The Westport Times. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1873.

Westport Times, Volume VII, Issue 1049, 25 February 1873, Page 2

The Westport Times. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1873.

The erection of Westport into a Municipality, for we assume that the petition having this for its prayer, ' connot be reasonably refused by the ' Government, is an event of no small insignificance to those who care to look a little below the surface, and to speculate as to the cafisas verum. In - a word, that such a petition should be got up and forwarded, is a plain indi- & • cation that an influential section of • our townspeople have come to regard "Westport as no mere ephemeral dig- ■ ging township, but as having a per- • manent place upon the map of New 1 Zealand. That no inconsiderable (portion Of our original location is 'now occupied by the bed of that ex- • ceedingly jealous stream, the Buller, •and that another portion has been appropriated without warr-ant by the waves of the yet more jealous ocean -are memorial facts affecting in no way the consideration of our position -as a town,'inasmuch as they cannot affect the necessity which the surrounding districts'have for a toWn at this point. In is to the indirect expression of this necessity that we must attribute the growth of the municipal feeling amongst the inhabitants of Westport. That any. very immediate benefit in the way of money will be derived from 'the event referred to we are inclined to doubt, and of course philosophers of that school which regards all social growth which is unaccompanied by a corresponding increase of social lucre, as useless, will be impertinently asking the Westportians what is the use ef their seeking thia empty honor. Fortunately, however, New Zealand politicians do not For the most part belojQg to the order of these cui-bono declaimefs"," and lv«k to something

more than gold in the way of public spirit, as the proper instrument wherewith to govern a country. Of the growth of this public spirit we regard the desire for a more complete municipal association and organisation as very Bare evidence, and although Westport is still a small place, and a proportion of its inhabitants of that migratory disposition which scorns to accept any locality as a permanent habitat, we do not think that these facta are sufficiently weighty to constitute a fair reason for thwarting the desire of the most influential section of our townspeople. This view ws feel confident will be the one taken by the Government in dealing with the petition to which we have referred, and the result will be to transform the people of "Westport from a number of disconnected atoms, brought together by the fortuitous circumstances of fortune-hunting, into a community cemented by common interests and a •common organisation. It is scarcely needful to point out the guarantee which will thus be secured for the judicious and economical administration of the public funds. That many mistakes will be made by the Town Council is a prognostication which may very safely be made, nay, the croakers may even go farther and say that doubtless on occasions the councillors will meet with a fair measure of success in rendering both themselves and their town ridiculous. These anticipations however, form no argument against the proposed step, aud indeed a brief consideration of the proceedings of some other municipal bodies in New Zealand, points to the conclusion that the mistakes and the ridicule in which Westport may at times be involved through the action of its Council, will be in themselves things of no small importance, as giving it a common interest with the other municipalities of the Colony, and thus serving to footer a fellow feeling between these bodies—the possession of which will bo of no small importance should joint action at any time become desirable. In this connection we may remind our readers that only the other day the Borough Councillors of Greymouth solemnly assembled to elect a Mayor, the votes were evenly divided and so the retir ng Mayor gave a casting vote, nor was it discovered for a day or two afterwards that the Act did not confer any such casting vote, but that the contention between the two candidates should have been decided "by lot;" consequently that the mayor elect was in fact no mayor at all. That such a course of procedure gave rise to much chaff and many small witticisms may well be supposed, but we have not heard that any extraordinary revolution or popular convulsion followed. It may therefore'be proaumoJ tkat they did not, and it is more than probable that any mistakes or jests of the coming Westport Council will be received by tho public iu a similar spirit of quietude.

