MR SHEPHERD AT BLUE SPUR.

Cromwell Argus, Volume VII, Issue 327, 15 February 1876, Page 6

MR SHEPHERD AT BLUE SPUR.

Some weeks since it was announced through these columns that Mr T. L. Shepherd, late M.H.R. for the Dunstan district, would address the electors here, the understood object being to review the political position and take leave, politically, of the Otago Goldfields. Mr Shepherd, however, appears to have changed his mind as to the locality in which to deliver his valedictory, and selected Blue Spur, Tuapeka, for the purpose. The reason for this is not very clear, unless it can be found in Mr Shepherd's own words, " I entertain a great respect for the Blue Spur miners, having always found them to be a body of intelligent and straightforward men," which would imply that the constituency who, on a very slight acquaintance, placed Mr Shepherd in the Colonial Parliament, are the antitheses to those whom he favored. The Tuapeka Times contains a pretty full report of the address, which deals with the principal matters in which Mr Shepherd had a hand during his political career. The speech as might be expected is largely taken up with an enumeration of the difficulties and opposition which he met with in his endeavors to benefit the Goldfields constituencies. We have long held the opinion that Mr Shepherd did not receive that support from other Goldfields representatives which his efforts deserved. This may to some extent be ascribed to Mr Shepherd himself, by reason of, principally, his intense egotism, which is apt to set others against him, and has all along invested Mr Shepherd, in his own eyes, with an importance which his Goldfields confreres would not concede. Had it not been for this characteristic, we do not hesitate to say Mr Shepherd would have made his mark in the House, and effected much permanent good for those he honestly desired to serve. He during his political life enunciated many sound, practical ideas, which, had it not been for the weakness alluded to, would no doubt have been acted upon and carried out. Mr Shepherd's efforts have always been in the right direction, and tohis credit be it said that he fought manfully for the Goldfields in the face of factious opposition from those whose duty should have dictated sympathy and support, even did they dislike the man who brought forward measures benefiting mining communities. It may be that time and experience will soften Mr Shepherd's idiosyncrasy, in which case we are sure his return to politics will be welcomed and his place as an Otago goldfields representative assured. It is due to Mr Shepherd, as our late member, that the causes which have decided him on retiring from the political arena should be known, and we therefore reprint his remarks under this head. No doubt Mr Shepherd has arranged that copies of his valedictory shall be sent broadcast over the Goldfields, bo that it is unnecessary for us to further

deal with it. Mr Shepherd conclude! hu speech as follows :

I now wish to refer to one or two private matters involving the conduct of certain *netn j bers returned for the goldfields to the Assembly. I may say that during «JU the time I hate bad the honor of occupying a seat in the Assembly, I have received nothing but courtesy and kind* ness from the members of the House of Representatives, as well as the Legislative Council with the exception of a very few goldfields mem', bers. Certain of the goldfields members showed the utmost hostility to me. They were your member, Mr J. C. Brown, and the member for Dunstan, Mr V. Pyke. I found these men use every possible effort to obstruct me in the Assembly and weaken my influence for your good; one of their favorite methods being to insert lying statements in obscure newspapers. As your are no doubt well aware, Mr Brown's boast is that his great strength lies in the lobby —(laughter)—and it was rather amusing to see him rushing about button-holeing all and sundry North Island members amongst the rest to try andgetthemtovoteagainst my bill —(Laughter ) Whatever I brought forward Brown was sure to oppose, no matter what it was, or however beneficial it might be for your interests. Heacted as a kind of fifth-rate newspaper correspondent forwarding press telegrams to obscure Otsgo journals; the real object being to prejudice my position and damage me in the public estimation but in which he entirely failed. Tn that way the Mount Ida Chronicle was largely patronised by him. Eventually, he found a leader and patron for himself in the person of Mr Vincent Pyke. When he found he could do nothing himself, he would go to his leader to get him to put roe down. Mr Pyke, however, was not very long in discovering that was not such an easy matter,—(laughter)—and that instead of putting ! me down he was put down himself.—(Continued i laughter.) This is not by any means difficult to comprehend ; the fact being that while 1 have been actively trained all my life to the study of the law (this eminently qualifying me to take my position in the Legislative Assembly ) r this worthy leader (Mr V. Pyke) was engaged pursuing the useful career of a linen draper in » small way of business.—(Loud laughter.) The speaker next referred to a series of articles entitled "Goldfields Celebrities," which appeared in the Mount Ida Chronicle, in one of which he (Mr Shepherd) came in for a large share of abuse and misrepresentation'. The article in question was read and closely criticised; the speaker saying that the tone employed was that of a detective tracking a thief from place to place. The authorship of the article was by inference imputed to Mr V. Pyke, which, the speaker said, at once accounted for the animus it manifested towards him. Hi« (Mr Pyke's) commercial morality was next touched upon, a number of anecdotes and reminiscences being given in illustration of its sterling value. These excited the mirth and unbounded applause of the audience, so much so that for a time the speaker experienced considerable difficulty in proceeding. Mr De Lautour was next touched upon, a full and particular account of his experience as, a colonist being given. It was of the highest importance to the standing and respectability of members that they should be men possessed of some private means. This had all along been » reproach to certain members from Otago, and had, to a great extent, destroyed their influence. He (Mr Shepherd) had at one time been possessed of a considerable amount of private means, a great deal of which had been spent in maintaining his status as a representative. It was solely on that account that he bad Seen fit to retire from public life. Upon resuming his Beat the speaker was greeted with load and prolonged applause.