PUBLIC MEETING AT WESTPORT.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IV, Issue 256, 30 October 1869, Page 3

PUBLIC MEETING AT WESTPORT.

"_-_0 A public meeting was held afc Westport on Monday last to decide if concerted action was desirable, and to ascertain which of the candidates should receive the undivided support of the electors in that district. Mr. Pitt, having been voted to the chair, said that, as had been observed, he was reluctant to take the chair. First of all, he was not disposed to favor eittier of the candidates who had addressed them. He might not agree in all things with Mr. Curtis, but he said openly that he did not approve of either of his opponents. He said this in order to set himself right with the meeting, and because he wished not to sail under false colors. A programme had been prepared aud certain resolutions would b« proposed. The meeting, no doubt, would be divided, but' it was hardly necessary to ask that the various speakers should receive au impartial and patient hearing. Mr. Pitt then called upon Mr. Munro to propose the first resolution! Mr. Mtjnro, after enlarging upon the injustice whicli, he said, had been inflicted upon the West Coast, went ou to say that he did not doubt the uuanimity of the meeting ou the first point, which was, that Mr. Curtis was the common foe, and it was the duty' of the ' electors, in deciding upon which of the opponents they should elect, to sacrifice all preference and feeling in the matter, and vote in a body for the one opponent who, iv the opinion of the majority of the electors, had most chance of success in Nelson and the country districts. He moved " Thafc it is the opinion of this meeting, that concerted action be adopted by the electors In the Nelson South- West Goldfields afc the approaching election for Superintendent, in order that the present Superintendent, Mr. Oswald Curtis, be not re-elected to that office." After some discussion, the folowing resolution was proposed by Mr. Alcobn, " That in order to effect the object contemplated by the foregoing resolution, the electors on the South-west Goldfields be recommended to support the candidature of Mr. Gibbs." Mr. Munro moved an ameudment, " That the name of Mr. Akersten be substituted in place of that of Mr. Gibbs." He might be allowed to state that he rose in no spirit of opposition. Ifc had been industriously circulated thafc there were two parties on the Coast, in the matter of the present election. He could see no reason for any division of opinion or feeling on the subject. For his part, he was willing to abide by the voice of the meeting as to which way he should act. He was, however, disposed to question the weight of the proof attempted to be shown by Mr. Alcorn in favor of Mr. Gibbs. Mr. Luckie, ifc was known, had perseveringly circulated his private reports in Westport, thafc Mr. Qibbs's chance of the election was much greater than that of Mr. Akersten, but the paper of which that gentleman was editor had in no way declared itself in favor of either. It was a remarkable thing to him to see private telegrams from that quarter when the Colonist was perfectly silent in the matter. He (Mr. Munro) contended that neither of the candidates were very desirable, but one or the other should have all the West Coast votes. Mr. O'Conor spoke ngainst both resolution and amendment, and concluded by moving the following resolution which was unanimously carried. " That au election committee be appointed to gieau information, and act with the Charleston committee for the guidance of the electors, such committee to consist of Messrs. Alcorn, Whyte, Munro, Simpson, Powell, R. C. Reid, Shean, Field, and the mover ; and that such committee meet ait once." We understand that the Kennedy which arrived yesterday brought up a deputation from the West Coast, to enquire for themselves, which of the two candidates, Mr. Akersten or Mr. Gibbs, has the best chance of being elected.