Good news comes from the Karaniea. The number of men at work there increases weekly, and they are all doing well. The alluvial ground in the numerous small gullies northward of the Karamea gives some exceedingly good results, and letters received lately from parties there suggest that ground sufficient to employ a large number of men may be found. An application has been made for protection for a ferry across the Karamea, in anticipation it may be presamed, of increased traffic. The Maories who own a considerable area of ground are on the move there, having heard good news. Registration! Although many forms of application have been already filled up and attested, by residents of the district wishing their names to appear on the next Electoral Roll, thero are still numbers who have not yet put pen to paper in this important matter. They hardly need reminding that delays are dangerous, and that they should take the earliest opportunity of filling up one of the necessary forms of application. Supplies of forms can be obtained gratis at the office of this paper by any parties not already having them. Wharf street or Saturday was more than usually thronged abeut 2 p'.m. The Lizzie Guy clearing out for Melbourne in tow of ihe Waipara, and having on board Mr J. K. Grant and family, and Mr C. Notman, all well-known residents in Westport, who were taking their departure for Melbourne. There were thus many friends assembled to bid them good speed on their journey. There were others too assembled to witness the arrival of Bishop Moran who, just as the Lizzie Guy went down stream, landed from a boat at the Empire Hotel steps, accompanied by the Revs. Father Walsh and Roland, and Messrs O'Conor, McKenna, and Roche, who had formed a deputation to proceed up river and receive his Lordship. On landing, the Bishop at once proceeded to Father Walsh's residence. At the R.M. Court yesterday, Henry Maguire, on three separate charges of being drunk, of using obscene language, and for assaulting and resisting the police at Macfarlane's, hotel in Lyttelton street, was fined for the first offence 20s, with the option of forty-eight hours imprisonment; for the second, sixty shillings or three weeks imprisonment; and for the third, imprisonment for one month with hard labor. The sentences of imprisonment to ■be cumulative. On Saturday Maria Jennings who had been in custody for twentyfour hours previously, on charge of drunkenness, was discharged. Johaan Andreas Jacobsen for being drunk and disorderly, was fined TOs., or in default twentyfour hours imprisonment. A correspondent at the Lyell on the 18th instant:—This morning O'Brien and Blair started a new shaft on the western side of their claim, and when excavating the surface, came on splendid stone showing gold equal to that obtained by the Little Wonder. The surface or loam gives also fair prospects of fine loose gold. This find proves the continuation of the gold from the Little Wonder claim towards Mabille and Bowen's spare ground claim. The continuing dry weather is seriously retarding crushing operations in the Inangahua District.

