THE ELECTIONS.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXII, Issue 2677, 14 February 1866, Page 4

THE ELECTIONS.

As yet, there has been no opposition to the return of any of the gentlemen put in noniination for the House of Representatives ; and so fjtr the candidates have declared themselves thorough-going Separationists. Moreover, they have deckred their intention of acting as one man in the General A ssembly. We congratulate the province on we result of the elections hitherto. Auckland hi i not returned a man of whom it need stand in doi l>t. Yesterday, Mr. John Williamson and Mr. J i^nes Williamson were duly elected for the City of Auckland West. A report of the proceedings apj tars in another column. Mr. Thomas Hendersbi »nd Mr. James O'Neill are to be nominated to-day at the North Shore, for the Northern Division ; and their return will be unopposed. 1 bis is as it ought to be. In the gentlemen nam d, the Northern Division will have representatives rtio will zealously watch the interests of their con itituents and the province at large ; and we would rery much regret if either had been opposed. Last "evening the electors of P« nell unanimously resolved to wait on Mr. Whitakei , and ask him to allow himself to be put in nominatton for that constituency. We feel assured that Ox. Whitaker will accede to the request, and by his [presence in Wei-

lingfcon cement that feeling of harmony amongst the Auckland members, which did so much to forward the interests of the province last session. When on the subject of the Parnell meeting it would not be courteous to pass in silence Mr. Robert Lusk's criticism on our article of yesterday. He was pleased to remark that it was a very "shallow " thing for us to say that our members ought to accept an instalment of justice, without conceding anything in regard to Separation j because a man of Mr. Stafford's experience would be certain to put forward his proposals with the view of "committing" our members. But Mr. Lusk appears to have been so " shallow" as not to see that his objection answered itself ; because, if the representatives of this province are so " shallow "as to allow Mr. Stafford to lime a twig for them, and then settle contentedly upon it, they are certainly not the kind of men to represent Auckland in the General Assembly. It is quite possible for members to accept concessions from any Government, without in the least "committing" themselves to abandon Separation. The late representatives effected an adjustment of the Waikato lands without committing themselves against Separation. Full and complete Separation may not be possible in the coming session ; but what is to prevent us going a few steps farther on the road to it ? Let us get as much as we can, and ask for more. For our own part, we have no fear that the representatives of Auckland will ( permit Mr. Stafford to " commit" them so easily as Mr. Lusk imagines. They are too old birds to sit and have salt sprinkled on their tails. We think also that the "haziness" of which. Mr. Lusk spoke is entirely confined to himself. We don't think anything could be more explicit than the reply of the Northern I Association to the Middle Island Association, as to ihe conditions on which Auckland would be willing to accept Separation. If Mr. Lusk did not read that reply it was his misfortune ; if he did read it, and did not understand it, he was more unfortunate still ; — but we do hope and trust that the course which he suggested, of questioning Mr. Whitaker on the hustings, and inviting a declaration of how-far he will go in this or that direction, will not be resorted to. The action of our representatives must depend very much on circumstances; and any pledge beyond the general assurance that he would do his utmost to secure Separation, from such a man as Mr. Whitaker, will only embarass him hereafter, and expose our hand. Referring to the subject of the elections, we may state that a contest in Marsden appears to be inevitable. We need hardly say that we regret this ; but we ought likewise to add that it was a great pity Mr. John Taylor did not sooner announce his intention to stand for the constituency. If he had done so earlier, we have reason to suppose there would have been no contest.

