AUCKLAND CITY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 277, 22 November 1899, Page 2

AUCKLAND CITY.

[ME J. J. HOLLAND AT ST. GEORGE'S

HALL,

Mr Holland addressed a meeting Of city electors at St. George's Hall, Grey Lynn, last night, when he was accorded a good reception. Mr J. W. Shackelford (Mayor of Grey Lynn) presided. The speaker defended the policy of the Government, and combat-ted a statement- put forth by Mr Crowther that the savings of the workers in the Savings Banks in Auckland had fallen off. He quoted official figures in support Of his statement, and added that since __© present Government had been In Office the savings of the people had snore than doubled. The railways had ibeen a great success in the hands of. Ml? Oadmtm, and they now paid £3 5s 10d per cent. There had been a w»od deal said in the House about '^sweating" in Auckland, but his experience was the working people here .were more wealthy than in any part i__ the colony. Wcfrking people aso got more work and worked under toetter conditions than in any place in ,-the colony. Mr Seddon had stuck to 'Auckland . through thick and thin with regard to keeping Auckland as *__ port of call for the 'Frisco mail service. The Auckland newspapers (had twitiod the Auckland members at not being alive when Mr Duthie moved his amendment to make Wellington the port of call, but he might tell his Hearers' the Auckland members were fully alive to the occasion, but they did not want to show their hand. Mt Duthie's motion was brought Oil at 5 a.m.. and it was defeated by 34 to 14, _6 that showed the Auckland members were __hal to the occasion. It the present Government were again returned the North Island Trilnk BUilrway would be completed in four or five years. It would be impossible though to complete it without a loan. The Government had spent £36,500 a Y ear On the line. Mr Holland claimed the land policy of the Government had been a success, and referred tt> the purchase of the Fencourt and Whiteihs.ll estates in the Waikato, which wOtlld shortly be thrown open for settlement. The money borrowed by the present Government was earning interest of £G.3„7 per year, which meant a profit to the colony. Mi Holland sajd lie wa.s a resident of Auckland for thirty-nine and a half years, and no one could accuse him of having a stain on his chara.eter, or having done an unworthy net either in the course of his public duties or as employer of labour. He made a powerful appeal, and asked the elee* tors to renew their confidence in him at the ballot bo*. Major Morrow proposed a vote ot thanks to Mr Holland for his able address and of renewed confidence in this ability to represent Auckland as a _lty member. Tills motion was seconded by Mr A. Burfoot and unanimously carried.

Mr W. Crowther addressed the city electors in St. Benedict's Hall last evening. . Mr J. .TamieisOn occupied the Chair, and there was a fair attendance. Mr Crowther received a patient hearing, and at the conclusion of bis address was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence.

■ Mr W. 3. Napier had a large meeting in the. Richmond Road Primitive Metbodist Church last evening, the building being well filled* notwithstanding the. unpleasant aspect-of the weather. Mr C. McMasters presided. Mr Napier's- rehia.ks were listened to with evident interest, and at the conclusion of the meeting he was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence on the motion of Mr Over, seconded by Cr. Smith.