ELECTION ADDRESSES.

Auckland Star, Volume X, Issue 2922, 26 August 1879, Page 2

ELECTION ADDRESSES.

The Eden Electorate,

MR TOLE AT EDEN TERRACE,

LAST night Mr J. A. Tole addressed a very large meeting of the electors of Eden Terrace in the Grafton Road district schoolhouse. The large room was literally crammed, while scores of people were obliged to go away unable to obtaiti admission. So dense was the crowd that at halt-past seven standing room could not be obtained by new arrivals, and even the windows could not be approached from the outside in consequence of the people who thronged around them. Mr Patou was voted to the chair, and made the usual prefatory address before introducing the candidate to the meeting. Mr Tole stepped upon the al fresco platform prepared for him, amidst lbud and prolonged cheering. He commenced his speech by thanking the electors for the very kind way in which they hud received him, and he took occasion to express the belief that the rapturous greeting just accorded ensured to him many prospects of success in the forthcoming struggle (cheers). Now that the late Parliament had dissolved into the great mass of the people, he had thought it flttiug to come again before them and to explain his views with regard to the momentous questions now before the country. On the last time that he addressed his constituents the scene of the meeting was at Newmarket, the great centre of population in the electoral district, but since his first candidature lie had not appeared in Eden Terrace. On the first and last time that he met them in their own district he was shown the utmost courtesy, although a comparative stranger, and not only that, but he was made the recipient of a hearty vote of thanks. His conduct since election was known to thcin all, and,in his belief, was without reproach. Under that consciousness he came once more before them in the confident expectation of receiving a renewal of that confidence which had been placed in him before. (Cheers.) The dissolution which had just taken place had shortly been brought about in this way. Sir George Grey, the Premier of Now Zealand, since coming out of his retirement and yielding up his leisure for the benelit of the people at largo, had raised up against himself many bitter enemies. In his great work of politically educating the people, of showing them what rights they should insist upou, and of pointing out desirable reforms iv the Constitution, he had incurred the inveterate hostility of the great land monopolists and brought down upou himself much undeserved odium. These gentlemen in the General Assembly had resolved to expel Sir George Grey from political life, but they had not been able to accomplish their wish. (Cheers.) During the last session of Parliament what Dr Wallis was pleased to term "a hetrogeneous mass" of members—men who did not agree upon any common priuciple—banded themselves together for the purpose of driving the Premier from political life, and choose for their leader jSir, Wm. |Fox, a politician who was thirsting for office. (A voice :'' He'll never get it.") He trusted not. Well, this gentleman brought down a vote of want of confidence in the Government—not with respect to their policy, but simply on their administration, and what did that amount to ? Well, the evidence given was such as the most notorious vagrant iv town would not be convicted upon. (Laughter andapplause.) The lirst charge was that the Executive had brokeu promises, these consisting of a matter that did not concern the people of Auckland much, viz., the Nelson railway. The Nelson members were greatly disgusted because they did not get the railway promised by the Vogel Government, and the vengeance that they had in store for that administration they poured out upon their successors in office. The next ground of accusation was that Sir George Grey aud his Ministry had authorised the construction of a line of railway from Hamilton to the Thames. (At this stag^some interruption was occasioned by the entrance ota number of people.) Then much stress was laid upon the dismissal of certain officers in the Native Department who had been intriguing to the detriment of the Government. Of course they had all read of the attitude taken up by those men in tho King country while Sir George Grey wai endeavouring to carry out certain negotiation*. The conclusion that the Premier arrived at with Tawbiao was the withdrawal of the proposal of previous Ministries, and this was followed by the recouciliatiou of Rewi and his introduction to European civilisation—one of the grandest achievements in connection with our Native