IN EXPLANATION.

Press, Volume XLVIL, Issue 7726, 4 December 1890, Page 6

IN EXPLANATION.

TO THB EDITOR OS* THE PEBSfI. ' Sm,--The Press's report of my speech in the Theatre Royal last night is incorrect in several places. To begia with, I am astonished to read that I concluded by saying," Voteior us three, and by so doing strike a fatal blow at the landowners of New Zealand." Now» I did not say that. I did not say anything remotely resembling ifc. I did not say any part of it. I aid not say "Vote for us three ;** nor did I ask the electors to strike a fatal blow at anybody ; nor did I conclude with any refer ence to " the landowners of New Zealand. The whole sentence has been added to my speech by the reporter. , , .-..-.. * Then, in the report of what I said about the complaint made by a teetotal clergyman, I am made to refer to the " paid canvassers of the candidates. I did not use the word "paid." I do nob suppose that the candidate in question employs paid canvassers. Nor did I assert that they had made a great deal of the matter. I said it was very probable they had. Nor did I use the words "withdrawing the charge" or "retractation." I said this clergyman concerned had told mc he "would write an explanation" to my Pa f see that Mr Smith stated last night at Sydenham that I had said that Pyke'e Bill would not be lively to be heard Of again in the House of Representatives. This i 9 directly contrary to fact. I said nothing of the sort. I was mis-reported, in the Press, of November 19th, as saying so. But lat once bad it contradicted, and my contradiction appears In the Press of the very next day. Mr Smith does not scruple to reiterate this mis report;—l am, &c, ■"'__ —-~ W. P. K£BVE3.

%{lt is not always easy at a political meeting to get the" exact words of a speaker, as Mr Reeves will probably admit. We have made enquiries, »nd find that the remark as to "striking a blow- at landowners," or a phrase to that effect, was. uttered not by Mr Reeves* but by another speaker. We regret the inaccuracy should have occurred, as our desire is to report fully and faithfully the views of our political opponents, as well as of those wno are on the same side as this journaL~BD. P.]

Mr Eden George will speak to-night at the Theatre Royal. The dress circle will be reserved for ladies. , Mr Tanner addresses the electors of Heathcote at the Woolaton Oddfellows' Hall this evening. ; A very enthusiastic and largely-attended meeting of Mr Stead's Sub-Committees was held last night at the Corn Exchange. Reports were submitted of a very satisfactory nature, and after going through the roll the meeting adjourned. ' Mr Stead addressed a large and enthusiastic meeting of the Avon electors at East Eyreton last night. At the close of his address a large number of questions were put, one person alone handing Iα thirty-eight written questions. A vote of thanks to Mr Stead was carried amidst great enthusiasm. : Mr jTTippett Smith will address the electors of Christcnurch at the Rink this evening. The Hon. Wm. Rolleaton addressed a meeting of electors, in the Halswell schoolroom last evening. The room was well filled a considerable number being present from another part of the district. The Hon. E. Gray occupied the chair. Mr Rolleston spoke for upwards of an hoar, and was very cordially received. Towards the close of the meeting considerable interruptions proceeded from one end of the room, and rotten eggs were thrown in. A vote of thanks and no confidence was proposed by Mr H. A. Coventry Fergusaon. An amendment of thanks and confidence was proposed by Mr J. Miln. On the amendment being pat the Chairman declared the show of hands to be equal, as far as he could judge, for and against it. The meeting then dispersed. Sir John Hall addressed a meeting of the EUesmere electors in the schoolroom at Lakeside, on Tuesday evening. Mr F. Qverton, the Chairman of the School Committee, occupied the chair, and the room was crowded. Sir John spoke for about an hour and a half, dwelling at some lengthen the education question, showing it was not attacked by anything he had done, which was strictly in accordance with the opinions he expressed at the last election* He answered questions as to the working of the Female Suffrage, and other subjects. In compliance with the request •of an elector Sir John explained the provisions of Pyke's Private Schools BiiL In reply to a question as to whether banks and loan companies should not be compelled to realise estates falling into their hands within a definite time, Sir John agreed that 16 wss very undesirable that these properties should be held for a. long period" by such companies. He thought measures should, if possible, be devised, which without inflicting injustice would put pressure on them to realise within a reasonable time. Mr Marshall proposed a heart? vote of thanks to Sir John for his address, and trusted that the electors would all roll up and vote in his favor on polling day. The motion was seconded by

