NORTHERN DIVISION ELECTION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume IV, Issue 1123, 20 June 1867, Page 5

NORTHERN DIVISION ELECTION.

NOMINATION AT THE NORTH 3HOKE_g The nomination of a candidate to represent the district of the Northern Division in tie Provincial Council took place yesterday at tho Pilot Station, North Shore. Notwithstanding tho inclemency of the weather, the supporters of the several candidates mustered in considerable number, and the greatest interest was evinced in the proceedings by the electors resident in the neighbourhood. The Returning Officer, Col. BeLneavis, having read the writ convening the meeting, and the electoral notice, called on any gentleman who had a duly qualified candidate to propose, to come forward.

Mr. Allan O'Neill then came forward. He said lie had oil a former occasion had fbe honor of appearing before tho electors, and he now desired to take the opportunity of returning thanks to the gentlemen who had supported him on that occasion without fear, favour, affection or promise, and to support a candidate in such a manner -was the test favour an elector could show. With regard to the manner in which the former election was conducted, he (Mr. O'Neill) would not say one word, hut he could not refrain from expressing his regret that the Waiwera was a public polling-place, and that it was not disfranchised as Titiranga had been on a former occasion. He regretted that the Be turning Officer had not used his personal influence for the disfranchisement of "Waiwera on the occasion of ihe last election. Since then another vacancyhad occurred in the Provincial Council through the resignation of Mr. Henderson, who had proceeded home. It was a subject fox regret that on the present occasion the expense and delay incidental to a contested election had not been avoided, as the Council would, in all probability, be prorogued before the member for the Northern Division had been duly returned. It had been the repeated cry in the colony that new identities and new blood was required, and on the present occasion he (Mr. O'Neill) was glad to say he would be able to meet their views in that respect. He had consulted the gentleman whom he meant to propose, who had stated distinctly that any measure for the cutting down of extravagant expenditure, and for reducing ornamental offices, would have his most strenuous support. He would also be prepared to support any measure having for its object the development of the resources of the province generally, and the Northern Division in particular. All this the gentleman would do whom ho was about to propose, and it would be well to let in a little new blood to help tho old fogies out of their difficulties. (Hear, hear, and cheers.) That gentleman had, since his residence among them, done well for himself, and the man who had his own interests at heart would attend to those of the electors who returned him. The gentleman he intended to propose had bought considerable property in their district, and intended to settle permanently in the Northern Division. [A Voice: Who is it ?] Ho had much pleasure in proposing Mr. George Staines as a fit and proper person to represent the district of tho Northern Division in the Provincial Council. (Cheers.) Mr. Geobge Maebhall said he had much pleasure in'seconding the nomination of Mr. George Staines, as a fit and proper person to represent the district of tho Northern Division in the Provincial Council. Mr. Staines and himself had been shipmates on the voyage out, five years ago, and all knew that on board ship a man's real character came out pretty strongly. (Hear, hear.). Ho conld say for his friend that if elected, he would be always active, as Mi. O'Neill had said, in cutting down useless taxation, reducing expenditure, and abolishing useless offices. He had always known Mr. Staines to bo a man of great public spirit. (Cheers.) (A voice : Too new in the field.)

After considerable delay Mr. W. Greenwood came forward and proposed W. J. Hurst, Esq., as a fit and proper person to represent tho district. In proposing that gentleman he would say nothing in his favour, but would leave him I to speak for himself. As for the question of o|d and new identities, that was a matter entirely foreign to Ahe present olection. Mr. Olives Masts said he had great pleasure in seconding tho nomination of Mr. W. J. Hurst, and in doing so he would beg leave to offer a few remarks in explanation of that gentleman's present position, which he would no doubt do more fully himself, hut hardly with the same freedom- Mr. Hurst had no desire to put the country to the expense of a contested election, and tie onos'of that would he with Mr.