policy. (Cheers.) Rut it was not evidence or" argument the Opposition required, for they had an assured majority of fourteen votes, amongst which were those of many Auckland members. (Cries of "Shame.") Ho might say without any exaggeration that the Grey Government had been defeated in consequence of the treachery of the seven Auckland representatives who voted for the Opposition, for had their votes been taken from them (Sir William Fox's following) and given to the Government, the latter would have had a majority of one, which would have sullicecl to keep them in power. In order to guard against a repetition of such shameless conduct they should only return those men who were pledged to stick to Sir George Grey, and upon who.o bond confidence could be placed. (Cheers.) To such a bond he subscribed on the occasion of his last candidature, when ho opposed a gentleman whom he believed had far greater claims on their suffrages than Mr Whitakcr, and yet that gentleman was rejected and himself returned. He bade them beware of the gentlemen who -shrank from a pledge to support Sir George Grey, but who were quite ready to promise to vote with the majority of the Auckland members, for their assistance might determine upou what sido tho majority would be. The party must have a leader, and the only leader they could havo or could Avish to havo iv tho present crisis was Sir George Grey. (Cheers). The Opposition gained their majority of fourteen votes in the aanguino belief that no dissolution would bo granted, but the Premier determined otherwise. Ho (the speaker) was one of thosg who supported this course, oven though, he knew it involved the probabilities of a contested election. He believed that the Opposition did not represent tho opinion of the peop)Q of New Zealand, and it was with the desire to afford them the opportunity of signifying unmistakably this opinion that he advocated a dissolution. The assent of the Governor was a grievous disappointment to the followers of Sir William Fox. Somo of them had already had their hand* upon certain offices iv the Ministry, aud iv fact some had made arrangements to take over and occupy Ministerial residences. (Laughter). In this conviction he might narrate an amusing little story told him by Mr Sheohan, Iv speaking with Sir W. Fox immediately after the defeat of tho Government, the Native Minister said that he supposed his honorable friend would be requiring his residence and ho was thcrcfoio preparing to vacate it. He further mentioned that it needed some repair, but that it was an excellent house, if he might exoept ono undoubted nuisance—it abounded iv rati I (Laughter aud applause). Mr Shechuu could afford to joke, because he was pretty well assured of a dissolution, aud confident that he would not be ejected from his Ministerial residence. The desires of tho Opposition were entirely directed towards place and power; and baulked in this,they delayed the passing of the Loan Bill aud thus prevented the debentures from being sent home till a month later, when the favorable opportunity for floating tho loan had passed. They also prevented tho passing of the Imprest Supply Bill, which entitled PQu. tractors and others to be paid their salaries, and kept unfortunate labourers, butchers, bakers, carpenters, etc., out of their wages, and drawing some of them very likely to the Bankruptcy Court. These eventualities, however, they did not give much heed to, for their great endoavour was to secure possession of the Ministerial benchos ; but after all they did not succeod. The question now before the country was whether they should have Sir George Grey or Sir William Fox to administer its affairs. (Cries of " Sir George Grey for ever.") He had no doubt that the choice would be Sir George Grey, and ho hoped that they would return no man who would not promise him their hearty support. He was sure that they would not sympathise with Sir William Fox when he (old them that iv one of his "grand" speeches he declared that at the time the present Government entered into office everything was quiet in the King country, except when a few young Maori bloods went out in the shooting season, thus making a heartless iest of file cruel outrages perpetrated at intervals upou the defenceless settlers of the frontier. (A voice : " Todd's murder for instance.") Quite so. And that was the gentleman Who wished to havo the principal share iv the government of the country, and who headed the party that ousted the Government of Sir George Grey. He said they would not have him or his party. (Loud cheers.) He had called him (the speaker) a boy, and the real cause of this was his refusal to follow sugli a leader. Ho would rather resign aud retire from political life altogether tlian do so. If Sir Geol-ge Grey had achieved no other goos foij the

