Untitled

Westport Times, Volume XX, Issue 3397, 19 January 1886, Page 2

Mr Bell intends shortly to submit to the Harbor Board a report in regard t»o the manner of carrying on the work of quarrying and carrying stone. There was an error in transmission in the tolegiaui published a few days ago in reference to the Colonial Bank's halfyearly meeting Mr Petrly, ih.o Westport Manager, has handed us a copy oj the report and balance-sheet, and we h?arn therefrom that the not profits for the lialt year amounted to £18,199 13s, wliHe the available balance was £IS,7<J2 13s sd. Mr Bowman, of Reefton, favors U3 with

a copy of the Keep-it-Dark Company's Animal Report and Balance-sheet. During the year 9949 tons of quartz have been reduced, yielding 60G4ozs Gdwts 22grs of melted gold, realising £23,571 13s 9d sterling, of which £14,500 sterling has been declared in dividends, being 14s Gd per (20,000 th) share. The Mining Manager reports that there is sufficient stone remaining in the present level to keep the battery constantly employed for two years, and the show of gold in the winze is quite equal to anything previously obtained iu the upper levels.

The harbor beacons on the town side of the river are to be raised with tall poles, so as to exhibit the lights higher than at present. The Harbor Board Engineer has set two drays and six men to work on the Relief Channel to reduce the falls, as was done last year. Hamilton Cilmer, (nephew of Mr J no. Gilmer, of Westport), is the winner of one of the Wanganui Collegiate School Scholarships. He is a Terrace School, Wellington, boy. A survey of the rock at the Nine-mile is to be made by the Harbor Board, for the purpose of locating a tunnel to be driven and fired, as much to prove the rock as for future use. The cost of this will amonnt to about L3OO for a moderate sized blast.

The Harbor Board met on Thursday afternoon. The followiug business was transacted : Applications for the appointment of Night watchman were referred to the Committee appointed to consider the question. Mr P. Harder was recommended to the Engineer for appointment as temporary foreman for any second day labor gang that may be required. Tenders for construction of tanks, coal bins, &c, were opened as under : —Howard and Cross, £134 7s Gd (accepted) ; Thomas Bond, £157 16s; Price and Clarke, £175: Win. Catc, £297.

Mr J. C. Rouse, agent for a valuable work entitled " Tho Practical Home Physician" is now canvassing in this district for orders. In testifying to the genuine merit of the book we need only refer readers to the professional opinions published in this issue. At the District Court, on Friday, in re T. Y. Wardrope, a bankrupt, and the securities held by John Murro, His Honor the District Judge decided that the bill of sale given by the bankrupt to John Munro was null and void against the official assignee under the second section of the Chattel Securities Act, 1880, there being no defeazance or condition written on the deed as provided by this Act, and that the assignment of the bill of sale held by the late Win. Jarvis to John Munro should hold good only as to the sum of £7O 8s Bd, being the actual money paid by Mr Munro on obtaining the assignment of the bill of sale. An order was therefore made that Mr Munro is to receive £7O 8s 8d and whatever interest may be due thereon from date of assignment to date of sale of chattels, viz. £8 9s. The assignee's costs to come out of the estate, and the balance of proceeds of sale to be available for the creditors. Mr Haselden appeared for the official assignee ; Mr Moynihan for Mr Munro.

The Westport Naval Artillery paraded, for Adjutant Inspection on Friday, ber fore Major Webb, of Nelson. After examination of arms at the Town Hall, the Corps marched to Lieutenant Haseldou's lawn, where the Major exercised them iu drill. He urged the members to attend drill regularly, and said he would endeavor to arrange for regular visits from Instructor Spence, A large number of spectators witnessed the evolutions.

The works of the Mokihinui Coal Company are progressing rapidly, and Mr O'Conor expects to be getting coal out regularly early next month. 'The Napier takes a cargo of. plant and material to Mokihinui for the Company.

