iMIW^Ks TIIVNNE AND DAWSON'S MEETING.

Manawatu Herald, 5 November 1878, Page 2

iMIW^Ks TIIVNNE AND DAWSON'S MEETING.

A largely-attended meeting was held in the Foxton Public Hall on Friday evening last, to hoar the yio.vs of Messrs Thynne and l);nv.-!on u^o i o^dJti- n 'natters. The ether candidates, Mes-rs llockstrow and London were invited to at'.cnd and addres>*

the meeting. Mr A. Gray occuj:ie.l tie chair, and briefly opened the meeting; asking a fair, quiet, and impartial hearing for all the can* didates. Mr Dawson, who was received with applause, began by sayinjr that it was patent to all that it was most important, in the interests of the whole Riding, for gentie-

men to be returned to the Council who

would work in harmony. During the last Council, a strong opposition had boon manifested to Foxton interests, and it w.is only by thorough unity between their members that thirf opposition could bo resisted. He felt weighted by the fact that, unliko the others, he was unaccustomed to publio speaking. But in the Council it was not the man who could use the most words, that did the best for his constituents. It

was known, he thought, that; he could give good and sound advice, and though not possessed of oratorical powers, he could zealously watch their interests. Objections had beeu taken that ha was not a resident of the Ridiugi But all that divided them

was an imaginary line. There was no actual separation. Their interest was his, and his interest was theirs. Mr Loudon had referred a great deal to what he had done in the past, but though Foxton had existed for thirty years, it had made but littte progress* so that Mr Loudon could not take much credit: But wo live not for the past, but the future ;— -notjfor the dead, but the living, and he would therefore explain his views of what the future should be. During the coming Council, a large tract of land is sure to be opened between here and Paikakariki, upon which population must be settled, and the Council will require to advise the Govorunlent as to the best method of doing so. If returned, he would insist on the land beiug op: ned on the deferred payment system. Population must be introduced, for as moro people settled, the district would progress. To get this population, they must iuduce the Government to send immigrants. There was any amount of room for them, and the sooner they came, the belter. New chums did not make good bu^hmen all at once, but after being engaged at roads and railways, or similar works, they would noon become fitted to take up laud and settle on it. If returned he would endeavor to have a lar<ro number of immigrants introduced. He thought the Awahou Hiding had not had its fair share of the laud revenue in the past. This was an important matter. They had been told it was already settled, but the Council could be made perhaps to alter its decision. Ho thought the land fund should ba made County revenue, aud not be expended in the Biding in which it was raised. A large sum could thus be obtaiued for expenditure in Awahou. Sules of laud in Awahou in time past had largely assisted in opening up other districts, and the whole of the land in this Riding had been sold. He considered that it was only right Awahou should share in the money being niised now from sales in other districts. (Applause.) The inland road to Otaki would receive his supporr, and he would also use hie best endeavors to have the Manawatu River bridged. As regards the roads in the j Riding, they were of small extent, but lie thought it was a mistake to spend all their money on main roads. He favored district roads. The back country should be opened up. The balance now in the Bank to the credit oi this Hiding should be at onco got out and spent on the roads in tho Riding, and thus assist in opening up country. (Applause.) If this had been a Road ' Board election, or a Local Board election, he would not have dared to offer his services to them. But as it was for the whole ' County, in the progress of which he was j vitally interested, he considered that j imaginary line of which he had spuken I ■ should not debar him, or anyone else in the I [ County, from coming forward, if asked. The Saudon line of railway ho had heartily I supported in tho past, and would do so in the future, and he would use his best endeavors to have the Wellington line started at this end as well as the other. Duriuw the last four years, it had been found ue° cessary to extend the wharf, but it was not even now one-third large enough. He would endeavor to have the extension largely increased. It had been said he was an outsider; but he would tell them | what he had done for them in the past. Ho had always kept a watchful eye upon their interests. Two years ago he had gone, in conjunction with Mr Liddell, as a deputation to Wellington, regarding the boundaries of the Hidings, He had found there that Sandou was to have no member, and and Foxton only one. He had represented to Dr Pollen, then Colonial Secretary, that Foxton, as the oldest town, and the port, was fairly entitled to two members ; and the request was granted. A member had also been obtained for Sandon. He had also taken a deep interest in everything that would advance the district. County offices were about to be erected in Toxton, and if this were done a high rent would be i saved, und Eoxton sealed as tho County town. If returned, he would Btrongly advocate their erection. Tho amount to be contributed for those offices by this Eidin«would only be about £50 : their roads would not suffer from the expenditure, whilst £300 would be sent in the town. In conclusion, having heard his views, thoy could judge for themselves. If returned, he would pledge himself to use his best efforts to promote their interests, and he had no doubt the polling day would show he onjoyed their confidence. (Prolonged applause.) '1 he Chairman asked if there were any questions, but none were put. Mr Thynne came forward amidst applause, and said ho was the other " aristocratic" candidate — that was the praiso his opponents had given him. He claimed thiir indulgence owing to physical weakness and a sore threat. la coming before them, ho felt an additional responsibility, owing to having been elected Chairman of the Council, and therefore what he had to say was not only a3 a member for Awahou Riding, but as the County Chairman. Ho was glad to s:»y, that although tho proceedings of the Council had been fully reported during that time, his actions had never been adversely c itioised, and ho came before them without any charge having been made against him. This was not au ordinary election. Owing to serious matters which had occurred, it was a question, not of measures, but of men, and lie would ask them, for the honor of tho Riding, and to preserve their representative institutions, to elect men iv whose integrity they had confidence. In another country, anarchy had resulted from a neglect of this ; and he would ask them to consider whether those who had in the past represented them had, or had not, deserved their confidence. The present election was for three years, and it was therefore of great importance to select good men. Several questions de-

