SPEECHES AFTERWARDS.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXVII, Issue 5557, 7 April 1905, Page 5

SPEECHES AFTERWARDS.

MB. FISHER. To "a. multitude that gathered under the result-board at the ‘'New Zealand Times” building, and spread itself away up and down Lambton quay, Mr B. E. Bannister read . the final result—the figures that proclaimed Mr Fisher the elected choice of the people of Wellington. As he finished, deafening cheers were given again and again. Mr Fisher, with his mother standing beside him, addressed the crowd. He thanked them for placing him in the honourable position of top of the poll. He took it not so much as a tribute to himself as a tribute to one whom they would rather have had present were it possible. He wanted to say nothing about the ether candidates but the kindest words, and he regretted that Mr Izard had not been able to get a position on this occasion. • However, he (Mr Fisher) was satisfied that Mr Izard, after watching him for a session in tire House, would com© round on the right side, and possibly get in next time. He wished to say, with reference to the Premier, that had he been present he (Mr Fisher) would like to have shaken hands with him, because he did not bear him any. animosity whatever. Whenever ho found the Premier going wrong, he would do what he had said he would do, but whenever he found the Premier was doing right, he would assist him every way ho could. (A voice: Mind you do!) Mr Fisher then called for cheers for Mr Izard, and these Were given heartily. On an invitation from the crowd, cheers were also given for Mr Seddon. Mr Fisher then asked the crowd to, in the moment of its triumph, give three cheers for Mr Hutcheson, and this was done. At the conclusion, Mr Fisher said he knew he had to thank young New Zealanders for his victory, and he hoped the time would come when there would be a Now Zealand party in existence. He thanked them again, and lead cheers for the newspaper' press of the city. MBIZABH. . The cheering recommenced as Mr and Mrs Izard stepped to the front of the platform. Mr Izard siud the-fight had been a good one, and a clean one. He had been beaten, and sp had Mr Hut-

\ cheson. It had been a pleasure to him to have been one of the first to shake hands with Mr Fisher, and to con-' gratulato him on his undoubted success. Ho (Mr Izard) (.rusted that the Parli.v mentnry career of Mr Fisher would bo as bright and brilliant as one who had gone before him. For himself, tho sun would shine next day just ns brightly as it. had done the previous day, and ho would be just as happy. Ho was pleased (hat ho had been beaten by a young New Zealander, and there was no doubt tho gentleman who had been returned had groat claims upon tho electors’ sympathy and support. That it had been given was a source of groat congratulation to the city of Wellington. Ho hoped that next time he placed his services at thoir disposal they would bo pleased to accept thorn. Tho speeches closed with moro cheers for Messrs Fisher and Izard. MR HUTCHESON. Mr Hutcheson, speaking from the “Post” balcony, said; Follow citizens, — , To tho 3021 voters who supported mo today I offer my heartiest thanks. (Intorruption.) To those faithful and loyal friends who so unselfishly stood ty mo without • fee or reward I tender my heartfelt thanks. A friend of mine said that a good defeat would do nio good. (Uproar.) I replied ho wag right. I feel more contented—(interruption)—and cool than ©vor I felt in a similar position before. (A long pause and joors and cheers.) I haven’t been defeated. (Uproar.) I was assassinated. (Loud dissent and general interruption, and an interval for tho restoration of order). After a < reference to the press, Mr Hutcheson said;—l will again tost tho fooling of my follow-citizens. There are seven thousand ©looters in Wellington who didn’t know thoir duty as citizens—(loud dissent) —thoro aro seven thousand electors who didn’t dare go to tho poll—(uproar)—but lam not satisfied that Wellington has given its true voice in tills matter, and I will again ask Wellington whether it has got, confidence in mo as its representative. There is ono cheering thing, and that hr this: That Soddonism has received a very severe chock in the city to-night-(lnterruption.) Afl Seddon will not be proud of the victory, and my purpose for standing has been obtained. You have sent a representative that will be a thorn in his side. You have declared with no uncertain voice that you are done with Soddonism. (Uproar.) lam proud, above all other things, that Seddonism has received another nail in it* coffin, which I hope at tho next general ©lection will bo finally closed down, and I hope to be there at tho funeral myself. (Loud dissent and interruption.) Ab' I have said to you already, I never whine. Whatever I receive at youf hands, I receive cheerfully, and I will sleep sounder to-night than I have slept for the last eight or ten nights. I know perfectly well that the heart of Wellington is with me still. (Uproar.) I know that the heart of labour was with me. I will ask it again, and 1 tell the working classes they never stood in greater need of a representative than they do now. At tho next general election you will find labour represented in .a solid phalanx. They will put in a representative of their own, and I hope to be that representative! (Interruption.) Again I thank my sup porters, and most sincerely I thank those personal friends who so unselfishly gave thoir full efforts and energies to my cause without fee or rewards. / I wish you all a very good, night. (Cheers and counter cheers, and demonstration.) About ton minutes later Mr Fisher appeared, and was very cordially received. There was great cheering, and tho crowd started singing “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow.”

Mr Izard also put in an appearance, and spoke a few words. Shortly afterwards Mr Fisher and Mr Izard slipped out on the street, surrounded by a bodyguard of friends, and made for a ■ ki tr .ch were seated Mrs Izard and Mrs Fisher, the successful candidate’s' mother. The vehicle was driven through a cheering multitude, but later on was captured up town by a number, of Mr T sher-’s exuberant who unharnessed the horses and drew H about the streets at will. At various points stoppages were made, and Mr Wjsber was called upon to deliver more speeches. Bate in the evening ho war permitted to escape. THE _ CANDIDATE. Mr F..M. B. Fisher is the youngest son of the late Mr George Fisher. He was born on Deoember 22nd. 1877, at Hill street, ■Wellington, and first entered a kindergarten school at St. Mary’s Convent. Later he attended what was known as Miss Woodman’s school in Tinakori road, afterwards the Thorndou School, and still later the Terrace School, under the present headmaster, Mi MoMorran. After a lapse of about five years he to Wellington College. Mr Fishol took a promi. nent part in. the formation of the Wellington Civil Service Rifle Corps; and on his removal to Christchurch in 1807 he assisted there in the formation of ■ Civil Service Rifle Corps, in which h« subsequently attained a captaincy, which he held until September, 1902. He represented New Zealand in. tha Federal Contingent which was present at the opening of the Commonwealth Parliament in 1901, and was second i* command of the South Island Battalion of the Tenth New Zealand Contingent sent to the Boer war. For his serviom ho received a medal and clasp. Mr Fisher has followed varied callings. He has been engaged on. survey work in tha baok-blocks of the North Island, served an apprenticeship at the watchmaking trade, and has also been employed commercially in Wellington. At present Mr Fisher is a partner in a land and estate agency business in Christchurch. He was also in tho Civil' Service for some years ‘As an athlete Mr Fisher is well known. He was a member of tho Wellington Football Club for many years, and on removal to Christchurch threw in his lot with the club of that name, and afterwards represented tha district in interprovincial matches. Ah a player he has been particularly successful. He is the holder of several Now Zealand championship medals, and was chosen as a member of the last New Zealand team which visited Australia, hut was unable to accompany it. Mr Fisher has competed with success at meetings of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association in Christ church and Auckland.