TIMARU.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1260, 7 July 1864, Page 4

TIMARU.

ELECTION. The nomination of a member for tho Provincial Council for Timaru, in the place of R. Wilkin, Jisq. took place at the Resident Magistrate s Court yesterday, at. 12 o'clock. B Woollcombe, Esq., the Returning Officer, having wad the writ, called upon the electors to propose c candidate. , , _ 4| Mr.Massey then came forward and said Gentlenje-> «nd Electors, 1 am very sorry to say that in answer to the requisition which you sent to Mr. B. Rhodes, the following letter has been received, in which that gentleman declines to stand;— -Lyttelton Jons 29, 1864. G. W. Hall, Esq. My Dear Sir,It was with feelings of gratification and pleasure 1 received your kind letter of the 22nd inst. enclosing a requisition from the electors of Timaru. On receiving it I made up my mind to put myself m nomination. On second thoughts, however, I feel that I cannot devote my time during the present year to the interests of a district which I should be proud to represent, had I not been deprived of my best friend and supporter. You will please tender my sincere thanks to all my friends and supporters, and say that I hope to see them on Wednesday next, when I shall be. better able to give my reasons for declining the honor they wish to confer upon me. Believe me, yours, &c., R. Rhodes." It' is most desirable that Timaru should not be represented by a stranger, for several matters of great importance to this district will be brought forward at the next sassion of the Council, and

Timaru ought therefore to be represented by some one having an interest in it. Mr. Sewell, immediately upon Mr. Wilkin's resignation, in a supercilious sort of manner sent down an address to the electors, asking them to elect him. [Mr. Masiey here read Mr. Sewell'ff 1 address.] Mr. Simms had consented to stand, and he (Mr. Massey) thought that that gentleman had for greater claims upon the electors Mr. Sewell. Mr. Simms was not going to England now, but intended to settle down in Timaru. It was true Mr. Simms did not make eloquent speeches in the Council, but he had an interest in Timaru, and therefore was better suited for being our representative than a non-resident. Ho (Mr: Massey) should therefore propose Mr. as a fit and proper person to represent Timaru in the Provincial Council. Mr. Melton briefly seconded the nomination of Mr. Simnut, and observed, that as Mr. Simms had lived a long time in Timaru. he was better able to represent the electors in Council than a stranger would be. Mr Simms addressed the electors and stated that it. was only within the last hour that he had determined to come forward. But thinking it necessary that Tima.ni should be represented by some one having a stake in the place, he had consented to be put in nomination. He could only assure the electors that if they did him the honour to elect him, he would do his best to forward their interests. Several electors made observations as to the pre-

sent state of the electoral roll. No other candidate being nominated, the Returning Officer declared Mr. Simms duly elected. Mr. Simms briefly thanked the electors for the honour done Mm. Chuhch Meeting.—On Saturday last, at a meeting of the churchwardens and vestrymen, the Rev. G. Forster read a letter from his. lordship the Bishop, desiring to know whether it was the wish of the churchmen of this parish that Arowhenua should be separated from Timaru, and incorporated in the parish of Geraldine, a petition to that effect having been addressed to his Lordship by the residents at Arowhenua and neighbourhood. It was determined that as Timaru was now so much increased in population, the services of our respected clergyman could not well be given to outlying districts, and that it was highly desirable that the parish should be concentrated as much as possible. Fatal Accident.—On Tuesday week last, a shocking accident occurred at Geraldine. Whilst Mr.

Caleb Mazlin was engaged bricking a well, the slabbing gave way, and the unfortunate man was immediately buried under a large mass of earth. The deceased had been warned by a fellow-workman that the earth was slipping, but he believed there was no danger, and went down. It was three hour* before the body was extricated, when life was found to be extinct. An inquest was held upon the body on the 24th instant, when a verdict of accidental death was returned.—Herald. July 2.