Staines and his supporters, as Mr. Hurst was willing to retire in favor of Mr. Dacro if Mr. Staines would do the samo. This threw tho onus of a contest entirely upon Mr. Stainos and his party. Mr. Griffin : Why not Mr. Dacro retire ? Mr. Oliver Mays : So far as Mr. Hurst and Mr. Staines wero concerned tho latter would have no objection to go to tho poll. But as Mr. Hurst was perfectly willing to retire in favor of Mr. Dacro, Mr. Staines having doclined to do the samo on his part, there was no help for it, and they had reluctantly brought Mr. Hurst forward, and they now placed him in tho samo position as he would occupy under any other circumstances. Mr. Hurst, if elected, would show that ho knew moro about tho wants of tho settlors of the N orthem Division than did Mr. Staines. Ho (Mr. Mays) doubted whether Mr. Staines had ever travelled vory far into the Northom Division. It was truo ho might have selected his land somowhere, but ho had not gono to look after it, and had ho dono so, ho would probably have becomo better acquainted with tho requirements of tho district than ho appeared to be. Mr. Hurst had been thoroughly conversant with tho subject before Mr. Staines camo out to the colony at all. The great neglect that they had suffered had aroused thom. Mr. Hurst had already shown that he knew something of their wants. Mr. Hurst was also about to becomo a settler, and thero could be no question whether Mr. Staines or Mr. Daero was tho best roprosentativo that tho Northern Division could elect, but tho electors could judgo of that for themselves. He was sorry that the pio-rinco would bo put to tho expense of a contested election merely to put Mr. Staines at tho bottom of tho poll. (Cheers.) Ho begged to second tho nomination of Mr. Hurst as a fit and proper person to represent the district of tho Northern Division in the Provincial Council, Mr. Griffin : You will find that Mr. Staines has got a little pluck about him. Capt. Cooper then came forward and proposed Mr. Henry Dacre as a fit and proper porson to represent tho -district. Since tho last occasion on which he (Capt. Cooper) had addressed tho electors a very vexed question had been settled. Tho measure to mako tho Executive rosponsiblo to the Council had been adopted by a largo majority. Thoreforo thero would now bo no further necessity for ascertaining tho views of candidates on that measure. Ho believed if Mr. Dacre wero elected he would bo prepared to support any measure calculated to further tho interests of the Northern Division, that ho would support tho Government when they wero right end oppose them when wrong. That was tho great principle that should be attended to jn responsible Government, and not offering unnecessary opposition to overy moasuro brought forward by the Executivo. A give and triepoHoj should be adopted. He believed Mr. Dacre would bo support any step for the opening up of tho country, and tho establishment of communications in the out districts, and he would not support any measure that wovM throw the lands of the province into the hands of a few capitalists. (Hear, hear.) He would support tho present Superintendent in any measure that ha might introduce for the benefit of the provinc- Mr. Dacro had seen the drawbacks under v. itieh tho sottlors of the Mahurangi and other districts in the North laboured. Eor the want of Toads many persons who came into the province with tho intention of settling, had gono away. If they could not get roads by any other means land should be given to local boards, or individuals, in compensation for constructing bridges or roads. A measure on this subjcct was already before the Council, pnd that Svould prevent his taking any active part in the present election. Hitherto the out-districts had suffered from a want of educational establishments, and the money which should have teen devoted to that object Lad fccen diverted to otl-rrs. This applied moro particulrrly to Wangniai, Waipu, and other outdistricts, containing scattered populat : ons. He begged to propose Mr. Henry Dacre as a lit and proper person to represent the district. It would be an advantage if they could return Mr. Henry Dacre without opposition and so haro the benefit of his voice in the Council. Mr. M. Shea, in seconding the nomination said, in Mr. Dacre the electors would find a want supplied thrt had been long felt—a real bora fide s-ettler to represent them in the Provincial Council. No resident, in that district had expended more on his own farm than had Mr. Dacre, and if he were elected to the Council tie would no doubt do his utmost to secure :oads for the district. (Cheers.) The Returning Officer having claimed a fair hearing for each of the candidates, Mr. George Staines came forward and iddressed the meeting. He said this was one }f the proudest moments he hed ever experi- 1 ;nced in his lifetime. He had several times fought what he considered to be a good fight in iecuringthe re turn ofindep er dent representatives both here and in the old country. (Hear,hear.) He had always advocated principles of reform and retrenchment, both here and at home, and he had never at any time been the tool of any party whatever, and if defeated in the right he would submit with satisfaction. He was highly gratified to find an old settler like Mr. A. O'Neill among his supporters. It was true he (Mr. Staines) might not have the same knowledge of the district as Mr. Dacre had, but he (Mr. Staines) had political experience and commercial experience. If returned he would go among the country residents, in order to ascertain their requirements. (Hear, hear.) Hehad seen that the country members were in the habit of neglecting their duties in the Council—(hear, hear) —and for some time past it had been the custom to return town residents to represent the country districts. "When he (Mr. Staines) retired into private life he intended to take up his residence in the Northern Division. He had received considerable support both from the town and country, and did not think it right that he should now reject that support. (Hear, hear.) He entertained great respect for Mr. Dacre, and if that gentleman had given him earlier notice of his intention to come forward as a candidate, he would, perhaps, have felt disposed tb retire in his favor, but having once come forward, he would not retire in favor of anyone. (Hear, hear, and cheers.) He had taken the sword in hand, and he would fight what he believed to be the good fight of faith. Mr. Mays had said that he would be the last on the poll,, but he (Mr. Staines) was of opinion. that he would be first. (Hear, hear, and laughter.), fie believed the present Superintendent toVRT the best they could get. If they returned him (Mr. Staines) to the Council, and he saw any improper action on the part of any clique or any political movement injurious to his constituents, he would call a meeting of them and ascertain their views. He would thus be enabled to go back to the Council with their support. If placed at the bottom of the poll, he would still, he hoped, occupy a respectable position in the estimation of his supporters. (Cheers.) Mr. W. J. Hurst said he was very glad that they had afforded Mr. Staines such a patient hearing during his eloquent address, and he trusted the same forbearance would be extended to himself. (Hear, hear.) He had heard a song on the previous night called " The Village Blacksmith," and he could not help comparing tho" sparkling eloquence of Mr. Staines to the sparks flying from the blacksmith's anvil. (Hear, hear and laughter.) The election of their representatives was a serious matter. A great deal said about town and country members was not of special importance in the present case, and all merely party questions should he set aside. It was futile to talk about expending money, on the country districts when tho province was hardly in a position to pay its way, and it almost appeared to him that there