manded ednßidernfcitfn. i iret, the Oo.iut.v town. Whilst Oroua, Itawakawa, and Horowhenua had done their beat to secure this to Foxton, through sending in men at

varianco, -we should cast the bone away, (iood had resulted to Foxton, and would result, from it being the Comity town, ■but Unless Mr D.iwaon tfasi returned, | those tilings were lost. Every other Riding I had done its best to send in men of uti- '. doubted honesty ard integrify, and until lately the business had been done in a gentlemanly manner. He paid a high tribute to his former" colleagues, tl>o late Mr M'Donald and Mr Liddell. ltd had supported Mr Loudon at the last election, but regretted he could not do so this time. Up to a certain point, Mr Loudon did good sarvice, but now he had no weight, and his influence with the Council was lost. He regretted deeply What had occurred, and assured them that any part he had taken in proving Mr Loudon' s guilt was done, not from party purposes, but to shield a salaried officer, as,^ being Chairman, ho must proservo the honor of his subordinates, and be ablo to defend them when charged with Vtrong. Mr Loitdon had stated no opportunity was afforded him of acknowledging his error. He denied this, as he had given Mr Loudon every opportunity of doing so. He would ask Mr Lioudon whether it was so or not.

Mr London replied that he. adhered to liis formei 1 statement.

Mr Thynne said he tfouid bring further evidence to show Mr Loudou was not truthful. He would read a letter he had received from Mr D. H. Macarthur, a member of the Council ! —

