklyn has placed himself in nomination for the district of Grey, and that it has subsequently transpired that Mr Atkinson, who seconded his nomination, was not a person qualified to perform the duty. We presume that Mr Franklyn's nomination will be held invalid, and that Mr Wilkie will be returned to the Council without opposition.

The contract of Messrs Winter and Eaton, for erecting a stone groin in the Buller river having been cancelled, it is notified elsewhere that fresh tenders are invited until Saturday the 12th proximo.

The claimholders in claims No. 1 and No. 2 south, Irishman's Creek, Lyell, have decided to amalgamate and form a comBaSty SSaistered under the Limited Liasented to the public in a few days.

In the Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday Frederick Hay, an inebriate, was fined 103. The only civil case disposed of was Cantwell v. Grant, in which the plaintiff failed to appear. The sum of 25s had been paid by defendant into Court, for which amount judgment was given without costs.

The plans and specifications for the Court House at the Ahaura, and the road from the Twelve-mile to No Town have been prepared, and approved, and it is the intention of the Government, immediately on passing the Estimates to proceed with these works.

Mr Peter Sorenson, an old resident of the Buller, purposes leaving New Zealand for San Francisco by the the next boat. He is the first passenger who has booked from Westport by the new line of steamers. The mining plant and machinery of the Waimangaroa Quartz Mining Company was sold at auction on Saturday last, realising £IBO. The encroachment of the sea exposed to view, yesterday, a coffin in the old cemetery on the North Spit. The coffin has been removed by Mr Carr, the undertaker, and and will be deposited in the new cemetery. These remains had been overlooked by the parties who contracted to remove all the bodies that had been interred, and there is every probability that several bodies are still unaccounted for. A careful watch is daily maintained by the police, and it is not probable that any remains will be left to the mercy of the waves. Those anxious to excel as velocipedists will be pleased to learn that a bicycle has been imported by Mr Munson. Several of our townspeople essayed their efforts in velocipede driving yesterday afternoon, but their performances, though in the last degree creditable to their pluck and perseverance, were certainly the reverse of skilful.

The West Coast Times of Friday contains the following item : —We are informed on undoubted authority, that a warrant was yesterday issued against Mr David Curie, proprietor of the Ross Guardian, on a charge of malicious libel in connection with the Chairman and the Koh-i-noor Mining Company. Saturday's Times states that Mr Curie had been arrested, but admitted to bail. The case was brought before the K.M. Court, Hokitika, yesterday.

There axe a nujnber of bad florins at present offering in Greymouth and Hokitika. They are believed to be late Melbourne importations. There is reason to believe that these have passed freely from hand to hand, suspicion not having been aroused in consequence of the long lapse of time since spurious coin has been attempted to be palmed upon the trading public in Westland.

The' General Assembly will go into ses sion on the 14th June,

A new Oddfellows' Lodge, entitled the " Loyal Hand of Friendship," was opened in Gilmer's buildings, Greymouth, on Thursday last. The Aurora Australia was visible on

Saturday evening. The following telegram dated Dunedin, May 19th, appears in the W. C. Times : — Mr Ashcroft's motion—"That it is expedient that steps be taken with a view to uniting the Province of Otago with the Province of Canterbury," was carried in the Provincial Council, by 12 to 9. An Otago Meat Preserving Company is about to be started with a capital of £IO,OOO in .£lO shares. Doubtless the success of the Victorian company has led to this.

A man named Langloy was drowned at Wellington on the 19th inßt. Deceased took a horse and cart to the Kaiwarawara stream for the purpose of washing the cart. The horse backed into a hole, and Langley and the horse were drowned. In the Warden's Court several applications were struck out, the applicants not appearing. No other business was disposed of.

The advisability of forming anew Racing Club is under consideration at Hokitika. The Hokitika river continues to make encroachment on its bank at Upper Gibson's quay.