POLITICAL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 135, 9 June 1898, Page 5

POLITICAL.

■Mr William Crowfcher, M.H.Tt, for Auckland City, addressed a well-attended meeting of constituents at the Opera House on May 27th. His Worship the Mayor (Mr P. Dignan) presided. A vote of thanks and confidence was proposed by Or. Farrell, seconded by Cr. Julian, and carried.

The election for tho Mataura seat took place yesterday. The polling was not so heavy as at the general election. The Government candidate polled bestat nearly all tho booths, and closed with a majority of 387. The figures were :—Robert McNab, 1,894; W. F. Ward, 1,507 ; informal, 14

Owing to inclement weather on June 4th not many electors of Eden attended at the Deyonport Hall to hear an address on political questions,! by Mr John Bollard, M.H.R. for the Ellon electorate. Mr J. Mackay, Mayor of Devonport, presided, and briefly introduced the speaker. Mr C. Bartley moved a vote of thanks to Mr Bollard for his address, and contidence in him as a member.

Mr McGowan, M.H.R., addressed the electors at Coromondel on May 18 Captain Swindley in the chair. Referring to Mr Seddon's trip Home, he said the expenses of previous Premier was greatly in excess. The action of the Opposition in this matter was mean, no mention of expenses having been made before the Premier left the colony. The police force had'becti in a bad condition since the police obtained the franchise. Railways, milling and lands administration was good. Ho eulogised the purchase of the cyanide process, enabling flic public to use' it at a cheep rate and eventually free of charge. Ho referred to the Bill passed prohibiting Sunday Jabonr in mines, and the Explosive Act passed preventing accidents to miners through bad fuses. He favoured legislation aiding foreign capital, but objected giving freebold titles, as they prevented compulsion to man the ground. This colony was the most favourable country for foreign companies, save perhaps Columbia. He quotod the taxation of other colonies, and expressed the oninion that the Government had assisted mining greatly. Referring to defence he said it should take the form of supporting the British navy. All tho money in the colony could not fortify the main pouts. The meeting was fairly attended. A vote of thanks and confidence was carried unanimously.