country than obtaining for it the right of deciding a great crisis, ho would deserve well of them, for ho believed that this was the first dissolution that had ever happened in the country. He now gave them the opportunity of determining whether or not they should have a number of liberal measures, which would have the ell'ect of greatly amending the constitution, and which would mark an era in the history of the Colony. Before passing on to a consideration of Sir George Grey's Liberal measures, he would like to brush away some misconception that existed in meu's minds with respect to his intended action on a subject which was at present deeply agitating men., minds, viz., the Education question. (Cheers.) lie was aware that a very great handle had been made of the subject by Mr Whitaker, but that gentleman had not dealt with it in a scientific manner. It was his belief that Mr Whitaker really did not know much about it. Ho had never heard of him having taken auy prominent part in educational matters before, and he did not suppose that he would in the future. Speaking for himself, ho could declare that he would yield to no man in his appreciation of the good effects, and the invaluable benefits to any country, from an efficient system of education. (Cheers.) He spoke confidently when he said so. When the Royal Commission on Higher Education was about to be appointed the Hon. Mr Stout must have thought that there was some advantage in acquiring his services for it, inasmuch as he was about the first of the Auckland members whom the gentleman asked to act as a Commissioner. He accepted the appointment, but private circumstances prevented him from sitting on the Commission. SothatMrStout,although a strong secularist, deemed it right to chouse him for such a responsible position. He did not choose Mr Whitaker, but passing over him selected the much derided mere boy. (Applause). Now, with regard to the education question, they had all doubtless heard his views, or gathered them from his speeches in " Hansard." Many of them had listened to his treatment of the question at Newmarket. He would not treat it now from a scientific or political aspect, but he was prepared to make his lirst pledgg upon the subject. His object in seeking their suffrages was to endeavour to carry out the Liberal policy of Sir George Grey, and his only interests were those of his constituency and of his province. (Cheers.) Therefore, as the electors already wished it, he would promise to refrain from doing anything that would tend to disturb the present system. (Cheers.) But further than this, if auy measure were brought forward which would have a tendency to inteifere with the Liberal policy, or to disturb the present system of education, he would vote against it, (Loud and prolonged cheering.) Whilst he said that, however, he did not surrender his own personal liberty ; and now, having disposed of this matter in a straightforward ami clear manner, he would proceed to enumerate the measures which he regarded as the charter of the people's liberties, and which were embodied in the Governor's speech. The speaker then weut on to deal with the questions of manhood sulfrage, representatiou on the basis of population, and taxation, graphically explaining each, and showing the character of the benefits that it conferred upon the great holy of the people. The Triennial Parliaments Bill he designated an excellent Fox-hunter, tho sally beiug received with shouts of laughter by the audience. Iv dwelling upon the subject of taxation, Mr Tole showed that the interest and sinking funds on the money already borrowed came out of the pockets of the people, while the wealthy land owners hud derived the greatest benefit from its expenditure, their properties being enormously increased in value by the construction of railways and other great public works. In one of Sir George Grey's speeches he had told them that BSO large estates had been increased in value from £1,000 to £50,000 by the public expenditure, while 150 properties had from similar causes been increased in value to the extent of £50,000. Yet these men were not content even with this huge benefit, for many of them hud claimed compensation even while rcalisiug upon the unearned increment of their properties. It was Sir George Grey's endeavour to secure an equalization of the taxation in order that th>. fortunate cla«s might be obliged to make some return for the