HAVELOOK.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XXXI, Issue 21, 13 April 1872, Page 9

HAVELOOK.

[from a correspondent.] April 11, 1872. Political agitation has again resumed the ascendancy, and is now the chief discussion in all quarters. The resignation by Mr. Rutland of bJB seat in the Provincial Council caused great surprise throughout the district;, and leaves but short notice to fill hia seat in the Council. Several candidates have already been mentioned aa likely to contest the election. On Wednesday evening, the 4th instant, a public meeting was held at the Drill-room for the purpose of ascertaining who was the most favoured candidate. Mi-. W. Forrest and Mr. J. E. Levien, after being duly proposed and seconded, addressed the meeting, when a show of hands was taken with the following result: — Forrest 8; Levion 6. BiUmour since states Mr. Levien has no intention of coming forward. Another meeting was convened on Thursday, the sth instant, to consider the matter contained in a letter from his Honour the Superintendent to the Town Board relative to the expiring Act and any alteration desired in the mode of rating. After a great deal of desultory discussion it was unanimously resolved that if possible the district should continue as heretofore ; or, if bound to come under the Roads Empowering Act, that a clause should be inserted making the rating powers similar to the old Act. The last rain 3 have flooded the Wakamarina, thus causing a stoppage to all river mining. Of the Dredging Company efforts I have heard nothing, and although I have frequently made enquiry of the miners, none of them seem to know much about the company's workings. The schooners Elizabeth Curie, Waihopai, Canterbury, Alert, Waitohai, and Collingwood are all loading here with timber, and will shortly leave for their several destinations.

In an article on Mr. Omiond's Chinese immigration circular, the New Zealand Herald says : — " Whatever may be the economical results of the Immigration and Public Works scheme, wo protest, in the strongest manner, againßt the importation of Chinamen to compete witk European and Maori labour. We ask the Govern* ment whether they have made any attempt to ascertain the number of able-bodied Maoris who could be induced to work on the railways on 1 equal terms with Europeans."