The Westport Times. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 1870.

Westport Times, Volume IV, Issue 705, 1 September 1870, Page 2

The Westport Times. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 1870.

The returns of revenue collected at the Custom House, "Westport, during the last month amounted to £2,622 14s, as against £2,104, 8s 7d collected in July and £2,352 7s 9d in June. The increase is chiefly derived from the export duty on gold, which amounted in August to £958 19s 7d; July, £361 18s 3d; June, .£689 16s Id. The customs duties show a slight decrease ; the amount during thepast month being £1,645 4s Id, as against £1,730 7s 6d collected in July, and £1,644 17s 3d in June. Assuming that the increase of revenue during July was due to the operation of the increased duties collected since June 29th, the past month would show a rather serious decline in the quantity of goods cleared for home consumption. The quantity of gold exported during the past month exhibits however, a very satisfactory increase upon the quantity exported during July and June. For these two months the exports were 8413 ozs. 14 dwts. 16grs; while for August the shipments were 7671 ozs, 16 dwts. 16 grs., or within 742 ozs. of the total quantity shipped during the two previous months. An inquiry into the circumstances attending the death of Joseph Pufflett»was held yesterday, at Mrs Hall's accommodation house, Orawaiti Lagoon. The witnesses examined were Peter Grey and Albert Sunstrum. The former stated that he had had a conversation with deceased and his brother a few minutes before the accident. Deceased directed the hose against the face of the workings, and went towards the face with a pick in his hand. His brother Robert also advanced to the face with a shovel. Witness turned away, and immediately after heard a fall of earth. Deceased was entirely covered, and Robert had only the head visible. Witness searched, but could find no tools, and proceeded to extricate them with his hands, which he believed was done as effectually and more safely than with implements. Sunstrum assisted, as also William Ranson, the mate of the deceased. In ten to twelve minutes the deceased was extricated, but life was found to be extinct. He was lying on his face with about two feet of earth over him. w:j.„„„„ „„,1 +!,„„ ~„la r, = „ r l R^Viail Pufflett. Albert Sunstrum gave corroborative evidence, and tbe jury, without retiring, arrived at the verdict that deceased had accidentally met with his death by a fall of earth. The remains were shortly after interred in the Cemetery, a large number of miners and others, chiefly from the Northern Terraces, attended the funeral, the service being conducted by the Rev. W. Lewis. The survivor, Robert Pufflett, is, we are happy to state, much improved, and no doubts are entertained of his ultimate recovery.

Mr George Cotterell gave entertainments on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, at the Masonic Hall, on eaclioccasion to annmerous audience. During the two hours, from the rise of the curtain to its fall, he kept the audience interested throughout a difficult and most effective programme. The characters illustrated were faithfully carried out, and the facility with which he changes, not only the expression, but the very face, by the aid of the slight alteration of the hair, and a cap or handkerchief as properties, evidences a mobility of countenance which is little short of marvellous. Added to this Mr Cotterell has an excellent voice and is a good musician. It would take a large space to describe all the merits of the entertainment, but we are satisfied that all who witness his delineations of character will be delishted with his humor and versatility of talent.

The auction sale of Mr Bruce's property and stock in Gladstone street was un avoidably _ postponed yesterday, owing to the auctioneer having been engaged during the afternoon with another sale. The section and premises at present occupied by Mr Bruce, as also his stock of jewellery and shop furniture will be sold this day at 2 p.m. The following unique announcement appears in the Wanganui Chronicle: —"Beware of a little thing in human shape. His name is Andrew H. Murray, who goes about getting goods, and afterwards gives cheques that are no good. .1 got one for .£10; and this Notice in the paper will remain until the jt'lo cheque is paid. An oil made from the roots of flax and wood hen oil is said to bo a certain cure for rheumatism. Major Kemp was recently summoned to appear in the Resident Magistrate's Court, Wanganui, for payment for a crinoline. The gallant Major treated the summons with contempt. In Raki Raki, Fiji, the old chief having recently died, two of his'wives insisted on following the customs of their forefathers, in being killed as " grass for the chief's grave." Their wish was gratified by their dutiful son?, and the ladies were strangled in due form. It is hoped that this will be the last exhibition of tho kind among the coast natives—but on the hills they are not so easy to get at or influence. The following items of native intelligence have been received via Napier. Four more Ureweras have surrendered, and ten have died of exposure. Te Kawhai, a leading chief, is not expected to live. Matene and thirty of his followers have returned to Waikaremoana, anxious to surrender. There is do news of 4 Ropata since he left Tolonga Bay. A slight shock of earthquake was experienced in Nelson on the afternoon of the 23rd ult. Mr Hoos, County Chairman, was expected to return to Hotitika by the Claud Hamilton from Wellington.

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE COUitT. Tuesday, August 30. (Before J. Giles, Esq., R. M.) Knopp v. Bonguelmi.—The defendant was charged upon the information of the complainant with having obtained possession of certain goods, the property of the latter, by fraudulent representation. The complainant did not appear, and Mr Pitt, on behalf of the defendant called the attention of the Court to the annoyance that hie client had been subjected to, the complainant having thought fit to commence criminal proceedings, and after having set the law in motion, refused to appear to sustain the complaint set forth in the information. His Worship dismissed the case with costs, in addition to counsel's costs, £2 2s. OBSCENE LANGUAGE. Mary Ann Kelly was charged upon the information of Andrew Peter Anderson with using abusive language at Giles Terrace, on the 25th instant. The defendant admitted having used improper language. Fined 5s aud costs. CITIL CASES. Smyth and Corr v.Pranklyn.—Claim for £3. Judgment for plaintiffs by default in amount claimed and costs. Ereeth aud Greig v. Harris.—Case 'adjourned, the summons not having been returned.