unquestionable advantages that they derived from the borrowed money, for which the people were paying. The gentlemen whom it was then desired to reach were those who were seeking to get iuto Parliament upon the "independent" ticket, and whose independent spirit would be speedily discovered after the election by an endeavour to conserve their own interests. Tho speaker then proceeded to explain Sir George Grey's intentions with regard to the abolition of plurality of voting at the election of Road Hoards which received Government subsidies. The action of Sir George Grey iv respect of the Maori dual vote was also explained and defended to the apparent satisfaction of tho audience. Now, there was a question which was of vital importance at the present tituo and whioh bore very strongly upon the elections. He alluded to the land question. A certain association of gentlemen, terming the . selves the -North New Zealand Association, had lately been formed in Auckland, but he believed their proper designation was "The Property Acquisition and Protection Society." (Laughter and cheers.) If they just glanced down tho list of names iv its membership they would perceive that the most prominent were those of pronounced auti-Gioyitcs. Their endeavour evidently was to raise a strong opposition to Sir George Grey, and with ihis view they had the other night, at a public meeting of citizens, attempted to pass resolutions pledging tho mcetiug against ?jr George Grey, but he was glad to know that the people had been educated too well to be easily deceived. The object was obvious, and it was n proud thing for the working classes to know that it was one of their own number who jumped upon the platform and opposed and upset the schemes which these men had been considering in solemn conclave for months previous (cheers nud cries of "Garrett.") More astute gentlemen talked about free trade iv laud, but they carefully omitted to iudicate that it would only be free trade for themselves— that the man of moderate means would be debarred altogether from the purchase of native lands. JL.arge properties would be easily obtained by wealthy capitalists, but the more moderate purchaser would find it impossible to compete, and would hato to ho content to pay for his selection the enhanced price put upon it by his more I'illuent rival, The policy of the Government was to take the sole control of Native laiuj purchases iuto its own hands with tho view of protecting tho aboriginal ownors. It was lij_.li time that this were done, for while in the past tho wealthy speculators had obtained the pick of the land at very low rates the Government had only succeeded in obtaining poor lands. Iv the interests of the public this would have to bo stopped, the monoplies of the capitalist crushed out, and a system of honest and fair dealing resorted to. With the view of preventing such a dread calamity, a big giaut had been brought out to defeat ti\e poor hoy from Eden. (Laughter and applause.) However, he would not bo ejeoted or beaten if he oould help it. He was the adherent of a ;hief whose motto was that the battle should bo fought to the end, and he would therefore light it through. ( A voice :'• And tho Lord help you." Laughter.) Be would give them an instance of the class distinctions which it was sought to set up iv the country by the land monopolists audspeculators aud of tl^eir wish to ride rough-shod over the people. In the neighbourhood oj tb.c mountain that overshadowed t«PW that night there resided a, number of gentlemen who >yere anpqinted"a board of conservators for its management on behalf of the public. He heard from a veracious source that it was to be a purely nominee body, and that it was to consist entirely of a few influential individuals who lived in the district, aud he determined accordingly that the people should not be denied a voice in the matter. He therefore suggested that Messrs Bridge man and Harpoi, of tho Mouut Eden Board, as well as the Mayor of Auoklaud, should bo appointed to it. No sooner was this done than, lo aud behold I one of those same influential persons resigned his appointment, inasmuch as he was strougly disinclined to sit side by side with ti\o representatives of the people. (A voioe : " Let him go.") This was tho sort of class distinction that had to bo put down. If the people wore to bo governed at all it must be by themselves, and not by gentlemen with pretentious notions of their own importance. He had every respect for Mr Whitaker as the father of the legal profession in Auckland, but he disputed his right to represent the electorate of Eden, and. assailed 'the objects which he liafl in view, He professed a ardent support to the Liberal mejisuros before tho country, but, if returned, it would be found that these Liberal measures would be left to their fate. Mr Whitaker was being made the dupe of gentlemen whose real design was to crush the rights of the people and to carry into execution their own interested plans. (Cheers.) If he (Mr Whitaker) was returned, it wo^ld not be to represent Eden, but to represent the moneyed classes. He claimed to have devoted thirty years of his life to the service of the public in the' field'of politics, but he would ask for an evidence oif, anything of