Mr An&erson and carried by acclamatlbiu In proposing a vote of thanfea to the chairman, Sir John expressed his gratification at seeing such a large attendance, notwithstanding the short notice he had been able to give of the meeting. -Mr ■ Baxfcoa addressed a meeting of electors at Hilton, on Monday,' and received a vote of thanks and confidence. On Tuesday he addressed a large meeting at the Volunteer Hall, Temuka. He was well received and on the motion of Mr Scannell, seconded by Mr Ooodey, he was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence. According to the Corrapt Practices Act, all election candidates must have lists of their scrutineers sent in to the Returning Officers for Friday's election before the polling day, in order that the Returning Officer can inform his deputies. Failing compliance with this regulation, there is a penalty of £50. Mr McGregor delivered Us second address to the Little River electors at the Maori Hall on Tuesday evening. There was a good attendance, and Mr Coop occupied the chair. A vote of thanks was accorded to the candidate. ! Mr John MMiachlao met the electors of Eilesmere in the Dunsandel Hall on Mod- j day evening. There was a good attendance. Mr P. Westenra occupied the chair. The meeting throughout bad a tendency to be very lively. At the close Mr MiUom Jones proposed a vote of thanks to Mr M'Lacnlan for his address. Mr F. Wright seconded the motion, which was carried. Mr Popple addressed a large meeting of electors at Springfield oa Tuesday night, Mr A. J. Davey in the chair, and was accorded a vote of thanks aud confidence. Mr T. H. Anson addressed the electors of Selwyn at Greendale on Monday. Mr Jas. Gough occupied the chair. After the address the candidate answered a number of questions, after which MrChas. Kadd moved, and Mr Thompsqn seconded, a vote of thanks to Mr Anson, which was carried. At a meeting of the Christchurch Auxiliary of the New -Zealand Alliance, held in the Blue Ribbon Hall last evening, it was aniounced that Mr J. T. Smith and Mr Eden George were the only two caudidates who had expressed themselves favorable to prohibition without compensation. Mr J. W. Sawle addressed a crowded meeting at the Ashburton Oddfellows' Hall, last evening. Mr B. Alcorn presided. Mr Sawle was well received. A number of questions were afterwards put and replied co. Mr Sawle was accorded a hearty vote of thanks and confidence, on the motion of Mr Case, seconded by Mr Hoult. The Protection League, Christchurch branch, met on Tuesday, the 2nd insc, Mr D. Shaw in the chair. Ie was decided to recommend protectionists throughout Canterbury to support the following candidates, viz.:—For Christchurch, Messrs Keeves, Perceval, and Taylor; Heatacote, Mr W. W. Tanner; Hals well, Mr Parker; Avon, Mr Blake; Kaiapoi, Mr Hoban; I Akaroa, Mr Joyce; Asnburton, Mr ' Walker; Xiinaru, Mr Twomey. Ie was pointed out that to split the vote of the protectionist party where there are two Oppositionists in the field, meant voting for the opponent, and therefore the Society would urge upon its frien.is to vote lor the above named gentlemen. Our correspondent; writes:—The electors in tht Geraldine district are anxiously looking forward to Friday next. The contest between Messrs Buxton and Rhodes bids fair to be one of the keenest of the elections. Both parties are confident of success, and the choice of candidates has virtually been made, as sides have been ''taken in a very marked manner. One or two matters have come to light in connection with the rolls, which may possible lead to some penalties being incurred by voters. For instance, it has Only just been noticed that nearly every Maori on the roll is set down under a residential qualification,'whereas the Act distinctly.states thafc a Maori can only be enrolled aud vote by virtue of hi* being oa a ratepayer's roll, or for a freehold qualification. A number of persons are enrolled for freehold qualifications who have not held property iv the district for six months, while some are registered oh such qualification whose interest does not amount to £25.

. a reliable correspondent at Wanganul writes as follows '—" If Mr Ballance does not receive more votes from Roman Catholics and. laborers in town than I reckon on he will not be elected this session here. I judge partly from what I see of both sides in the local papers, but more from a general knowledge of the district and people; also the evident false statements on all electioneering matters which appear in the Herald. I know he is expected to be close run by his strongest supporters. Almost all country settlers have to oppose him." ; ;