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Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 409, 21 November 1868, Page 6

By way of Greymouth, we learn that the Westland County Council, as at present constituted, met for the last time on Wednesday. It meets merely to part, but many of its old members would apparently be " happy to meet again." Messrs Bonar, Shaw, Prosser, Bright, and others, are candidates for election in Hokitika; in the Paroa district Mr E. B. Fox and Don Delas Carreras, a miner, are candidates. The Greymouth Borough Council, superior in status and name to our Progress Committee, are evidently inferior, in some important particulars, to our humble but useful local body. Speaking of their last meeting the Argus says : —" The proceedings can only be characterised as an intermittent wrangle, anything but creditable to the parties engaged. From first to last there; was manifested in some quarters a jealous feeling, which was manifested upon every question, and which usually ended in a display of temper. It is to be regretted that some of our councillors cannot speak three sentences consecutively in public without adoptiug an injured and highly indignant tone, which would lead their audience to conclude that they have been hardly dealt with upon some most vital question." From Timaru, as from Nelson, we have the assurance that Mr Stafford is serious in his intention to offer himself as a candidate for the representation of the former district; and it is also stated that Mr Stevens, the member for Christchurch, is to join the Ministry as Treasurer. From Dunedin we hear that a great political meeting had been held in the theatre, when Reynolds and Vogel were rapturously received, and Patterson, whose experience had taught him that there is more satisfaction in the breach than the observance of the rule of meeting constituences, did not attend, and was as ¥/armly condemned. A new journal, which it was the first intention to call the Otago Argus, but which now, it appears, is to be named the San, is about to be started under Mr Vogel's

editorship. One of the purchasers of the steamer Albion, who proceeded with her to Japan—Captain M'Kinnon —has returned; and on his passage from Melbourne, by the Tararua, an extraordinary, but fortunately, unsuccessful attempt to assassinate him was made by one of the crew. From Melbourne there is not yet news of the result of the race for the Cup. Sydney Tim was first favorite, at 'about four to one. There was an inclination to lay against the Barb, reported as an improbable starter. Little Fish and Hag Picker were freely backed ; the former six to one, the latter ten to one. There were altogether thirty-three acceptances, and for the speculative or the " horsey," an opportunity of joining in a sweepstake on this interesting race will be given at the Empire Hotel to-morrow evening. Poor Miss St. Denis, the clever and accomplished actress, who had committed suicide by talcing laudanum, did so, it is said, in consequence of some " love disappointment." The Fiji excitement continued to rage in Melbourne, and another steamer had been laid on to Levuka ; but the South Australian diggings had caused no " rush," the last news being that numbers were leaving Barossa unable to work for want of water.

Another Fenian Congress has been held in New York. It lasted several days, and it was generally understood that no active measures would be taken until the Brotherhood is reorganised. The new Chief Executive; Mr Savage, does not appear to be so truculent as his predecessors. The Fenians about Canada still continue to be troublesome. Preparations were made for a large Fenian pic-nic at Montreal, but the authorities would not allow it to be held. An influential Fenian named Devlin, has excited the anger of his brethren, by the publication of a letter counselling moderation. Threats of assassination have been thrown out.