DECLARATION OF THE POLL

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume XIV, Issue 1844, 30 May 1885, Page 2

DECLARATION OF THE POLL

In accordance with official notice the substitute returning officer, Mr J. H. Sheath, formally announced the result of the polling on Thursday last, at 11 a.m. in the Native Commissioner's Court. The following were the totals ; — For Mr W. Kelly 520 rotes, for Mr J. Sheehan 532. The majority in fa. your of Mr J. Sheehan 12. The Returning Officer thereupon declared Mr Sheehan duly elected to represent the district of Tauranga in the House of Representatives. Mr Sheehan asked those present (a large number of the electors) to wait after the formalities were concluded as he wished to address a few remarks to them then, the public hall being engaged for the evening where he had hoped to address the electors. Meanwhile he begged to thank the electors for their measure of support. As far as he was concerned the quarrel was over, and he would most heartily endorse a remark he bad heard expressed that both, candidates should be returned. In connection with this sentiment he wished to say that one of the first things that would occupy his attention was the boundaries or the electorate • — and having pointed out the wide range comprised within the boundaries as at present defined — Mr Sheehan stated he would endeavour to limit the boundaries and have a second member to represent the new district, probably continued the speaker, this will find a corner for my late opponent Mr Kelly, but I shall in simple duty to myself endeavour to secure a nest also for my own requirements, (Laughter). I may now take the opportunity to say that if during the course of tlie electioneering campaign I have said anything that has in tlie smallest degree given offence to any one, to Mr Kelly or any of his friends I now most humbly apologise- Last year I was beaten, and what I then said I shall repeat now, — I had to be present at my own funeral, that was my position, nevertheless my resolve was to strengthen my opponent by all means in my power, and I would ask the electors and the beaten candidate to adopt the same course and strive to support your sitting member. (Applause). In conclusion Mr Sheehan proposed a vote of thanks to the Heturning Officer for the manner in which he had conducted the proceedings. Mr Kelly in seconding the vote of thanks took occasion also to thank the electors who had supported him and recorded their votes in his favour ne said "I don't look upon this as a defeat, for, but for the introduction of foreign capital I would not have been defeated." (Laughter and dissent). "I have no doubt that owing to the bad times from which this district has suffered so much for some time past the independent electors of the. Bay of Plenty would not have been so ready to yield to the influence of the mighty dollar." (Dissent). Mr Kelly continued, "I can prove my assertion and you will see whether I have grounds for saying so or not; time will tell. In the meantime I 1 shall be ready to assist Mr Sheehan in every way I can for the benefit of the district." Mr Sheehan then put the vote to the meeting which was carried with acclamation. The returning officer, Mr Sheath, having acknowledged the vote of thanks retired, and Mr Sheehan adbressed the electors assembled as follows : — Gentlemen, J wish to repeat what has been said elsewhere throughout this electorate, and 1 may preface my remarks by saying I am not a stranger to you, though I may have

been looked : upon as such. : I have been all, over this district, and" I think I have as shrewd an opinion of what is required as any man in it. I have promised to exert; uiySelf dn behalf of the harbour of Tauranga. I have met a deputation on this matter. I have also met, this morning, a deputation on matters connected with the construction of the Taiiranga-Rqtortia Railway, and haye 1 promised to do nly utmost to secure a further extension of time, but with one proviso, and that is that the said construction shall commence in Tauranga and not at Maungatapii as hinted at. With reference to the harbour works I think the work should be made available for the requirements of the large ocean-going steamers and there should be railway communication down to the mari-o-war aiichdr* age. 1 promised to close up the native titles, my chief effort will be to open up the Taurangn district by throwing open the lands for settlement so as to guard Tauranga against the danger of becoming, instead of a thriving town, a mere run. I have stated publicly that Tauranga wants stirring up, aild I repeat it. 1 remember well when I first came to Tauranga in 1861- I then thought there was no place more likely to go on and make progress, second only to Auckland. I notice now nothing is being done. One of your best men told me only yesterday, "I have not two shillings to jingle together." "Why is this state of things ? You have all that cau conduce to progress and advancement ; but it may be the climate is too good) you get laay and do nothing, (hear hear). To go outside the township ; I promised to use my best efforts to connect Te Aroha and Thames, but more, to connect these with a point near Tauranga. "£ My promises are before you, they are only promises now I admit, I can .only do what I can to give them due effect, and to that end will I strive. Mr Kelly has al most threatened that if he can hinder it I shall not even have the opportunity of recording my vote at all. Let me say in reply, do so if you can, but I will tell you this and it will be the only unkind remark 1 shall allow myself to make in reference to Mr Kelly ; his vote if recorded in the House, will be one, mine shall be sought after, I shall be consulted, and will be looked for as one having a certain amount of influence in the House. I shall hare to meet your Borough Council and confer with them on matters concerning your local body. I ha.ye seen your reserves as pointed out by his Worship the Mayor, who has also shown me the block o£ land at Maungatawa which I shall endeavour to obtain for you as an endowment. In reference to Ohinemutu I intend to oppose the Government expenditure going on there. I believe that private enterprise will do all that 18 required for -pvesenh necessities, there is at present an immense waste of public money. I voted in favour of the Thermal Springs Act under the representations made by Mr Eolleston that only a limited area should be brought under the proclamation. My eftortnow will be to break up the effects of that proclamation as well as the recent one by Mr Ballanee proclaiming some millibns of acres in the King Country. I don't believe in the Government locking up lands in this fashion, either they must buy the land or allow others to do so. With reference to the native land transactions Mr Sheehan ,went fully into his relations with such and cited those instances in which he had tendered his services, and others in which he hadbeen employed, and, as he said, "paid handsomely for professional services." Though not a local man, Mr Sheehan had thoroughly considered the requirements and he would now repeat what he had said at distant places. I have, he continued, promised the electors al; the Thames and Waihi, to do my best to • obtain for them a connecting link by rail with Tauranga. I have promised to undertake and secure the freehold for the leaseholders in that part of the constituency. I believe that the cheaper mining is made the better it is for the country, and if I am right it is at no very distant date that gold export will be a fact for Tauranga. As to the question of policy, I mean to give a general support to the Government; If they can't purchase the land* and encourage settlements and rapidly settle the lauds I shall decline to give them my support. I may perhaps have earned the soubri. quet of "promising Johnny" (I cannot transfer the joke to my friend "William) (Kelly) but in defiance of what he ha» said on several occasions I shall not be ashamed to see> you again. So far as the threat is concerned I don't caro what •he intends to do. We are personal friends and we have no cause to be otherwise. Ido claim to have stnek to my party all through. I cannot bo bought, 1 was once sent for by Mr Thos. Russell, known to many if not most of you, he wished to secure my vote in favour of a particular object; I said to him, No Mr Russell T will cut oft' my right hand first. In conclusion thanking you again gentlemen, for your support and patient hearing, I will now propose a most hearty vote of thanks to Mr Kelly, who though beaten I believe will admit we still are friends. The vote was carried unanimously. Mr Kelly then briefly thanked the meeting and expressed a hope that anything he may have said would only stimulate his friend Mr Sheehan in carrying out bis promises to the electors.

A poll for the election of two Auditt rs for the Borough will take place on Mondny.