Untitled

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 583, 20 November 1869, Page 2

The declaration of the result of the polling in the election of members of the Provincial Council for the Buller district takes place to-day, at the Westport Court-house. "Whatever the otlser candidates may do, Mr Reid will, no doubt; have to explain the equivocal position in which, by a succession of indis-

cretions in which he had no part, he was placed towards botli the constituency and the candidates. We understand that, thoroughly determined that his integrity shall not be compromised, he intends at once to resign. A meeting, convened by circular, was held last evening at the Victoria Hotel, for the purpose of forming a Committee to carry out the preliminary steps necessary for the holding of Christmas sports in the town of Westport. About twenty gentlemen were present, and a Committee of twelve was formed to carry out the object of the meeting. Mr Hughes was appointed secretary, and Mr Sheahan, treasurer, and a Sub-Committee of Messrs Sheahan, Emanuel, and Smyrk were appointed to wait upon the Jockey Club at its next meeting, to ascertain on what days the races are to be held, and to request that Boxing day, Monday the 27th December, should be left for the sports in town. A subscription list was opened in the room, and thirty-two guineas were subscribed. The town sports are not intended to interfere with the races in any way, and we have little doubt, between the two attractions, a good Christmas week with a variety of amusements to suit all tastes will shortly he before the public. The approaching Christmas Day and New Year's Day fall on Saturdays, and there is little doubt that, between horse racing, land sports, and regatta, the six week days intervening will be made days of pleasure in the full sense, should the weather be at all favorable, which is on all occasions a consideration in such matters.

On Monday evening, we notice, a complimentary benefit is to bo given to Mr D. A. De'Maus, a vocalist who has lately been warbling of evenings in the National Hotel and the Theatre Royal. The concert which is to be the medium of the " benefit " is to be given in the Masonic Hall, and, besides the beneficiare, Mr Jim HoU and other songsinging celebrities are to take part in the programme.

Our report of the civil case of Johnston v. Jones, relating to a bet made with Mr Thomas Dewdney, we prefer to hold over until Tuesday, the Magistrate having reserved his decision until Monday. A gentleman well known in "Westport, writing from Auckland of his impressions of his scrip purchased a few months ago says : —" On the whole there is steadier feeling than when I was up here some months ago. A good many have lost considerably since, owing to having bought scrip when the market was at its highest, but the fact of their having lost does not seem to prevent the goldfields from going ahead, although the over-speculation then is now considerably felt in the region of the breeches pocket, and is distinguishable by the long faces many are pulling. I think that for my own part I will have to consider myself lucky if I get out anything like 'even.' The district round Grahamstown is looking exceedingly well and prosperous. The great place where every eye is turned towards is Ohinemuri. As far as can be gathered from the information floating, there is no certainty of its being opened this season. There is such a host of landjobbers, stock-jobbers, and other sharks of all kinds here, that anyone coming from the Coast or elsewhere had better take time before unbuttoning his pockets." Service will be held, at the usual hours, in the English Church to-morrow.