ELECTION GOSSIP.

Westport Times, Volume VII, Issue 1091, 22 July 1873, Page 2

ELECTION GOSSIP.

The Marlborough Express of the 12th instant says :—Nelson would seem to be once more in danger of trouble with its family. We need not remind our Marlborough readers what came of the unpleasantness which the quiet old lady had with her eldest child some thirteen years ago; now trouble is brewing fast with the younger branches who do not appear disposed to be quieted with the promise of "something good," although that might be a railway to connect them still closer, and at the same time supply a feeder to Nelson city. Hence we see the growing struggle for the Superintendency. During the proper season, the inhabitants of the West Coast spared no exertion to increase the electoral roll, and every holder of a shanty on the goldfields qualified, with the view of using their privileges at the approaching election. This gave rise to the Caucus we heard about lately. Something must be done and quickly, or the West Coast might follow the precedent set by Marlborough. The names of the movers which are known to us, show the object, and the names of tho persons whom it was proposed to start, confirm the view. The idea of Mr Seymour being brought forward was that of a long headed politician, as a step to a counterpoise, for if they could get our Superintendent it would at least be easier to get his Province, and careful feelers were thrown out to see whether there was any probability of the recusant child being restored to the parental bosom. Alas! the prodigal son will not return; he has tasted the sweets of liberty and local Government too long ever to

return, and thanks to Mr Seymour, whose determination to stand by Marlborough, where I all his interests ' were centered, quashed the scheme, and all hope of success in that direction had to be abandoned. Mr Moor* house, one of the best administrators which New Zealand has yet had, was next suggested, as being a likely man to take with "the Coast people;" but unfortunately he had no status in Nelson Province. Good men are scarce, and Mr Shephard, the much abused, now " looms in the distance " as the opponent of Mr Curtis, while on the Coast Mr O'Conor has announced himself as a candidate, and we are told that he is likely to carry all before him. Grant his election with a strong West Coast Executive and their Western proclivities, and the removal of the seat of Government to the Coast will follow, and Nelson would wake up with surprise at her own shortsightedness in the past. We shall look forward to the issue of this business with some curiosity. The contingency was indeed predicted by Mr Seymour in a speech made a year or two ago, when he pointed out the growing power and discontented state of the Coast Goldfields, and jocosely added that he should not be surprised if in the course of time Nelson sought to be annexed to Marlborough, whereat some of our contemporaries made merry, There are however more unlikely things than that the parent in her declining years should seek strength and repose with her eldest born.