ELECTION MEETING AT LINCOLN.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 4, Issue 326, 2 September 1879, Page 2

ELECTION MEETING AT LINCOLN.

Mr William Goodwin, who announces himself as a working man's friend,; and a candidate for the_ representation of the Heathcbte district in the General Assembly, addressed a well attended'meeting of the electors at Sluis' hotel, Lincoln, pn Wednesday evening last. ■ The chair was taken by tiie" Rev. A. P. O'Gallaghtn. "','.."' V"" 1 -- ! ; The Chairman, on introducing■Mγ-Good-win, said that although he took thejchair, he did not pledge himself to' Mr Goodwin or anyone'else, but at the.same time asked a fair and patient hearing. Mr Goodwin, on rising, wa3 met with applause, and said he was about to address them that evening because no other person would come forward. He did not want to go into the General Assembly, but he did want to go into this borrowing of money. His speech was throughout a tirade of abuse upon the present Government for a wasteful expenditure of money upon the Akaroa railway. Did not Mr O'Callaghan (meaning the Chairman) intend to do this in the Lake railway ? " I," said the speaker, " consider the Akaroa.rail way a piece of rot. They are spending our money. I do not want to go into the Assembly, but just to trot out Mr and if he does not look out I might go in. (A Voice : " We'll put you hing.") I support the Times, but where had the Times gone to. I am sorry for the Press, but would give anything for competition. I only came here to-night to get Fishery OUt. When they tax property they tax

the working man. (A Voice: "No.") The reason why I asked you to meet me to-night was to know where all the money had gone." The Chairman then stated that Mr Goodwin would be glad -to answer any questions that might be put. ; , Question : " What are your views oiT religious instruction in public schools ?" . Answer: " That is a very broad question, but I am in favor of giving it." A Voice : " I came to hear Mr Goodwin speak ; he's a working 'man like myself, and I used to work for him." Mr Goodwin : "Shirt up" Mr Todd : " Chairman and gentleman"— The Chairman : " You must ask questions, Mr Todd." Mr Todd : " I am asking questions when I say chairman and gentlemen ; are you not the chairman ?'' r Chairman : "Yes." * ■•--■• Mr Todd : " Weel, whar ay am,l wrang. If I could not put you through it's a pity. You've insulted me." Exit Mr. Todd. . Mr Goodwin again rising to several" questions, said: " Good, we don't want to borrow money. My G—d, I can do without borrowing." A Voice: "Are you better than any other body ?" Another Voice: "At one time he was as poor a man as myself." Mr Goodwin was asked what was his opinion regarding Chinese immigration. He replied: "So far as regards it, I should say stop it." A Voice: "Why?" .. ■, - . . ' " Because we don't want any diseases here."

He was asked his opinion regarding the Local "Optional' , Bill. A Voice : " He wants compensation." Mr Goodwin : "Why not. My G—d, you would not come and take my farm from me if I have no show., I'll trot old Fisher out." A. Voice : " Will there be ony body wi , ye?" Mr Goodwin was attempting, to speak without rising, when the Chairman called him to stand up. Mr Goodwin :" I shan't. You know I have not much address, and what has Fisher got ?" A Voice : " He's got Jess than you." Mr Goodwin : " If I went to the Assembly I think-I could fill half a column, but at the same time I would be sorry for you. We want to look at the man who repreeents us." Question : " If returned, what' is your opinion regarding the natives." Answer : " I would bring them in as we are. I am not going to Parliament.- I want to bring old Fisher out. I'll trot him out" (Laughter.) Question : " At present there is no compensation to farmers for damage done to their crops by fire from an engine ; and, if returned, would you support a measure to get the farmer compensation for his loss ?" At first the candidate appeared rather nonplussed at this question, and became confused as to what engine the question referred to, thinking the damage done to a gorse hedge by the fire from an engine and a combine while on the road was intended, but was~soon made to understand that the question referred to the sparks thrown out by a " Yankee " engine. Answer:" My dear fellow, its a very wide question, and I can assure you the Government will just do what they like." Question: " But, if returned, will you try and get the farmers compensated ?" Answer: "Certainly." Question: " What is your opinion regarding emigration ?" A Voice: " How much have you rose this last few years?" Mr Gammack, who was late in entering,, and consequently did not hear the speech, asked Mr Goodwin, to give it over again, stating that the meeting was too soon for the district, but Mr rGoodwin steadfastly declined to do so. Question: " Will Mr Goodwin, if returned, take office as Postmaster-General, the same as Mr Fisher ?". Answer: "Oh; you're poking fun at me. I'm not a fit man for that." "Is Thomas Fisher, is he ?" "(A Voice: "Yes; we never had- a tetter Postmaster-General.") Mr Goodwin : " Never mind, I'll trot him out." j -... • - Question :'" If .returned, will Mr Goodwin be in favor of giving a fair share to both newspapers ?" Answer: " Yes; I'm sorry for the Press, but I would do anything for competition. I expect that Times fellow will make it hot for me." Question: "Are you in favor of draining the lake and killing all the fishes ?" Answer: ; "My dear fellow, you cannot drain the lake. Mr O'Callaghan thinks he can drain it, but I say he cannot." At this stage Mr Goodwin proceeded at some length in very strong and unparliamentary language to express his feelings with reference to the Akaroa Railway going right through him (laughter), and how he had put the surveyor off his ground. . The Chairman brought the proceedings to an abrupt termination by asking for a vote of thanks for the candidate, when Mr Anderson proposed a vote of thanks to Mr Goodwin, which was seconded by Mr Batchelor, and carried unanimously. A vote of thanks to the Chaiainan terminated the meeting.