HAWKSBURY. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Hawksbury, November l6th, 1866.

North Otago Times, Volume VII, Issue 156, 20 November 1866, Page 2

HAW KSB UR Y . ( FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT. ) Hawksbury, November l6th, 1866.

On Wednesday evening last, W. D. Murison, Esq., M.H.R., addressed the electors of Wnikouaiti in the Council Chambers, Beach-street. A large number of electors and others were present. Mr Smith, jeweller, was called upon to preside. Having briefly introduced Mr Murisou to the meeting, that genticmau said : Mr Chairman and Gentleman — Hitherto it has not been the practice of members of the General Assembly to address tlicir constituents after the Session, but I quite agrco with the course that has been adopted by the Otago Members ; hence my reason for meeting you hero this evening. The hon. member first referred to his address, which was issued to the electors, shortly after his election, and stated that his votes were in unison with tho promises he then made in nearly every particular. Tho Natives, tlie War, the Stamp Duties, the Lands Dill, and a variety of other topics were discoursed upon by Mr Murison, which is not necessary hero to relate, as no new light was thrown upon them. "With regard to fceparation, Mr Murison declared himself in ia\or of the financial scheme, and thought that bj tho aid of Canterbury and Southland, which it was probable would soon be forthcoming, as the people in those Provinces were taking the matter up, a Bill of this kind could be passed next session. He was nevertheless strongly of opinion that it should only be as a temporary expedient for the carrying on of colonization, and that in a few years, when tho country was more thickly populated, New Zealand should bo again united under one banner. This was his opinion, and that of most of his friends whom he had spoken to on the subject, and whoso opinions ho valued. Mr Murison dened the want of unity among the Otago members, as stated by His Honor the Superintendent at Port Chalmers, on his return from •he Assembly, and declared them to havo been as ono man on all the principal questions affectmg this Province. The Local Self-Government Bill next received attention. The speaker stated his views on this Biibject at some length, and concluded by promising this Bill his hearty support should it bo brought

forward next session, when great applause ensued. Mr Murison spoke for nearly an hour, and to as only once int errupted by a person calling out " How about the three-eighths ?" Previous to resuming his seat, Mr Murison stated his willingness to answer any questions that might bo put to him. Mr Thomson : Who is the present Native Minister ?— Mr Stafford. Mr McLeod went forward for the purpose of asking a question, bnt commenced to make a speech, which was not permitted by the Chairman ; Mr M'Leod immediately retired. Mr Smith .• Aro you willing (o resign, if called upon to do so ? — Yes, if called upon to do so by a majority of the electors. Mr Thomson ; Do you think this district is pro* perly represented ? — That is a question for the electors to decide. Mr Thomson : You do not understand me, sir ; I mean, that considering the- extent and population of the district, ought wo not to have another member ? — Mr Murison replied that ho thought wo should. Mr Smith : Aro you in favor of this Province retaining tho wholo of the revenue collected in it? — Mr Murison was understood to say he was. Mr Purdon next moved a vote of confidence, which was seconded by Mr D. Malloch, and earned unanimously; after which Mr Murison expressed hie thanks, and resumed his soat amidst groat applause Tho Charman next intimated to tho meeting that Mr Dillon Bell was present, and that if tho meeting desired it, Mr Bell would address them, when loud calls wero made for Mr Bell to como forward, who did so, saying it was extremely gratifying to him to witness tho reception given to Mr Murison by tho electors, and tho very creditable manner in which ho had passed through the great ordeal. It waB highly satisfactory, and reflected great credit on tho intelligence of tho electors generally, for tho very patient way they had listened to him throughout. Mr Bell then dotailcd Mr Cargill's meeting at Tokomairiro tind tho hooting and howling the electors indulged in when he, Mr Bell, attempted to address them, and strove hard to show that ho did not deserve it. The debate on tho reply to the address was next attended to, in the courso of which Mr Boll said he hud been sent for to form a Government, but had declined. The Messrs Cargills had boon sent for, who also declined, and Mr Vogel had been appealed to and he did not like to ; but thero was yet a probability that ho, Mr Bell, would take some ofBco in tho new Government. A descriptive sketch of tho disasters in the North Island followed, and of tho kindliness of the pcoplo toward him 5 after which Mr Bell dilated on tho bad management of tho affairs of tho Province, said wo wantod more population to mnko onug farms and smiling homesteads, and advocated tho sinking of all potty jealousies, and all pulling together for the general welfare. Then would the country bo prosperous and tho people happy. Mr Bell concluded by moving a vote of thanks to the chairman, which was accorded by acclamation, and tho meeting dispersed.