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Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 581, 16 November 1869, Page 2

We learn from Nelson that Mr Akersten, who was so recently a candidate for election as Superintendent of the Province, " filed his schedule " on Friday last. The District Court sits to-day in Westport. The only criminal charges are two against Thomas Broggey, for assault. The civil and mining cases are two from the Grey {District Skehan v. Hamilton, damages £l5O, and Kennedy and party v. Peterson and party. The bankruptcy applications are from Charles Gardner, M. M. Morey, John Temperly, David Hunter, Frederick White, John Palmer, William Damms, Elizabeth Alice M'Gee, and Daniel M'Gee. It is with much satisfaction we learn that the Addison's Flat and Shamrock Lead men are bestirring themselves, in order to furnish an item to the Christmas sports, which are now approaching. During the past few weeks they have inagurated a cricket club which bids fair to be a succe3ful competitor with any of the neighboring clubs at no distant period. On their la3t practice, an eleven of the Shamrock Lead, played an eleven of Addison's Flat which resulted in a victory for the former. The result may be attributable to tho fact that, the Shamrock men have had the advantage of more recent practice; but their opponents brought into the field players who would not disgrace clubs of greater pretensions. We understand that it is the intention of the club to send a challenge to the Westport players at an early date—perhaps for New Tear's day. A man named Michael Herring, an Irishman, was found dead in Mr Freeth's paddock on Sunday morning. The deceased had been engaged clearing some ground at the head of the Lagoon on Saturday, with a man named John Walker. He complained of a pain in his chest, and, after sitting down for a time, said he was all right and proceeded to Mr Freeth's paldock for an axe and billhook. At three o'clook Walker went in search of him as he had not returned, but did not find him. At daybreak on Sunday Walker with some Others, went in search of him and found his body at hair past fonr in the morning in the paddock. The body was lying in a hollow, and large logs about it, which prevented Walker from discovering it on Saturday. An inquest was held by Dr Giles yesterday at Harris'a National Hotel. Dr Thorpe, after describing the result of a post mortem examination gave it as his opinion that the most probable cause of death was sun-stroke, and the jury returned a verdict accordingly. In addition to the items of racing news received by us from our Wellington corres-' pondent, wo hear that the Derby Stakes, on the Melbourne Race-meeting were won by Charon, Detective being second, and Lamplighter third. A. distinct shock of earthquake was felt on Sunday morning, in Westport and the surrounding districts, at half-past six o'clock. A correspondent writing from German Terrace states that it waa felt distinctly on that terrace. The total returns of the voting for the Superintendency of Nelson have been received, and stand as follows:—In Nelson and Country districts—Curtiß 849. Gibbs 226. Akersten 103. Home 7. On the West Coast—Curtis 51. Gibbs 63, Akersten 252. Home none.

Mr Gibbs writes to an elector here as follows :—" lam sorry for their sakes that my friends should have found themselves on the losing side, but the result, although unsatisfactory, proves to them that those in Nelson who were my supporters were truthful in saying that I had a larger support than Akersten, and if Mr Rowlands had not been led away by the Government people with whom he came in contact, and whose interest it was to keep Akersten going, we might still have had a chance, but when it was found how things were going every body went in for the winning man. I hope you will send us sound good men from the Coast as Councillors. I fear as far as this side of the Province is concerned we shall have a very weak opposition. Please remember me kindly to all friends, and tell them I hope still to be of some service to Westport in the Council." Thatcher, the local vocalist and song writer is at present giving entertainments in Nelson accompanied by Small, Daniels, and Salamon. We understand it is their intention to visit the Coast in a week or two.

A fire took place on the 2nd inst. at White's Mill, Spring Grove, near Nelson, and the Jury, at the enquiry, returned a verdict of "Wilful and malicious incendiarism against some person or persons unknown;" and added a rider to the effect that the' Government should offer some substantial reward to any person or persons giving such information as should lead to the discovery of the incendiary or incendiaries. The Government have offered a reward of ,£IOO, to be paid to any person, other than the actual offender who shall give such information as shall lead to the apprehension and conviction of such offender or offenders. The buildings were unoccupied, and were insured for .£IOOO,