WAIMEA NOMINATION.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume X, Issue 343, 24 December 1875, Page 2

WAIMEA NOMINATION.

The nominatiori^of candidates for this dis-.' trict took place at Lower Wakefield on Wed--'; nesday. The Returning OfScer having read the writ, =■ - /?'- f: Mr Joshua Bird pro|fased Mr Joseph Shephard as a fit ( and_prbper person to rep^e^: scrit.tlie r district;- ■HS-aMons in the Assent bly spoke for themselves, while they all knew he had inyariably interested himself in local matters. He always spoke out fearlessly, and thereby gave a handle to his opponents for a day or two, but it soon died oufc. He-wpuld be ,a * credit; to any district,^ and therefore they should npt Hesitate to re-^ elect him; ? - * Mr It. M. Smith seconded the nomination. Mr Shephard had hitherto served them with integrity and ability, and his" psts't "experience" would prove of benefit to his constituents in the future. ,■; ; \ )■■ : ■",'.■[.■ ,.:!. .' ;. \ ; Mr Boddington senior proposed Mr Baigent. He too had already represented them in the Assembly, and to his other capacities added that of a thorough practical knowledge of all their requirements. Mr Paintox seconded the nomination. He was surprised that they had not yet had any expression of his views from Mr iStiepnard; but perhaps he had hot deemed it necessary to call together the ignoramuses, or, in other words, his constituents. Mr Baigent had already represented them, and always attended to the ways and means in all their local works. ... . : • •. <.<v_s ••, No other candidates being proposed, Mr Shephard said that as he proposed-to call ameeting of the electors 6n Tuesday evening, it would be unnecessary for him to make a long speech on^the present occasion. He was somewhat surprised to find Mr Bqddington coming f orward to propose MrTJaigent, ~ for twelve months had scarcely elapsed since he had moved a resolution at a meeting expressive of entire confidence in. .him (Mr Shephard). He objected to the term^ "ignoramuses'* used by Mr Paihtbn.- He" at ali events did not regard the electors in that' light. He had not called a meeting before, as he had hitherto been engaged in public work, such as examining schools, and thought 16 would perhaps be better to wait until the election commenced; Mt Shephard then briefly referred to the chief topics of the day, laying special stress upon his having been chiefly instrumental in passing a measure for the sale of waste lands oh deferred payments, but as he will refer "to these at greater length on Tuesday Eekfc,- it is unnecessary to report his remarks to-day. He concluded by saying that he had every reason to believe that he. had hitherto given satisfaction to the electors, who, if he had forfeited their confidence, would of course not return him again, but, /if not, he would ask them to re-elect him. Mr Baigent hoped that nothing would occur, as he believed nothing had occurred, to mar the good feeling between Mr Shephard and himself . He had" been requested by a number of electors to come forward; and „ where a feeling of dissatisfaction preVaileft ! he did not think it right that one candidate i should have a walk over. Mr Shephard.Md: alluded to the measure providing. for the sale., of waste lands oh deferred payments, as though its passing was due to him alone, but he (Mr Baigent) had had as much to do with it as Mr Shephard.' He haid suggested- to Sir Donald M'Lean many years ago that no native lands should be. sold, but leased for 99 years, a suggestion for Sir Donald' had thanked him. The same idea, he thought, should be carried, out with reference, to all Crown Lands, as large debts had still to he incurred, and if we handed these down to our children we should also, leave to them the wherewithal to meet their liabilities. They all knew yhia views on "education, &n&; he was still of opinion that they could not better the system at present in vogue in Nelson. He thought that all immigrants should be nominated by friends residing in the colony, and that the plan of sending out scratch lots should cease. If the electors still had confidence in Mr Shephard he hoped they would elect ..him, but. he, give them an opportunity of recording their votes against him if they desired to do so. A show of hands was then taken, with the following result:— Baigent, 8; Shephard, 4. A poll was demanded on behalf of Mr Shephard, and will take place oil Jan. 4. (For continuation of News see fourth page}