UNKNOWN

New Zealander, Volume XVIII, Issue 1740, 8 November 1862, Page 3

UNKNOWN

. ~ , , T • ? ereoi » lor Ply to William A public meeting for the Nomutt-tr roper ty , for this office was held on Wednesday the gth t front of the Supreme Court House, Qu* or six hundred persons were present^YEßlDGE, The Principal Return ot'li&csjoard 0 f ’Works fed* ENT , read the writ, and d City of Auckland. opened for the purr1 „ . . , 1 ■ or Tamilier as Superintendent , ercb y gj ven that an appli p Mr. Thomas M by Charles Maetih, in I rovince ot Aucklpts, Act, 1860,” for the iss the request of a.fcv granting to him the exetn t. m candidates for the ifacture an a u o y or a Uoys o at . f the resignation of further notice is hereby t atr sidcrablc hesitan(j crsonß who may wish to j f „ t - because I did not '.granting of such Letters jratr, at all. My wish four months from the '■ hj amongst you, and to «. ri j to o H aeles Knight, J‘ f I have to the promotiot bein the person app.s for their end the paper, tlie masses around us. I 1 appearing on this platform, her or their ot> 1 with any of the political part? irated | but on reflection I think I sh. jj TURNER', •itor for the said Cifent. ckland, New Zeal'

ho position I have taken up tor myself in thus venturing to recommend to you for the office of Superin - endent a gentleman of the same general views as myself, in regard to the subjects which I have most at heart. Besides, I regard the office of Superintendent as one not of a political nature at all, but one that ought to be held by a man capable of holding the balance between the contending parties and carrying out whatever measure may be for the benefit of the province irrespective of who may originate it. In a leading local journal regret has been expressed that there should have been a contest on the present occasion at all. I concur with that regret; and in proposing for your acceptance Mr. Joseph Newman, I don t think I am chargeable with the responsibility of a contest; for Mr. Newman was first in the field, his address was long before you, and the responsibility ol a contest, if any follow, must rest with the party who have come forward to oppose Mr. Newman; and unless that party is prepared to bring forward a man of transcendant ability and fitness the responsibility will not bo light indeed. Mr. Lecicie: “Has Mr. Newman all these qualifications that you represent, sir ?” (Laughter and It has also been regretted in the same journal that Mr. Newman should not have put forward his qualifications ere now, —his political views. Gentlemen, Mr. Joseph Newman is no unknown man to you. Ho has spent the best part of his life amongst you. Ho has been in your Council and taken a most active and intelligent interest in all that concerned the welfare of the province, and he has thus been perfectly well known to you —[A voice: “What about the immigrants, and ten ‘ bob’ a-head?”];—and for a man in his position to issue an address containing meaningless paragraphs was utterly absurd (ironical cheers). He trusts more to his past career and the character he has established amongst you, for his acceptance this day, than to any address he could have issued, or political creed ho could have expressed (confusion and cheers). Besides all this Mr. Newman, since his return to this country—[A voice: “What did he go away for?”], has held an office under the late Superintendent, an office which he got irrespective of the influence of the late Superintendent; and, while in that position, he has acquired an amount of information with regard to the duties of the office of Superintendent which will enable him at once to accept the reins of Government with a knowledge of the duties which are before him [A voice; “ lie will never hold them”], and he will thus do better than other men unacquainted with the duties, to discharge them without any undue delaydelay which any other man going in will require before he can originate and carry any measure whatever. In regard to Mr. Newman’s general politics; I don’t enter upon his political opinions at all. He is now here and will explain to you himself better than I can what those views are, and it will bo for you then to be enabled to judge between the candidates which ol them you will prefer. I may say this, however, because it is not so much a political as a moral matter, that Mr. Newman, though a voluntary in principle, is prepared to carry out those educational grants which have been so beneficial for the province, the benefit of which he has at heart. But the great reason which I have for proposing him is that I believe him to be a thoroughly good man in the best sense of the term; thoroughly honest and perfectly incapable of doing intentionally any unjust action, and thoroughly unselfish. If elected he will maintain the dignity of the office unsullied, and hand it down to future generations in a purer state than it has ever been in before (Great laughter and uproar), 1 have therefore very great pleasure in nominating, as a fit aud proper person to be Superintendent of this province, Mr. Joseph Newman (uproar). Mr. Joseph May did not think he had any need to apologise to the electors for coming there to-day. He had generally taken an active part in every Superintcndcncy election that had ever taken place in this province, and he was here on this occasion to propose the man whom he thought best fitted for the office. He wanted no contracts, no Government employment, or anything of that kind. [A voice: “ No, Joe, you only want a Land Cornmissionership!” | He should havchad greater pleasure in coming here to-day if he was sure of getting rid of the late Superintendent, but he found there was some doubt on the subject. There were so many political turn coats in the country that they could hardly judge till the day came. He had great pleasure in seconding the nomination of a man who had not his superior for honesty in the province, and whose abilities would be equal to the task of performing his duties. Either Mr. Newman or Mr. Graham was superior to the late Superintendent; but they must not exact too much from whoever got in, for all the money was borrowed that could be borrowed. There was no more money to be had on the City Endowments; they were locked up for 20 years, and nothing to bo had from the Harbour Endowments.

