HEATHCOTE ELECTION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 1738, 22 September 1873, Page 2

HEATHCOTE ELECTION.

The nomination of a candidate fco represent the above district in the Provincial Council, in fche room of Mr Andrew Duncan, took place at the Road Board office, afc noon, on Saturday last. Dr Donald officiated " as Returning Officer. Having read the writ, the Returning Oflicer inquired if any elector had a candidate to propose. Mr J. T FisnEß said he had great pleasure in proposing Mr Wm. Montgomery. He had known Mr Montgomery for a number of years, and he thought the electors were very fortunate in securing the services of this gentleman as their representative. Mr Montgomery was so well known that ifc was unnecessary for him to make a long speech in recommending him to the electors. Mr T. M. HASSAL said he had great pleasure in seconding the nomination of Mr Montgomery as a candidate for the representation of the district in the Provincial Council. He entirely endorsed every word that had fallen from Mr Fisher in proposing Mr Montgomery. He thought fche electors of the district were |to bo congratulated upon having fche opportunity of again acquiring the services of Mr Montgomery as their representative in the Provincial Council. (Hear, hear.) He knew of no gentleman within the district who would be more acceptable to the electors at large. (Hear, hear.) Mr Montgomery had identified himself with the interests of Canterbury in such a manner that he (Mr Hassal) thought was not equalled by any other man ; and he thought they ought to appreciate the actions •f public men like Mr Montgomery. It was well known that when he retired from office, he did ao on account of his health and for private reasons. He now came forward to serve their interests, and he thought fchey were fortunate in having such a man as Mr Montgomery to represent them. (Hear, hear.) The Returning Officer inquired if any other elector had a candidate to propose. Mr Clephane said he did not intend to propose a candidate, but he wished to pufc a few questions to Mr Montgomery. Do you believe, as I do myself, that the country, the property and those who own ifc are benefited by having an educated people ? Mr MONTGOMERY : I do. Mr Clephane : Do you think the housebold rate an equitable tax for obtaining that educated people ? Mr Montgomery : I think the household tax (being the system adopted in Nelson) was one fchafc could be very easily brought into force, but the household tax ia by no means tho most equitable that could be employed. I consider that it is one of the functions of property to support education, because property benefits from the fact of people being educated. Mr Ciephanb : I think there ought to be a property rate and not a household one, as at present. The Returning Officer again inquired if any elector had a candidate to propose. There being no response, Mr Montgomery was declared duly elected. Mr Montgomery : Mr Returning Officer and gentlemen, I have fco thank you for fche honour you have just now conferred on me by returning me aB your representative in the Provincial Council. It is gratifying to rae to know that I have retained fche good opinion which you once before expressed in my favour ; and it wili be my duty as one of your representatives, in conjunction with the other members of the Council, to see that justice is done to this district in the distribution of public f unds. and otherwise in the Provincial Council, never forgetting that, though elected for this district, I am put into the Provincial Council to see that justice is done to all parts of the province, and not to get for one district more than a fair share to the injury of any other district. (Hear, hear.) I am glad to be returned to the Provincial Council as your representative. I think ifc a very greafc honour to be returned, because I think the Provincial Council of Canterbury has contrasted and does contrast very favourably with the Council of any other province, and I believe with the Ger.eral Assembly itself. (Hear, hear.) ;It has conducted the business of the country in such a manner as to promote the settlement of the province and the development of it* • resources, and I think it will be admitted that the Provincial Council of Canterbury has done everything that could have been expected of it. Ifc has not been unmindful of the importance attaching to the opening up of the country with the least possible delay, to the making of roads aud

bridges in various localities to effect this desirable consummation, to the maintenance of law and order, and to the initiation of a system of education which I believe will be a benefit for all time. I do not think, like Mr Clephane, thab the mode of taxation to support it is in every degree equitable, because I have always held fchafc property would be so much benefited by the maintenance of law and order, aud that education was necessary to thafc maintenance, that it was one of the primary duties of property to see that the people were educated. (Hear, hear.) But the system of taxation is a very moderate one afc present, because it does not bear more to the cost of education than about a third of the total amount, and if not heavier than now to what you would consider the working classes, I don't think it is a thing we should complain of. But I hold that we should place the means of education within the reach of every child, whether his parents are poor or rich, and that the poorest children amongst -us should be educated from A B C fco the highest education ifc is possible fco give fcliem, and fchafc in proportion as they show talent thafc should be developed for the good of the State, because an educated people must make a country strong, elevate its institutions, and prevent clap-trap orators from exercising fche baneful influence which they do in many uneducated countries. In the next session of the Provincial Council it would be a wise thing to make further endowments for education, in order thafc the taxation in the future should not be increas- d, which it doubtless would be if thafc source from which funds are voted — the sale of land — were to fail. Afc the present time there is half a million of money lying in the Treasury, and there ne^er was a time when you could place your educational establishment on a better footing than the present, and I hope tho Provincial Council will do its duty, and make further provision, so as to prevent the youth of the province from going elsewhere to receive that instruction which their parents would like to have imparted to them. Ido not think you would wish that I should make a long speech oh this occasion I have to thank you vtry sincerely for the confidence you have reposed in me, and I will endeavour to do my duty in the Provincial Council, hoping to maintain that confidence which it has been a great pride and satisfaction to me hitherto to have enjoyed. (Cheers.) On tbe the motion of Mr Montgomery, seconded by Mr John Anderson, a vote of thanks was passed to Dr Donald, and the proceedings terminated.