We Ibave later intelligence from Hokitika and the Grey River. Our dates from the former are to the sth instant inclusive, and from the latter to the 3rd itistant inclusive. Elsewhere we publish the latest commercial and shipping intelligence. We are in possession of a copy of the Hawh?s Bay Herald of the 10th instant, being five days later, but there is no news of general public interest beyond that already to hand by previous advices. We have been compelled to hold over several local reports and articles prepared for publication to-day. Our correspondents must likewise excuse us for again presuming upon their good nature. In the Provincial Council yesterday several petitions were presented relative to land grants j and important messages received from bis Honor the Superintendent, in regard to the construction of the Auckland and Drury Hail way; the harbour endowments, &c. The Waikato regulations went through committee, and the Council unanimously adopted the Superintendent's proposals with reference to the mode of dealing with the claims for compensation for losses sustained during the war. The Slaughterhouse Act, 1866, and the Auckland Municipal Police Act were read a second time. The former Act was referred to a select committee. The nomination and electioa of two members of House of Representatives to represent the electoral y district of City of Auckland. West, in the forthcoming session of the General Assembly, took place at noon yesterday, in front of the Old Supreme Court-house, Auckland, in the presence of a large assembly of electors. Mr. John Williamson was proposed and seconded by Messrs. Alexander Black and Patrick Dignan. Mr. James Williamson was nominated by Messrs. J. C. Firth and J. S. Macfarlane. There being no other candidates, these gentlemen were declared duly re-elected, after which they severally returned thanks for the honour conferred, and the trust again reposed in them. A vote of thanks to Colonel JBalneavis, Returning Officer, terminated the proceedings, which occupied but a few minutes, and are fully reported elsewhere. We have barely space to call attention to his Honor's message, in relation to the Auckland and Drury Railway, which we print elsewhere. But we cannot permit the opportunity to pass without congratulating the province on the prompt and intelligent action taken by the Superintendent in this matter. The appointment of a commission of competent engineers to report upon the railway, to which we incidentally referred yesterday, was absolutely necessary, if public confidence was to be restored ; and we look forward to the report of the Commissioners with great interest. The high standing and professional ability of Colonel Mould, R.E., and the known ability and intelligence of the Engineer-in-Chief, are sufficient guarantees for the fair" and impartial character of the report. Of Mr. W. J. Dalton we know nothing, beyond the fact that he is a gentleman who comes here with testimonials of a very high character indeed. ; and we have proof of his fitness for the duty imposed upon him in the fact that he has had experience in the construction, of several lines of railway in England. The Sidmouth and other lines in Devonshire were constructed under Mr. Daltons superintendence. A meeting of the electors of Parnell was held last evening in the Presbyterian School-room, for the purpose of nominating a fit and proper person to represent the district in the General Assembly. Mr. Reader Wood presided. Major Heaphy proposed, and Mr. Wrigley seconded, the nomination of Mr. Whitaker. The motion was carried unanimously. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Creighton, the retiring member, for his conduct during last session, and a committee was appointed to wait on Mr. Whitaker. The Annual District Festival of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Manchester Unity, Auckland district, is fixed to take place to-day. The members will meet at the Odd Fellows' Hall, Queen-street, punctually at nine o'clock, for the purpose of forming into a procession and proceeding to the wharf, where an excursion will be made in the steamer ' Waitemata to Brother Copland's Landscape Gardens, at the Lake. A large muster of brethren and tjheir families is expected; and from the admirable arrangements made by the stewards for agreeably diversifying the day's proceedings a most enjoyable holiday is anticipated should the weather only prove propitious. The members of the Otahuhu Division of the Royal Cavalry Volunteers held a meeting yesterday, at the Criterion Hotel, Obahuhu,— Captain Hutton in the chair. It was resolved that the services of the corps should be tendered to -the General Government, in accordance with the provisions of the new Volunteers Act; and a ballot for the election of new members took place, 32 members being elected and six rejected. Captain Hutton announced his intention of leaving the colony in about three weeks, and a deputation was consequently appointed to wait upon Majsr Walmsley, requesting him to accept the command of the corps. It was further resolved that Captain Hutton before leaving the colony should be invited to a dinner by the corps ; and a committee was appointed to carry out the necessary arrangements. The case against the Maoris charged with the murder of fulloon was concluded at yesterday's sitting, but they were not committed for trial, as several of them are to be brought up under other charges. The men charged as accessories were brought up, and the evidence partly heard. An ex- . tended report will be found elsewhere. An adjourned public meeting was held »t the Criterion Hotel, Otahuhu, yesterday, for the purpose of considering the best means to be adopted to prevent the spread of the pleuro-pneumonia disease, Mr. Andrews occupying the chair. A letter was read from his Honor the {superintendent, in reply to a memorial presented from a previous meeting, praying that he would appoint an inspector of cattle for the district of Mangarei. His Honor replied that he would appoint an inspector of diseased cattle if a competent person was recommended, and who would be remunerated for his services by the fees allowed under the Act. The chief officer of the barquentine 'Sea Bird,' named Attwater, who was sent to gaol last weekfor six months in default of finding sureties of £400 for his goodbehaviour towards Charles Brown, the second officer, was yesterday liberated, the amount of sureties being provided, himself in £200, and two gentlemen in £100 each. £. ' *

