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Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 152, 25 January 1868, Page 2

In consequence of the pressure on our space, caused by the elections, we are compelled to hold over several matters of interest. Presbyterian. The Eev. John Crump, of Nelson, will hold Divine Service, at Mr Frazer's School-room (D.V.) on Sunday morning at 11 a.m., and in the evening at 7 p.m. The Eev. Thomas Dickson will preach at the Caledonian Lead at 11 a.m. the same day. Mb. J. V. Smith's Meeting at tiie Caledonian.—Last evening Mr J. V. Smith addressed a large meeting of miners at the Caledonian Lead, Mr Dewdney occupying the chair. The candidate stated his views at some length ; and after various questions had been answered satisfactorily, a vote, approving of him as a fit and proper person, was passed. Me Goodwin's Meeting at Addison's Flat.—On Thursday evening, a large and influential meeting of the inhabitants of Addison's Flat, assembled at the Australasian Hotel, to hear Mr Thomas Groodwin expound his sentiments. Dr Denovan took the chair, and in a few appropriate remarks, introduced the candidate to the meeting, who explained at some length his views on the various matters. The miners appeared to bo favorable to the candidate, and a voto of confidence in him as a fit and proper person to represent tho district was carried unanimously.

The Nomination.—Wo need hardly remind our readers that the nomination of candidates for the Buller district takes place to-day at the Courthouse at 12 o'clock. Mit. Crate's Meeting.—Last evening Mr Crate addressed the inhabitants at Trimble's Nelson Hotel. Mr P. A. Jones in the chair. Mr Crate's address was merely a criticism on Mr Smith's of tho previous evening. In opposition to that gentlemen, he begged to state that he was in favor of municipalities. The wharfage rates in his opinion were excessive, and ho would do all he could get them reduced. Mr Smith said that he was in favor of a tramway to the Lyle (?). Now, he was in favor of' a tramway to the Inangub.ua. He was in favor of agricultural leases by which any man could take up land outside of the town boundary at a rental of 2s 6d per acre on a five years lease, and at the end of that time could purchase it at £2 per acre, while up the country land could be obtained at a merely nominal rent. Much had been said about a charge of 5s per horse levied on the Caledonian track. Now, he would tell the packers that neither Mr Kynnersley nor the Provincial Council had any power to grant any protection in a case like this. The whole power of doing so rested with the General Government, and anybody who made such a charge had no right to do so. The only power that had a right to levy such taxes were corporate bodies. Mr. Crate then went into the questions of wharfage and T jetties, which he explained entirely to his own satisfaction. It was a mistake on the part of Mr. Smith to say that eight per cent, would be guaranteed to whoever undertook the formation of a line between Nelson and Westport. The only guarantee was the grant of 10,000 acres per mile, and Mr. Stevens was willing to undertake the construction of it on those conditions. Mr. Crate then " went into " what he called " the bone of contention"—the Coal Quay Reserve, and explained his views which were identical with those adduced by him at his previous meeting. He was in favor of separation on the principle of the Westland County Bill. With regard to the tracks to the Caledonian it was a bad one, and he would undertake to get the money for it next week, but he was in favor of roads rather than tracks. He then alluded to a tramway to Charleston, the ferries, and several other matters. A vote of thanks was then passed to the chairman, and the meeting separated. Mr T. S. Rogers's Meeting.—A meeting was announced to be held last night at the G. V. Brooke Hotel, at which the friends of the new candidate were invited to attend. The meeting, however, diclnot come off, apparently for two very excellent reasons—one being, either that Mr Rogers has no friends, or else that they did not show on the occasion. The other that Mr Rogers having collapsed, the anticipated meeting followed his example. So there's another candidate disposed of'! Change op Port for the Mail Steamers.—lntimation has been given by the Royal Mail Company that in future their Atlantic vessels will transfer passengers at "Water Island, instead of at St. Thomas, tbus avoiding the risk of fever which has prevailed at the latter island.

Gems op Demi-Crate-ic Eloquence.—Crate rather looks down from the heights of his superior cultivation on the " simple unadorned eloquence" of a Graham. A man has a right to do so when he can talkasthat "dear Crate" does. "Witness these gems, culled at random from last night's choice oration. " This, then, is the grist of the matter;' " The Council is a body-politic* ' " Smith, last night went into wharves ;" (How lucky he didn't went into the river) "Such a course would give an unheard-of impetuozis to trade;" One speaker, the previous evening had not made himself quite intelligible, but the astute Crate " caught the man's hidea at at once." "Land can only be granted to a corporative body." "We want here a County-Bill District; " "We should then have the use of bridges gratuitous ;" "He couldn't do it as I done it;" and the culminating point of sublime absurdity ! its action neutral f! !"