ELECTION FOR THE WESTLAND BOROUGHS.

THE NOMINATION. - The nomination of candidates for the representation of the Westland Boroughs iv the House of Representatives was held at the Warden's Court, yesterday, at twelve o'clock. It was raining heavily at the time, and this, coupled with the exciting examination that was being gone on with in the Supreme Court, will account for the small number of voters present. The Retitenikg Officeb— l will road the writ, by virtue of which I convene this meeting. Having done so, I now call upon any gentleman who has a candidate to propose to do 80. Mr South — Mr Returning Officer and Electors, — I have been requested this morning, to propose a certain gentleman, whom I I shall presently name, as a candidate for your suffrages. The request being made so late does not detract from the great pleasure I have in proposing that gentleman. As you all know, although I am an old resident amongst you, I have held aloof from politics, in fact, I have not time to attend to them. I have very great satisfaction in proposing the gentleman, whom I will shortly name, and I will presently state the grounds for such nomination. Mr Returning Officer and Electors, I have very great pleasure in proposing Mr William Shaw, Mayor of ■ Hokitika, as a fit and proper person to represent the Westland Boroughs in the House of Representatives. Though of late, both personally and professionally, Mr Shaw and myself have been placed in a position , of antagonism to each other, yet, that, in addition to his many good qualities, is the very reason why I did not refuse, when thus suddenly called upon, to propose that gentleman. Mr Shaw has been placed in a very unfair and very unjust position. Every act of his has been attributed to his connection with the paper of which he ia proprietor — Mr Shaw as citizen, Mr Shaw as Mayor — his every act lias been attributed to his connection with tho paper. I hold it to be a most monstrous proposition that because a gentleman happens to be connected with the Fourth Estate, therefore he could do no honest, no honorable, no just action. I look upon such a belief with supreme contempt, as it would load us to suppose that no act of such a person could be an independent act. But without looking into the details of that paper, I may state that Mr Shaw knows as little about it as I do myself. I must disavow any participation iv the belief that Mr Shaw's acts have been influenced by his connection with the paper of which he is the proprietor. From what I have observed in Mr Shaw, I think that he merits a great deal of our confidence and esteem. Judging from Mr Shaw's acts, and acts constitute the best criterion, supposing he has made somo mistakes in his public capacity — and which of us is free from mistakes ? — yet it must be owned that Mr Shaw has devoted an immense portion of his time to the service of the public, and I consider this the best guarantee that we can have that his best services will be devoted to forwarding our interests in the General Assembly. I consider it a great act of grace on the part of Mr Shaw to consent to act for us in a distant place, in the lower house of Parliament. I know that a great many gentlemen have been solicited to come forward, and have refused on account of the cost and sacrifice which it entails. That Mr Shaw consents to serve us at such a cost, is sufficient proof that he will give his best exertions to fulfil the grave responsibility that will devolve upon him. I know not whether Mr Shaw's political opinions are in Jentire accordance with my own, but I think that Mr Shaw's public conduct and his exertions in our behalf, form the very best criterion us to his abilities and his willingness to give up Ms time to the service of the public. I have now very great pleasure, Mr Returning Officer and gentlemen, in proposing Mr Shaw as a. fit and proper person to represent the Westland Boroughs in the House of Representatives. Mr Button — Mr Returning Officer and Electors, I have gr^at pleasure iv seconding the nomination of Mr Shaw, as a fit and proper person to represent the Westland Boroughs in the General Assembly. Since this last matter has been agitating tho public mind, Mr Shaw has given ample proof that he is a man of tho right stamp. Ho has come forward boldly, and has stated his sentiments in a fearless and straight forward manner, and was deserving of our gratitude and support. I confess I have been opposed to Mr Shaw on several occasions on minor matters — for of course municipal affairs can only be regarded in that light compared with questions affecting the well being of the whole province. But since Mr Shaw had come forward so boldly, I have given him my support on many occasions, and would continue to support him. I have very great pleasure,. Mr Returning Officer and voters, in seconding tho nomination of Mr Shaw, us a fit and proper person to represent the West- j land Boroughs in the House of Rcpresenta- , tives. i Mr G. W. Binney-— Mr Returning Officer j and Gentlemon, I have great pleasure at the last hour in proposing Mr William Henry Harrison as a fit and proper person to represent the Westland Boroughs. I do not know why I should have been called upon to nominate him unless it is that wo were schoolfellows in our younger days. All I can say is that I knew Mr Harrison as a boy, and have great pleasure in proposing him as a fit and proper person to represent the Westland Boroughs in the House of RepresonU.t.\es. Mr O'LouoniiiN — Mr Retunvrcg Officei and gentlemen, I have very great pleasure in seconding the nomination of Mr Harrison. ] have known him for gome time and have op portunity of judging of his ability. Ho hrn more time to place at your service than Mi Shaw, as he has not so many avocations. -Yoi. all know him. He lms been editor of some oi the bcßt papers on tho coast. Was Mr Har rison known to them both. I consider hrn one of tho very best men you could have tf watch over your affairs, as he has always attended to the interests of Wessland. I havr therefore, very great pleasure in seconding Mi Harrison's nomination, and hope he will succeed. The Retuening Officer — I will now take a show of hands in favor of Mr Shaw (eighi hands held up), and now I will take a show o. huuds in favor of Mr Harrison (four hand: held up). I declare the show of hands to bi in favor of Mr Shaw. Mr Habbison demanded a poll. The Retubning Officer — Mr Harrisoi. having demanded a poll, the samo will bi taken on Friday, the 3rd April, hero and al Greymouth. Mr SifAW — Mr Returning Officer and

gentlemen, I think it will be very undesirable at present, knowing what is going on in Court, to detain you by any lengthened remarks. I will take an opportunity of laying before you all that I could have wished to state now. I have persistently refused to be put in nomination, and it was only within the last hour that I consented, on seeing so little interest manifested in securing the services of some gentleman to represent the great mining and commercial interests of Hokitika. Hokitika is the capital of Westland, and has a population three times as great as that of Greymouth, and therefore I think, that as the capital of Westland, Hokitika ought to send a representative to watch orer her vast interests, and those of the community at large. I have great reluctance in coming forward to oppose Mr Harrison, who I know has a great deal more time at his disposal than I have. Hut I shall havo the satisfaction of knowing that, if, I am defeated, you will have a good man to reprcsont you. (Hear, hear.) Mr Harbison — Mr Returning Officer and Electors. I feel that I am in just as awkward a position as Mr Shaw. Although I cannot appeal to a lengthened course of public services, or to ( services rendered at a time when such services were valuable ; yet I can say that I possess a good knowledge of New ■Zealand politics, that I have resided for many years in the colony, that I have an intelligent appreciation of the wants of tho district, brains enough to turn that knowledge to profitable account, and time and industry sufficient to enable me to do so. With regard to the remarks made by Mr Shaw, I can only say that I reciprocate tho compliment with genuine honesty. (Hear, hear.) I believe that we are both actuated'by the same motives, and whichever of us is returned, you will have a member who will zealously guard and watch over your interests. (Hear, hear.) ( Mr Shaw proposed a vote of thanks to the Returning Officer, which was seconded by Mr Harrison, and carried by acclamation, and the proceedings terminated.