was scarcely any necessity to return a member at all. He (Mr. Hurst) did not intend to attack Mr. Staines' private character, but ho would simply refer to him in his publio character. They had first becomo acquainted with him as assisting the provost marshal in taking peoplo into tho militia. (A voice : No personalities.) Ho was not personal. Next they saw Mr. Staines in his publio character as a momber of tho Northern Separation and Reform League. (Dr. Merritt: Question, question.) Ho (Mr. Hurst) had come forward and taken np opposition against that movement. (Dr. Merrett: You denied it, sir; you stated . what was an untruth, and I will contradict it.) Ho would not refer any further to the Leaguo. (Dr. Merrett: You had bettor drop that.) Ho (Mr. Hurst) thought it highly necessary that they should return a man to represent them who would be capable of expressing their wants to tho Council. They did not want what wore termed in tho drawing-room "wallflowers," (hear, hear) they wanted a man who would exercise some influence in order to advance tho : interests of his constituents. All the schemes talked about so much wero moro clap trap. (Dr. Morrett: Question.) A Voice : Put him out if ho won't keep order.

Mr. Hurst continued: Thoy should always endeavour to elect tho best man they could to represent thom. They did so in the ordinary affairs of daily life, and why not carry out tho samo principlo in political matters. Ho did not desire to glorify liimself as to what he had dono or what ho would do for tho district, but ho might inform them that ho was going to bo a resident amoiiget them. Ho might inform the meeting that if Mr. Staines would refrain from going to tho poll, he would bo prepared to do the same. (Cheers.) As Mr. Staines was tho first on tho list of candidates, it was his duty to set tho example, and if ho would do so ho (Mr. Hurst) would pledge himself to tho meeting to follow him. (Cheers.) Mr. Staines had been protesting himself in favour of principles of retrenchment, but let him now practice what ho had been preaching. Mr. Gflirrin: Ask Mr. Dacro to do tho same.

Mr. Hurst thought Mr. Dacro was not tho fittest man to ropresent tho district. Ho had not had sufficient commercial experience,_ and whother ho had the ability to express his views, tho doctors would have an opportunity of judging. If he (Mr. Hurst) went to tho poll, ho would do his utmost to securo his return, but under any circumstances ho did ask Mr. Dacro's friends to place him in such a position as would show tho estimation in which ho was held by tho community. (Hear, hear, from Mr. Griffin.) He hoped that such a disgrace would not bo perpetrated upon tho community as to return Mr. Staines. (Cheers, and laughter.) Mr. > Mr. Staines dud not mention your name in his addreea. Mr. Hubot : Well, Ido so in mine. As to Responsible Government, he would ask, in tho words of Mr. Disraeli, " what they would do with it now they had secured it." He trusted they would make proper us© of it. (Cheers.) Mr. Hiirnir Dacm said he had not intended to com® forward until he roceived the very numerously signed requisition that had been presented to him. He thought that in the preeont condition of the province it was the bounden duty of overy colonist who had its interests at heart to put his shoulder to tho wheel. This was his (Mr. Dacro's) maiden speech—(cheers) —and he had little experience in political matters, but he felt that ho was intimately acquainted with the requirements of tho country districts. Ho felt that tho time was now arrived for the country to put forth all its energies. (Hear, hear,) If elected ho would do all in his I power to cut down unnecessary expenditure, j but he would not be in favour of checking tho advance of the colony by too narrow a system of economy. (Hear, hear.) He could only repeat, in conclusion, that ho was thoroughly acquainted with tho requirements of tho country districts, and if elected ho would do his utmost to advance their interests. No other candidato being proposed, the Returning Officer called for a show of hands i in favour of the several candidates respectively, when thero appeared for Mr. Staines, 9; for Mr. Hurst, 9 ; and for Mr. Dacre, 5. The Returning Offices declared the show of hands to be in favour of tho two first mentioned candidates. Captain Cooper and Mr. Siiea demanded a poll on behalf of Mr. Henry Dacro. Mr. lluest said he had no intention of going to the poll, and would therefore beg the Eeturning Officer to withdraw hi 3 name. He would retire in favor of Mr. Dacre, and would use his personal influence to induce his own friends and supporters to give thoir votes to that gentleman. Mr. Allan O'Neill moved, and Mr. Hurst seconded a vote of thanks to tho Be turning Officer, which was carried amidst loud cheers. Tho Returning Officer briefly returned thanks, and the meeting terminated. |