MISCELLANEOUS.

Mr Thomas Fergus has decided not to become a o&ndidate for the representation of Wakatipu in the General Assembly. We learn that at the request of a number of influential citizens, Mr James Fulton has consented to stand for the Taieri. We last week published a report of Mr James Green's addresi to a public mooting at Blueskin, under the impression thatthe meeting was held on Thursday last. It appears, however, that the meeting was heldon June 21st, although our report did not come to hand until Wcdnead*y evening. We are unable to account for the delay. Our correspondent informs us that Mr Macandruw will receive at least threafourths «f tho votes in the Bluoekin district. Captain F. W. Mackenz'e, one of the candidates for Waikaia, in the course of his address to the electors of Tapanui on Monday la3t, said : " The greatest evils and the most atrocious tyranny under which the human race has suffered have resulted from hero worship: We are all too apt to consider the man, and not the measure. I have tho honour of Sir George's acquaintance, and I consider him a highly j;if feed gentleman, whose company is delightful. It is unfortunate that bis more immediate followers are men who, having failed to thefr undertakings, Mem tp hvn at- J

tached themselves to him as does the parasite to tho noble tree. I pin my faith to no man's coat tails. I firmly believe in. the starling qualities of the race to which I belong. I believe that the prosperity and freedom of our adopted country depends on no man if we are true to ourselves. It is impossible for us fully to sift the many Btories we hear of the proceedings of the Governmont. Therefore, I think it beßt that members should be returned to this new Parliament unpledged to support any individual." A meeting of the [members of the F.O.G.T. was held in the Congregational Hall, Moray place, on Saturday evening, to take steps to secure united action in connection with, the general election of representatives for the Houbo of Assembly, and to decide on a plan for obtaining signatures to the petition to Parliament. Bro. Carr, district deputy, prasidad. There were about 50 xnembers present, repiv Benting the various lodges in and around Duriediu. The questions having been fully^ discussed, delegate* were appointed to wait on the different candidate* and ascertain their views on the subject of temperance refoim, and ta report at the next meeting, to lie held in the Lower Temperance Hall on Tuesday, 26th instant, at 8 30 p.m. [A committee was aluo appointed to devise some pl*n for obtaining signatures to the petition. A vote of thanks having been accorded to the presiding officer, the meeting adjourned. It is Btated that Mr T. Robertson, of the Peninsula, will contest Caversham in the Liberal interest. These are the ideas of Mr Sauuders, late M.H.R. for Cheviot, regarding Liberal principles :— " 1. Perfect political equality, with no privileges to any clrbb, rich or poor, an equality which could only be obtained by free universal education. 2. No corruption, especially with public money ; no appointments a'< rewards for political party services ; and above all, no bribes to the Pre»s, or any ouppression of free discussion. 3. Readine's to correct all proved abuses, and to reform any objectionable laws. — (Hear, hear.) 4. No taxation without the ooniient of the taxpayers. 5. The Governors to bo quite as strictly subject to the laws as the governed, and never by any action to place themselves above the law, and never to seek either to override or deceive the people's representatives. 6.' Economy in expenditure, and honestly making both ends meet at the end of each financial year." Captain M'Kenzie addressed the Tapanui electors an Monday evening last. The hall waß crowded, and the Mayor occupied the chair. Alter the address several questions • were asked, which in most case* appeared to be satisfactorily an«wer«d. — It was proposed by Mr M'Kftllar, and seconded by Mr Sim — " That a hearty vote of thanks be accorded to Captain M'Kenzio for bis statements." — Captain M'Kenzie expressed his regret that it was not a vote of confidence. Nevertheless, if returned, he would work for the interests of Tapanui as well as for any other portion of the district. — The usual vr.te of thanks to the Chairman terminated the meeting. Although Mr W. H, Cutten has retired from the Taieri contest, he still seeks a seat in the new Parliament, and will become a candidate for the representation of Caversham. Mr D. M'Kellar will probably content the Waikaia neat with Captain Mackenzie. The M&taura Ensign says tbat Mr A. D. Johnston will also stand. Mr Murray addressed a large meeting at Kaitangata on the 22nd. He spoke for an hour and a-half. His speech was similar to that at Milton, with explanations as to local matters. At the close, a vote of confidence was moved and seconded. Mr Murray suggested that the electors should not pledge themselves to a vote of confidence till the other candidates were heard. The vote was therefore changed to one of hearty thanks. Mr H. J. Finn, of Queenstown, met a crowded meeting at Arrowtown on the 22 n d, and waß well received. Mr Finn launched out freely into politics, and stated that he was not in favour of the present administration of Crown lands. He would, if returned, support the classification of land, and put a low price upon it, not more than LI per acre. He would try to induce the Government to borrow L 1,000,000 for thepurpose of assisting sßttlers by loans. Mr Finn referred to land on Mr Butement's run, at the j head of Lake Wakntip, and certain transactions in connection therewith, and promised that if returned, and he did not succeed in getting the land thrown open in three monihs, he would resign. He recognised the importance of the mining interest, to the district. He would try hi« utmost to reduce minera' rights from LI to ss, and would advocate Government loans t o parties., developing extensive mines and prospecting new country. He would move the Government to construct a railway from the head of Lakf Wakatip to Martin's Bay, and from Franktoi to Cromwell via Arrowtown, and also connect Macotown and Arrowtown by rail. He would support the Local Option Bill. He was in favour of the present Education Act, but would support a capital ion subsidy to sectarian schools. He did not believe in railways being constructed from one tquatter's woolßhed to another's, but would take them through the centres of population. He would try to Binaplify the bankruptcy laws. He was opposed to Chinese and unrestrictedimmigratioD, and would prefer to offer liberal inducements to immigrants by cheap land and expenditure on reproductive works. Mr Finn answered a number of questions of more local import satisfactorily, and sat down amidst prolonged cheering. A vote of thanks and confidence was carried unanimously, with much applause. Mr Alfred Baldey has published an address to the Riverton electors. He annomicea himBelf as a Ministerialist. He is the sixth candidate in tbe fiold. Mr Thomas Dick, ono of the candidates for tha representation of Dunediu in the House of Assembly, addressed & large meeting at tho Odd-Fellows' Hal], Albauy street, on the 25 b, and at tbe conclusion of his remarks was accorded a unanimous vote of confidence. Mr Maccassßsy addressed the electors at tbe Temperanca Hall on .'Tuesday night, and also received a vote of confidence. Mr Macandrew visited Port Chalmers on Tuesday, and met a crowded meeting of his supporters in the committee - rooms in the evening. In answer to oho of the Committee, Mr Macandrew stated he had not ths slightest intention of offering himself to any other constituency save that of Port Chalmers, and that that should he be proposed for any other place it would be without his consent or knowledge. Mr Wm. Barrpn addressed a meetiDg of electors in the Highcliffo Sohoolhousa, Peninsula, on the 28th. The chair was taken by Mr Alex. Stewart. About 50 electors were pre sent. The candidate repeated jn substance his former addroafc, advocating liberal measures, and favouring the present administration. At the conclusion of the meeting, a vote of confidence was proposed by Mr Wm. Buskin, seconded by Mr A. Blatch, and carried unanimously. Sir George Grey reached Dunedin from P^lmeratonat abouthalf-pastl2on Wednesday, and was met on the platform by a few members of the Liberal Aisooiation. Next day he will proceed to Invercargill, and on Saturday night it