It lihh been intimated that His Honor the Superintendent will address the people of Westport upon public matters to-morrow evening at the Masonic Hall. Large congregations assembled both at morning and evening services at the Roman Catholic Church on Sunday last, to, hear Bishop Moran preach, many persons coming long distances. His Lordship went to Charleston yesterday. Murray's circus company gave two performances on -Friday and Saturday last, and again last evening, and on each occasion attracted good audiences. For once the heralded promises of the showwere not in excess of the actual performance. As preliminary notices stated, everything was new and good of its kind. Mr Murray now owns a stud of ring and performing horseß as good as any travelling in the colonies, if we except Chiarani's great show; and the Murray troupe of performers are all well talented in the various feats of Skill they affect. Perhaps the strength of the Company lies in accrobatism, for in such feats they excel, more especially the JulliaQ brothers whose trapeze feats are sensational to a degree. Mr James Brume as premier horseman of the company, may challenge comparison with any other riders appearing before a colonial audience. . Messrs Moffat and Murray as equestrians- achieve feats of daring on horseback, and anon appearing as Clowns of the Ring, amuse by their witticisms. The younger members of the Murray family are also clever both as acrobats and on horseback. Little Charlie gains unbounded applause whenever he appears, and Miss Murray also. Not the least attraction is the Circus Band, small in point of numbers but exceedingly good. While here its strength has been augmented by the Westport band, and the musical selections performed were really worth listening to. His Honor the Superintendent returned from Charleston on Saturday last. Mr Langdon is pushing on with the work of preparing a new and large punt at the Inangahua Landing, to replace the punt curried away by the late flood. The forming of the approaches to the punt has also been commenced. The wind being calm and the surf nearly at rest on Friday last, Judge Harvey was enabled to comfortably land at Charleston by boat from the Charles Edward instead of first coming up to Westport. A block of Ngakawhua coal weighing 2cwt.. has been received at Wellington by the Taranaki, and placed in the Museum. The funeral of the late Harry Hider took place on Wednesday afternoon, about 150 persons following his remains to the Protestant cemetery, at Charleston, where the Rev. Mr Kusz performed the last rites of the Church. A telegram from the Ahaura, give 3 the following result of the races there on the 20th instant:—Trial Stakes—Slander, a walk over. Butchers' Purse—Butcher Boy, 1; Mountaineer, 2. Ladies' Purse—Slander, 1, Mozzel. 2: Town Plate—Slander. Hack Race —Sandy. There was a good attendance. There was great dissatisfaction at the racing. Tho Grey Star says the entries were poor, and the racing apparently foregone conclusions. A cricket match to come off on St Patrick's Day has been arranged between the Reef ton Cricket Club and players from Boatmans and Inangahua Valley. The Carandini family have deeidod on visiting Westport bef<" a leaving +ko Coast, ana win proDaoiy appear here early next week. Another house robbery has taken place at Reefton. A gold-hunting watch and two £ I notes hoving been stolen from the residence of T. C. Wilford near the Invincible Company's claim. Neither thief nor mining property has since been discovered. The proprietors of the Inangahua Herald have published at Keefton, the first number of the Lyell Argus, which will be produced weekly for circulation in the Lyell district. As soon as circumstances will warrant its local production, the Argus will be printed and published at the Lyell township. The first number is a creditable production and contains a fair quantity of local news. The Grey Argus of the 20th instant ■says : —The gold, the result of the crushing, of the Energetic Company, Inangahua, was brought to town on Tuesday night, and lodged in the Bank of New Zealand. The correct return is as follows :—297 tons of quartz were put through the machine, which yielded 108oz lldwt of retorted gold ; but the blankets and tables were not touched. The latter are supposed to contained between 50oz and 60oz of amalgam. We have heard from good authority that the first 150 tons put through was very poor stone, and did not yield more than 4dwt to the ton. The stone the company's men are now taking out shows gold, and it is expected the next crushing will give a better return. The Greymouth Star says:—We are Sorry to hear that the horse Ronald, that went up a few days ago to compete at the Ahaura races, broke down badly whilst taking a gallop. He was engaged in several events here and was thought to have an evxellent chance for the chief hurdle race, but this unlucky accident will of course prevent his putting in an appearance, and the races are deprived of some additional interest. The telegraph has been completed to Ross and a temporary telegraph office fitted up. Communication will be opened in a few days, The Greymouth Royal Arch Chapter, No. 141, under the Scottish Constitution, was opened at the Masonic Hall Gilmer's Buildings, on Tuesday last under tho presidence of Bro. Caldwell, M.E.Z. of tho Kilwinning Lodge, Dunedin. The ceremony of exalting a number of brethern was performed, and afterwards Bro Caldwell installed the following brethem as officers of the Chapter:— Z.—Bro. W. M. Cooper; J.-Bro. R. C. Reid; H.—Bro. G. C. Bowman; Scribes—E. and N., Bros. Roulston and T. Kenriok: Treasurer—Bro. Arnott; Sojourners—Bros. Kent, Arnott, and May; Janitor—A. Fowler. A shark some six feet long was lately seen alongside the Wallace, as she lay at her moorings on the Grey River. At No Town, the case Thornton v. Harris, heard in the R.M. Court, was productive of much amusement. The plaintiff as manager of a theatrical company claimed £2O damages as compensation for breach of contract for letting a room for performing in on a certain Saturday night. The evidence on either side was very contradictory. The plaintiff addressed the Bench at great length, to the evident edification of tho crowd in the Court. One enthusiastic by* stander could hot resist giving expression to his intense admiration of the speaker's oratory, by exclaiming that his Worship " had got hould of the Attorney-Gineral at last." The Magistrate dismissed the case, with costs against the plaintiff, A fisherman on the Hokitika river, on drawing his seine last Tuesday morning,

found three sharks in it, measuring abont' 3ft 6in each. Two of them, judging from their array of teeth, must have been over two years of age. Bathers hora should remember that not long since a score of young sharks were caught ju*G outside the Buller-bar. ' *,ja