NELSON PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Grey River Argus, Volume XIV, Issue 1757, 23 March 1874, Page 2

NELSON PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

THE NOMINATION" AT AHAURA. The nomination of candidates for the representation of the Grey Valley in ihe Nelson Provincial Council, in the room' of Frank Guinness, Esq., resigned, took place at the Court House, Ahaura, on Saturday, 21st instant. More than usual interest was taken in the proceedings, as in addition to the gentlemen who had already announced their intention to seek election it was expected there were other candidates to be proposed, whose names were mentioned, but whose coming forward was not a matter of certainty. It was at one time rumored there would be at least half-a-dozen candidates proposed, but four only came for nomination, although another arrived just too late. It was the positive intention of this gentlemen, Mr M. Meehan, of No Town, to stand, had he reached the hustings in time, and it is said that Mr S. Mackley, of Waipuna Station and Noble's Creek, a former member for the Grey Valley in the Coungil, intended to go for re-election had the gentleman who was to be his nominator been present before the proceedings closed. The retirement of Mr M'Beath took every one by surprise, because from his great popularity and fitness his election might be considered certain. The people of No Town have, however, put forward a very good substitute for Mr M'Beath in the person ot Mr Maguire, an old resident and a practical miner, who is in every respect qualified to make an efficient representative. The constituency suffers a loss in the retirement of Mr Pinkerton, whose chances of election were materially increased by the withdrawal of Mr M'Beath. The experience of Mr Pinkerton as a former able and useful member of the Council, would be of good service during the. ensiling session ; but in consequence of urgent business affairs requiring his personal attention he was compelled to adhere to hia determination to withdraw from the contest. Messrs Jones and Lash are not altogether new to public life, one in his capacity as chairman of the Grey Valley Road Board, and the other as the representative of a numerous and influential body of electors at the Board, have already shewn that they have the material in them from which careful, cautious and far-seeing Councillors are matured. For the benefits the Road Board has already conferred upon the district, these getlnemen : are fully entitled to their share of the commendations to which-the Board is entitled. This is Mr Hayden's first appearance as a candidate for public honors, and although it' was reported af teg* the. nomination that he did not mean to contest ihe election, he has publicly announced his positive intention to go to the poll. On the whole there is a very fair field to choose from, and the constituency should be able to select one from among the four candidates who will, with a little experience make a good average representative. At twelve o'clock C. Whitefoord, Esq., the Returning Officer, read the writ directing him to hold the election for the return of a member to take the place of Mr Guinness, calling upon the electors present to nominate duly-qualified persons for election. Mr James Cunningham proposed Mr William Henry Lash, of Noble's Creek, as a fit and proper person to represent the constituency. Mr Percy Wakefield seconded the nomination of Mr Lash. Mr Arthur Ellis proposed Mr John Williams Jones, 'of Callaghan Creek,' and Mr E. W. Evans seebndedthe nomination. Mv John' Livingstone proposed!,' and Mr D. J. M'Kennk seconded, ' the • nomina'tii n of Mr Bernard Maguire, of No Town. Mr J. D. Pinkerton proposed Mr Michael Benry Hayden, and Dr W. E. Phillips seconded the proposition. There not being any other candidates, the Returning Officer called for a show of hands for the candidates with the following results- Mr Lash 6, Mr Jones 9, Mr Maguire 4, Mr Hayden 8. Mr Jones was declared elected unless a poll should be requested, which was demanded on behalf of the other candidates. The polling was fixed for Saturday, 28th March. Each of the candidates briefly addressed the e.leptors a.nd the proceedings terminated. .