The Lyttelton Times.

Lyttelton Times, Volume V, Issue 247, 14 March 1855, Page 4

The Lyttelton Times.

Wednesday, March 14,1855. Lttxeltoit is this day the scene of a contested election. We do not, however, anticipate any serious struggle between the candidates. The electors of Lyttelton at the nomination yesterday expressed pretty plainly their preference for candidates who understood what they were talking about . to one who founded his claims upon his ignorance. As we cannot speak seriously on the subject of Mr. Crawford's address to the electors from the hustings, we prefer leaving it alone altogether; an election at such a moment as this being a much more . serious matter than many of the public seem to consider it. We do not wish to canvass the individual merits of the other three candidates who have presented themselves for the representation of Lyttelton. All the electors have known them and their opinions forsome time back; voters will be able to declare to-day whether they know anything against any one of them so objectionable as to make- them prefer a candidate who is not and has not been for a long time a resident in Lyttelton, and whose political opinions can be gathered only through the . medium of the address which appears in our columns with his signature attached to it. Too much interesting matter presses already upon our columns to allow us to trespass atgreater length upon the small space at our disposal. We may, however, add one word more. Yesterday was not the first time that the Lyttelton Times has been attacked on the hustings for its freedom of speech and its determination to express an independent opinion. Nor will it be the last time. An . organ of public opinion that offends nobody is good for nothing. We have always avoided personality as far as possible. But we are quite sure that our readers would " not readily forgive us if we were to shrink from giving an opinion upon the qualification of those who put themselves forward publicly as fit and proper persons to conduct the public affairs of the Province.

'-' By the Zingari we have received intelli- . gence from the seat of war to the 9th Dec. "We will publish it in a Supplement to issue this evening or to-morrow morning.

Mb: Bbown has defeated Mr. Whittajeeb in the election for the Superin tendency of Auckland.