We understand there i 3 a proposal afoot to hold an amateur entertainment in Westport in aid of the burnt-out settlers in Taranaki, and if the idea is encouraged the matter will be taken in hand at once. It would be a handsome thing of the Westport people to extend assistance to tljo sufferers, and there would be some credit in being the first town on the Coast to make a move,

The s.s. Stella will sail from Wellington on Tuesday morning next for Big 'Bay and Caswell Sound on the West Coast.

Mr J. H. Williams, son of Captain Williams, was a passenger for England by the s.s. Ruapehu. It is understood that his object in going Home is to look after some steamers to purchase on his own account for employment in the New Zealand trade. He is expected back, about the end of the year. The Cromwell Argus notes that at the Criffel goldfield, which is called a '•' jjuffer," a dozen or two men are getting gold, and some of thorn 35 much as one ounce per man per day. The first Justice of the Peace ill Wellington to forfeit Ins commission, through non-attendance, was Captain Humo, Inspector of Prison^.

A new method of getting rid of rabbits lias been brought under the notice of the Government by Mr Charles Rose, of Coimadi, in the Bacchus Marsh district. Mr Ross places gas tar just inside the mouth of all burrows and places it where rabbits are likely to come in contact with it. He puts the tar upon chaff, old rags, leaves or anything which will stick to the rabbit's fur, R~e fjnd§ thai as rabbits are very clean animals they endeavor to lick the tar off, with the result that their tongues become clogged with it, and they eventually die. The death is announced of Vice-Ad-miral Stirling, who was for some time commander on the Australian Station. The Cause oi Mrs Sala's death was an internal tumor, and she died under an operation in Melbourne. 'Mr and Mrs Hqla, hS'd been married 25 years. ' ' ' His Lordship the Biihop gf Nelson has left for the North in Friday's steamer,' to enjoy a well earned holiday, prior to the meeting of the General Synod in Auckland on the 20th of tho month. The well-known vocalist, Miss Christian,' accompanied by Mr Armes Beaumont and Miss'Eihily'Chrisitian, a young and talented pianiste from Stuttgart, 'arrived at Auckland from Sydney by the Almeda last week they will make a tour of the colony, '

The London correspondent of the Dunedin Star says that the West Indian section of the Colonial Exhibition next summer will be a miracle of tropical vegetation, even the smallest of the islands contributing its most characteristic and beautiful vegetable productions. Tree ferns, limes, palms, &o„ will adorn the court. Messrs Stitt Bros., the WWtport agents, have handed us a copy of the Victoria Insurance Company's sheet almanac.

The Charleston Herald reports that prospecting operations have been actively pursued during the past week on Thompson's Lead, and very encouraging indications have been met with. At present the prospecting is confined entirely to Charleston residents, there being nothing found as yet to warrant an influx of persons from a distance. St. Leon's Circus arrived from Nelson by the s.s. Mahinapua, yesterday the debarkation attracted great attention, particularly among the juveniles. This extensive show opened last night, at the lower end of Queen-street. Circuses) are always popular, and as St. Leon's comes with an extra good reputation, possessing also the attractive adjunct of a menagerie, it should be well patronised here.

The annual meeting of St. Canice's Church congregation, for the purpose of electing a new School Committee and receiving the balance-sheet and report of the out-going Committee, was held on Sunday evening, the Rev. Father Walshe being voted to the chair. The balancesheet was read and adopted. It shows a credit balance, which fact reflects great credit upon the outgoing Committeemen for the efficient and economical manner they had conducted the business of the School during their term of office. The following gentlemen were appointed a Committee for the ensuing 12 mouths : Messrs Organ, Moynihan, Sheahan, Jno. Corr, Roche, Sontgen, Doherty, Kelly, Quane, McPadden and Father Walshe, (ex officio member). Three members of the old Committee (Messrs T. M. Easton, O'Shea and Robert Carr), also several others, declined nomination. A resolution was unanimously adopted, expressing the utmost satisfaction at the pro-'ress made by the children attending" St. Canice's School during the past year and a renewal of confidence in the ability of the present teachers. A vote of thanks to the chair terminated the meetin"-. The plans and specifications for the Gas-works were received by Mr Gumming, yesterday, and will belaid before theßoro' Council on Wednesday evening. Mr James Sharp showed us a fish yesterday which was caught in the river by the Maoris. The latter admit their ignorance of its name or class. It looks°very much like a salmon trout, and with this view those with piscatorial knowledge agree. It would thus seem that the ova placed in the Buller River from time to time has not wholly perished The specimen in Mr Sharp's possession is about a foot in length.

