NOMINATIONS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 6441, 5 December 1881, Page 2

NOMINATIONS.

SOUTH WELLINGTON.

On Saturday, at nuou, the nominations of candidates for the electorate of South Wellington were declared by tbe Returning officer, Mr Eustace Brandon, at the Princess Theatre. Tory-street. Tbe at eudance was large, there being present upwards of 4i<o persons ; but as a great many of those who pot in an appearance bad on tbe two previous days attended the nominations of candidates for Tfaerndon and Te Aro, it is not unreasonable to suppose that they were not all of them electors of the South Wellington electorate. The noisy element was well represented, and it was evident during tbe early part of the proceedings that interruptions would be numerous. The various candidates were, on making their respective bows, received with enthusiasm by their more ardent supporters, and counter cheers, hisses, and boots of derision by some of their more pronounced opponents. Badinage, partaking of a tinge of personality, was freely Indulged in, and tbe ordeal could not but have proved rather trying to more than one of tbe wooers of the sweet voices of tbe “free and independent ’* electors. In addition to Messrs Coffey, Edwards, Hutchison, and Hendry, who bad already declared themselves as candidates for the electoral district of South Wellington, a Mr Peter Anderson, to tbe surprise and amusement of tbe assemblage, put in the nomination of Mr C. J. Toxward. No seconder was obtained to tbe nomination of the gentleman named, and there is no doubt but the nomination of Mr Toxward was as much a surprise to him as it was to tboee present. The Returning Officer having read th» writ, Mr H. Gaby proposed Mr Paul Coffey, who, although new, so tar as Parliamentary honors were concerned, was an old resident of the city, whose interests were identical with hia own.

Mr C. Luke seconded the nomination, and in doing so referred to Mr Coffee’s career as a member of the Harbor Board as being sufficient to warrant them in returning him to the General Assembly. Tbe candidate had invariably proved himself to be an honest, hard-working citizen, and, as colonists, it was the duty of the electors to watch carefully the various grave questions—notably, the subject of the proposed severance of the two islands. Mr T. Kennedy Macdonald, who was greeted with cheers and hisees, had much pleasure in proposing the nomination of Mr W. Bassett Edwards. That gentleman had frequently addressed them daring the past forteight, and bad proved himself by his utterances jo be a trusty, Liberal candidate. The candidate possessed ability, and he (Mr Macdonald) felt convinced that, if elected, Mr Edwards would carefully study the interests of the district. Mr Horr seconded the nomination.

Mr John McLean proposed Mr William Hutchison, whose past acts, be remarked, were well known to them all. (Cries: Too well.) North and South it appeared to be the determination of the constituencies to return old and tried politicians—(Voice : Too old.) —and he felt sore that the electors of South VV ellington would place Mr Hutchison at the head of tbe poll. Mr Rcutt briefly seconded the proposition. Mr H. Mace simply proposed the candidature of Mr Charles Uendrey.

Mr J. .D. Iremongersecondedthenomination. Mr Peter Anderson, amidst considerable merriment, nominated Mr C. J. Tozward as being a fit and proper person to represent the electors in tbe new Parliament. The nominator, an excitable Teuton or Scandinavian, upon leaving tbe stage, addressed some of the reporters, and besought them to second the nomination.

Mr M. Marchant addressed the meeting, and said that he was convinced that Mr Toxward was entirely ignorant of his nomination, and added that a worthy citizen was being

placed in an awkward position by a proposal of which ho knew nothing. (Cheers.) Mr Coffey, who was loudly cheered, briefly addressed those present amidst some signs of disapprobation. He remarked that ho should be happy to meet the electors either publicly or privately so as to explain bis views. For the past 25 years he had been in their raids*, and like the old village blacksmith, he looked the whole world in the face and owed no man anything. (Cheers.) . Mr Edwards, who was well received, though subjected to some few expressions of hostility, said that he had frequently addressed the electors during the past fortnight. If returned they wonld find that he was no mere lipLiberal. He came from a Liberal family, his grandfather having been a supporter of William Cobbett at a time when, to give expression to Liberal views, meant either losing one’s ears, or being placed in the pillory. If returned, he pledged himself to give them back their trust as spotless as he received it from them. (Cheers). Mr Hm cbisoc, who was loudly cheered, and also subjected to some groans, &c, remaiked that bis views were pronounced and definite. He had represented them in the last Parliament, and he defied any of them to say that be had not redeemed every promise be had made. He had invariably supported the weaker cause. He had always bad one straight path before him, and this path he had always followed ia tbe pasty and that he claimed was a guarantee of his future actions. This he desired to say : that the Hall Government had been tried, and had been found wanting. Wellington had always received scanty justice, and her local industries had been strangled by sending Home for machinery which might have been made in the colony. He trusted that no undue influence would be brought to bear during the ensuing week; but that the contest would Is conducted fairly and b uorably by all parties. Mr Hendry remarked that he had not addressed them so frequently as he might have done had his pockets been deeper. The can* didate spoke against the Government. A show of hands was then taken, resulting, according to the decision of the Returning Officer, as follows Paul Coffey 56 W. Hutchison 43 W. B. Edwards ... ... ... 18 0. Hendiy ••• 9 Mr W. Hutchison, in demanding a poll, also moved a vote of thanks to the Returning Officer. Mr Edwards seconded the motion, and the proceedings terminated. (UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Auckland, December 3. At the Marsden nomination, Mes-rs Alderton, Mitcbelson, and McLeod were nominated. The show of hands was in favor of Mr Alderton. Ashburton, December 3. Mr E. G. Wright was returned unopposed for the Ashburton electorate to-day. Waimatb, December 3. For Waimate, Messrs W. J. Steward, J Manchester, ,T. K. Clement, P. Bateman, and C. W. Clarke were proposed. The show of hands was, respectively, 14, 16, 12, 9, and 7. A poll was demanded by Mr Olement. Masierton, December 3. At the nominations for North Wairarapa, the show of hands was—lienail, 64 ; Bectham, 49. A poll was demanded. Napier, December 3. Captain Russell and Mr Sutton have been proposed for Hawke’s Day, and Messrs Ormond and Smith for Wa'pawa. Wanoanui, December 3. The Hon. J. Bryce has been elected for Waitotara, a portion of his old constituency, without opposition. Dunedin, December 3. Mr W. Barron has been returned unopposed for Caversham. Captain Scott and Mes-rs E. Hodgkinson, J. Bathgate and David Miller were proposed for Roslyn. The show of hands was respectively 14, 20, 11, and I. Messrs W. H. Cutten, Donelly, Seaton, and Lewis were proposed for the Peninsula, and the show of hands was 14, 11,10, and 1.