Marsden.

Auckland Star, Issue 153, 1 July 1887, Page 5

Marsden.

Mr G. E. Alderton addressed a large and enthusiastic meeting at Kamo on Tuesday night. While admitting the urgent necessity of retrenchment in all branches of the public service, he warned electors not to be asleep while the Southerners were endeavouring to seize the remainder of the Crown estate in Otago to make the Otago Central railway, and urged electors to insist on their member pledging himself to tack on to the Otago Central Railway Bill the Whangarei-Kawakawn line, tho Puhipuhi forest being given to syndicate. In referring to retrenchment he urged that "Hansard " and Bellamy's should be done away With,COlltendingif there wereno "Hansard" tho sittings would be greatly shortened and much money indirectly saved. The Governor's and Ministers' salaries he would reduce, also cost of secondary education ; and honoraria of Legislative Councillors ought to be done away with. He urged that the railways should be sold so as to relievo the colony of the scandal of debt. He said in America private companies operated 140,000 miles of railways, and the amount of dissatisfaction there was certainly less than here, where the Government held tho monopoly. Mr Alderton has since retired from the contest, owing to his having been disfranchised by a trick.

A very largei and inlluential meeting was held at Whangarei on Wednesday, to take into consideration the question of represenMr James Harrison in tho chair. The first resolution, moved by Mr Kellen, solicitor, and formerly Presbyterian minister here, was to the effect that the member for Marsden should be an opponent to the Stout-Vogel administration. This was supported by Mr P. S. Brown, and carried without debate. Tho next resolution was moved by Mr Finlayson Smith and supported by Mr James Smeaton. The effect of it was that Mr Robert Thompson, county chairman, be asked to contest the seat,and that the meeting would solicit the support of all electors to co-operate and secure his return. An amendment was moved by Mi- Grice, and supported by Mr Clements, " That the latter half of the resolution bo struck out." A further amendment was made, though clearly out of order, that Mr Thompson, in the first place, address tho meeting and expound his views. At this juncture, a slic'lit disturbance occurred by an elector declaiming in a somewhat violent and most emphatic manner that the electors did not want Mr Thompson, nor men like him. Tho Chairman called upon the constable to eject the .speaker, but order was restored by the constable asking the said elector to bo less violent. The amendment and motion wore' put to the meeting, but only fr m 20 to 52 hands were held up for either, and Mr Thompson agreeing to address the meeting, he was heard, the Chairman having ruled that the show of hands was about equal. As soon as Mr Thompson had finished speaking, the Chairman hurriedly left the chair, declaring the business of the meeting at an end. Mr Clements proposed a vote of thanks to Mr Thompson, but the Chairman replied that he had vacated the chair. The meeting consequently ended without coining to any result.

(by telegraph.—own correspondent.) Christciiurch, this day. Retirement ot Mr Montgomery. Mr Montgomery is announcing in the columns of the " Akaroa Mail" that he will hot stand again, his medical officer having forbidden him. Mr Montgomery's friends have been aware that he was much indisposed, but had no idea it was serious enough to prevent him taking his accustomed position. (BY TELEGRAPH-OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Wkllikoton', this day. Members' Railway Passe?. Tiie "Post" thinks that the few passes used by members of the Mo Parliament should be recalled, on the ground that while retaining tliem, they possess an unfair advantage .over other candidates, who have to' pay their fares while canvassing their respective districts. It is expected that the report of the Representation Commission will be forwarded to His Excellency early next week. The work of mapping out the electorates is now virtually complete, and itjms been expeditiously done- Had it not been, however, for the fact that the population maps had been prepared in anticipation, the work of the Commission would have occupied a much longer time than it has done. Wo understand that the population within each electoral district has been ascertained with absolute accuracy. The "Press" strongly condemns the appointment of any more justices of tho peace until after the new Parliament has met, on the ground . that the object obviously is to influence the elections. The paper expresses a hope that the Governor will deem it his duty, as an impartial branch of legislature, to give effect to the evident intention of Parliament by declining to sanction any such appointments. Mr Dargaville has obtained from Mr Ballance a special report of that gentleman's recent speech on " Protection " at a public meeting in Wellington, and intends to have it printed in Auckland for distribution broadcast. Thames, this day. It is stated that Sir William Fox has expressed his willingness to contest the Thames seat, should he receive a requisition from a satisfactory number of electors desiring him to do so. The general opinion, however, seems to be that his chance of being returned is small. It is thought that .should Mr James McGowan consent to stand, lie would prove the most formidable opponent to Mr Fraser.