FITZGERALD’S ELECTION TO BE SUPERINTENDENT

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27096, 20 July 1953, Page 8

FITZGERALD’S ELECTION TO BE SUPERINTENDENT

CANTERBURY POLITICS

(Specially written for "The Press.”) [By A. M. MENZIES)

“Never was it our lot to feel so satisfied with the orderly conduct and nrooriety of demeanour of any body of electors there was neither noting nor drunkenness in the streets and are convinced neither bribery no due influence exerted m private. ’Dus was the opinion of the editor of the “Lvttelton Times” on July 23, 1853, as he compared Canterbury’s.first election—when James Edward FitzGera became Superintendent of the pro some of the elections he had attended in England. But that was not to say that uie three-sided contest lacked the dements of liveliness, comedy or even vinaic tiveness that have typified elections at all times. Nor were our Canterbury forefathers devoid of that state of excitement called “election /ever, for, as another observer said, There was a joyous juvenility abroad, induced by the privilege of taking part for the first time in the government of the colony, that was quite infectious Or dinary, staid, elderly people could not help yielding to its influence. From the time the New Zealand Constitution Act was passed by the Imperial Government on June JU, and its provisions made known to colonists, preparations were made in the province for the elections to be held the following year. With the considerable measure of self-government conferred on the various provinces by the act and the low voting qualification which virtually decreed universal male suffrage, it is understandable that colonists, in spite of loud criticism oi various provisions, were eager to exercise their newly won right. 'Naturally, it was considered that John Robert Godley should have the honour of being elected to the position as head of the province, which he, in effect, already held. A letter was addressed to him accordingly, requesting that he make hgnself available for nomination. When Godley refused, because he was returning to England, three candidates were quick to enter the contest; Fitz Gerald, who was first, on November 13, received acknowledgement as the sole candidate in the •leader columns of the “Lyttelton Times” on November 20. However, not only did the editor have information that Henry John Tancred was to present himself, but he also hinted vaguely at the existence of a third candidate. „ t _ “We understand that a gallant Commissioner, who possesses the confidence of the people of Akaroa, intends offering his inexperience to the notice of the public, which he considers in no way disqualifying him for the office of superintendent,” said the editor,, referring, as all knew, to Colonel James Campbell, Commissioner of Crown Lands, who had long been in disfavour. He became the stormy petrel of the contest. Colonel Campbell Opens Colonel Campbell declared himself on February 12, 1853, and made known his views in an address to the constituency, through the medium of the paper, at the same time appealing to the electors not to be influenced by misrepresentations of what he had done, or said, in the new colony or formerly in England. A sarcastic leading article by the editor on this address appeared the same day. Fitz Gerald and Tancred supported the “sufficient price’’ for land of the Wakefield colonisation system, but Colonel Campbell was the nominee of a party supporting the cheap land Solicy of the Governor. Sir George rev. It was thought that the cheap, land party saw the chance to take advantage of the division of their opponents. On this basis the campaign gathered momentum, with pronouncements by candidates, leading articles and correspondence columns filled with wisdom by the politicallyminded colonists over such nom-de-plumes as “An Elector.*’ The preparation of the electoral roll caused *as much enthusiasm and controversy as the views of the candidates themselves. The Government Gazette, received by the colonists in March, defined the boundaries of the province, set out the regulations governing the forthcoming elections; and claims to vote were called for, stating abode, occupation and qualification. A tentative roll was published, to which objections could be made and were made before a bench of Magistrates. Because a personal service of the notice of objection was required, requesting those objected to to appear before the Magistrates, several persons who suspected their qualifications would be questioned absented themselves until the date for objecting was

past. They took a cruise round peninsula, much to the disgust of : correspondent, “An Elector by fication,” who complained about wi” sons going on voyages to avoid dZ’ sonal service. Colonel Campbell himself objects to some electors on the Akaroa rn? , The “Lyttelton Times’’ alleged that they w’-re voters who had refuaed hit canvass, but went on to say, "We douh! whether readers will credit the state , ment we should hesitate to mak* except upon the most undisputed authority, viz., that the , —the candidate—the objector himself —takes his seat on the bench and i» defiance of protests from the othS magistrates and the electors objects to, insists on hearing and deciding on his own objections . . . recording hi vote in favour of his own objections? When the electoral rolls were p U k. lished during July for the diatrirty, Christchurch, Lyttelton, and Akar™ it was the Colonel’s name that absent. Party Spirit Ran High Party spirit ran high during tht nomination proceedings on July i» at the “very capacious hustings erected in front of the land office.” After cheers had greeted the Chief Return, ing Officer, Captain Charles Sime<w when he demanded a spirit free from the animosity which prevailed at elec, tions in England, the three candidate! were nominated and their virtues uo. held by the nominators. Tancred’s nominator created amuse, ment, by alleging that Colonel Cam*, bell had been brought forward by Fitz Gerald’s supporters to attract vot« from Tancred. “He trusted,” accord, ing to the “Lyttelton Times,” “that so palpable an electioneering dod»e would be seen through by the !&. telligent electors he was addressing.” Signs of political immaturity were demonstrated when, as a result of a protest about Colonel Campbell’, qualifications, Captain Simeon said he was prepared to allow the Colonel to be nominated and votes to be registered for him; but, if he won, the second candidate would be returned as superintendent. In his speech, the Colonel claimed that his name hid been wrongfully erased from the roll but he was quite confident that if he was elected he would be superintend, ent all right. He called upon thoM present not to be deterred from votina for him. The show of hands favoured Fitx. Gerald, but this was a mere formality The inevitable poll was demanded!* the supporters of the other candidate! and set down for 10 a.m. on July 20. Processions Processions were the order of the day. Colonel Campbell's supporters in Lyttelton paraded the town with a band (improvised instruments and music) headed by a drum-major flourishing a broom. Emblematic devices included a cartoon depicting the two opposition candidates—one holding a working man’s nose to e grindstone that the other was turning, and two poles, with red and blue shirts, surmounted by loaves of bread. A large loaf represented the great prosperity that would eventuate if the colonel were elected, while the smaller one symbolised the lack of prosperity that Fitz Gerald’s election would bring. Many of the public houses were open houses on election day, as there was no “treatment at elections bill.” but all observers emphasised the absence of drunkenness. After all this, the poll closed at 4 p.m., and Fitz Gerald was elected with 135 votes to Colonel Campbell’s 94 and Tancred’s 89. Fitz Gerald gained most of his success in Christchurch, although in Lyttelton he shared the honours with the colonel, who, as expected, won easily in Akaroa. The editor’s leading article was full of congratulations, quiet boasting, and such sentiments as “the English spirit of independence.” For the most part he claimed Fitz Gerald, who was once the editor of the “Lyttelton Times.” r a colleague. *“We cannot remember without feelings of pride that the gentleman upon whom the choice st the province has fallen was but recently one of us. The character IB public press reflects that of a peBOL An obligation of no ordinary magni* tude was conferred by that man, Who impressed upon our first public journal a tone and character which, older colonists than ourselves assure us, hv distinguished it above the generality of colonial papers.” On the other hand, Colonel Camp bell featured prominently and ven* mously in the correspondence column for some time after the event