LYTTELTON ELECTION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2013, 4 June 1867, Page 7

LYTTELTON ELECTION.

The nomination for the vacancy caused by the retirement of Mr B. Buchanan from the Provincial Council, was held on May 23, at noon, in the Municipal Council Chambers, Oxford street. At the hour appointed, a considerable number of electors had assembled. The Returning Officer, Dr Donald, having read the writ, called on any elector to nominate a candidate.

Mr E. A. Hargreaves said he bad much pleasure in proposing Mr John George Fyfe as a candidate for the vacant seat. Mr Fyfe had represented the Port Victoria district, and he had always found him true to the interests of his constituents, and he felt satisfied that he would do his duty if elected. What was wanted in both Generftl Assembly and Provincial Council was local representation, Mr Thos. Merson had great pleasure in seconding the nomination, and in doing so he would wish to say a few words. He was glad to see that Mr Fyfe, who was a steady politician, was going into the Council. He was sure that the present financial embarrassments and commercial depression was owing to the mad go-a-headism of our rulers. They would remember the time when the papers were hounding on the Government to complete the West Coast road. What was the result? A large amount of money was spent, but it was of no practical use, as the road was very little used except by Messrs Cobb and Co, Another matter which He (Mr M.) would like to call Mr Kyfe's attention to was, the report that the Government were in treaty for Peacock's Wharf. If

the Government were so flush of money, it might be much more profitably expended in utilising their own water frontßge, and employing the surplus labour, than in bolstering up the credit of a private firm. He hoped that Mr Fyfe would give the subject his most earnest attention. Another point, which had got rather hackneyed now, but was still an important one, was the question of the removal or otherwise of the Custom-house. His idea was that the port of entry was the place where the Custom-house should be located. He thought that what the General Government would look at would be the place where

the revenue could be the easiest collected, and the Provincial Government would only have a voice as far as regarded the selection of site. He thought that they should not over-

look the interests of the shipping in this matter. The site was already reserved in Lyttelton by an Ordinance of the Provincial Council, and he thought that the proper place or it was at the port of entry, There being no other candidate proposed, Mr Fyfe was declared duly elected.

Mr Fyfe thanked the electors for the honour they had conferred on him that day. When he was first asked to come forward lie had declined, as he understood that some gentleman more suitable than himself had been asked to stand, and also because he fancied that business engagements would necessitate his absence from home, On his return from a business tour he had been informed that the gentleman alluded to had declined, and he then acceded to the request tlmt he would allow himself to be placed in nomination. Mr Merson had called his attention to the reported purchase of Peacock's Wharf by the Government. He recollected, when in the Provincial Council, that a bill for the extension of Peacock's Wharf had been introduced, but on the representation of the

Government that the wharf would very likely be required to carry out the railway system, it was withdrawn. No doubt the Government were prepared with good reasons why this property should be purchased, and he thought it advisable to hear the reasons of the Government

before giving any opinion. As regarded the Custom-house he was of opinion that Lyttelton was the proper place for it and he would use his best endeavours in support of any measure liaving for its object the retention of the Custom-house at the port of the province. (Applause,) He thought that the merchants and traders of this province ought to have looked more after the coasting trade, and not allowed merchants from other provinces to come in and take away the greater part of

our export trade. If they had done so they would have found the utility and convenience

of having the Custom-house at the port. A vote of thanks to the Returning Officer, which was duly acknowledged, concluded the proceedings.

Brewing Company.—On the 15th ult., a meeting of the shareholders of the Brewing, Malting, and Distilling Company (Limited), was heldat the City Hotel, for the purposes of electing directors and officers, and taking such steps as might appear necessary to enable the company to commence operations immediately. About twenty shareholders were present, and Mr George Oram occupied the chair. The first business was for each shareholder to pay a deposit of one pound per share, as application money, without which payment, the Joint Stock Companies' Act disqualified him for voting at the meeting. The chairman said the company originated in an idea expressed two years ago by Mr Barnard, but it had not until the present time resulted in the formation of a company. The brewery of Messrs Brown and Co. could now if desired be obtained for the purposes of the company; and although an Act of Parliament prohibited distillation on premises within which brewing was carried on, and this precluded the very eligible buildings of Messrs Brown from being used for that purpose, as well as for brewing and malting, yet the the company need not be much inconvenienced by that circumstance, for premises suitable for distil ation could be obtained just on the other side of the railway. He thought the company would be of great use to the public, as it would enable consumers to purchase good articles at reduced rates, and that it would greatly benefit the growers of grain, by providing a remunerating market for much of their produce; for even the malt now used in brewiug had to be imported. The hon. Secretary pro ton, Mr S. B. Stiffe, then stated that the expenses already incurred by the company amounted to £lO, exclusive o( the cost of printing, which was not yet known; and tlijft the shares taken up represented 41500. ' After this, the minutes of last meeting vf|re read and confirmed. The following resolUtion*jjjrere adopted: —l, that five shares shall qualify a-slmreholder to become a director; 2, that Messrs George Oram, Edward Reece, W. D. Barnard, Andrew Duncan, J. G. Hawkes, Philip Tisch, and J. G. Ruddenklau constitute the directory of the company. 3, that the Bank of New Zealand be the bauk of the company; Messrs McFarlan and Nottidge, the solicitors; and Mr S. B. Stiffe,ihe secretary. The remaining business of lie mating was placed in the hands of the dftectilry ; and after a vote of thanks to the chairman the meeting broke up, . * * ;