value he had achieved for the people during that long term. He had left no monuments whatever of his political life. The speaker went on to point out that Mr Wlntakcr's real motive for deserting the Waikato constituency was a pretty shrewd guess that his opposition to tho Thames Railway would ensure his defeat, and the convenient excuse being his solicitation for the integrity of the educational system. In' order to show that Mr Whitaker was iusinacre in his professions regarding education, Mr Tole proceeded to compare the gentleman's acts with those of Sir George Grey. All he could discover that Mr Whitaker had done for education was to make a speech in its favour which occupied sixteen columns of " Hansard/ That was his first educational effort—and his last. (Loud laughter.) If they ransacked the whole records of his political life from beginning ta end, he asked them what would they find that he had done for education? (A voice : "Nothing.") Oh yes, he had done something. He refused once to put money on the estimates for education in Auckland. (A voice : "Thats truo.") But he gave Road Boards the power of rating themselves for educational purposes, though the inestimable privilege was only taken advantage of by one Board. (Laughter and cheers) They had not, however, to search far for the evidences of Sir George Grey's interest in and assistance to educational efficiency although he had only been two years in power. Go where they would" throughout the country they would see nourishing schools founded by Sir George, and would hear of endowments obtained through his instrumentality. He bad liberally endowed the Grammar School, while the Girls' High School had been presented by him with an endowment worth £5,000, and £10,000 more had been devoted to the erection of a new Grammar School. Ho had obtained a contribution of £50,000 towards the erection of school buildings. (Cheers.) Why, he believed lie had himself done more for education than Mr Whitaker. Was his boasted patriotism to be compared with that of Sir George Grey, which required no self - laudation ? (Cheers). Was it patriotic on the part of Mr Whitaker while Superintendent to secure the passing of a bill increasing his salary from £SOO to £1,500, and yet that was what lie had done. He held in his hand this notable bill, which contained the remarkable declaration that the increase should only be for the term of his (Mr YVhitaker's) term of office, and no longer. (Laughter and cheers). That was in 1.6 G. Yet .mi- George Grey, holding the most responsible position open to a New Zealand colonist, had endeavoured to cut his salary down from £1,750 to £1000, a much smaller sum than Mr Whitaker deemed a sufficient compensation for his fulfilment of his Siiperintendental duties. Was it likely then that his services would be given them for £200 a year? (Cries of "No, no,") or that ■ his motives were purely disinterested. But he had avowed his alarm for the safety of the education system, and in order to investigate the candour of his profession he would refer them to a few citations from the division listsof "Hansard." He claimed a share in the framing of the present Bill, but strangely enough the gentlemau who introduced it to Parliament made no mention of his name. Mr Bowen \Yasnot the man to conceal anything of that kind, or to deny credit to whom credit was due. Well, at any rate this Bill which Mr Whitaker assumes to have helped to frame was considerably amended by the Parliament before transferred to the Statute Book, and he would just glance at a view of its primitive provisions. One clause provided for the imposition of capitation fees, at the rate of 10s per annum, for every child sent to school, so that parents of moderate families would have had to pay for this so-called free education at the rate of £2 or £3 per annum. (Laughter.) Mr Maeandrew proposed the omission of the clause,! and on the question being put there voted for the retention of the clause Messrs Macfnrlanc, Morris, and