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Westport Times, Volume VII, Issue 1111, 30 September 1873, Page 2

Wo have an explanation to make to our readers. On Friday last a private telegram from Wellington came to a Westport resident in reply to an enquiry as to the progress of the Westport railway and harbor works appropriations. The telegram was as follows: " Second reading to-day. Opposition silenced. Session terminates shortly." On Saturday a second telegram was received by another Westport resident " Railway Bill passed second reading. No opposition." The news quickly circulated, and as a matter of course the question was askt-d: Why is it the public do not get this information through the press ? What is the Westport Times doing that it publishes no intimation of matters so intimately affecting the interests of its local readers ? At the commencement of the session we sent specific instructions to the manager of the Anglo-Australian Press Telegraph Agency to forward at earliest dates all Parliamentary news affecting this district. Wo have since at intervals telegraphed to him similar requests, which have received scant attention. On Friday last wo sent a special message asking for full particul its concerning the matter briefly referred to in the private telegrams quoted, and getting no reply we telegraphed again twice yesterday, ultimately obtaining at 6 p.m. the curt message appearing in our telegraphic columns. This delay is really too bad, considering that in addition to the cost of telegrams we pay agency charges to secure

speedy transmission of all news of local interest.

The Charles Edward brought another consignment of cattle yesterday from VVanganui, but experiencing still heavier weather thin the Goahead steamer did, a good many cattle died on the passage, The loss of course falling: on tho importers, Messrs Seaton and Davidson.

It will be noticed that to-morrow evening a public meeting will be held at Mr Harrison's store, Giles Terrace, to discuss what action shall be taken to secure the proper representation of the Northern Terraces under the Goldflelds Local Revenues Act. Tho attendance of Westport residents is invited, and it would be well, if weather and roads permit, some few at least should attend there. A little friendly cooperation at the outset between town and country, will smooth away some at least of the difficulties that must necessarily arise in getting the somewhat crude provisions of tho Act into operation.

We have received from the local agent, Mr George Falla, a copy of the Directors' report of the Australian Mutual Provident Society, presented at a special meeting of tho members on tho 26th ult., which had been called for the consideration of the proposed alterations in tho By-laws. The pamphlet also contains a case for the opinion of Messrs Tucker, Bailey, and Sprague, Actuaries, with their separate opinions, and the report of the Society's Actuary (Mr Black), who concludes by saying that if the recommendation of the Actuaries was consulted and the suggestions contained in the report be carried into effect, he " believes it will be found that the proposed conditions of assurance are as liberal, and the privileges which the members will enjoy under the new regulations as great as have been offered by, or can be obtaintd from any well-regulated or soundly constituted assurance institution." The book, which is well got up, contains one hundred and ninety pagos of valuable information, and places the science of life assurance, as elaborated by the Australian Mutual Provident Society, in a highly favorable light. The principal revision of the By-laws has reference to a new system of division of profits whereby more substantial and ecpaitablo returns may be made to each member of a share in the profits proportioned to his contribution to the surplus funds af the Society. Copies of the book may be obtained from Mr Falla by members. All the actuaries employed speak in terms of the greatest admiration regarding the position and resources of the Company.

The Inangahua Herald of the 20th inst, says:—A communication has been entrusted to us for publication, signed by a number of persons acknowledging the receipt of some £l6O from Francis Courtney, being the amount refunded by him in consequence of an accidental loss while running an express between Westport and Reef ton in 1871. The loss has proved a very serious oue for Mr Courtney, but it is most satisfactory to find that ho has succeeded in making it good, so that none but himself should suffer. The persons signing the document referred to are—C. Minderman, M. O'Brien. B. Wbitakor, S. Wilson, R. Allen, and EL Robertson.

