The Nelson Evening Mail. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1871.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VI, Issue 34, 9 February 1871, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1871.

None of the newly-arrived Swedish and Norwegian immigrants were allowed to land at Wellington until the election was over. Wesleyan. — The following changes have recently been made in the appointments of Wesleyan Ministers for the Nelson Circuit, by the late Conference at Hobarfc Town : — The Rev. J. Cannell for Richmond, and the Rev. J. A. Taylor for the Grey district. Mb. Shephakd at Spring Gkove. — Mr. Shephard addressed a meeting of about 40 of the electors at Spring Grove last night. He received a most attentive hearing, and at the conclusion of the proceedings an unanimous vote was passed j in his favor. He holds another meeting at Lower Wakefield this evening. Mr. Richmond thus concluded his speech at the Wellington nomination : — " I do not think this fine country is going to be delivered over as a plaything for gamblers and spendthrifts. I believe that the new Assembly will apply itself soberly in a calculating spirit to colonising the country. It will not be possible to force on New Zealand rapidly. It may be that for us "A slow developed strength awaits Completion in a painful school." All the more let us begin to build, slowly, solidly, uprightly, and with the blessing of God this youngest nation of the earth will sooner or later assume an importance for which its singular position and fine resources qualify it. Wellington Election . — The inclemency of the weather caused the polling day to pass off much more quietly than it would otherwise have done, but still there was a considerable amount of excitement visible in the town. In front of the Court House a crowd remained stationary, and a marquee which had been erected by order of Messrs. Hunter and Pearce on the vacant land adjoiniug was filled with a party who kept up a running fire of chaff at all new comers. Conspicuous in the midst of the assemblage was Mr. John Martin, on horseback, gesticulating wildly, and attempting to impress upon those present that he had been the greatest benefactor to his race who had appeared since the days of Howard, the philantrhopist. The rain fell on him unheeded j well wet within, he scorned the wet without, and acted the merry-andrew to the edification of the crowd, which had the effect of keepiug them out of mischief. Three or four individuals, as well primed as their employer, were bustling about, displaying boards bearing the motto " Vote for Martin, the only man with a stake in the country," and knocking the boards on the heads or bodies j^pnose who did not approve of the j/jfflx* by love. Martin, all the while^Seated on his mare, acted the part ojirb, clown, and pointed out the merits of the advertising board along with his own. Cabs were flying about in all parts of the town bearing voters to the poll, and we heard late in the afternoon that one of Pearce's cabs had capsized, and a free and'mdependent elector had his leg broken.— Port.