Local Intelligence.

COUNTY OF BRUCE ELECTION.

A meeting of Electors was held in the Courthouse on Monday to elect two qualified persons to represent the county of Bruce in the House of Representatives. Very little interest appeared to be manifested in this election, there being only some 16 persons present. The Returning Officer, John Gillies, Esq., opened the proceedings by reading the writ and the notice convening the meeting.

Mr. Andrew Todd proposed and Mr. N. B M'Grlgor seconded the nomination of Mr. T . B. Gillies.

Dr. Purdie proposed Mr. C. H. Kettle, seconded by Mr. George Shand.

No other candidate having been named,

Mr. T. B. Gili.ies briefly addressed the electors, and wished them to understand that if the ensuing Assembly should be held at Auckland instead of at Wellington, he would not pledge himself to attend ; but if held at the latter place he would make a sacrifice to go and look after their interests. In reference to his political views, they were the same as he formerly held, and it was his intentionTto oppose' the new Provinces Act, and get it repealed or amended. Next Assembly would probably be composed of two parties, one in favour of the Stafford ministry, the other in support of the Wellington men. He would feel bound to oppose the Stafford ministry, in consequence of their centralizing policy, and their desire to curtail the powers at present vested in the Provinces. Neither could he promise to co-operate with the Wellington men, whose opinions were that the present war with the natives was unjust, and their attempt to crinple the Governor's actions in prosecuting wnat he CMr. Gillies) considered a just war. He felt sure that the Otago and Canterbury members would hold no unimportant position between the two parties ; and it would therefore be the wisest course to act independently and with caution, which would be for the interest of these Provinces as well as for the whole colony.

Mr. Kettxe said it was only within a few hours that he had been asked to represent them in the Assembly, and whether held in Wellington or Auckland, he would endeavour to attend if no unforeseen circumstance occurred to prevent him. He did not admire the Stafford ministry, but would not pledge himself to oppose them, as he thought their policy must now be considerably changed. : He would co-operate with his colleagues to obtain the repeal of the New Provinces Act, and in maintaining the integrity of the Province. In answer to a question from Mr. Gillies, Mr. Kettle said he would not place implicit reliance upon, any professions the Stafford

imiuunj img ii i, iiuw put lurwuru , turn in answer to Mr. Lambert's question, he said he would support a vote of want of confidence in the present ministry, whatever professions they might make as to a new line of policy. The Returning Officer then declared Messrs. T. B. Gillies, and C. 11. Kettle duly elected.