ELECTION GOSSIP.

Westport Times, Volume VII, Issue 1128, 28 November 1873, Page 2

ELECTION GOSSIP.

They are still freely offering to bet, but are said to be privately hedging. The Curtis party, working quietly, feel more confident than ever. The cry of the " broken ring " in Nelson attracts no attention, but the " O'Conor ring," forged on the Coast, is looked on as a flagrant attempt at swindle.

In the Grey Valley the feeling had prevailed that it mattered little there whether Curtis or O'Conor should be elected. The one was blamed for sacrificing the district in favor of Nelson, and it was said that Mr O'Conor, if .elected, no doubt, would sacrifice Greymouth and the Grey Valley to the interests of Westport and the Buller district. Mr Curtis's visit has created a much more favorable impression in his behalf.

Mr Alex. Reid writes to the Argus refuting Mr O'Conor's assertion that he had taken a billet under Mr Curtis's administration, out of which he (Mr O'Couor) said he soon dislodged him. Mr Reid says : —I did no such thing. Neither did Mr O'Couor do any such thing as he has described, or anything remotely like it. I was one of a number who prepared and passed, with the ultimate approval of the Superintendent, an Ordinance with the object of reforming the Executive, and of including within it some representation of the goldfields. At the solicitation of members prominent in passing that Ordinance, and, of courae, with the consent of the Superintendent I accepted a seat on the Executive so formed. It was left to me to suggest how that seat should be held, and I proposed that the appointment should be non-official, with no more money allowance than would be equal to

actual expenses in attending Executive meetings, and that the member so appointed should be recognised as Goldfields Representative, With what amount of sincerity I cannot say, but with a show of liberality which should have gratified the avarice of anyone, it was proposed aiid agreed to that the salary should be £SOO ; and while yet holding the seat, and in a perfect position to retain it, I opposed the proposition, and by my own action deprived myself of what might indeed have been a " rosy billet." Some time afterwards it came about, but only of my own free will, that I resigned the non-official position, and that another was appointed—-to all of which facts Mr Curtis would, no doubt, if the matter were worth a moment's notice, testify. And that is the " billot " which I " took," not under Mr Curtis's administration, and from which Mr O'Conor " dislodged me " not. At Motueka Mr O'Conor's meeting there was fully attended. His speech

from first to last was one of abuse of Mr Curtis, and great bounce and selfpraise. A vote of thanks was proposed and seconded, but ah amendment of "no confidence " was carried amidst great confusion-. Mr C. J. Percival declares himself " Secretary to O'Conor's Nelson Committee." He spells his Chief's surname O'Conner.

Another enemy of poor persecuted Eugene! The Illustrated New Zealand Herald, in its summary for home readers, savs:—"For the Nelson Superinteudeney there are two candidates —Mr Curtis, the present occupant of the offica, and Mr E. J. O'Conor, M.H/R. for the Buller, or "Buller Lion," he is familiarly termed —a not over bright specimen of the Groldfields representative. "He may, as he boasts, be able to secure the West Coast vote ; but even that will not ensure his return. Mr Curtis's election is pretty safe, and much as we deprecate his policy of hesitation, we should be sorry to see him replaced by one of the Mr O'Conor stamp, who has not yet shown that he possesses any administrative ability." The D unedin editor may tremble. Eugene will certainly start an opposition illustrated paper, with a presentment of his own " phiz" illuminating the title page. Speaking of the Superintendency election for Nelson, the West Coast Times says. —" We think there can be little doubt that Mr Curtis will be returned, since although, to a man, the miners of the West Coast blame his neglect of the West Const, there are not a few who think that neglect may, after all, not be the worst of evils. One more calling himself a " West Coast Elector," says that Mr O'Conor asked the Mayor of Westport, a wellknown and warm supporter ami member of committee, " as a special favor" to take the chair at Mr Curtis's meet-

ing. Such are the weak inventions of the enemy. [The Mayor of Westport denies the insinuation.]

At the nomination at Waimea South Mr J. Shephard said—" It had come to his ears that some scoundrel—for scoundrel he must be who could make such a lying statement had been endeavouring to imperil his election by industriously circulating the report that he, Mr Shephard, was pledged to support Mr O'Conor. This was simply untrue, for he had no part with him, had declined to confer with him, and certainly would not support him." This statement was received with cheers, which increased when on reply to a question from an elector, whether he would vote for Mr Curtis, Mr. Shephard replied "I shall." These letters are culled from the .Nelson Evening Mail :- Sir—lt has come to my ears that some lying person with the intention of injuring my election is at the present time circulating a report that I am opposed to Mr Curtis' re-election. I may simply state that I never once entertained a thought of voting against Mr Curtis. On the present occasion I have been doing my best to promote Mr Curtis' re-election, and I shall continue to do so, and intend to vote for him.—l am, &c,

Joseph Simmoxds. Spring Grove, November 18. Sir, —Please substitute "O'Conor" for " Curtis" and "Nelson" for " Westport" in the following extract from Mr 0' Conor's speech at Westport, and it will be found that that gentleman has given the people on this side of the province some really excellent advice:— " Although Mr Cwlis might now avow himself a staunch friend of the Westport people in pushing on the railway, they would still have to watch him as one who would, if he could, postpone action.—l am &c,. Bewahe. '