Fettding, 30fch October, 1878. I DE.vn Mr Tiiyxne— I have received you: note of the 29th October, iv which you lei me that Mr F. London, at a public meeting in Foxton, as his reason for not owning a the Council meeting that he had altered thi resolution by the addition of certain words j stated that ho had no opportunity offeree i him of doing so, as yon suddenly jumpei ' upon him. So far from this being the case ! it is distinctly in my recollection that pre \ viously to the matter being laid before thi I Council for investigation, you, in your re • marks to the Council offered Mr Loudon i in what seemed to me a very f*ir manner | ample opportunity of correcting with littli loss of dignity, his assertion at a formei ; sitting of tho Council, that the resolution as they appeared in the Council minute booi I had been incorrectly copied from the origina . resolutions as written h yhim. j Mr Loudon foolishly did not take thi ' proffered opportunity, but demauded an in ! vestigation, the resnlt of which clearli ' proved that he had inserted certain word* j in the original copy of resolution after the;; had been copied into the minute book, o the omission of which words he had complained. On the Council deciding by reso[lution that that the minute book wai j correct, Mr Loudon resigned, saying that i • tho Council decided in that manner, he wai • no longer fit to be a member of the Council I an opinion in which I, for one, concurred j You are at liberty to make what use you j please of this letter. Yours very truly, I D. H. Macahthuh. j They could now judge between Mr Loudou j and himself (Mr Thynne). ile observed 'Mr Rockstrow present. At a recent sitting of the Council, that gentleman had said Mi Thynne' s sarcastic remarks had driven all the other Foxtou representatives from theii ■ seats. [Mr Rockstrow— No, no.] Mi i Thynno sold Mr Rockstrow had said so, and i challenged him to prove it. He proceeded j to remark that during the early career oi i the Council there were many differences j but now all were overcome, and things wer< working smoothly. A strong effort had been made at the north end of the districi , to obtain separation, and at Feilding chani ! pagne had been drunk at the supposed I success of the movemen t ; but they had j celebrated their victory before it was obtained. Ho could say that his efforts had prevented the separation, and the idea apI peared to have died out, for at a recent fes- | tive gathering in the district, Mr Halcombe, ( who had strongly advocated sep tration. had ! proposed the toast of " The Prosperity of the Coi»nty," coupling with it his (Mr Thynne's) name. He lookc.l back to the past with gratitude, that his actions had J been so fully endorsed by the electors, and jhe looked to the future with hope. He paid a high tribute of pinise to the manner in which the debates of the Council had been reported in the district papers. At first the eiforts of the Council to push on work were very much cramped for want of a County Engineer ; but he was pleased to state that now an arrangement had been come to with the other local governing bodies by which a good County Engineer had been obtained, who also acted for the Highways Board, lie would point out that at present the revenue derived from tho different Ridings was not County rovenue ; but ho was sure, that if returned, Mr Dawson would not attempt to divert from its proper object what belonged to Awahou. Ht (Mr Thynne) would at once prevent any such proceeding. He had given Mr Diwson his hearty support in this election. He would have preferred a gentleman actually resident in the Hiding — provided always he was honest and straightforward — and thought there were numbers of other gentlemen who would have ably represented Awa 1 ou. Hut iv elections you had to take the best candidate that coulcl be got, as numbers of gentlemen who would make good candidates were not popular with the electors. The i'ress would carefully guard their interests, and at once make known any wrong-doing on the part of theiv representatives. And here he would, in passing, express the high opinion he entertained of the manner in which the Maxawatc Herald watched the interests of the district. Only that morning a leading article had showed tho unfair treatment tho couutry districts had received in a most important matter, which no one else had noticed in tho same light, whilst tho negligence of their member had been exposed. lie felt sure Mr Dawson, if elected, would serve them well; and, if asked to retire, he would do so. [Mr Dawson—Certainly]. He trusted that Foxton would continue to be the County town. The proprietors of The Heuald, ho understood, wero induced to come here by the fact that this was the County town, and if that wore lost, it was possible tho paper might be removed. Tho femes were now bringing iv a revenue, instead of, aa heretofore, being a drain. He had opposed the Motoa Road grant on the principle that the main arterial roads should receive first consideration. Certainly it was to his interest to have tho road done, as it led to his property ; but he acted on a principle which, aa County Chairman, he had to uphold. However, he had bowed to tho majority in tne matter, and as the Council had voted tho money, he had instructed tho Engineer to push on tho work as speedily as possible, and tenders wero now called for tho work. As regarded the future, the excellent sketch Mr Dawson hud given would express his own views. He considered the ferries should be improved, and thit licensed houses should not of necessity he ferry houses. A punt was about to be placed upon the Ohau. He then referred to various roads in and near Foxton. The Otaki inland road would be pushed on directly the native ownership question was settled. Tho natives feared that if a road were per-

