THE COMING ELECTION.

Hot Lakes Chronicle, Volume 4, Issue 206, 11 November 1896, Page 2

THE COMING ELECTION.

Me Kelly at Oiiinemutu. As far as this particular district is concerned the first note of the coming election was sounded on Friday evening last when Mr William Kelly, the sitting member, addressed the electors at the Pukeroa Hall in the old township, Mr 8. T. Brent occupied the chair and there were about 150 persons present. The enfranchisement of the fair sex doer not seem to have effected the attendance much as there were only four ladies present. After being formally introduced to the audience by the Chairman, Mr Kelly entered on his address. The substance of his remarks was a review of the present Government's work during the last six years which he made by reading from a number of parliamentary documents, statistics and so on. By these he sought to prove that the Colony was more prosperous to-day than when the present administration assumed office. His speech was so largely made up of quotation that it would be idle to report it. He was also subjected to numerous interruptions, humourous and otherwise, and after speaking about 40 minutes declared himself ready to answer questions. A few were propounded and answered but the hilarity and hub-bub became so great that it was impossible to hear almost anything of the subject matter of the questions or answers. After this had gone on for about half an hour Mr F. B. Scott mounted the platform and proposed a vote of thanks and confidence. After some little delay this was seconded by Mr J. Karl. The Chairman asked those in favor to say "aye" and those against to say "no/' and about an equal number of each responded. The Chairman then called for a show of hands and some 20 put up their hands in favor of the motion, and about an equal number against. Most of those present refrained from voting. The Chairman, however, declared the motion carried and the meeting then dispersed in high good humour. In regard to the above meeting the Star of Saturday had the following:— "Mr W. Kelly addressed the Bay of Plenty electors at Ohinemutu last night, in the Pukeroa Hall. It was the largest political meeting ever held in the district. He spoke for about an hour, principally in the interest of agriculture, showing the progress of the Colony has made since 1891 under the present Parliament. His statistics were complete and convincing, shewing an increase in stock of all kinds. Ho also dealt with advances to settlers and the tariff. He did not agree with the Government on their native land policy, or the resumption of land for mining purposes under certain conditions. He received a vote of thanks and confidence in the present Government. The Herald of Monday has the following from its Eotorua correspondent : "Mr "VV. Kelly addressed a well-attended meeting of electors in the Public Hall on Friday night, Mr S. T. Brent in the chair. Mr Kelly reviewed the work of the present Government over the past six years, claiming that much had been done towards the prosperity of the Colony, and he also gave details aud particulars, showing that this electorate, the Bay of Plenty, had very materially benefited at the hands of the Seddon Government. Notwithstanding a few dissentients, his address was well and respectfully received. A vote of thanks and confidence was carried.

Our Tauranga correspondent writes : Mr Hemes in pursuance of liis candidature was at To Puna last Thursday where lie addressed nearly all the settlers and their wives in that locality as well as many electors who had gone put from Tauranga to hear him. He was well received and after listening to an able address a vote of thanks and confidence was carried without a dissentient. After the meeting a strong committee was formed to secure his return. Since then he has delivered equally successful addresses at Tauranga, Greerton, Te Puke and Katikati. Mr Herries is rather neat in his replies to questions, to wit: —"Will you try and have sonic public money diverted to Tauranga P" "I am afraid that when the Government go out the Exchequer will he empty." In another column it will ho seen that Mr Hi'iries will address the electors here on Monday next. Next day he proceeds to Taupo thence to Tokaunu.