Whitaker, of the Auckland members, while those who voted for its elision were Messrs Dignan, Lusk, Hamlim, Rees, Skeeban, Swanson, and Tole. (Loud cheers). Then Mr Whitaker had painted in glowing colours the effect of Bible reading in the schools, but he had forgotten apparently his own action in Parliament with regard to the matter. Another clause of the same Bill, viz, 85, declared that the schools should be opened with the reading of the Lord's Prayer and a portion of the Holy Scriptures. This was the system of Mr Whitaker' s alleged drafting which was to confer upon the people the benefits of a free ami purely secular education. (Loud cheers and laughter.) Then Mr Whitaker told them how shabby a thing it was for a member to walk out of the House in order to evade voting, and he had boldly asserted that he had never done and never would do such a thiug. Well, he would just instance a case in which the gentleman had walked out of the House—committed the shabby action that he condemned so much. The occasion was the division on the Piako Swamp busine.s. (Cheers and laughter.) that was too often giviug the matte: every possible advocacy. Again Mr Whitaker had claimed great ctedit for his efforts to colouialise the laud fund, but this matter also demanded a little elucidation. Iv 1576 the gentleman did make an attempt in this direction, and all the Auckland members supported him. 'I he next year Mr Header Wood tried to accomplish the same object by moving that the Laud Fuud should be made ordinary revenue of the colony, but on this occasion the only Auckland nicnibers who supported him were Sir George Grey, and Messrs Dignan, Hamlin, O'Korke, Sheehan, Swanson, Tole and Wood, while those who voted against it comprised Messrs Whitaker, Rowe, and Cox. (Disorder and groans.) On the 3rd of December following, when the second reading of the Fiuaucial Arrangements Bill (whose object was also colonialisation of land fund) took place Mr Whitaker walked out of the House. (Gioans and disorder.) He was not yet done, however, for he intended to show the electors the value of Mr Wlntakcr's professions to secure justice for Auckland in the matter of public works expenditure. Theie w^s such a mea.ure as the Railways Construction Bill, providing amongst other things for a trunk line from Hamilton to Taranak\ also from Helensvijle to ]%aukapa kapa, Wangarei and some others." They would think it an excellent opportu" u;ty for obtaining justice to Auckland, and would most assuredly count upon Mr W-itaker's support being given to _t\o BilL And yet, on consulting the Hausard division list, he JfouudJ that those of the Auckland members who voted for it wore only Dignan, Sir George Grey, Sheehan, Swanson, Hamlin, and 'lole. What did they think the would-be member did ? (A voice: Walked out). Yes, he left tho room. He did not wonder that Waikato was desirous of ridding itself of such a representative (cheers), av^d requiring a local man. Mr Tole, oan. eluded his speech with an earnest appeal to the ele^tovs. to strengthen the bauds o| Sir George Grey by return\ug meu upon whoso promise to support Uim they could place implicit trust, and not to heed those self-styled independent gentlemen whose avowals wore of an uucertaiu character. This was the favourable opportunity for the people to carry iuto lt\\y tho Liberal measures which Sir George Grey had laid before then^, and it was their duty to do nothing that might prejudice their* interests. The question was before the country, and the issue would determine whether jfor not Auokland aud the North were to veceive- unjust and uu fair treatmentov their legitimate share of tl\e public revenue, aud upon it also depended the boon of enlarged rights to the people, and the defeat of the interested ends of tho would -be laud aristocrats. It simply resolved itself iuto a question of whether the people would govo.ru themselves or bejgoverned by a privileged leader. Mr Tole resume^ Wa seat amidst prolonged electing,

In answer to a question, Mr Tole promised, if elected, to use his influence to have toll-bars in the province abolished. Ho had done so before and would again, In reply to other questions,he pledged, him! self to do his utmost to exact justice ior the North, and in reply to Mr S^diucs said that ho did not conceive \t right in tho administration ot justice, that a resident magistrate should likewise be a visiting magistrate at the gaol, but ho did not see why one geutlomcu, viz., Mr Barstow, should not be Assessment and Returning 01£,ce_. for- a number of districts. Mr Tole, however, objected to answer VfttOHEOgations of this personal character.