The Rev. R. Laishley, of Onehunga, gave a very interesting lectureon "The Lands of theNile"inthe large reading-room of the Young Men's Christian Association, last evening. The attendance was not very numerous, but those who wete present gave evidence of appreciating the information which the lecturer imparted, by the close attention which they bestowed upon it. The explorers of the lands of the mysterious Nile were referred to— from Bruce in 1768 to Burton, Speke, and Grant in 1857, when the discovery of the source of the White Nile by Captain Speke, in three degrees south, imparted lustre to his name. At the close of the leoture, the thanks of the members were accorded to the rev. gentleman for the valuable services that he Lad rendered the Association. Yesterday, the remains of the late John Johnson, Esq., were confined to their final resting place in the Church of England Cemetery, Symonds-street. We noticed in the cortege Messrs. B. E. Turner, J. Kelly, Mount Eden ; Captain Ellis, Captain Campbell, Messrs. A. Black, D. Nathaa, A. Kennedy, H. Carleton, P. Dignan, Wm. Hobson, and several others whose names we could not learn. The burial nervice was read by the Venerable Archdeacon MaunselL The members of No. 1 Company Auckland Rifle Volunteers are convened to attend a meeting, on Thursday evening next, at seven o'clock, at the Wheatsheaf Inn, Queen-street, to consider matters of importance. The usual monthly meeting of the Chamber o* Commerce will be held on Thursday afternoon, at three o'clock, in the Council-room, Port-street. Last evening a tea meeting was held in the schoolroom, Edwardes-street, for the purpose of assisting in raising sufficient funds to pay off the balance of the debt incurred in the erection of the school-house. The room was most tastefully decorated with evergreens, flowers, and banners ; and the company assembled numbered about 150 — children and adults. After the tea was over, an adjournment to the chapel took place, when Mr. Hughes was voted to the chair; and the proceedings were opened with prayer, which was followed by the choir singing "The earth is the Lord's." Various other pieces of music, as well as recitations, were given by the juveniles in a highly creditable manner. Mr. Holdship, the superintendent of the school, made some very interesting remarks, from which we ascertained that the total expense incurred in the construction of the school-room was £181, of which sum £109 has already been raise.l ; and also, within the last week the children of the school have collected s further sum of £13; and it is expected that about £20 will be realised from the present soitge, thus leaving a balance of about ioO still to be raised. The number of scholars on the books of the school is at present 180. The Rev. Messrs. Colley, Warren, and Cornford addressed the meeting, and ably urged upon the minds of all those who were present the claims of the children to their further support. The proceedings, which were of a very interesting character, terminated by the choir singing the benediction. A special general meeting of the members of the Auckland District, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Manchester Unity, is announced to be held in the Fountain of Friendship Lodge room, Odd Fellows' Hall, on Friday evening next, at half -past seven o'clock. At the Police Court, yesterday, George Blackburn was summoned for assaulting a young man named Samuel Finch, whilst engaged in taking down a fence for Mr. John Williamson. The assault arose out of a disputed ownership of the fence betweendefendant and Mr. Williamson. The Bench inflicted a fine of 10s. an# costs for the assault. On Monday last the members of the Young Men's Christian Association, to the number of about thirty, met in the committee room, for the purpose of determining 'upon resuming the. Essay and Discussion Class in connection with the association. Mr. Keetley occnpied the chair, when the former bylaws and rnles of discussion were accepted and confirmed by the members present. The following office-bearers for the ensuing half-year weie then elected :— Mr. R. B. Shalders, president ; Mr. Gilbert Carson, secretary ; and Messrs. Battley, Ellyett, Keetley, Wellsman, and Wells, committee. This class, which has been of material assistance in promoting the mental improvement of the members of this association, was founded iv 1857, and continued its useful operations up to^ihe period of the destruction by fire of the old premises in Durham-street, since which period its labours have been in abeyance until the evening of Monday last, when, from the interest then evinced by the young men who were present, itisexpectedthata great deal .of benefit will be reaped by them in the future operations of the class. It is well known that, to become a good debater, a considerable amount of careful preparation will have to be bestowed thereon, as well as a laborious research into the merits of the various subjects brought orward for discussion, all tending to the general improvement of the mind. To the young men of this city, therefore, the merits of this class cannot fail to be highly acceptable. A cricket match, between the United Cricket Club and West End Cricket Club will take place this morning at 10 o'clock in the Domain ground. The following are the names of the players:— United Eleven — Lankham, Russell, Branston, Barnard,Masefield, Hesketh, Brown, Grnt, W. Outhwaite, C. Outhwaite, Hall. West End Eleven— Yates, Alpe, Mumford, Featherston, Clifton, Scotter, Jackson, Gatland, Day, Johnson, Greenly. James Burns was yesterday summoned on two charges of breaches of the Municipal Police Act, and failing to answer them a warrant for his apprehension was ordered to be issued. Messrs. Turrell and Tonks will sell by auction, today, by order of the mortgagee, an allotment at Bayfield ; a well-built four-roomed cottage in Cookstreet ; and a seven-roomed house and shop, with three allotments at the corner of the Karangahape and Newton roads. Mr. Samuel Cochrane will offer for sale to-day a quantity of tents, marquees, &c, on account of whom it may concern. Messrs. Ridings and Dowden will sell by auction to day a quantity of new Sand seasonable drapery, hats, &c. Mr. L. W. Eaton announces his intention of offering for sale, to-day, at Mr. Morgan's ship building yard, Official Bay, 2 yachts, 2 rowing gigs, 6 skiffs, and 2 jolly boats. Messrs. C. Arthur and Son will offer for sale, to-day, at the Temperance Hotel, Princes-street, Onehunga, a quantity of household furniture. Mr. GeorgeSibbin will sell by auction, to-day, 20,000 feet best cut marketable kauri timber, and 16,000 feet flooring boards. Messrs. John Roberton & Co. will offer for sale to-day 50,000 feet kauri timber, building sizes. The "Ironclads" made their third appearance befoie an Auckland audience last evening, at the Prince of Wales Theatre, and repeated the programme produced on Saturday. To-night there will be an entire change of performance.