A short telegram, but one which is very much to the point, was received by our special correspondent at Nelson last night, and contains news which could scarcely have beei expected. It amounts to this, that indirectly the Government has been defeated at this early period of the ses sion on the question of granting additional representation to the Nelson South- West Gold Fields in the Provincial Council. We were aware that the West Coast mem bers were determined to test this question at an early period of the session, but they had little expectation of securing for this de mand, as they have apparently succeeded in doing, the support of the members for the City of Nelson. By what means the coalition was brought about is not explained, but it has been successful in defeating by one vote the opposition of the Government members, and those of the country members who represent the district which Mr Curtis delights to call "Nelson Proper." The motion for the increase of representation on the South- West Gold Fields appears to have been moved by Mr Shephard, and carried by the assistance of his town colleagues and the West Coast members. This was the more unlooked for, seeing that Mr Luckie, one of the town members only recently resigned. We know that had he been present he would have thrown all his weight and influence into the scale in favor of increased re presentation to the Gold Fields, and the Government defeat would have been a more serious one. Even as it is, it is doubtful if any further notice will be taken by the Government of the subject. A Bill, founded upon the resolution just passed, wiil no doubt be drafted, but every effort will be made to defeat it by the Government, and they have ways pe culiar to Nelson to accomplish this end whenever it is thought desirable, in order that the present family party may be retained in power. Other similar attempts have been made recently in the same direction, one of which we referred to only yesterday, and perhaps, when that incident is prominently brought before the Council, as it assuredly will be, a feeling of indignation will be aroused against the present holder of the office of Superintendent which will defeat all his chances of re-election. 