KIA ORA NOTES.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 10503, 11 July 1910, Page 2

KIA ORA NOTES.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) The wet weather caused a very poor attendance for the mock election; but those who were there iiad 110 cause to regret having come. After the usual business had been disposed of the chairman introduced Mr Wallis, Independent Liberal candidate to the electors. The candidate explained himself as being independent of party and thus being better able to vote according 10 his convictions for the best interests of the people, and then gave his views on the leading political questions oi the day. After answering several questions, the candidate was unanimously accorded a vote of thanks and confidence. Mr Carmichael, Government candidate, then gave his opinion on various questions, but devoted most of liis time to strongly eulogising the good work of past session. One or tw questions were asked and the candidate received a vote of thanks, i. vote of no-confidence lapsing for wa it of a seconder. Mr Geddes'. Opposition, then took the floor and the Government came in for a very hot time of it. It would take a term of office to undo the blunders pointed out'. Th ; s candidate was peppered with' questions, but came through all right with a vote of thanks and confidence. Voting tables had been arranged in the corners of the room, which was then converted into a polling-booth, Mr Cowan acting as returning officer and Messrs Britton, Hill, and M'Beath as scrutineers. jMr Geddes was returned with a majority of 2 to 1. The Opposition candidate at the election proved witty. Questioner: Is the candidate a freeholder? Candidate: I'm a Crown tenant! Q.: That's not answering the question. Are ypu_ a freeholder? Cand.: I'm a freeholder of opinion. Q.: Do you favor the freehold or leasehold system on the land question ? Cand.: I favor which ever is of most advantage to the country. A lengthy argument, then followed on the different leases. Q.: Are you in favor of a tax on bachelors. Cand.: Yes, if it went to raise a superannuation fund for old maids. The attendance was poor ior the debate, "Is Civilisation a Failure? Mi Simpson, leading in the affirmative, made a verv solid defence of his case, which Mr Mihnino fairly successfully nulled to pieces. In the absence ot Mr Hill, Mr Slater seconded Mr Simpson, and Mr J. Britton seconded Mr Milmine. The debate, as a whole, >vas ranged with a good deal of repetition, the only redeeming feature being the cceasioiial wit of the leaders. _ Mr Simpson scored ;ui almost unaiiimouvote for best argument, but a vote on personal opinions showed only tour who desired to return to a. savage St 'Mr Simpson drew some very pathetic pictures of animal life under civilisation. "The poor weo call, he said, instead of growing fat on its mother s milk was starved on skimmed milk that civilised people might make themselves bilious 011 cream. He evidently believed in pictorial representation. At one stage he produced a postcard, on which a woman was depicted taking the broom-handle to her ' lord and master.' This, lie declai.ed, lepieseiited married man in a civilised state. The School Committee commenced operations to-day (Thursday) to form paths round the school. The paths are to be laid down in shingle and after that is set a top-dressing of asphalt will be put down. The trees which were planted last year have jiot been a -Teat success, only about 27 remainin evidence. Mr Edwards, Oamaru, has promised to replace al; failures at half-price, and the Committee intend making another attempt this coining Arbor Day, July 20th. The meeting about the erection of a hall which was to have been held last Saturday was postponed, and will be held next Saturday. Sth inst. As there is a considerable difference of opinion, a large attendance is desirable. and there should be a very interesting debate.