ELECTIONS FOR THE CITY AND SUBURBS.

New Zealander, Volume XVI, Issue 1458, 7 April 1860, Page 3

ELECTIONS FOR THE CITY AND SUBURBS.

Ox Wednesday the nominations for the vacancies in the House of Representatives caused by the resignations of Messrs. Beckham and Merriman, took place in front of the Court House. The attendance of electors and listeners was by no means large, and the proceedings were of a very unexciting character. For the City, Mr. H. Gilfillan proposed Mr. Archibald Clark, and referred to the necessity of Auckland being well represented in the General Assembly, and to the guarantee which Mr. Clark’s past conduct gave that he would do his best to watch over the interests of the City and Province.

Mr. Bridgman briefly seconded the nomination.

Mr. Walter McCaul proposed Mr. B. Reynolds, and attacked Mr. Clark as wanting in consistency, as a thick and thin supporter of the present Superintendent, and as one who was always a favourer of Government. On the other hand he held up his candidate as a model of political integrity and everything that was good. Mr. Patrick Lorigan seconded the nomination.

The candidates briefly addressed the assembly —Mr. Clark promising his best attention to every question that came before the Assembly, and to watch as closely as possible over the interests of Auckland ; Mr. Reynolds echoing the sentiments of his proposer, but further announcing that, whereas Mr. Clark would go in as the representative of the “ extreme religious party” in all its baseness, he (Mr. Reynolds) would represent the extreme —the extreme—liberal party :in fact to represent nothing I

On a show of hands being called for, by the aid of some Maories—who seemed to bo amused by the proceedings, a majority of two or three was declared for Mr. Reynolds, whereupon Mr. Clark demanded a poll, which the Sheriff (Mr. L, O’Brien) fixed lor the following day. From the first an impression prevailed very generally, that the citizens of Auckland would not endorse Mr. W. McCaul’s laudation of Mr. Reynolds as the most fitting man to represent them in the General Assembly—and that only the most rabid opponents of the Superintendent and the General Government would record their names in opposition to Mr. Clark. The result of the polling proved the correctness of this Impression. At the close of the poll, the numbers were thus declared by the Sheriff : Clark 318 Reynolds 92 The announcement was received with great satisfaction. Mr. Clark briefly thanked the electors for the confidence they had manifested in him, and promised them that, though he boasted not of his oratory nor his learning, he would devote whatever common sense he possessed to the study of every question that came before the Assembly, and the promotion of the interests of the Province as well as of the Colony at large. Mr- Reynolds thanked those who had voted for him, and hoped the successful candidate would justify the expectations of those who had returned him.

So closed the City election. The election for the Suburbs had even a more speedy termination. Mr. W. Buckland proposed Mr. Joseph Hargraves, and Mr. A. Mears seconded the nomination. There being no other candidate, the Sheriff declared Mr. Hargraves duly elected ; and Mr. Heale returned thanks for that gentleman, who had been suddenly called away to the South.

THE NORTHERN DIVISION. For the seat in this district, vacated by the resignation of Mr. Thomas Henderson, there appears likely to be a contest —Mr. Joseph May and Capt. I. 11. Cooper having issued addresses to the electors. Mr. May, it is understood, is desirous of adding oue to the number of the “chickens” which have in former sessions been so carefully tended by the Chairman of Committees, who in the General Assembly represents the Bay of and who by their aid managed to secure an influence which the recent elections for the Suburbs and City have very considerably diminished., Capt. Cooper is not supposed to be at all “chicken-hearted” in his political tendencies but to bo really independent in his views and intentions.

Auckland Cavalry Guards. —We have much pleasure in stating that the gentlemen resident in the city and its immediate neighbourhood, who had intended to form part of the Cavalry body first proposed in Auckland, seeing that that body would be much better carried out under the arrangements making in Otahuhu, have offered their services to the Governor as a body of mounted guards in Auckland. The greater number of them are already in the Rifles, and they ask to be allowed to serve in connection with that body. They have thought that consideration of their convenience in drill hours &c,. would probably more or less encumber the arrangements of the Yeomanry, the possibility of which it is hoped, will be obviated by this step. Their Memorial has already been forwarded to His Excellency, and their first meeting will be held at Messrs. Merriman and Jackson’s offices tomorrow at 4 o’clock, at which we see all who desire to join the body are invited to attend. A Reward for good Conduct and long Seevice.—On Wednesday last Staff Serjeant Atkinson, lately belonging to the Goth Regiment, was presented with a medal and gratuity, for long and meritorious services, in the presence of the detachment Goth Regiment assembled on parade, in the Albert Barracks. Ensign Butler 65th Regiment commanding the detachment, in giving him the medal, said ;

Serjeant Atkinson, I feel it a great pleasure, that the duty has devolved upon me ot presenting you with this medal, for long service and good conduct, and I regret that there are so few men present to witness ; it more particularly that you did not receive this medal from the hands of the Colonel commanding the regiment. I feel certain that having well earned this honourable distinction, will be not only a source of pride to yourself but also to those belonging to you. It will be a sign and a token to all men, that during your long service, you have not only upheld the well known character of your corps, but also have proved a credit to your profession, the noblest in the world, —that of a British soldier. Auckland Volunteer Coast Guard Service. —The other day the Governor received a deputation, consisting of Messrs. Sewell (late Colonial Treasurer), Burnside, Hall, and Hobbs, to consider the desirability of forming a volunteer coastguard service for the protection of the Harbour in the event of any disturbances breaking out; such coast-guard service to be under the orders of Capt. Campion, of ILM. brig “ Elk.” The general idea of the duties proposed to be performed may be gathered from the name of the body—to have a gun-boat to be worked by competent mariners who have settled among us, as well as two or three boats’crews consisting of either trained or amateur watermen so as to be prepared for any kind ot duty required. His Excellency expressed his warm approval of the formation of such a body, and Capt. Campion signified his readiness to co-operate in every way to render this body effective. Mr. Hobbs stated that he had already received a largo number of offers to join this service, among them from the following parties, most of whom have had practical acquaintance with seafaring matteis, viz., W. H. Hobbs, of the I. C. R. M, Steam Company, (whose offices will be the place of rendezvous tor these naval, volunteers); J. Copland, marine ; W. Wright, do.; J. Bruce, do.; J. Bruce, do ;D. Macfarlane, do.; J. Cambell, cargo-boatman; E. Bowden, mariner; A. Dutbrie, carpenter; H. Hawkes, waterman ; G. Cleveland, mariner ;W. Combes, do.; J. Nicholson, do.; T.Short,do. B. Blackey, shipwright; A. Newborn, do.; S. Teigh, cargoboatman ; 11. Wadham; do. ; J. Leary, do.; J. Woods, do.; G. Cammell do ; C. Stephenson, mariner; A. Barchard, do.; R. Mackey, shipwright ;G. Beddces, do; J.fJagger, J. J. Fitigibbon, &c. We are requested to state that there are still wanted some more good hands for the boats, parties who can pull and oar, and who will not mind a night or two ~on the water. Those who volunteer and are accepted for this service will of course not be also liable for militia or other land service’

Information having reached town yesterday that a native canoe has been taken across from the Taranaki to the Manukau, and as “ Dame Rumour” converted this into a “ war canoe,” it may be well to state that the boat belonged to some friendly Hauraki natives who were proceeding to Waiuku to tangi over some of their dead.