A POLITICAL "CRANK."

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9132, 14 August 1888, Page 5

A POLITICAL "CRANK."

The hon. member for Rodney, Mr. Moat, is still receiving frequent communications from "Came, the Divine and Good Politician," of Drayton, Matakana, which he is requested to lay upon the table, and to communicate to the Premier and the editor of the Auckland Weekly News. Mr. Came is a shrewd hard-headed, industrious Northern settler, but "clean gone" on his life mission to destroy Apollyon, the great dragon, and briny in the Millenium. He is very rough on Parliament and the powers that be, and disposes of Protection in one act. The country blacksmith had charged him as much for repairing a dog-chain as he paid for a new one at Porter and Co.'s a few weeks previously. That was enough for him, therefore long live Free Trade. He concludes a lengthy petition to be laid on the table thus:—"Understand I am not clever at spelling and am notalearned grammarian, and the Devil is always on the alert to bailie me in writing and indicating, but I am determined to get the old crafty rascal publicly exposed and hitched-up this time." As regards the closing sentence of the petition, I am afraid that Mr. Came has a big contract on hand, and that this is rather "a large order." It has been suggested that the correspondence should be forwarded to Dr. Cremonini for his views thereon, especially as. if Mr. Came is to be believed, the editor of the Auckland Weekly News, " Agricola," " Pollex," " Colon us," " Mercutio," and " Calamo Current e " have not given his writings that careful consideration to which he thinks they are entitled.

CURY AND THE LEGISLATORS. I learn that a petition had been got up by a member of the House to be signed by members for presentation to the governor of New Caledonia, in the event of Cury being extradited, interceding for mercy on his behalf, owing to the suffering he had already endured. MOUNT ALBERT LOCAL OPTION POLL. The Hon. E. Mitchelson presented a petition from Samuel Stephenson, late hotelkeeper, Mount Albert, Auckland. He states that at the local option poll in April in the district there was a majority of 18 for prohibition, and the result was obtained by undue influence and systematic refusal to place the names of bona fidi owners of property on the ratepayers' roll of the district before such poll was taken, thus defrauding the district of their expression of opinion. lie prays for an amendment of the licensing Act by making the voto electoral, as the ratepayers' roll does not, embrace the opinions of one-twentieth of the inhabitants. He states that at the late polling, scrutineers were not allowed to be present, consequently he had no protection against the undue influence used by a board opposed to the increase of licenses. The petitioner prays for compensation for the injury done him, and that the votes of last April may be annulled, as illegally taken.

MR. LUNDON'S CLAIMS. A petition was presented by Mr. Thomas Thompson from Mr. John Lundon, who recites at length the arrangements between himself and the late Minister of Lands when he undertook to promote the special village settlements in the north of Auckland. He states that his reasons for accepting the mission were:—(l) Personal regard for the Minister ; (2) to help the unemployed ; (3) to enhance the interests of the Northern districts. His reason for not accepting any stated salary was to avoid being under the control of any department, and to recognise the Minister only, and act under his instructions. The petitioner now claims £250 l'2s (id, with bank interest added, less £06 8s 2d already paid.