WAIRARAPA ELECTION.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume XII, Issue 1283, 18 November 1857, Page 2

WAIRARAPA ELECTION.

On Saturday last. Mr. St. Hill, tho Returning Officer for the District, attended at Grey I own to receive the polling books from the several polling places in the district, and to declare the poll. At about mid day, the electors present were informed by the Returning Officer that he was prepared to declare the total poll. He said that he should in tho first place intimate the number of votes for each of the Candidates, viz: —for Mr. Carter, 03; Mr. Levans, 41 ; Mr. Borlase, 41 ; Mr. Jackson, IS; and Mr. Hughes, nil. He regretted that there were so few of the electors present, because, as they would observe that two of the candidates had received an equal number of votes, the duty devolved upon him of declaring upon which of the two candidates the election should fall. Tho occasion, therefore, was a very important one; for he felt it due to the electors to state the grounds upon which his casting vote would be given. This was the first instance in this Province, since tho Constitution Act had been brought into operation, that this privilege had to be exercised by him. On the day of°nominiition he had paid particular attention to what fell from each candidate when he gave an exposition of his political views. He con cut-red to a very great extent in -the opinions expressed by Mr. Borlase, who was comparatively a stranger to him. Mr. Rcvana ho had known for many years ; they had, in fact, arrived tn New Zealand with tho first colonists, m the same vessel. From tho knowledge he had ol Mr. Revans, he believed him thoroughy sincere and honest in his political opinions, but he had always differed with Mr. Revans on most political subjects. Ho know him to be most firm and consistent in supporting his

opinions, and it was that fact that • lnm(Mr.St. Hill) in the “ "e he now adopt. Mr. Revanshad on the ld nomination, impressed the electors / importance of those electoral riffiits co f< by the Constitution Act. and X± ei careful.y discharging their trust. H o V St. Hill) quite agreed with hint therein ( v therefore then- trust was an important one n position tn which he (Mr. St. liffi ... ° ®,’ tlle by virtue of his office was evcJ he had to decide tn whom the i-em-isentM-of the District should ho confided and f '° n an equality of votes it was evident that a? Levans and Mr. Borlase had equal]v the rm ftdence of the electoi s. As those present hm ever had heard him express his " to a groat extent in the political opinions that had been enunciated by Mr.Borlase, heshouk at once declare, by his casting vote, that ? tieman to be the candidate upon wl lom B n 2 election had fallen. Mr. St. Hill then deck ml that Mr. C. R. Carter, and Mr. C. B Borine were duly elected to represent the AVairarana District. 1“ Mr. Revans then addressed the Electors He said he could not find fault with the de' ctston that had been just given. Mr St Hili' had only done him justice in sayimr that he behoved him to bo honest and firm in his do litical opinions. He thought that when a man had devoted his mind to political subjects he ought to stick to what he conceived to bo right He was not at all surprised that tho small farmers should have voted a-ainst hint • he quite expected that they would do so’ They had acted in a straightforward wav towards him ; but ho was chagrined that many who ought to have supported him be cause he was tho earnest upholder of their interests had cared not to exercise their vote on the present election. He gave the electors of the Wairarapa his most positive pledge and assurance that he. would never again offer himself as a candidate to represent them ; he had quite made up his mind to that; even if they should ever elect him without his know, ledge or consent he would resign the next day. He thought that he would at once go to town and resign his seat in the Bouse of Representatives; for'if he was not fit to represent the constituency in the Provincial Council, he was not fit to do so in the Assembly He complimented the electors who had at-' tended the public meetings at Grey Town “ previous to the election for the courteous reception they had always given him. Their conduct stood in contrast with the people of Wellington. He always believed that Weilington must be the seat of Government; but he thought now that the seat of Govern-' ment should be more properly at Grev Town. As he had told them on the day of nomination, so he repeated it, that if the 'electors at Grey Town should at any time desire that he should meet them to discuss any subject of interest, or to give them any information within his power, he should be ever ready to obev their call. But from henceforth he' abandoned all political connexion with the district Mr. Borlase thanked the electors for the compliment paid him in electing him their representative in the Provincial Council. It was evident that he had received the greatest number of his votes from Grev Town and iffasterton', because he was better known in those places than in the more distant parts of the District. He looked upon this as a cctnpliment in every way ; and he was quite sure when he was better known in other plai-es ho would be more appreciated. He pledged himself to be at .-ill times prepared to devote his time and abilities to protect the interests of the Wairarapa District. The proceedings terminated with a vote of thanks to the Returning Officer.