THE GENERAL ELECTION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 8035, 24 August 1887, Page 5

THE GENERAL ELECTION.

MR. GARRATT AT RICHMOND ROAD. Mk. Garra*t addressed the electors of Newton at the Riohmond Road Schoolroom last evening. There was a moderate attendance. Mr. Donald presided. Mr. Garratt prefaced his speech by a reference to his candidature, and pointed oat that he was not in the field for the purpose of splitting votes. He was not a wealthy man, but he claimed that he waa all that was necessary for a representative of the electorate of Newton. He was in favour of local option on the basis of tho eieotcrai roll, and he advocated an accumulative income tax. The village settlement scheme and the education vote were referred to, and the speaker criticised adversely the endeavour to set apart a portion of the Roman Catholic Cemetery in Symonds-etreet as building sites. The question of retrenchment was referred to at great length, and Mr. Garratt denounced the expenditure of the Government in strong terms, passing on to discuss the subject of protection. A number of questions were answered ; and, on tho motion of Mr. Baddley, a vote cf thanks to and confidence in Mr. Garratt was passed, an amendment, " That a vote of thanks be accorded to Mr. Garratt," being lost. The meeting terminated with a vote of thanks to the chairman. A meeting of Mr. Garratt's supporters was held immediately afterwards, when routine business was transacted.

[by telegraph.—own correspondents.] BAY OF ISLANDS. Mangonui, Taesday. Mr. Hobbs addressed a large meeting of electors at Kaitia. Mr. Martin Puokey proposed, and Mr. Henry seconded, a vote of thanks and confidence, which was carried with only two dissentients.

WAIPA. Hamilton, Tuesday. Major Jackson makes his first speech at Hamilton to-morrow evening. There are rumours of quite a host of competitors besides the two, Major Jackson and Mr. Campbell, already in the field—namely, Messrs. Teesdale, J." L. Tole, and J. Fisher.

TAURANGA. Tk Aroha, Tuenday. Mr. Gill addressed the electors of this part of the Tauranga district in the Public Hall last night. About 150 persons were present. Mr. F. Pavitt was called to the chair, and introduced the candidate, who mot with a very favourable reception. In his address Mr. Gill declared himself an opponent of the present Government. He wished to see retrenchment carried out, and thought the salary of future Governors ought to be reduced, and believed the government of the colony could be managed by fewer Ministers. He believed the Native Department might be swept away altogether ; a large saving in education expenditure might be effected by abolishing central Boards, whose functions might be performed by local committees; the expenditure for defence purposes might also be greatly reducfid, and altogether he believed from £130,000 to £150,000 conld be saved. Though opposed to further borrowing for new "works he believed it would be necessary to raise money to complete the works now left half finished, lie land legislation, he approved of the village settlement scheme, but not with the manner of carrying it out. He did not believe in land nationalisation, and thought every man ehould have the right to acquire a freehold. He considered sir George Grey's Bill the best yet introduced, and would heartily support it. He would do everything in hie power to further the goldfields interests by acting in conjunction with the goldfields' members. He thought a serious hardship had been inflicted upon this and other localities affected, by the extension of the jurisdiction of the Thames Harbour Board, He thought also that Te Arona had not received its fair share of the moneys expended under the Thermal Springe votes. During his address the candidate was frequently applauded. At its close a number of questions were put to him, and his answers seemed to meet with general approval. On the motion of Mr. Comes, seconded by Mr. Michael, a hearty vote of thanks to Mr. Gill for his able and satisfactory address was passed unanimously, the mover hoping that the electors would prove their confidence at the ballot-box. It is generally thought that Mr. Gill, by his political utterance, has greatly strengthened his poeitioa here. To-night he addresses the electors at Waiorongomai.

Grkymooth, Tuesday. Mr. Richard Reeves has been addressing the electors in the Upper Buller during the list week. He was everywhere received in an enthusiastic manner, and granted votes of confidence. At Owen every man in the district appeared to be at his meeting. At Carroll's Hotel he paid a high tribute to Mr. Larnach as Minister of Mines. At the close of his address three cheers yiere given for Mr. Larnach and the candidate. Mr. Reeves is considered certain to have'a block vote in the Central and Upper/Buller districts, though it does not appear that he is likely to have any opposition at all.

The election of Maori representatives takes place on the 7th of September. For the Northern District there are thirty-five polling places and six candidates, namely, Wiremu Katene, Pomare Kingi, Hirini Taiwhanga, Timoti Poihipi, Raniera Wharerau, Rapi Arapata. Mr. H. Mcllhone has been ap» pointed Deputy Registration Officer for Auckland. *• Mr. John Reid, of EldersHe, who has done so much for the frozen meat trade, is a candidate for Waitaki, iu the interests of the Opposition. The Hon. J. A. Tole will address the electors of Newton at the Christian Meeting House, New North Road, this evening, at eight o'clock. The electors of Parnell will be addressed by Mr. Seymour Thome George in the Now- , market Hall on Friday evening.