mitted, n railway would bo carried through withoilh their" pel'mis-iion. Tho Snndon line would continue to receive Ills llPttrty support, and ho aUo advocated the construction of a line to tap the rich district up tho Kimbolton Road, near Fiuldinu 1 . Tho wharf extension was not sufficient; for the trade, and lie advocated a system of sismals fro:n the pilot station td tho wharf, by which a largo amount of loss would bo saved to vessels visiting Mie port. The County offices to be erected would bo an improvement to the town, as £300 had been voted for the purpose, and he was glad to make known that the Government had granted a site on the Court-hoilse reserve for the purpose. It ■was unnecessary for him to say anything further, but he might point out that the fact that he was regarded as a hug-bear in some other parts of the County, was a proof, if further proof were needed, that he had thoroughly studied their interests. Again thanking them for their past confidence, he left the decision of the election confidently in their hands. Mr Loudon asked Mr Dawson if ho had said he would oppose the Santlon railway " tooth and nail," owing to the rate on tho Douglas Block. Mr Dawson said he had opposed Taikorea, a sand waste on the Douglas Block, being rated as first-class land, but being outvoted, had bowed to the majority. Mr Loudon asked if Mr Dawson would support the line, provided he were not returned.

Mf Dawson replied that he would support the lino tooth and nail. Mr Loudon asked Mr Thynne if be had received two cases of goods per Bt6anaer Tui, aud had forwarded packages out of one Cass up the country ,charging the consignees 2s 6d freight, Gd wharfage, and Is commission, whilst sufficient was charged upon tno other case to pay the whole of the charges : and whether ho know that tho railway authorities were investigating tho affair.

Mr Thynne replied thab ho was not so aware. If Mr Loudon wished to know his private busiueS?, his shipping clerk would supply tho information. If he hud made 12s profit on his business in the way mentioned, he -was glad, anl hoped he would make more. He was quite certain, however, that any charges ho had made as a forwarding agent, were only what tbe consignees would have had to pay, if their goods had been received in any other way. I Mr Loudon then addressed the meeting, but as we havo fully reported his speech at a previous meeting, it is not necessary to repeat his remarks- He flail Mr Dawson had not tho qualifications for a representative, and that he could nob take all the credit for the boundary alterations. He asserted Mr Thynne, as a politician, was selfish, and only joined in public matters when he was to get something out of it. He was clerk to the Local Board, and was responsible for the bad management ot that body, as tho rates had not been collected. He had received £25 for drawing the railwry plans, and was only in the Council because of what he got as Chairman. Mr Kockstrow said he did not intend to address the meeting when ho came, but would make a few remarks. He bitterly attacked the Manawatu Herald, which he said had attacked him in a cowardly manner. He said it had been sold to a clique. The editor promised to become as bad as Grant of Dunedin. [A voice— Shweet shpiiit ) come lieer mom prayer, — and loud crie3 Of Quack, Quack, Quack.] As for Mr Thynue he would be the best politician in the dis trict if he were not an avaricious and selfishman. [A voice — Dat ish betterish goot.] He thought Mr Thynne should be paid for what he did, but he Bhould not be always wanting more. He had received £300 from the Council. Regarding the Motoa Road, Mr Thynno wa3 inconsistent, for after opposing his (Mr Roekstrow's) motion, he had asked for and obtained a grant for the Cemetery Road. Ho acknowledged tho courtesy of Messrs Thynne and Dawson in inviting the other candidates, and assured the audience that when ho said newspaper reports wero unreliable, he did not refer to the Manawatu Herald in paiticular. Mr Thynne, in reply, said his salary as County Chairman was £150 one year, and A'so the next. During the 12 yean he had been here he had prospered, and he found he could attend to public business, and to his own, at the same time. As to the Local Board, Mr Loudon was a member, and it was most absurd for hiui to put tho blame of his own incompetence and wrongdoing on to the clerk. Referring to Mr Rockstrow'a remark, be was not aware of having tabled any motion to increase his salary, so that he was not always wanting more. I Towards the end tho meeting bocame very noisy, and personalities became a strong feature.

The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the Chairman.