REEFTON.

Westport Times, Volume VII, Issue 1040, 24 January 1873, Page 3

REEFTON.

(FROM OVU OWN COEEESPONDENT ) The appalling dullness of social life, increased of late by the inclement weather which seems to have carried us back into mid-winter, has been somewhat relieved by the excitement of election time. ' The friends of the two candidates warming to their work have used all efforts to stir up the publio, and to some extent have succeeded, although if the real truth must he told, not a few electors are profoundly indifferent as to the merits or claims of either candidate, and estimate at its true value the ' honor' of being represented in the Nelson Council. Still as the election day approached ; speculation on the event became lively, and if half the bets of new, hats are paid "in kind, our drapers stocks of tiles will tieed speedy replenishment. The candidates themselves have been active, in season and out of season, in addressing the electors and wooing the sweet voices of the multitude, but their orations have neither borne the impress of eloquence nor gentlemanly courtesy, nor can any merit be claimed for either originality of conception or enlarged views on public topics. On Tuesday the election was keenly contested, and the result of the poll at Eeefton shows that amongst those who voted each candidate had an almost equal number of friends. The figures were Ivess, 143, Carreras 139. The supporters of Little Joe express every confidence in his beating the Don by the outside votes, but when the returns come in it will most likely prove that those who have taken the trouble to record their votes will have shared them nearly equally between "the candidates, as each man depends in a great measure upon votes that will be given as a personal favor rather man by reason of either candidate being Al at Lloyds as a politician. The Church Committee, Episcopalian, are organizing their forces and resources to establish regular ministrations in the outlying districts and our now minister does not seem the man to allow the grass to grow beneath his feet. In addition to services in the outlying gullies, an arrangement is now being made with the Ah aura people to provide a monthly service there. Plans are being prepared for & new Church, and there is little doubt the necessary funds will be forthcoming. Despite dullness of trade aud scarcity of cash, Reefton ever Elands well to the fore in the support of any good cause.