Nomination For Onehunga.

Auckland Star, Volume VI, Issue 1830, 29 December 1875, Page 2

Nomination For Onehunga.

G. M. O'ROBKE. ESQ., RETURNED UNOPPOSED.

Punctually at noon to-day, Mr Barstow, the Returning Officer, announced to the inhabitants of Onehunga, who were assembled before the Court house, that, they had met to return some duly qualified person to represent them in the House of .Representatives, and after reading Ihe official notices, he requested any elector who had the duty to perform of nominating a candidate to step forward.

Mr Jackson, rising, said : Mr Returning: Officer and fellow electors,—l have been ... requested by many of the friends of our late representative, G. M., O'Rorke, Esq., to propose him as onr representative for the next Parliament. It is unnecessary to dilate, upon the many excellencies of this gentleman. ;'. Good wine needs no bush," and one who has proved himself to be a good member needs nothing to be said in his support." In his past conduct he has nothing reflecting upon him.. During the late Assembly MrO'Rorke and others of his colleagues had a fierce fight with other members. We now wish to reward him at this small but respectable district of Onehunga by returning binunopposed. I feel that I would much rather be in Mr. O'Rorke's shoes, who proved true to the dictates of his conscience, thah be in Mr. Reynolds's, who has acted in so opposite; ar manner, I have great pleasure therefore in proposing elector George Maurice O'Rorke, freeholder, to represent the district of One-; hunga in the General Assembly. Mr Thomas Armstrong said: Felloff electors I have great pleasure in seconding the nomination of Mr O'Rorke. If I was to; tell you the many acts Mr O'Rorke has doneit would be a work of superorrogation. (Laughter and Cheers.) He has been instrumental wholly, in wiping off a large debt oft Onehunga. He has been instrumental in . bringing forward a bill securing the emoluments arising from tolls on the wharf, *V" No one knew who the Onehunga reserves ■ belonged to—some said they belonged to tb_ King of the Cannibal, Islands, but Mr O'Rorke went down Souths and he soofc, found out .who they belonged to. ; support, Mr O'Rorke because he-' is a -real-1 gentlemen, who has descended straight ,40$ i from great statesmen and mighty warriors. You,have but to look back to the history ot 01<L_Icsland,_ and you will -eee~there-is-nO' mistake about that, and I think it is, acred" to-be represented by such a gentleman. , Mr fßafstOw having askedjthree" timeS-i any other elector had a candidate to propos«f and there being none, he declared GeorgeMsmrice|o'Rorke, Esq, to be the.du!y;elecw« member for On'ehunga. (Loud cheers}.- -jf^' Mr -O'Rorke on stepping "forwarl^ was received with cheers,__J_e— ®r%r Gentlemen,- it is -with combined feelmj^ of gratitude and estee_a:that I stand befog you after so many, years your representatijfi to'be again elected. -These feelings _#< much enhanced by the-fact thatr tfcere ~lßJflf opposition and, dissatisfaction.- from.raiuJ|* you—such being a vindication of m7im^ conduqt. We are on the evg of Jt^mf^ struggle! of a kind . which has been BiWf to rend' Spates — a struggle between 2K| would-be aristocracy and.the public atSlargf No 'better champion could be found than I

j*_!^^r___?_?T__?Zi??_t^2s______^ who has come forward from the retirement of the Kawau to assist Auckland. I am a supporter to a certain extent of Democracy, and will give my most cordial support to=^ir George Grey. (Cheers.) Gentlemen, it is a source of gratification to me to see so many well-known faces ; but a pang of regret I observe mauy wellfaces absent. I beg to thank you for ) Exposition of dignity into which you have placed me. (Loud cheers.) Hearty cheers were here given for the member. Mr Colledge asked the following question : Will you support triennial Parliaments ? Mr. OVorke : I am quite willing, and .believe Kirch would have a beneficial effect upon members. Mr. Colledge: Don't you think the expensive machinery known as the Native Department might be put into the wastebasket ?

Mr O'Rorke : I believe the policy administered by Sir D. McLean has been beneficial to the colony, but on account of the pacific disposition of the natives, there is now good reason for reduction in this department and I shall support such.

Mr Barstow congratulated the electors on having elected^ their member with such urbanity of feeliDg. It had been a saving of much expense and bad feeling, to appoint one in such manner rather than by a contest.