Nelson Evening Mail. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 1881.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XVI, Issue 135, 8 June 1881, Page 2

Nelson Evening Mail. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 1881.

Off the twelve hundred electors whose names appear on the roll, 845 recorded their votes yesterday, and by a majority of 31 elected Mr Levestam M.H.R. for the City of Nelson, Xhe result of the polling has in no

vtay altered our opinion of the comparative merits of the two candidates, but the verdict having been pronounced in Mr Levestam's favor we accept i:. without hesitation. We opposed his election because we considered that Mr Richmond would rnßke the better aud more useful representative, but the electors having decided otherwise we consider it to be now our duty to assist the man of their choice as far as we can in promoting the welfare of hia constituents, and he may rest, assured that he will meet with no factious opposition at our hands. And we can promiso this the more readily from the fact that, owing no doubt to the example set by the candidates themselves, the election just concluded has been entirc-ly free from those asperities which too frequently characterise such contests. Temperate in hia language, and quiet anW courteous in his demeanor to all aliko, Mr Lovestam, while doing full justice to himself and his supporters, has commanded the respect of his opponents. It is earnestly to be hoped that the example set on this occasion may be closely followed at the genrial election which will take place shortly after the prorogation of Parliament. It has been phown thet a keen contest can be carried out to its close withcut giving rise to any display of bitterness, and there is no reason why what has been done now should not be repeated on future occasions of a similar nature.

Although the election proceedings throughout the clay yesterday were very quiet, tiie anxiety and excitement became intense when the work was done and there was nothing to occupy the minds of those who had been taking an active part in the contest. In about twenty niiDUtcs after the close of the p.ill the returns were received frem the Port giving MrLuvestam a majority of 25 out of the 85 votes recorded there. A quarter of an hour later the result of the polling at the Odd-Fellows' Hall was made known, showing that there Mr Richmond had a majority of 2G out of the 254 votes polled. This placed him oue ahead, and it appeared to be the general impression that this majority -would ba found to be largely increased when the Provincial Hall returns were made public The surprise, therefore, was the greater when it was announced that Mr Levestam was 32 ahead of his opponent at that polling place, thus placing him at, the head of the poll by a majority of 31. There was great joy and excitement among hia supporters on the result becoming known, and the strr es resounded with their cheers for a long time afterwards.

At the Magistrates' Court this morning, before Messrs Hunter Brown and H. 25. Curtis, J J.P., the following was the only case heard: - Scott v. Crawford.— Judgment summons for £4 12a lid. Mr Pitt appeared for the plaintiff. Defendant said that he was bandmaster at Motueka, where hia duties as such occupied him the whole of the day as well as the greater part of his evenings, and for this he only received 30s a week Ordered to pay the amount in monthly instalments of £1, or in default of anyone payment to be imprisoned for a month.

We are unable to give our customary budget of Kmopean newa to day on account of a break in the overland line between Adelaide and Port Darwin.

TnK result nf the poll will be officially declared by Mr Baddeley, the Returning Officer, at tbe Provincial Hall at 1 1 o'clock to-morrow morning.

The Marmoti ic Society's concert will take place in the Provincial Hall to- morrow evening.

Mr Mabin reports tbe sales of Standard insurance Bhares at 12s 6d and National insurauce sharc3 at 275.

With yesterday's paper Messrs McDowell Brothers have issued their final aunouncernent of the Sale of the Sundries and Remnants connected with Wymond's Bankrupt Stock aud i»a<le the announcement of the last few days of the Sale. — Advt.

We copied a paragraph from the Post a few days ago relative to tbe Wellington College iv winch it wtis stated that the Governors of that impecunious institution were driven to such straits as to be compelled to sponge upon their newly appointed bead master for £500 to DUt the building into decent repair. The N.Z Times not liking the report as it thus appeared has endeavored to put the matter in a somewhat different light, and gives its version of the story aa follows:—" Remarks are being freely bandied repecting the action of the College Governors in accepting a loan of £500 from the iucoraing principal, Mr Mackay. More than this, the matter hss been monstrously exaggerated, rumor having gone so far as to aver that, Mr Mackay had presented tho money to the Governors, and so do. Now, the circumstances of the case are very simple and easily explained. In the first place, the idea of accepting a loan from Mr Mackay was not entertained till long after the voice of the Governors had appointed him to tbe position of principal. At quite a recent meeting of the Governors, at which Mr Mackay was present, the necessity for renovating the College building came under discussion — was, in fact, introduced by Mr Mackay, he urging upon the Governors to do something to the dilapidated interior and to paint the outside. To this the Board demurred upon the plea of no funds, and a disinclination to again appeal in Jbtma piuperis for assisting in any direction. Mr Mackay replied that want of funds need not be allowed to stand in the woy. Having put his hand to the College plough, he was resolved to spare nothing to make the institution a success, and he would therefore be prepared to advance the sum requisite for renovation, and take whatever security the Board of Governors could give him. After some little hesitation, the Board decided to accept Mr Mackay's oilier to draw upon him to the extent of £500, if necessary. We may, however, state that it is highly probable the Board will be enabled to furnish the necessary sum without drawing upon Mr Mackay at all, and so the matter rests."