Original Correspondence.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume XII, Issue 1285, 25 November 1857, Page 2

Original Correspondence.

To the Editor of the New Zealand Spectator. Wanganui, l!l|h November, 1857. Sib, —Al the nomination on Tuesday the 10th inst., our little Settlement was thrown into a state of great excitement owing to the appearance of a liberal candidate, those who have so long misrepresented us never once thinking that any individual would he found foolhardy enough to stand forward to expose the oppressive acts of the present Government; but they were most woefully mistaken, for Wanganui lias shown a disposition to shake off the apathy under which she has so long contented her Self. Ihe liberal candidate, Mr. Thomas Kells, did not profess to oppose Dr. Featherston’s Government for a factious purpose; lie merely pointed out the injustice attending the law relating to the disposal of runs, the disgraceful way in which the Government is lavishing money in carrying on public works itself, in place oi‘ letting them by contract. Mr. Kells did not appear so much for the purpose of making exposures as to firmly demand redress. Mr. Kells was proposed by Mr. Joseph Jones, one of the most independent men in the settlement. Mr. T. B. 1 lai ding, in seconding the nomination, exposed the evils of the Cattle Trespass Act, the Dog Nuisance Art. Branding Act, and others, with fluency and (•fleet. Mr. Fox apologized for pawning himself upon ' s, after being rejected in Wellington, threw the whole 1 1 '.me on the Irish, and bigoted parsons?, giving a comic description, but with a, real woc-begone countenance, i ot the way in which the Featherston candidates were mistreated in Wellington, and, of course, all through the instrumentality of the arch-traitor Wakefield; the other candidates professed unbounded confidence in their driver. Captain Campbell only reserving the right to vote for or against a motion as it was conducive or otheiwi.se to the public good! Show uf hands in favor of Messrs. Watt, Fox, Kells, ami Campbell, and not as given in the Wanganui Chronicle. At a meeting on Wednesday evening held in the Theatre, Mr. Wickstccd endeavoured to show that the present opposition could not stand, being composed of such discordant materials, and concluded by a. eulogy on Mr. Kells, but, throughout, throwing a eolonr.ng of distrust, that he was not the man wanted on the present occasion. Mr. Watt read from the Blue Book many of the acts of the Provincial Council, giving his interpretation, and inliis usual lucid manner. Mr. Handley, gave the old song, of confidence in Dr. Featherston. Air. Wieksteed apologized for Captain Campbell not attending. Air. Keils rc-itcrated his former professions of independence, but stated he would not agree to a vote of censure on Dr. Featherston. Mr. Fox, aftci a great deal of talk about nothing, stated that if the present Government was upset by the opposi-| lion, the Wanganui people might whistle for the .£’B,ooo granted for their bridge, the cutting of Shakespeare’s cliff, ami making No. line. In answer to a question put by Mr. Kells, the liberal candidate, as to why the Government had not commenced the foregoing works so as to put it out of the power of a succeeding Government, appropriating the money granted for those purposes to any other; Mr. Fox, in a long statement, with other matters, talked about Mr. Hoy being so busy; you know what that dodge means. Of course the election on Thursday was the grand climax; the Government candidates were up and stirring at an early hour, and looking rather blank that an opposition should have occurred, and using all the powerful influence of the Government (X'S.Otit) and ail) and private influence that was heretofore thought to be invincible, to make that opposition us contemptible as possible, but they were considerably mistaken, for the poll stood nt 4 o’clock.—'- v ntt 148, Fox 145, Campbel) 103, Handley 1)8, Kills U2. Kells having 19 plumpers, the others only one between them ; Kells not voting himself, and, it is said, requesting a great many not to vote for him. remaining satisfied with showing the Government that there are men in Wanganui, independent both in principle and position determined io have justice. 1 forgot to mention that McDonnell withdrew, previous to the nomination, and Mr. Richards after it, he having only a show of three bunds, which be, with exquisite politeness handed over to .Mr. Fox, at the same time abusing Mr. Kells, and calling on the electors not to vote for him, as he Mr. Kells was a dangerous man: it was thought at the time that the man’s remaining intellect was giving way under the fourth disappointment. ] will nt some future time give you a few stray statements connected with the past election, and calculated to show the rising state of things here. I illl <•<-n--chide by saying that the Chronicle has given a verv one-sided account of the elections. 1 am, Sir, vonr obedient servant, A WANGANUI ELECTOR.