MR LOUDON'S MEETING.

Manawatu Herald, Volume I, Issue 17, 22 October 1878, Page 2

MR LOUDON'S MEETING.

Mr Francis Loadon held a meeting of electors at the Public Hall, Foxton, on Friday evening last ; about 60 were present. Mr Thompson was voted to the chair, and briofly "itroducod the convener of the meeting.

Mr Loudon said ho had hesitated a good deal before deciding to con;o forward, but at the request of a good many electors had determined to contest the election. One or two others had strongly advised him not to do so, — why, he did not know. The particular reason which induced him to stand was, that for 14 years he hud largely interested himself in Foxton mutters, and used his beat efforts for pushing on the districtHo would always do so. Ho belonged to no clique, and came before them simply as an elector determined to do his best for them* Whether returned or not ho. left the result to tho electors. He saw no reason "why they should go outside the Riding for a member, which implied either that their representatives had not done their duty iv the past, or elso that no gentleman of sufficient talent would come forward. The gentleman it was proposed to bring from another Riding — Mr Dawson -might be a good man, an ablo man, and a wealthy man ; but he thought Foxton electors did not xieed to go outside their own Eidiug for a representative. If the electors thought Mr Dawson would make a good member ho (Mr Loudon) was quite willing to take a back seat. United energy was always necessary to push a place ahead, us in small eojfnunities the duty of government devolved upon a few ; if they did it well, it was well for the pluuo ; if ill, it, was ill f>r the place. Comparing Foxtou with Palmerston and other place^he^thought the former town had not progressed as it ought to have done,owingto a lack of unity amongst its people. He hoped to live long enough to live down the spirit of opposition." Some time ago a meeting was held, regarding the interests of this place, and certain resolutions were passed as to public works necessary for the improvement of Foxton, but beyond the resolutions nothing further had been done in tho matter. He had suggested that a deputation wait upon the Government to as'i for £ 15,000, to be expended on harbor works and wharf accommodation, but this lud not been responded to. He came forwardfor unselfish reasons. Public service meant loss of time, and otten los* of trade. It was not the pleasures of office, nor the glorification of being a Councillor, that induced him. to stand. If others were more acceptable, he hoped they would be returned. He would not have referred to Mr Ilawson, only sorao others had brought him forward, and a gentleman who was called the King of Foxton had said he could return whoever he chose. He would not bow down to that gentleman's sway, and had therefore come forward to fight the contest. Tho bulk - not the whole- of his interests were here, and he desired the place to go ahead. Home short time ago, it would b-3 remembered he wrote, protesting against tho efforts of the l almerston 'limes to have tho Clerk of tho Court removed.and by doiug so had brought down upon himself the wrath of tho Editor, whr. had attacked him iv the most violent manner, and so pitched into him that ho would never forget it. Now, however, he was happy to say a better fet ling prevailed, aud he was on tho best of terms (Hear, hear), with that gentleman. Hu thought that it was better to bo on good terms with other public incu than to be at enmity. He had used every eli'ort as a deputy to the Government, to get the south line to connect with Foxton, instead of at a worse point. [A voice. — Name it.] Well, then, at a higher point. Will that suit you ? Also, as to wharf extension, ho had urged the vJrovernmtnt to have the wharf extension ma<lo larger, so as to meet tho future requirements of the snipping trade, but had been told to ask the member for the district to move Parliament in the matter. The Bandon Railway Company had just been started, but four years before he had agitated for the same thing. iVlr Loudon then made some general remarks as to the influenco of the Press, after which ho said that through his efforts, A' 357 had been put to the credit of the Awuhou Biding, and out of this £100 had recently been voted for the Tramway ttoad. Ho had moved for a road to be made through the centro of Foxton, but had not tucceeded. Ho would support the proposal to make Motoa lioad a County lioad, and would vote for anything else for the interests of tho Riding. Mr Loudon then read a number of tho resolutions he ho had proposed iv tho Council, including thoao relating to tho appointment of Mr T. U. Cook as the Heturmug Officer for the County, the inland road to Otaki.the wharf, and the retu n of tho 20 per cent of the land fund.

Iv reply to questions, Mr Luudon said he would support the Candida turo of Mr ltockdtrow. Another question as to thu expondituro of tho 2J par uout of tho laud Fund in tho riding iv which it was raised, Mr Loudon said it was unutces34ry to answer, aa tho Council had dealt with the matter.

Tiie remainder of tho meeting was t:iken up in v strong discussiou of a slightly perhuuul unture, which wo do not counider it nc ceasary to report.