WESTLAND NOTES

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1679, 4 May 1904, Page 23

WESTLAND NOTES

(From Our Own Correspondent.) There has been quite a “boil over” in connection with the election of Mayor for Hokitika. Mr Michel, who has filled the position of head magistrate for the borough of Hokitika for a number of years, worthily notified that he would not offer himself for re-election this yeajr. Pressure, however, was brought to bear upon that gentleman, a numerously signed and influential petition of the ratepayers being presented to him, and after consideration lie decided to offer himself. It was understood that lie would have a “walk over,” as -in former years; but on the day of nomination two other candidates were nominated, Messrs Andrew Stevenson and 11. Mandl, the former being a partner in the well-known wholesale establishment of Messrs Chesuey and Co., and the latter the well-known brewer of Hokitika. Mr Stevenson has never taken an active pant in municipal affairs, but has been, and is now, chairman of the Harbour Board. Mr Mandl is a member of the Harbour Board and also a Borough Councillor. Mr Michel then withdrew in favour of Mr Stevenson, who, ho understood, ivas for the “forward movement” in borough matter's. Strong committees were formed for the return of the respective candidates, when the unexpected happened— Mr Stevenson withdrew from the contest- and Mr Mandl is now Mayor elect. The local press is not satisfied. Both, journals are rather surprised that Mr Mandl should assume such a. position. If, they state, Mr Mandl is as dilatory ill the position lie'now holds as lie has | shown himself to be- in harbour improvej ments and municipal matters, the- “foav I ward movement” in borough affairs will have a “set back” and Hokitika-,, which.

Has taken a decided step forward, will be retarded in its progress through Mr 4 ManjdFs pessimistio vie wo which he ; holds so tenaciously. It is contended ;; by Mir Mandl’s own friends that he. being now in the “seer and yellow leaf” old age should leave matters lnunicito to younger and more vigorous men. 'si The stranding of the s.s. Torganten on the north beach of the Hokitika 1 iarhofur is somewhat unfortunate) under more circumstances than one—for the credit of the harbour as well as the loss to the owners of the boat and the under winters. The same steamer had made a number of successful trips to aiyl from Hokitika, bringing full cargoes of goods and. talcing away large quantities of sawn timber. The last time , she negotiated the bar on entering the port it was not high water. The bar has shown a splendid depth of water . for some time past, and there lias been . no difficulty in vessels entering or oleav- , ing the port. It appears that a hawser , got foul of the screw of the Torgan ten {■t as she was crossing the bar; and the engines had to be stopped, hence she was at the mercy of the waves, with the result that she was thrown on to the beach. The cargo is being taken out of her, and tenders are invited for the launching of her into the river. There is ho damage whatever to the steamer. There were two candidates in the field for the Mayoral chair at Greymouth— Mr Steer, the retiring Mayor, and Mr Petrie, one cf the Borough Councillors. Mr Petrie has been elected. Mr Charles Davey the popular and successful manager of the Mont dOr sluicing claim at Rotes, met with a very painful accident in the claim a few days ago by the bursting of the nozzle whilst he was engaged directing same. For some time he was not expected to recover hub latest reports state that is now in a fair way of restoration. Mr Sodden's constituents are still Anxious about the state of liis health. . The Rev. W. ,T. Elliott, of Wellington, has been duly installed the minister for the Hokitika circuit of the Methodist Church. A welcome social was tendered to him, which proved a great success. A telegram was read from Mr Seddon regretting that he was unable to be present at the function, but he was sure that Mr Elliott would receive a hearty welcome from the people of the West Coast. He further stated that when he left the West Coast again he was sure that he would carry with him such lasting impressions that he wciald feel that he was a “West Coaster for life.”