The Inangahua Herald reports that at the last meeting of the directors of the Anderson's Creek and Invincible Gold Mining Companies, arrangements were perfected to enable the former company to make use of tho low level tunnel of the Invincible, tho latter receiving considerable concessions. The terms of the agreement are that Anderson's crush during the first twelve months 300 tons of stone for the Invincible Company gratuitously, and every subsequent year during which the tunnel is being used, 200 tons; and for any further quantity the charge is limited to 20s par ton. The Invincible Company reserve to themselves the right of using the tunnel at all times jointly with Anderson's. It is generally considered that the arrangement entered into is particularly favorable to the Invincible Company; at the same time the use of the tunnel will prove of great advantage to Anderson's, inasmuch as 700 feet of driving is in itself a costly item, and twelve months' work are thereby saved. Tenders for continuing the Invincible Company's low level tunnel will be invited immediately.

One hundred and seventy-eight ounces of amalgam were obtained from the tables and ripples for last week's crushing- at the Wealth of Nations. According to the above return, which is highly satisfactory, the quality of the stone would appear to continue to improve.

Crushing will be resumed at the Ajax battery to-day on stone recently raised from the Golden Fleece Company's claim.

Tho illness of which the late Mr G. S. W. Home died a few days since was paralysis, tho result of exposure in the Inangahua ranges during the winter of 1872. Mr Home was the son of the Rev. Dr. Home, and was born at tho Manor House, Chiswick. His grandfather was portrait painter to his Majesty King George the Third, and he was a nephew of tho late Sir "William Home, Master in Chancery.

Good news has been received at Charleston, from the rush at Razorback, a large number of men are on the ground, and they all seem to think well of the prospects. Some splendid parcels of heavy shotty gold have been bronght in. The track to the workings is rough and dangerous. The managing committee of the Nelson Exhibition intend communicating with the Wardens on the Goldfields, inviting their aid in collecting specimens of minerals &c, from their respective districts to be forwarded to the Exhibition, and Messrs N. Edwards and Co. have kindly offered to carry exhibits from the West Coast to Nelson and return the same in their steamers free of charge.

Among tho many returns asked for by members of tho House, is one asked for by Mr Harrison, to show the actual cost of the production of tho Hansard reports, for tbe last throe years. Tho coat of reporting in each year'; tho cost of composition, printing and paper; tho cost of corrections; the number of copies printed / the number issued free; tho number sold, and the amount received for such sale; and the number remaining in store.

A Bill to authorise tho holders of Miners' Eights issued in any part of New Zealand to exercise the same within the Goldfields in any part of the colony has been read a second time in the House of Representatives, but has been since thrown out.

The Hokitika Evening Star says : —The prospects of the Kanieri Lake Water Eace Company are improving daily. Shares have been freely taken up in Christchurch, and oven in Dunedin, and those desiring to participate must make early application under the present flourishing circumstances of the enterprise. Claims have been taken up all along the route of the race, and at Blue Spur alone the miners offer to take twenty-eight heads of the sixty the race will carry. The Bill for legalising Marriage with a Deceased Wife's Sister has been thrown out by the Upper House by 15 votes to 8. It is rumored in Dunedin and Wellington Commercial circles that the prospectus of a new Bank of purely colonial proprietary will be very shortly issued. If floated the head office will be at Dunedin.

A correspondent of the Daily Times writing from Wellington says New Zealand polities are as tho gritty faetid dust blown into the mouths of wayfarers in the Empire city. Log-rolling, cauuussiug, ear-wigging, and many similar arts reduced to a system. The worst men on both sides enjoying most influence.

Land in the Wanganui district is rapidly increasing in value. At Mar ton 44 sections were offered by public auction last week, and not one was passed, while several changed hands afterwards at advanced rates. The sections were sub-divisions of a 10 acre paddock, purchased some few years since at 12s 6d per acre. By the recent sale the owner realised over .£I2OO.

Regulations for the government of retreats for the cure of inebriates have been published in the Victorian Govern ment Gazette. They provide for the issue of licenses to the keepers of such establishments, for tho appointment by Government of visitors, whose duty it shall be to inspect the asylums and generally further the efficient management of any institutions of this kind which may be established under the act. The fees payable to the licensees for tho bjiii'd and attendance of inmates are not to exceed £l3 per calendar month for each inmate. There is no restriction against patients being received from other colonies.