is understood tbat he will addre?s a meeting of the Dunedin electors in the Princess Theatro. At a large meeting of the temperance societies at Wellington, it was resolved — " That this moating, being representative of the temperance bodies of the city, is deeply convinced tbat there is do effectual method of lessening tbe evils resulting from use of intoxicating liquors but to restrict the trade, deem it to be the duty of all the members of these several bodies to subordinate every other political question, and hereby pledge themselves to vote only for those candidates who are prepared to seek to amend the bill of 1873 so as to make it workable, and also to oppose the giving of any compensation to the trade." A ballot was then taken to decide which two candidates the meeting should support, and the choice fell on Messrs Hunter and Levin. The nomination at Grreymouth took place on the 25th. The returning officer (Mr C. Broad) having read tbe writs, called for nominations, when Mr R. H. J. Reaves was nominated by tbe County chairman, Mr GuinneHß, seconded by Mr Hungerford. "\tr Masters was proposed by Mr J. Kilgour, seconded by Mr St, Hill. Mr Brennan was proposed by Mr Trennery, seconded by Mr Kennedy. Mr M'Lqan was proposed by Mr Trennery, seconded by Mr Collis. Mr J. M. Mon is was proposed by Mr M'Leod, Becondisd by Mr S. M'Do .veil. Mr Drury was proposed by Mr Glennon, seconded by Mr M'Leod. Mr F. W. Lahman was proposed by Mr Kennedy, seconded by Mr J. Jones. The proc^ediogs were very ordarly, but a general opinion prevailed that Mr Blair's report on the Eaßt and West Coast line was the joint production of Messrs Blair and Macandrew. The show of hands was in favoxir of Messrs Drury and Masters, and » poll was demanded The Laatern, issued at Auckland in the Grey interest, is strongly communistic in tune. It says : — " We bolievo that LIOOO a year ought to to go free of all taxation, but when yearly incomes exceed LIOOO there ought to be a handicap or income tax of 10 per cent, on the surplus, and when incomes exceed L2OOO a year there ought to be a handicap of 15 per cent, on the Burplus. We rocommend the rejection of every candidate who does not promise unwavering support to Sir George Grey, no matter how estimable, and no matter how high in social rank, and all that kind of rubbish, such candidate may be." At a meeting at Auckland to elect a committee to promote the return of Grojito candidates, Mr Garrett, a ForeEter and a Greyite, protested ngainat the same of the Chairman of the Foresters being put forward. The Foresters were not a political body, and should net be mixed up with party politics. The protest was disregarded. Tha name of the chairman of the Licensed Victuallers was put on the Committee, and then that of Mr_ Speight, head of the Teetotallers, as an antidote.