COUNTY COUNCIL ELECTIONS.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1357, 4 December 1872, Page 3

COUNTY COUNCIL ELECTIONS.

THE HOKITIKA NOMINATION. (FROJt OUB SPECIAL REPORTER.) . Hokitika, Dec. 3. The nomination of candidates for the Hokitiki representation in the Westland County Council came off to-day, according to announcement, at 12 o'clock sharp. Extra punctuality was necessary, owing to their being a meeting of the Waste Lauds Board in. the afternoon, and a quarterly licensing meeting called for noon, the same hour as the nomination. The Returning Officer briefly alluded to the above reasons for promptitude, and called for electors to nominate any duly qualified candidate that they thought fit. There was a very large attendance, and considerable interest was manifested. Mr 0. E. Button was the first to come forward, and he proposed the Hon. J. A. Bonar. He referred to that gentleman's highly creditable career in times past, and the consequent promise for the future. At the present time of all others they required a careful man at the helm, and they could find no more skilful captain thaa Mr Bonar, who had known the ins and outs of „ the County since its formation, and from this was able to be of material assistance in extricating it from its present difficulties. (Cheers.) Mp Sv . W, Algqkk briefly seconded the nomination. . Mr J, "Cross, after referring in^ the most favorable terms to the business capacity of Mr Michael Cassius, proposed that gentleman as a fit and proper representative. Mr Todp seconded the nomination on the aame. grounds, Mr G. F. Hawkins expressed the felicity he had in proposing Mr Conrad Hoos, and spoke in high terms of the qualifications of the gentleman in question for* a seat in the Council, qualifications which he considered as superior to those of either of the gentlemen named. He (Mr Hoos) had already served the Westland public faithfully, and would serve them, if elected, as faithfully again. MtKellar seconded Mr Hoos' nomination. After this there was a pause, which was broken by Mr Hinchcliffe, a well known butcher of "Rolling Ball" celebrity and political proclivities, ascending the platform, and commencing his address by saying that he would be sorry to see either of two out of the three candidates proposed elected to a seat in the Council. He alluded.. to a real or suppoaitioua prophecy of a gentleman then in town (Mr Sale), wherein it was predicted that on the advent of independ it government it was probable that provisional politicians and other object'cTuable persons Ftp cmUnuation of Ntw», see UK page.)

would obtain power, would ultimately achieve the bankruptcy of the County by rotten contracts, &c, and would then call in a peevish, selfish speculator to wind up the bankrupt estate of Westtaad. This seemed, in his opinion, as nearly as possible achieved, and in order to prevent it he proposed Mr C. E. Button in eulogistic terras. Thiß address, as might be imagined, led to a kind of scene and immoderate laughter, in the midst of which Mr Button again came up and stated that he had no intention of standing. Mr John Babkbtt next showed up, and proposed Mr Hinchcliffe, Binco if the other candidates were unfitted to sit Mr Hinchcliffe would make a colleague for Mr Button.— (Great laughter.) Mr Hudson, on the same grounds, seconded Mr Hinchcliffe's nomination. — (Farther laughter, and great approval from the outsiders.) A show of hands was taken, amidst the utmost confusion, at the conclusion of which the Returning Officer stated that the election had fallen on Messrs Bonar and Hinchcliffe, the crowd, of course, having kept up the joke by holding up their hands for the latter. Messrs Baenett and Cassidy demanded a poll on behalf of Mr Cassius, which was fixed to come off on the 12th inst. Mr Bonar first addressed those present, but we can give but a very brief epitome of his remarks. He referred to the great satisfaction it was to him, after eight years of service, to find that he enjoyed the confidence of the people he had lived so long amongst and was the reward that he valued most. He alluded to the last two years' legislation, which had reduced the income of the County by L 17,000 per annum, and to which he attributed the present position of the County. He took credit to the County Government for having made during its existence 100 miles of roads and pack tracks within the County ont of a very small revenue and after the exercise of the greatest care. He concluded by saying that he would fully explain his views and answer any questions, prior to the day of polling, at mentings of electors. Mr Cassius next came forward, and said that he would not have thrust himself forward, but he had been called by a most influential requisition. The singular part of the opposition in his case seemed to be that he had been successful in buairiestrhere, and after turning over between L 300,000 and L 400,000, had made a fortune. He thought that should rather be fin argument in his favor, and a reason why, if he had been so successful in his own business, he should be equally able to assist in dealing with a Council revenue of some L 40.000. In taking care of the interests of Westland he would be taking care of his own, and he would serve the County, if elected, to the best of his ability. He referred to the time when he was elected to, and served in the Provincial Council of Canterbury, and reminded those present that then he obtained credit for his services when time was money to him, and far more valuable than at the present time. He also intimated his intention of frequently meeting the electors for the further explanation of his : views prior to the day of polling. Mr Hoos, as other public business was imminent, reserved his remarks for other occasions, stating that he would meet the electors several times, in order to explain his past career, prior to the pollirg day. Mr Hinchcliffe again expressed his intention of going to the poll, rather than allow the first three candidates to contest the election alone. Mr Button again repeated that he did not intend to stand, but on the contrary intended to vote for Messrs Bonar and Cassius. He deprecated in sarcastic language, anything but complimentary to his proposer; the course that Mr Hinchcliffe had taken, and he hoped that the public would not associate him with the disparaging remarks that Mr Hinchcliffe had chosen to make in reference to uther candidates'.^' A vote of thanks and three cheers for the Returning Officer concluded the proceedings. . '