POLITICAL.

Press, Volume XLVII, Issue 7517, 5 April 1890, Page 3

POLITICAL.

■ / ME LANCE AT ASHLEY,

Mr J. D, Lance addressed his const!> tnentsin the district schoolroom, Ashley, on Wednesday evening. There was only a moderate attendance, as many of tbfl farmers are still busy threshing and carting their grain. Mr J. Ellwood was voted to the chair, and briefly introduced the speaker. The address, which lasted about an hour and a half, was In the main a repetition of the speeches delivered at Amberley and SeftOn on the two previous evenings. Ih answer to questions, Ms Lance said he thought the Ashley people were in a fair way to get the traffic bridge extended. He did not vote in favor: of the Hare system, which he characterised as a perfect farce and an experimental fad. He was not in favor of abolishing the totalisator, as it was the moat harmless form of betting. No Act of Parliament could prevent men from laying wagers, and this form was much better than betting with bookmakers. He had lately been over the part of the Otago Central that had been opened, and froca what he had seen of the land through which it passed, he thought it would take about a million acres to starve a lark. (Laughter.) He could speak of the benefits of village settlements. There were two In his neighborhood, one of which, at least, was a perfect success. On the motion 01 Mr Douds, seconded by Mr George, M« Lance was accorded a hearty vote «j thanks and confidence.