Mr. Cadman: “All gammon 1” Mr. May continued: Ha repeated that there was nothing to be had from the Harbour Endowments until they paid oft' the £40,000 debentures. There were no more £45,000’s to be got out of the New Zealand Company; nothing of that kind; but the Superintendent would have to be satisfied with the Provincial Revenue for the time to come. It was these debts, and the lot of 40 acre people he had brought here which were the real cause of Mr. Williamson’s resigning, and not the reasons he had stated. [Much noise and disorder prevailing through Mr. May’s speech, and still increasing, the Returning Officer here interfered and requested that order might be maintained.] One of the Crowd : “We can’t see a man like that come forward.”

Mr. May continued ; He had never done anything he was ashamed of. He had heard, within the last day or two, an objection to Mr. Newman,—that he left the colony for a certain time. Suppose he did. He was working for them all the time; and he had done more for the interests of the province than any other agent that they had anywhere. Besides if that was an objection it might bo urged against Mr. Graham and Mr. Williamson, who both left this place and went to California for a time. He (Mr. May) had now no hesitation in seconding the nomination of Mr. Joseph Newman as a man he had confidence in and could recommend the electors to support (renewed uproar). Captain Porter (Tamaki), said, Gentlemen, I have been requested to propose Mr. Hubert Graham as a fit and proper person to be Superintendent of the Province of Auckland, and I do so with great pleasure because I believe that if he is appointed you will find you have put the right man in the right place, from the fact that on two occasions lately in great difficulty and danger he has shown himself to be a man of sound judgment and great knowledge (cheers). Men of that character only require an opportunity to distinguish themselves and benefit the community to which they belong. If you appoint him Superintendent I have no doubt you will never regret having done so. I now take the liberty of nominating Mr. Robert Graham as a fit and proper person to bo Superintendent of this province (cheers and marks of disapprobation). Mr. Stannus Jones: Gentlemen Electors.—You all, no doubt, know Mr, Graham much longer than I have known him; and you know him for an honest and straightforward fellow, and that is what wo want as our Superintendent. He has shewn himself a man of pluck; and, I believe, a first-rate settler. I will now merely second the nomination of Mr. Robert Graham as a fit and proper person for the office of Superintendent. Mr. Cabman came forward amid loud and prolonged cheers: Gentlemen—l have been requested by a large number of the electors of tiiis province, from nearly every' portion of it, to appear here to-day to propose Mr. John Williamson—(loud applause and some hissing)—as a fit and proper person to be Superintendent of this province. (Renewed applause). Mr. Finlay (excitedly): “You ought to bo ashamed of yourself.” Mr. Cabman continued: It was not my intention to take any part in this election. Mr. Finlay: “ Hold your tongue.” Mr. Cabman continued: He had believed that some eligible candidate —one competent to deal with the destinies of this province—would have offered himself for election (and he said it with all respect to the two gentlemen who have been brought forward to-day that they were not, in the opinion of the thinking rpiwtion of the electors, qualified for the office); but no > , J - ho ‘ , bJc candidate having come forward, it was dctcrJ Landed *bat Mr, Williamson should be again nominated. 1 jpccihC( auJ ' l ~“ Wh y tlid llc resign !lt all thcn? ”] be" at this , timc is in 11 critical l ,ositlon • al most reason tof IUI -° f " crvc ’ * cx P cn enee, and 0E- Wellcslev-t 101 l « c lts afla,rs> Wo hcheve, in again promurch. " ' neri '(pqason, that he will be the right man for _and vtd, I believe, he possesses the trailsr Mr. Macfarlano has spoken about. A gid'illiamson as well as I do, and it is T. E. HAWSON, m vmy making a long speech in his favor. First field Mednliaf V- M ho has done, and that is the greatest J1 irSC GOIU Medalist -,i tvhat he will do in the future. You Of Kings College, X(j en icd greatest intelligence LATE SURGEON TO THE T, ' 1 > and i, .. VOU el(:Ct him > VOLUNTI 3I „ i find llirn llt lllS l )0St - posturn of tk *i lone, with the same NEAR THE WIN.DM 7 q asscmble crn br your benefit as he [A C 1 Sll Ppor • CG raing forward was HENRY MANC 11 E S T-E / J J b’’ tr ’ son for the oflicc of - CommißSi6 : .ers, to sell byicdy.jbd, For the purchase of all HpAdatc, . "brward to address the shire, and Scotch Ift OF pC'-' ai >. or ]f to-day, he said, as a , r in t’suspicior -divid <l lianK

