The Westport Times. THURSDAY, JULY 28, 1870.

Westport Times, Volume IV, Issue 690, 28 July 1870, Page 2

The Westport Times. THURSDAY, JULY 28, 1870.

Messrs Harris and Hodgson returned from Greymouth, per Murray on Tuesday, having concluded their labors in connection with the Commission appointed to consider the desirability of annexing a portion of the County of Westland, in accordance with the expressed ■wish of the inhabitants, to the Province of Nelson. We are unaware what result the Commission have come to, whether favorable or otherwise to the proposed scheme. Their report will, we understand, be forwarded as early as practicable to Mr Curtis at Wellington, and will be referred to when the question of subdividing the County of Westland is brought under discussion. Dr Giles was a passenger per Murray, yesterday morning, his presence being necessary as a witness in the case of John White, charged with perjury. Sergeant Kiely also proceeded to Nelson as a witness in the same C;se. Any hope that may have been entertained as to the sea encroachment having ceased, giving place to a new formation of beach, has been dispelled by the experience of the last few days. Recent tides »have again carried away large quantities of sand and shingle at the lower end of Gladstone street, and the first rough weather in conjunction with high tides will again make serious inroad upon the portion of the township referred to. "With a view to being prepared in the event of the state of the beach rendering necessary the removal of the gaol, the prisoners will, we understand, be engaged in draining and clearing a site on the Government reserve in Palmerston street. The work is a judicious one, as, in the event of the gaol being removed, it •will greatly expedite the matter if a convenient site is prepared to receive the buildings. On Monday last protection for a prospecting area was granted to a party of eight, working as Richard Cooke and party. The site of operations is at a pakihi near the entrance to the bush track to Giles Terrace, having an area of 800 x 1200 feet. The workings are described as alluvial. At the Residonl Magistrate's Court, on Tuesday last, Robert Brown, charged with being of unsound mind, was remanded for medical examination until to-morrow. The information of Patrick Farley ngainst Thomas Maguire, charging him with the use of abusive and offensive language, -was also adjourned till to-morrow, the summons not having been served. On Tuesday night, as also yesterday evening, the Christy's gave entertainments at the Masonic Hall, and after their short and, we believe, profitable trip to Charleston, were again greeted by large audiences. Of the various troupes t!iat have visited Westport, the Christy's would appear to have the most completely succeeded in gaining public favor; the interest in their performances continues

to the lost untagged,and their varied comicalities, witticisms, and humorous personations excite as lively an interest as ever. This very gifted troupe proceed south to-day, and will give a series of entertainments at Hokitika and Greyinouth. Wo wish them every success. The Westport Hospital Committee held a special meeting at the Court House, on Tuesday afternoon to consider and determine upon the tenders for supplies for the ensuing twelvo months There were present Messrs Heid (in the chair), Fleming, Muuson, Sheahan, and the Rev. W. Lewis. The following are the names of the successful tenderers :—l. Meat, James Johnstone; 2. Bread, H. Neil; 3. Wines and Spirits, John Corr ; 4. Groceries, Powell and Co.; 5. Burials, John A. Carr; 6. Washing, Mrs Tottenham ; 7. Drapery, was held over ; 8. Firewood, Thos. J. Jones: 9. Milk, 11. Wilson. Mr Thomas Farmer, who has been long and favorably known on the Nelson South West Goldfields in connection witli the melting department of the Bank of Now South Wales, purposes leaving Westport very shortly for Victoria. Owing to some irregularity, no mails were despatched from the south per s.s. Murray. The Government, says the Dunedin Star. purposes reducing the interprovineial postal rate to one penny. A Bill for this purpose has passed the second reading. Oranges and olives are being successfully grown in the open air at Beechworth, Victoria.' In his speech in the House of Representatives on the Financial Statement, Mr C. O'Neill suggested that forty acres of land should be given to every child born in this Colony. Major Kemp, a native military officer, arrived at Wanganui on Friday last with a dmft drawn by the Government on the Bank of New Zealand for £ 11,300. He was, we understand, received with acclamation by the Native Contingent. A return of the quantity of arms and ammunition supplied to Natives since July Ist, 1809, shows a total issue of 87,112 rounds of ammunition of all sorts; 94 Enfield rides ; 161 medium rifles; 21 breech loading carabines, &c. The policy of issuing anus to the so-called friendlies is causing much anxiety, more especially as the manner of many would evidence a belief that the Government are dependent upon them, and that they are really masters of the position. The report of the Canterbury Acclimitisation Society respecting the capabilities of New Zealand for the silk culture may prove of interest.' A few specimens of the white mulberry, being all that were planted, are nourishing and doing well, and the committee are satisfied of the suitability of the climate and soil to their culture, and that sericulture may be established and carried on with great success. An agreeable and profitable employment, without fatigue, would be afforded to those unfit for more laborious work —the old, the infirm, and the younger children ; and might be benefically introduced into our asylums and hospitals, and other charitable institutions. Owing to the discovery that cocoons, thoroughly dessicated, may be pressed and packed for exportation, and will yield as good silk as if reeled at once in the localities where they are produced, the process appears reduced to such simplicity, that it may be carried on at the homes of the working classes concurrently with their other avocations. The following returns, showing some magnificent crushings on the Thames Goldfield, we extract from a table giving the yield of claim, out of four crushings, "yielded 2191 ounces of gold for the month, from 1082 tons of stone ; the All Nations, out of one crushing of 152 tons yielded 1019 ounces of gold ; the Long Drive, in three crushings, gave first, from 105 tons of stone, 712 ounces, from 10 tons, 6£ ounces, and from 60 tons, 1004 making 1722J ounces of gold out of 175 tons of stone, or nearly ten ounces to the ton.