The Westport Times. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 1869.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 553, 11 September 1869, Page 2

The Westport Times. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 1869.

No definite information—we may as well say afc once no information—has yet reached these desert parts of the Province of Nelson with regard to the precise period appointed for the election of the gentleman who is destined to succeed, as Superintendent, Mr Oswald Curtis. The announcement of the exact date will probably come upon the inhabitants of the Southwest G-old fields "like a thief in the night." There prevails at present the same uncertainty with regard to the occurrence of that interesting event as still prevails with regard to that morp interesting, and somewhat alarming, incident —the tidal wave which is to perpetuate the name of Saxby either as an accomplished meteorologist or a confounded alarmist. Uoth events are expected to occur "on or about " the Fifth of October; and there all human knowledge ends. For the sake of humanity, it is to be hoped that in no other particular will the election resemble this promised tidal wave ; for of the latter we are told that " nothing more threatening cau occur without miracle." With " the moon on the earth's equator in perigee," and with Mr Oswald Curtis either personally or by proxy in the Superintendent's chair, the " free and independent " electors on the South west Groldfields may well tremble as to their future fate. It is satisfactory to know that, if there is uncertainty, there is not indifference as to the result of the election, and as to the character of that as yet indefinite identity—" the coming man." He has been warmly discussed. Figuratively he has been the centre of excited circles at street corners and shop doors. He was almost becoming the subject of admiration or animadversion on the part of a public meeting. The meeting was only incomplete by the absence of the public. Occasionally the idol of popular favor takes the shape of Barnicoat. In rapid succession, indicating the public ignorance and uncertainty on the subject, it becomes either Gribbs, or Irvine, or Edwards the name-sake of him who was found under the fig-tree. Excessively well-dis-posed people suggest Franklyn. A few insane people say Eeid R.C. and M.P.C. But, whatever shape the suggestion takes, the universal utterance with regard to Mr Oswald Curtis is—

" Approach thou like the rugged Russian bear, The arm'd rhinoceros, or the Hyrcan tiger. Take any shape but that." AVhile being made the subject of such uncomplimentary apostrophe, we hear of Mr Oswald Curtis being on his way to Westport as Superintendent in esse and as Superintendent in posse. We trust the report is true. Irrespective of tho Superintendence, tho electors of this district are desirous of knowiua; more of Mr Curtis, and of being better known by him. They admire his general ability, while they deplore his local ignorance, and —damn his impudence. Better acquaintance with this district and its people, it is also thought, might favorably affect Mr Curtis's impressions and opinions on such a subject as the " homes and property " of a mining population. In these respects a visit from Mr Curtis, it is considered, would be mutually advantageous. Made with any other or ulterior design, we may safely say that the Superintendent's visit to the West Coast will be in vain. Out of six hundred electors now on" the roll in this district, we believe that any opponent of Mr Curtis might command supporters to the number of hundreds, while Mr Curtis could only count them bv units, in character ciphers. Be it Barnicoat or Edwards, the "West Coast will give to any new candidate " the benefit of the doubt." A local man especially, with even moderate

merits, would receive a warm welcome. Will no one solicit the suffrages of such a large section of the electoral body ? Is the Curtis card again to be the only Cardigan of thia " noble six hundred?"