CHRISTCHURCH ELECTION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume III, Issue 140, 10 September 1853, Page 7

CHRISTCHURCH ELECTION.

On Saturday the election of members to serve in the Provincial Council for Christ .Church took place, and resulted in the return of Messrs. Cass, S. Bealey and Packer. At the close of the poll, the numbers were, for :-iCass 77 ;.v „: S. Bealey „.'74. Packer.. ...71 Fooks . .....51 Dobson.... ..21 The three former gentlemen were declared duly elected, and returned thanks for the honor conferred. The defeated candidates also addressed the electors, and the proceedings terminated with a vote of thanks to the Returning Officer. Mr. Dobson retired at an early hour from the contest, in order, we understand,Tto secure the return of the two gentlemen with whom he acted. Christchurch never presented a gayer "aspect'than." on this day, its streets and public places being enlivened with the strains of the band, (which went from Lyttelton for the occasion,) accompanied with banners, and a numerous troop of well-appointed horsemen.

After the election the band paraded the town, and played before the houses of the candidates.

Mr. Valpy arrived at Christchurch on Saturday morning last, overland from Otago, bringing with him a dozen horses, which he

speedily sold at satisfactory and remunerative prices. Mr. Valpy was twelve daj-s on the road, four of which were passed in resting the horses that were knocked up. The journey was a very pleasant one, and accomplished without a single accident. All the rivers were low, and the only difficulty was in crossing two streams near Timaru. The Maories assisted them "over one in a canoe, and the other, Opahi, the horses swam, and the ; .dry goods were crossed on a raft made" of drift wood. Mr. Yalpy has returned to Otago, and should the rivers continue low, he purposes returning in a few Sveeks with several head of cattle. The complete success of Mr. Valpy's journey proves how easily an overland communication may be kept up with Otago, which we hope to see established at no distant day. We understand it to be in contemplation to form a private theatrical club in Lyttelton, and that the first performance of its members may be expected to take place towards the close of the month. The idea has been warmly seconded by several influential persons, who have severally pro-

mised their aid, in the shape of the necessary

stage apparatus, dresses, &c. We shall be '-venabled next week to give further particulars of what at present is merely in embryo. In the meantime, we extend our hearty good wishes towards those who are thus zealously catering for the public benefit and amusement.

;.. The Lyttelton Choral Society have it in contemplation.. ,tp g|ve. a .concert to the mem-r bers of the Colonists' Society, and their families, , The time has not been definitely fixed, but it is likely, we hear, to take place early next month. There are but few residents in Lyttelton who are not members of the Society, and the vocal and musical treat promised by the Chpralists will, we are convinced, have the,effect o£ inducing those few to join who have hitherto neglected doing so.

At a sitting of magistrates, at Christchurch, on Monday last, present, Messrs. Fitz Gerald, Wakefield,Westenra, Tancred, and Bray ; Mr. Caverhill, of Motunau, was fined £10, for driving scabby sheep on the road between Papanui and Christchurch.— The information was laid by Mr. Higgins, and the defendant did not, we believe, appear to answer the charge.

To the Editor of the Lyttelton Times,

Sik, —You will much oblige me by inserting a remark or two upon some observations, reported in this day's paper to have been made by Mr. W. G. Brittan at the declaration of the poll here on Tuesday, the 30th ult.

Mr. Brittan says that he " might easily have secured his election, by merely having recourse to the same expedients which his honorable opponents did not scruple very freely to use." He goes on to say that he " rejected with scorn and contempt the offer" to gain by such means the majority of those who voted against him : and he dwells on his own consciousness that in the attempt to attain the honour of representing the district, he has " done nothing which could render him unworthy of such a distinction," and has " had recourse to no mean and degrading expedients, in short, has done nothing which could bring a blush of shame to the cheek of a gentleman and a man of honour."

Having already addressed the electors before Mr. Brittan so spoke,and remarking, too, that these expressions of self-gratulation contained no distinct charge against me of dishonorable conduct, I refrained from asking for any explanation of them on the spot. But, when I found that many of my fellow-colonists were under the impression that such a charge was intended to be implied against me, or Mr. Wortley, or tboth of us, I wrote to Mr. Brittan requesting a distinct explanation of the expressions quoted, in order that I might remove any misapprehensions under which Mr. Brittan might be labouring, or refute any unfounded charge if made by him in a tangible form.

I have this day received a reply, to the effect that, on the subject referred to, Mr. Brittan has no explanation to give, nor does he desire to receive any.

It only remains for me, then, to assert in the most positive manner, that Mr. Brittan's vague insinuations are entirely inapplicable to an)f thing which has occurred between any elector of the district and myself; and I confidently rely on the opinion of the electors, that I neither have done, nor am capable of doing, any thing in order to gain their votes, which can in the remotest way dishonour or degrade either themselves or me. Your obedient Servant, E. Jee.ningha.im: Wakefield. Christchureh Sept., 3, 1853.