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Westport Times, Volume 1, Issue 148, 21 January 1868, Page 2

Election Notes.—Mr Goodwin addressed a crowded assemVaje last night at Trimble's Nelson Hotel, and explained his views on various questions which, however, were not very clearly deferred. At the conclusion, Mr Adam Porter moved and Mr Haskins seconded, that Mr Thomas Goodwin was a fit and proper person to represent the district in the Provincial Council, which was declared carried, and the meeting, which was rather a noisy one, broke up. Mr Graham will address the electors this evening at the Empire Hotel. It was rumored in town that Mr Nath. Edwards and Mr Smith, of Fleming, Parry and Co., will seek the suffrages of the electors in a day or two. Gold from the Caledonian Lead. —Yesterday, the prospectors of the Caledonian Lead sold to the Union Bank a heavy parcel of gold, between 170 and ISO ounces. The Appearance of the Eiver.— The river now is almost denuded of shipping and the banks are still crumbling away. It is time that some steps should be taken to prevent it extending any further, or else Westport will present an appearance in a short time similar to Hokitika.

The Police Court.—At the Police Court, yesterday, judgment in the case of O'Brien v. Woods was reserved till to-day.

ME GOODWIN'S MEETING. Pursuant to advertisement, Mr Thouias Goodwin attended at Trimble's Nelson Hotel, to explain to the electors . his views relative to the political and social questions of the day. Mr H. Wright was voted to the chair, and in a few words introduced Mr Goodwin to the meeting, which was numerously attended. Mr Goodwin, who was deeply suffering from nervousness and was consequently rather discursive, said he would not detain them long, but would shortly explain his views on the various matters likely to interest them, and after that he would as far as he was able answer any questions likely to be put to him. The paramount interest he considered was the mining interest, and anything a member could do to forward that interest he should do it. He had spent a great deal of his time in mining, and was therefore well acquainted with the wants and requirements of the miner, and it was in order to give greater weight to this interest that they had obtained increased representation. The cutting of tracks to new diggings was much to be desired, and the Government should do all they could in this way, as it would give men an opportunity to prospect the country, and this would not be an expensive method of opening up the country. If the miner could get food at a cheap rate, he would be enabled to penetrate and work diggings that otherwise would not be workable. He was in favor of the establishment of mining boards, as he considered that they were more required in New Zealand than in Victoria, where their value was generally recognised. If they came into use here they would be the means of simplifying many questions relating to mining. Another subject he meant to speak about was the incompetency of the wardens to decide various questions that might be brought before them. He had known instances where they had 'given decisions on property valued at several thousands of pounds quite the contrary to right. Good men should be appointed even if they paid a higher salary. Relative to town matters, he thought that members should endeavor to get as much money spent in the town as possible. With regard to the

coal reserve, he thought that the ground should be leased or that persons be appointed to value the property so that people could erect substantial buildings without fear of being turned off. He was in favor of the country being opened up for agricultural purposes, as it would improve the country ond develope the resources. Various questions were asked and answered by the candidate, but the meeting begau to assume an aspect of fun, and after a proposition had been made by Mr Porter that Mr Goodwin was a fit and proper person to represent the district, which was seconded by Mr Haskins and carried, the meeting separated.