THE LYTTELTON SEAT IN THE PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Press, Volume XIV, Issue 1836, 2 March 1869, Page 2

THE LYTTELTON SEAT IN THE PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

; THE NOMINATION. The nomination of candidates for the seat 1 for Lyttelton in the Provincial Council, vacated " by Mr D. Davis, took place at the Resident Magistrate's Court, Lyttelton, at noon yes- ' terday. ; ' Dr Donald, the Returning Officer, having ' read the writ, called upon the electors who ■ wished to nominate candidates to do so. 1 Mr J. S. Willcox wished to propose a gen--1 tleman who had lived many years amongst them —one whom tbey all knew, Mr Thomas ' Merson, of London street, whose interests were 1 the same as their own in all matters connected with the welfare of the port, He was a man of good common sense and honesty of purpose. It was now time to return men for Lyttelton ; who were identified with its inhabitants in all their interests. He had much pleasure 5 in pro- : posing Mr Thomas Merson. Mr W.f Webb seconded the nomination. Mr H. Hawkins had 'much pleasure in 1 proposing Mr J. D. Macpherson, who had formerly resided for some time amongst, and 1 was well known to most of them. He was 1 now again about to live amongst them, and his interests would be identified .with the place. He (Mr Hawkins) would therefore leave Mr Macpherson to speak for himself. Mr H. Allweight had great pleasure in seconding Mr J. D. Macpherson, in whom they would find what, they wanted—a tho? roughly commercial man. His former actions spoke for themselves. No- qther candidate. being proposed the Returning Officer called-upon ; the nominees to address the electors. Mr Merson said that in coming forwarckas a candidate he was riot'influenced by ambitious motives, but by the request of numerous electors. Lyttelton required an earnost and honest representative who would attend to its wants, and be always in his place in the Council. Should he be elected he would do the utmost in his power to serve them. He would not solicit their votes but would leave it to themselves to elect him or. not. He was ready to answer any question that the electors might put to him. Mr J. D. Macpheeson said, in his address he stated that he should like to represent Lyttelton. He had been a long time connected with the town ; knew and was known to many of them, and had spent many happy days there. It is not now what it was ten years ago, when he first came. The head quarters of the banks, merchants, and Customs, were then here ; but it had been found a commercial necessity to remove them to Christchurch, and he hoped the Lyttelton people were "not sbunjuetas tb continue complaining about their removal. With regard to his being a squatter he was sorry to say that he was one no longer, or he might be better off. The place was endeared to him, and if he were returned he would attend. to, the interests of the electors. There were many topics he should take some other opportunity of addressing them upon, one was a water supply,which was very necessary in a place like Lyttelton ; also as to docks and shipbuilding, and many other; matters. He placed himselt in- their hands ; but if they preferred Mr Merson he would prove a good man to attend to their interests. The Returning Officer then called for a show of hands, which resulted as follows: — Merson, 18; Macpherson,* 15. A poll was demanded on behalf Mr Macpherson. The Returning Officer stated it would take place on Wednesday, between 9 and 4 o'clock, and the result would be made known at 4 10 p m the same day. ' Mr Macpheeson proposed, iand Mr Mbbson seconded, a vote of thanks to the Returning Officer. Mr Macpheeson slated that he would hold a meeting at the Colonists' Hall on Tuesday (this day) at 7 o'clock p.m.