candidate for a very high and important office —a high trust which any one with right feelings must take upon himself with a considerable amount of hesitation, seeing the critical position in which the Province is placed at the moment. lam quite aware, in seeking to take upon myself this responsibility, that I am not making any easy berth for myself (oh, oh), yet on the other hand my feelings, my very life, is bound up with the welfare of the Province in which I live; and the best services of my life have been, and shall be devoted to securing its highest advancement. For twenty years I am known to many amongst you, and I stand before you now without hesitation (a laugh). 1 have never in ray whole career done anything to damage the interests of this Province. I have not only been a private individual seeking to promote my own welfare, and with it that ot the Province in which I dwell, but it was my honour to be returned to the first Provincial Council in this Province (A Voice: And you got paid for it). No, I had no salary in connection with those duties; I carried them out faithfully (A Voice: Call Captain Haultain to speak as to your conduct). I have further to state that under the critical circumstances in which we arc placed, particularly as to finances, should I be elected to office, I shall go in with the full intention of working with the Provincial Council elected as your representatives for the time being. I shall go into office unhesitatingly, and without preference for any party in that Council. It will be my duty to hold the balance between them as evenly as I can, without any intention of according favour to cither; but I shall act according to the dictates of my own conscience in what I believe to Ijp right, believing that right principles arc the best and will prevail. This is, as has been said, a critical moment with regard to our finances. Up to the present time we have been going to a considerable extent on borrowed money, which must lie repaid at some future time, and as an honest man will not permit or enter into any speculation (for some of the past transactions in this Province have been little else but speculations) under the plea that it will advance the interests of the Province, unless I see a fair prospect of the money being returned with interest to the parties from whom it has been borrowed (cheers). I am quite satisfied, from my acquaintance with the resources of the Province, that we have immense natural resources which, if properly developed, will lead to a bright future for it, it wc arc united for that object; but let discord and disunion go on as it has done in time past, and wc shall be buried in oblivion, lose the rank which wc now occupy ns the first Province in New Zealand, and sink to a second, third, or fourth class one. I have next to state the means by which 1 propose to carry out that object, &c.; the things which I think are most imperative on the Superintendent and Provincial Council to do. The first thing is good roads, without which the good land in the distance can be of no avail, and cannot bring to the city of Auckland the wealth which it is calculated to produce. We must have good roads to every part of the interior as far as the resources of the I’rovinco will enable us. It will be my great object to carry out this principle; and the strong must help the weak, Where the wealthy part ot the community have secured good roads for themselves, some means must be adopted for keeping those roads in a good state; and the main bulk of the money available for these objects must go for opening up new roads, doing it effectually; for good roads arc the cheapest in the end; and wo cannot exist without good roads. Further, the system of making them must bo by contract; and here 1 go in for honest contracts faithfully fulfilled. I give you my word that in all contracts which 1 may have to do with, sufficient securities will be demanded, and the work required to be done in an efficient manner, or the securities will be compelled to refund the money. Hundreds of pounds of our money have been squandered in unfulfilled contracts, creating an extensive system of corruption. On this point I will show no favour to any party. Full prices will, no doubt, have to be given, but the conditions shall be executed. Then, as to immigration, I give place to no man in the Province in my efforts to promote the immigration that has been flowing towards it from first to last. Progressive immigration I have done my best to promote, and I never worked so hard in my life as during the five years when I was absent from the Colony (A Voice: And never was so well paid). For two years of that time I had no office in connection