We have to acknowledge receipt of the Colonial Insurance Company's calendar card. Mr Z. C. Home is the loca} agent.

Gilmer's Hall was rilled to the doors on Sunday night, on the occasion of Mr W. Come Johnston's opening evangelistic service. Mr Johnston spoke earnestly and well. The services will be continued during the week.

The Westpqrfc Naval Artillery held Church parade on Sunday. They mustered in fair force at the Drill shed (Town Hall) at 10.30 A.m., and headed by the Baud marched to St. John's Church. The Rev. J. E. Cullen, Chaplain of the corps, preached a powerful sermon, and the hymns were, as far as possible, appropriate to the occasion. Before dismissing, Captain Barrow-man thanked the men for their behaviour and deportment.

Mr Charles Woodward has disposed of his sharebroking and general agency business to Mr J. F. Clark, late of Lyell. The transfer took place yesterday. A report has reached town that a sixfoot reef has been struck in the lower level at the Great Republic Mine. Shares which were in the market, have, in consequence, been withdrawn.

Our brjght contemporary, the Wellington Evening Press, publishes a weekly puzzle column, offering prizes for the fi*r§t correct answers. One particular riddle has been unanswered for several weeks, although column upon colunnm of replies have been sent in—all faulty, however. Five pounds is now offered for the correct solution, and here is the riddle :

Man cannot live without my first, By night and day 'tis used. My second is by all accursed, By night and day abused. My whole is never seen by day And never used by night. "lis liked by friends when far away, And hated when in sigljt. The Duke of Edinburgh Hotel, Wellington, is about to change hands, Mr Scott, the late manager of the Dimmer Goal Company, having purchased the lease from Mr H. Gilmer. Mr T. Ronanyne, General Manager of the Greymouth-Brunncr railway, is to be transferred to Wellington very shortly. Rain is, much wanted at Roefton for crushing purposes, several batteries ber ing idle. Roughly calculated, the losses of the settlers by bush fires in the neighborhood of Mount Egniont is roughly estimated at £IO,OOO. Captain Fairchild says that he never saw White Island in such an active state of eruption a& it is in now. Mr Arthur Clayden has been sent home by the Oovernment'to lecture up«m NewZealand.

The Survey Department have prepared some excellent maps of New Zealand for tho Indian and Colonial Exhibition. Some very large blocks of stone are being taken from the quarry for the work at the tip-head, several of them weighing over 20 tons each.—Grey paper. The J.yel] Times reports :—On Thurs day evening last, a number of the leading residents tendered a con'ipiimentaiy bah° cmet to'Mr J. F. Clark, who ' is Teafiip this district for Westport,' After full appreciation had beou shown the capital spread provided by Host Carroll of the Criterion, the cloth was removed and the less solid part of the evening's entertainment was opened by the Chairman, Mr WiHiatn Burns, proposing tho health and prosperity" in %\a new home, of tho gnesi of the evening. He'alluded to Mr Clarke 1 i, four years' stay iu the district, and the

