The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1868.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 442, 31 December 1868, Page 2

The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1868.

Three steamers arrived in port last -evening, from Nelson, and they were welcome visitors, as for a number of days there had been no arrivals, and, in a newspaper point of view, the subject of sporting and racing had become so monotonous as *to create a very strong craving for some other description of news. The appetite in this direction has, however, been only very partially satisfied, as some of the Nelson papers received contain little more than a few items of provincial interest, and there is apparently no late news — which may be taken as so much good news —from the North Island. We uotice that the election of a member of the House of Representatives for the city, in the room of Mr Stafford, has resulted in the return of Mr Nathaniel Edwards, the poll having closed thus : Mr Edwards 302 MrShephard 214Majority for Mr Edwards 88. •The total number of votes was 516, being 43 more than was polled on the occasion of the last general •election, and the Colonist describes "the election as being one of the keenest which Nelson has witnessed for a long time. Taking the other items of news at random, we find among those from the North Island, that two •hundred Urewera Natives had joined To Kooti, at Poverty Bay, but ■ a "hundred more friendly Natives had started out. In Wellington there is described to be commercial and general depression, and that, judging by late sales, some of the best town property had greatly depreciated in value. It is fully expected, however, that the Panama route and its present New Zealand terminus, will be continued for another year. The Kaikoura's passengers remained in quarantine. From Wauganui there is just mention made that Tito's position is now on '■the edge of the Nukumaru bush, and is believed to be favourable for an attack upon him. The incidents in Nelson itself are the quotation of our Progress Committees remarks on separation—without comment, so far; a lecture by Dr. Heetor on the geology of the Province ; and much speechifying by Judge and Bishop at school examinations. Several domestic incidents of an afflicting character had occurred. An old settler, Mr Charles Bray, senior, had died suddenly. Mr Prank Bolton, while riding a half-broken Arab, the property of his grandfather, Mr Redwood, got thrown and badly hurt. The house of Mr J. Mackay, AVaimea West, had been completely destroyed bv fire ; a young child, daughter of Mr N. T. Lockhart, died from sunstroke ; and a young son of Mr W. J. Cobb, of Takaka, was drowned. Whilcwehave been in the midst of public sports here, the quiet inhabitants of Nelson seem to have satisfied themselves with a few private picnics, trips to the country, and an excursion yet to come " on behalf of the Wesleyan Bazaar." Privately we learn tha:, upon information forwarded from Westport, a i

man named M'lntyre has been apprehended as concerned in the late robbery of amalgam at Addison's Flat. He had been one of the party from whom the gold was stolen.

From the Southern Provinces there seems to be nothing new except a sad boat accident at Invercargill. On a recent date, a boat capsized and four men, named Bryson, Naylon, Hart, and M'Cullochweredrowned. Thebodiesof Naylon and Bryson have been found, but the other bodies had not been recovered.

Of political news, either local or general in its interest, there is not a particle. There is apparently a holiday for politicians as well as <others ; and Mr Courlay might fairly ask " And what for no ?"