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Westport Times, Volume IV, Issue 681, 7 July 1870, Page 2

A numerously attended meeting of persons, interested in the newly discovered Lyell reefs, was held at the Empire Hotel, yesterday evening, on which occasion Mr Munro submitted the prospectus to the public. Mr M'Laren, as also Mr Davie, one of the original prospectors, addressed those present, and the latter gentleman answered very satisfactorily a number of questions respecting the workings, the proposed site for a crushing plant, the length of race necessary to be constructed, and other essential particulars. Mr Thompson, the regresentative of the Langlands Foundry Company, returned from visiting the reef yesterday, and it was stated that he purposes furnishing his report to the public press. Further particulars will appear in our next issue.

A miner named John White, was arrested in Nelson yesterday morning on the arrival of the steamer Kennedy. The prisoner is in custody on a charge of perjury, arising out of a case heard in VVestport the day previous, in the which prisoner was sued by J. Harris, for board. White, on that occasion, though cautioned, distinctly swore that he had not sold his share, nor received any money on account of such sale, and that he had no intention to leave the district. Subsequently he left by the Kennedy for Nelson, and the same day, Serg. Kiely having learned- that White had sold his share for £4O, previous to the ease being heard in Court, swore an information, upon which a warrant was issued, and instructions forwarded to the police in Nelson. We understand that the case will be brought before the Resident Magistrate there, and that Dr Giles will proceed there, as also three other necessary witncssses.

We are informed that the defendants in the late suit, Hughes v. Overhagen and porty, have given notice of appeal. Mr Pell, who has the contract for the construction of the groin, arrived per Kennedy, from Greymouth, on Monday last. lie was unable to procure, as anticipated, any punts used for conveying coals from the mine to Greymouth, nor was he successful in obtaining the steamer Golden Land at Hokitika, her condition being such mouth, which are now lying at Cobdon ready for shipment, and would have been brought on per Kennedy, but the steamer was unable to cross the Grey owing to the flood. Mr Pell has brought with him several hands, experienced in punt building, and the work will bo put in hand with the least possible delay. A public meeting was held at the Courthouse yesterday, to receive the annual report of the retiring Hospital Committee and to elect a Committee for the ensuing year. The following gentlemen were elected: Messrs Powell, Bailie, Munro, Sheahan, Reid, Pitt, Humphrey, Fleming, Munson, Whyte, F. Harris, the Rev. Mr Lewis, and the Rev. Father Walsh. Dr Giles continues a member ex-qfficw. We think it only fair to correct an impression which appears to exist in the town, as to the late experiment in beach protection having been made, wh >lly or in part, at the public cost. The Government is not responsible for this futile attempt, it having been made entirely at Dr Thorpe's expense.

The Charleston Herald, of Wednesday last, commenting upon an exaggerated amount having been given in one of our recent issues, of the sum collected by Mr Nolan, at Charleston, has the following :—" The energetic litterateur tells the public that the Rev. Eather Nolan collected ,£6O in Charleston, and the Eev. Father, while acknowledging the kindness and generosity shown by the people of the district towards him and his mission, is compelled to contradict what on the face of it is an exaggeration." In justice to our Charleston correspondent we must state that our information was not furnished by him, but by the proprietor of the Herald when in Westport. In another column we publish in extenso the correspondence between the Eev. MiLewis and the Chairman of the Hospital Committee, on the subject of the burial of deceased inmates of the Hospital, as also the reply from the medical officer and house steward. The report of the Visiting Committee was read and adopted, but, in accordance with a resolution passed at the meeting, we withhold its publication. The whole question would scarcely have been worthy of mention but for the exceptional character of the report, and the inconsistency of the Committee in adopting it, though, at the same time, dissenting from the report so far as to negative a suggestion, that the Secretary should furnish Mr Lewis with a copy. Mr S. Salomon, from Dunedin, has brought to the West Coast, preparatory to his retiring from business, a large and costly collection of jewellery, which is now on view in the upper room of the Empire Hotel, until Monday next. The jewellery comprises many costly specimens of diamonds and other precious stones, tastefully set, also a wondrous variety of articles of elegant and modern designs, an inspection of which would well repay a visit.

Mr Martin having refused to complete the purchase of the New Zealand Steam Navigation Company's plant, the Circular Saw Steam Navigation Company have taken over all the property, The net proceeds of a soiree, held at the Kanieri on the 16th ult., in aid of the church of England, amounted to more than £3O.

On the 17th of last month one of a party of prospectors, named Charles Musselbrook, •while crossing a lagoon on the Waikupuka slipped in a bole and was drowned, his two mates being unable to save him. At Big Bay there are twenty to thirty men engaged in mining operations.

By telegraph from Napier we learn the following items of important news:—The native allies under Hamlin have destroyed all the cultivations and pahs around the Waikarernoana Lake. The amount of food taken is enormous; enough to keep a thousand men for twelve months. The whaleboat built by Oolonel Herrick, has boon recaptured, together with all the canoes on the lake. This capture gives the Colonial troops full command of Waikaremoana Lake and its settlements. The surrender of Makaunu, one of the principal Urewera chiefs, is daily expected by Mr Hamlin, together with all his Hau-hau followers. The system of vote by ballot now extends to all elections in VVestland.

The present population of the Ilaast consists of 13 males, 3 females and 2 children. The W. C. Times of June 23rd, writes, after all the talk and telegraphing that has been, and in spite of the singular course that some " leading citizens " chalked out for themselves on Tuesday night, it gives us great pleasure to state that Mr Barff has been requested by many influential people of Hokitika to proceed to Wellington, and take his seat in the Assembly. He has consented to do so, and will leave per Gothenburg to-day, or as soon as that vessel sails.

A San Francisco paper states that the railroad authorities agreed to carry those who arrived there from Aiistralia in the Idaho, through to New York for one hundred dollars (about ,£2l) per passenger. This, although less than the regular rate, was done for the purpose of encouraging travel from Australia by this new route.