opportunity which those around him hud of judging tho of his good qualities as an active and useful citizen, and one, who had always displayed every desire and effort to represent and encourage the progress of the mining industry, He felt sure Mr Clark would be missed from Lyell, but he would soon make lots of friends in Westport, where he would carry with him the best and heartiest wishes of those who had kuown him longest in and around Lyell. After the toast had been put with musical honors, Mr Clark replied in the usual suitable terms. He had intending sayinn more, but that anything having the semblance of a parting, or farewell, carried a slight shade of sadness with it, and perhaps limited the expression of what one might feel most. He was not leaving the Coast, and communication between Westport and Lyell being very easy and regular, the similarity of interests possessed by the two districts as regards quartz mining, would, in addition to the fact he was leaving a lot of friends behind, always give Lyell a foremost place in his recollections. In prosperous and adverse times alike, he had still the same unvarying support and encouragement from a long list of friends, and he would never cease wishing the old place, and those in it, all the prosperity they deserved. A number other toasts were given, interspersed by songs and recitations, and after a mirthful evening full of jovialty and goodwill, the proceedings were closed by singing Auld Lang Syne and the National Anthem. One of the Circus employees known as " Scottie", metwithan accidentyesterday. He and the driver of an express fell from the vehicle to the ground, through the seat capsizing. The stranger only was hurt; lie was taken into Mr. Richardson's shop, and was subsequently removed to the Hospital.

We have to acknowledge the receipt from the Government Printer of a copy of the "Land Act of 1885," published by the authority of the Hon. John Ballance. This Land Act consolidates twenty six Acts and ordinances relating to Crown lands, and brings all that was deemed essential in them within its compass. The total area of New Zealand is upwards of sixty-six million acres. Of this eighteen million have been sold or disposed of in Education and other public reserves. Fourteen millions belong to the aboriginees or to the Europeans who have purchased from them ; and thirty-four million acres of Crown lands still remain for disposal. Of the latter, fifteen million are open grass or fern country, ten million forest, and nine million of barren mountain-tops, lakes, and worthless country.

The Grey Argus says that amongst the cattle landed from the Wallabi on Saturday week, were some monsters of the bovine genus, one in particular, a prize Wanganui bullock, is alleged to weigh 18 cwt., besides three or four only a few cwt. lighter. The large one took far more space allotted to a bullock in the hold of the old vessel.

Under the new Justices of tho Peace Act, Justices are empowered to dispose of civil cases in which the claims do not exceed £2O.

Viscount de Jouffray Dabbons is the name of the gentlemen who has been appointed French Vice-Consul for New Zealand.

A few parties of miners (says the West Coast Times) are out prospecting the Arahura river in the direction of Browning Pass and towards the Taipo. The weather is very favorable for prospecting, and we hope .soon to hear satisfactory reports from that quarter. The news which roaches us from Canterbury leaves little room to doubt that with the other troubles looming ahead for the Colony the evil of a failure of the harvest must be added. We read that in many places in Canterbury, and notably in Timaru, the long drought has been very disastrous to the grain crop, so much so that many of the fanners realising the impossibility of the stunted crops ripening in time to save, have already begun to cut them down for straw. In many localities the growth is so backward that not a single ear has yet been formed upon the oats and wheat. The failure of the crops cannot fail to intensify the depression already so loudly complained of, and add further burdens to the conditions of life during the advancing winter. It will also be seen by our cablegrams that the deficiency in the harvests is not likely to be confined to New Zealand, the drought having also proved very injurious jii many farming districts in Australia The new Ministry just formed by Sir John Robertson hi New South Wales includes an old Nelsonian in the person of Mr Jacob Garrard, wdio takes the portfolio of Minister for Public Works. Mr Garrard is a brother of Mr Joseph Garrard, of the Port, and some years ago served his apprenticeship with the late Mr Wakeford, of Nelson, as an engineer. The town of Nelson boasts of having had only 23 wet days in the past 3C5. No wonder they can afford to sell three-penny beers.

An Australian judge recently refused to grant extra fee to'soma jurymen, who had been kept over throe days', because their cards, presented to him with the application, bore the title "Esq." He said esquires could not. want extra pay, business men might fairly ask it. They then said they were business men, and His Honor said they were not esquires. He had. his joke, at them and paid them.