with the issue of land orders, and did not get paid a single shilling (oh, oh) My personal and travelling expenses were never paid me by the receipts that came into my hands (a laugh). The Colony is, therefore, altogether a debtor to me for the exertions which I made for it in England (oh, oh). But whatever may be said on that subject with a view of irritating my feelings, it will not lead me to swerve for one moment from the object I have in view. Say what you will, say much or say little, my object is, and shall be through life, the advancement of the Province in which I dwell. By progressive immigration alone can prosperity to the Province be secured. My principles, then, will be to be just first, and then generous, I shall seek out, and as far as possible examine into the distant blocks of land which I find available, and see what claims there are upon them; and my intention is to carry on the existing system so long as a 40 acres remain available in the Province. I know personally that there are large districts yet available, by which the tide of immigration can he kept flowing for some time to come; and when the natives can be brought over to a better mode of thinking, our difficulties will then disappear; and the time will then come when the Colony will get into sucli a condition that that system may be abandoned. I know its days arc numbered, but let us make the best of the opportunity still remaining to us. I can undertake to say that in Albertland, at which some ridicule has been east, 5,000 settlers will be located in the next two years; and there are 200 000 acres in that district, the Kaipara, still available and open for selection (A Voice: Joe May says it’s all pipe clay). With such districts to go upon, therefore, 1 am not prepared to abandon a system which has worked so well, and with proper management can be still further extended. Another subject is that of railways. I have seen during my late residence in England, something of the advantage of railway traffic; and 1 say unhesitatingly that where, with the assistance ol a government guarantee, a line can he carried out which will pay the interest of the outlay required,' I shall be prepared, as far as possible, to secure that guarantee, 1 believe a line could now be taken as far as Drury, which would add a great deal to the prosperity of the Province, and not take a sixpence out of the Provincial revenue (laughter). When that object is accomplished it will then be time enough to laugh at the idea, which is not a new but a very general one. I bring with me, gentlemen, the experience which i have gathered in old England in five years; and the best energies of my mind shall bo devoted to carrying out improvements within this Province. On the subject of education lam prepared, as you have been told, to adopt the practice now in force, with a few improvements which I think it is yet capable of having effected in it. There are other subjects on which I might dwell, but you appear impatient to get toj the end, and I shall have some other opportunities of expressing my opinions more fully. lam hero now to answer any questions that may in reason be put to me. I may, however, add that the salary of this office is no inducement to me to seek it (laughter). I am not in the least dependent on the revenue derived from it, During the time I have been in the Province I defy any one to say that any bill of mine has ever been returned dishonoured, or that I ever owed any one £5 without being able to pay him it. I maintain, too, that I have some qualities for finance which some of the other aspirants to office do not possess. At 20 years of age I had accounts through my hands greater than those of the government of this Province. About jg50,000 is the whole amount, and the accounts connected with it may be a puzzle for some people to analyze, but I do feel myself competent to do it, and to put them before the Provincial Council in an intcllcgiblc manner. There has been a great deal of confusion in them sometimes which I think has been the result, not of intention, but of the want of clearness of mind to set the thing in a right way. My object, therefore, in future will be so to arrange these finances that the Council may scent once what they have to expend, and how to devote the sums in the best possible way for the benefit of the Province at large without fear or favour ol any individual of the community. I don’t wish to say anything of the other candidates, but will leave them upon their own merits. If elected I will fill the office to the best of my ability; and thanking you for the kind hearing you have given me 1 now leave if. in the hands of the constituency to decide between us.

