LINCOLN ELECTION.

THE NOMINATIONS. The nominations for the Lincoln seat took place yesterday, at the Courtenay Road Board Office,' Kirwee. Mr P. W. East, the Returning Officer, presided, and there were something less than a score of electors present. The Returning Officer, having read the writ, called upon someone to nominate a candidate. After considerable hesitation Mr Bedford proposed, very briefly, Mr John Ollivier, as a fit and proper person to represent the electors of Lincoln. Mr John Turner seconded the nomination, in a very few words. Mr T. H. Anson proposed Mr Alfred Saunders as a fit and proper person to represent the Lincoln district in the next session of Parliament. He (Mr Anson) would endeavour to follow the example of Mr Ollivier^ proposer and seconder, because he thought on these occasions the less said the better. The speaker, however, continued at some length in commendation of the past career of Mr Saunders. Mr S. Bailey briefly seconded Mr Saunders' nomination. Mr John Ollivier understood that the candidates were to address the meeting. He ought, however, to giye way to his old friend Mr Saunders, for age commanded respect, and Mr Saunders was a good deal older than himself. (Laughter.) He was at a loss to know what to ..say after the long and elaborate eulogium on his opponent made by Mr Anson. He supposed he must stand up and blow his own trumpet, which was not a very difficult thing for him to do. (Laughter.) If his friend (Mr Saunders) old as he was, had been open to accept advice, he should have told him that the most indiscreet thing he ever did was to come forward on the present occasion. (Laughter.) He (Mr Saunders) ought to have been content to sit himself down at West Melton, drinking his whiskey and water, and smoking his pipe, and not come there to distract a large and important district. He (Mr Saunders) should have Baid, "If that young friend of mine wisheß to go into Parliament, let him go there and get a thorough sickening of it, andbeforethenext election he will be so sick of it that he will say, " Saunders, my boy, if you want to go into Parliament, go." There he (Mr Saunders) would have been wise. (Laughter.) It was a long time since he (Mr Ollivier) was in Parliament — thirty years ago, when he knew how to spell, and write, and. cypher. Since then the Colony had been attempting to teach her sons something more, which he deeply regretted to see, and therefore he was anxious to see whether he could not put his shoulder to the wheel and try to check the absurdities that some people were endeavouring to effect. His friend Mr Bailey ought to be a candidate himself, as he possessed the qualifications necessary. He was very pleased to be able to say, and bis friend Mr Saunders would bear him out, that when .they began this contest they had shaken hands with each other, and vowed and declared that' let what would happen they would not be guilty of personal reflections. (Mr Saunders: Hear, hear.") He had told Mr Saunders that he (Mr Ollivier) was a devil to fight, but would never quarrel. (Laughter.) He hoped, therefore, that as they had shaken hands before the contest they would be able to do so again after it, and to congratulate themselves on the fact that they had conducted themselves as gentlemen ought to do. When, on Wednesday next, the electors put him at the head of the poll, as he was certain they would, he would go to Wellington with the desire to discharge his duty with an independence of spirit, and in a manner that would become their representative. He was not going to cotton to anybody. (Applause.) Mr Ollivier continued in a humorous strain, ridiculing the practice of publio nominations, and referring to several matters on which he has spoken at length in his public addresses to the electors. He concluded by expressing his confidence of victory, and sat down amid applause. > Mr Saunders, who was received with applause, and before speaking shook hands with Mr Ollivier, began by regretting that he had not left it to that gentlemen to speak last, as his humour and wit would have sent the meeting away in a happy frame of mind. He complimented Mr Ollivier on the good temper he had shown and the attitude he had assumed during the whole contest. Referring to some reflections Mr Ollivier had cast upon the Boards of Education, and their extravagance, Mr Saunders continued: — The cost of Education here did not compare unfavourably with that in any other Colony. The poor man had more interest than the rich man in the management of the State Schools, and would it not be unfair to deprive the poor man of a right to control their management. The Committees were elected annually, and consisted of parents who had the deepest interest in the welfare of the school. These Committees had the privilege of electing the Boards of Education, and this was done without expense, and the Boards did their work without payment. If the County Councils did the work, each Council would require a paid Secretary, who could not be equal to the present Secretary of the North Canterbury Board. (Applause.) During the last ten years the cost of the Boards had very little increased, and this only in the clerks and officials. He (Mr Saunders) was sorry that Mr Ollivier had not referred to Protection, of which he (Mr Ollivier) was so strong an advocate. With regard to whiskey, if the staff must be had here, why Bhould we pay 10s a gallon on imported whiskey when it could be made by our own people and from our own grain at 2s 4d a gallon P He thought farmers should have better ploughs, &c., at a cheaper rate than they at present had. He could not see why the Colony should not raise £250,000 a year from the whiskey made here. As to pensions, he thought they had been bestowed on men who had had large incomes for years, and Bhould rather be bestowed on the poor people who had not had regular salaries. With regard to public nominations, he thonght them most desirable. He liked to know not only the candidate, but i his proposer and seconder. He objected > to the un-English idea that men should be afraid to openly support their candidates. Ho believed, however, that this was > nearly the last time that open nomihationß would be made. For his part he was ; proud of the gentlemen who had proposed , and seconded him. He hoped, and felt '; sore,; that after the- contest Mr Ollivier Md Jhrmf«lfc-f*fflTlJ,fl^