Mv.Staipes h,ex_ endeavoured to justify the legitimacy „.f y s quost .; Olls . i__ com . plained that he could never get a spark of lustico from Mr Barstow. The audience, however would not allow Staines to proceed fuvthor with his plaint. Mr Tole likewise promised his advocacy to the equalisation of the salaries of gaol officials throughout the country, and said that he would support the amendment of the Liccn.-ms Act sous to introduce the yvWOiple of local option. Ho would also complete his mission of trying to secure the erection of the workshops at Newmarket, and would, moreover, support the passing of aii income tax, for which he perceived that his venerable opponent did not care. (Cheers and laughter.) a .though bis views XOT_ ¥■-. ¥» c direction of' free trade, yet \\heu colonial products, could be manufactured, almost as.<&Qaj>ly as the imported ar-

tide he would be in favour of according a reasonable protection to the local industry. Mr W. J. Suiter said that after hearing Mr Tole's able address, and his very clear and satisfactory exposition of views on the education question and other matters, lie mounted the platform with great pleasure to move a vote of confidence in him. (Cheers.) Their member bad discharged his duties in a most exemplary manner, and had given all matters affecting the electorate his undivided attention. He thought that the electors should be satisfied with him. Their opponents evidently thought so too, for after bringing out successively Messrs /.lfred Buckland, A. K. Taylor, and Newman, they brought out a gun of the strongest calibre—a man who had been chased from his constituency, and to whom he hoped they would give a further chase. (Cheers.) They must Dot allow theirjattention to be distracted from the real issue of the conflict now engaging the country by cries of education, for the House was dissolved, not upon it, but upon the j_ol-administration of the Government. That was the subject upon which the voice of the country was required. The speaker then proceeded to adduce instances of corruption on the part of the Government of which Mr Whitaker was a member, viz,, the Brogden contract, the negotiation of the San Francisco mail service, and the appointment of Sir Julius Vogel as Immigration A"cnt, besides several particular acts of injustice done the North. Bcfcrenc'e was also made to reserves, which the speaker averred were illegally obtained by Sir Donald McLean. It was men of that class—large land sharks—who wished to cripple Sir George Grey's usefulness and to .force him out of the House altogether. It was likewise stated that the Vogel Governme nt had a method of their own for f'etting rid of political enemies, which was exemplified in the appointment of Mr Gillies to the Auckland judgeship, though Sir George Arney had then no desire to vacate it." 'I his was the. Ministry which Mr Whitaker supported, and it was for them to show their disapproval of its acts by'i-efusing to accept its representative here "Mr Whitaker. The speaker went on to allude to some of the political acts of this o-cntlcman, and compared them with Sir George trey's conduct in paying off the province's overdraft out of his own pocket. He trusted that they would send to Wellington a united and compact body of men pFedged to give Sir George Grey a hearty and effectual support. He hoped that they would not be blinded or deluded by interested doles to charitable institutions, but to keep always before them the true character of the contest. As an illustration of his own willingness to sink personal did'erences in order that the result might be for the common' benefit, he would say that he was foin" to vote for his greatest enemy, Dr. "\ValTis, although not asked to do so. For the same reason that influenced him they should heartily support Mr Tole and return him at the head of the poll. (Cheers). The speaker concluded by moving, "That having heard Mr Tole's views, and received his dis. tinct pledges to support the present Government under the leadership of Sir George Grey, and his Liberal poUcy, not to disturb the present secular education system, and to vote against any measure that would tend to upset it, this meeting lias full confidence in him as its representative in the forthcoming Parliament, and pledges itself to use every endeavour to secure his return." Mr Thomas Thompson said that to him had been relegat-.-d the duty of seconding the motion, but he now waived the privilc<'C in order that a gentleman who was well known, but whose views were o-encrally misapprehended, might appear in his "true colours. He referred to Mr John Jenkins of Newmarket. (Cheers). Mr Jenkins had great pleasure in secondinn the motion. He said that because he had taken Mr Tole to task through the medium of the Press after a recent meeting his action had been misconstrued, and lie was consequently expected to vote against him. 'the gentleman then went on to narrate how Mr Whitaker (accompanied by an able lawyer) came to Newmarket and solicited his Vote. He refused the request, and put this poser to Mr Whitaker. Why, if he had during taaenty years' advocated the Liberal measuresTiow before the country, did he prevent Sir George Grey from carrying .them when he had an opportunity of doing so? He had further told Mr Whitaker that the contest was simply one between him and Sir George Grey, and that the result would be the victory of Sir George if the people could have any power at all. (Cheers.) Mr Tole that evening had said; more than he expected, aud the promise made regarding education fully satisfied him. He very cordially seconded the motion (Loud cheers.) No amendment being proposed, themofion was put and carried unanimously amidst enthusiastic cheers.

A vote of thanks was then accorded the chair, and after checriug Sir George Grey and Mr Tole, and cordially hootiug _v.r Wliitaker, the large assemblage dispersed.