Mr. Egbert Graham tlicii dime forward amid mingled cheers and groans, and said, Gentlemen electors of the Province of Auckland, 1 come forward on the present occasion to offer myself for the highest office—the chief magistracy of the most important Province of New Zealand. It has given me great anxiety to allow myself to be put in this position, because 1 was comfortable in my own sphere; and would have been glad to have remained there, but I was forced to come forward by those who believed mo to be the person to extricate the Province from its present difficulties (roars of laughter), I had much difficulty in bringing my mind to come to this position, but having done so, 1 don’t hesitate to say that what I do undertake I will carry through (cheers). I never yet met with a difficulty that I could not overcome. Iconic before you now, gentlemen, on a principle upon which 1 have stood upon for the last ten years, on a system which, I believe, if it had been carried out seven or eight years ago we should not have had any war. If the natives had then been allowed to dispose of their lands wa would have had such a population (A Voice! Of men or sheep? which?) in this

country that there could not have been any chance of war. I now believe there is a chance of averting it, and the Governor together with the most able men of the country have agreed that the system should be tried. Seven years ago I was accused that I myself would have been the greatest benefiter by it; but if such had been my views 1 would have abstained from coming forward now. The influence which I have got over the natives I can Use for the benefit of the Province; (A Voice: Yes, you always employ Maori labour) for if direct purchase is to be the order of the day, I ask why should not the Government be gainers by it. What lands, I ask, have been bought under the old system ? The money in the hands of the Department for the purchase of native lands amount to no less than £50,000; and the natives will not sell any of it. If the other system be tried, I believe the natives will sell their lands; and if elected I will do my duty in acquiring as much land ns possible for the benefit of the Province; and 1 will principally devote my attention to populating this part of the Colony. Now, more than ever before, this part of the Colony requires a large population, for the natives must submit to the Queen’s authority, and it must be cither by the presence of a large population or by the sword. I will do all that I can to continue the 40 acre system as far as is consistent with the state of affairs, and as far as we can find land for it. But there are other systems which I will endeavour to promote; hut while we must introduce population wo must also introduce capital to employ that population when they come; and I will turn my attention to that subject. I trust, gentlemen, that if it should be your wish to elect me as your Superintendent, I shall apply my knowledge to ascertain where and how roads arc to be made. 1 will not content myself with directing others that a road is to be made in such and such a place; but I will go and see how it ought to be made myscll (cheers and laughter). I shall he glad to encourage education—to encourage it to that extent that the rising generation shall be better able than ourselves to fill our places. Should 1 have the honour of your confidence 1 will call together some of the best men which are to be found in your Provincial Council —men whose abilities and integrity you can rely upon —to give me advice and assistance in the guidance of the affairs of the Province; and I should take their advice, retaining to myself the duty of a Superintendent—-to see that nothing shall be done to weigh more heavily on one portion of the Province than on another. No unfair distinction shall be made. I will co-operate with the Governor in any extensive scheme of immigration whatever; and I will co-operate with the General or Provincial Government I trust cordially, for the carrying out of any measure likely to advance the prosperity of the Province. 1 could say a great deal more, gentlemen, but 1 don’t think it is necessary to enlarge upon other subjects; but any question that any gentleman chooses lo put I will answer faithfully. Anything that I cun do will be done honestly, faithfully and fearlessly. I have never asked any one lor a vote (oh. oh); and after the election, should I be found to have the honour of your confidence, I will never look at the electoral roll to see how any one has voted; and I will never show any favour to any one for having voted for me.

One oe the crowd: That’s the man wc want. Another: Give us some accounts about the reports about Mr. Newman’s resignation. Mr. Graham: 1 know nothing about them. There has been no transaction between Mr. Newman and myself except with regard to these hustings. In answer to another inquiry as to whether he would retain Dr. Pollen as his adviser, Mr. Graham said that was a question which he did not consider proper to be put to any candidate; for by making such a promise he would be placing himself in an improper position, as a dilferencc might arise between them, and he lie held to bo bound by his promise to retain Dr. Pollen. Nor could he promise to turn him away, or he might find on being elected Dr. Pollen’s resignation at his office. But they were very good friends; and he was sure that Dr. Pollen would tender to him his best advice before leaving office. In answer to loud cries of “ Where’s Williamson?” Mr. Cadman stated that Mr. Williamson was not there to-day, but he (Mr. C.) was sure, nevertheless, they would return him at the head of the poll without difficulty. Mr. Joseph May: lias Mr, Williamson consented to be nominated at all? Mr. Cabman; If Mr. Williamson is elected he will take his place as Superintendent of the Province. (Cries of “ That’s no answer at all.”) A show of hands was then taken for the different candidates, and the numbers were taken down by the Returning Officer as follows; — For Mr. Newman ----- .33 “ Mr. Robert Graham - - - 147 “ Mr. John Williamson - - - IG3 —lie therefore declared the show of hands to be in favour of Mr. John Williamson. Mr. Graham demanded a poll which was announced to take place on Wednesday, the 2Otli instant. A vote of thanks was then moved to the Returning Officer by Mr. Cadman, which was seconded by Mr. Newman and carried. This terminated the proceedings.