ROSLYN ELECTION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 2190, 11 February 1869, Page 3

ROSLYN ELECTION.

THE A'OAHNATION. Tho nomination of candidates to represent tho dtntrict of Ronlj n in the General Assembly took place yesterday at noon, j at tho Kaikoni Drill Shed. The Returning Officer (Mr Johs Grtzikh) remarked that tho electors had assembled to exerc'jM3 the important privilege of nominating gentlemen to represent their interests in the lionise of Representatives, and to decide by a show of hands which they considered to bo beat qualified. He would read tho writ and the notice calling tho meeting, and tho electors would then have an opportunity of proposing whatever gentleman they ' pleased as a candidate. After requesting ! the meeting to accord to every speaker a fair hearing, ho read tho writ and the notice before-mentioned, and then requested that the nomination of candidates might be proceeded with. After the lapse, of two or threo minute*, ..<<".,■ 'Mr Joint Sib baud observed that ho did not understand the promiscuous feeling which seemed to prevail. He admitted that ho had taken bat little intercut in tba election, and ho came forward reluctantly to propose tho nomination of a gentleman who no considered, from what had recently transpired, deserved tho confidence of tho electors. He used the word reluctantly on account of the intimacy which had existed, and tho friendship and respect that bo entertained for another gentleman who was seeking the support of the constituency at the present time ; ho alluded to Mr Colin Allan, Ho was very sorry' to nay that at tho elevonth hour ho could not offer that gentleman his support, but the reason would bo pat-[ fectly obvious to every one who had watched tho proceedings cf tho respective candidates during the Jast fortnight. Tho electors had just been relieved of tho nerriceH of one gentleman who represented, or rather misrepresented them in tho General Assembly ; still, it was perhaps no use reflecting upon the past But they had, at the present time, an opportunity of sending to the Assembly a gentleman who might represent them properly, and he believed that the candidate ho was about to propose would do so. The present was a very critical period in tho political history of the Colony ; and as the great obstacle which they had to contend against, was what was known an centralism—a cry which was permeating the whole of ISew Zealand, ho would ask tho electors to consider what had been tho conduct of the Central Government, and to any what benefit centralism would confer on the Province of Otago I Let them call to mind their postal disarrangements, and say how tho Central Government intended to administer to thoir requirements. He also invited attention to monetary affairs. How would thpy be administered at Wellington ? His opinion was that the grasping hand of power would bo put forth in a direction not at all compatible with their interests. There was no doubt that their funds wonld be devoted to tho extinction of tho Maori war—in making inroads through the North Island, and when that had been done there would bo handed over to them a responsibility in connection with a very largo bankruptcy estate, the result of years of fighting. Under all the circumstances of the case ho had much plcasnro in proposing that " Mr Henry Driver is a fit and proper person to represent tho district in the General Assombly." From tho viewa which Mr Driver had recently enunciated, ho deemed him to be tho, candidate best calculated to moot the requirements of tha constituency. Mr Driver, however, could perhaps speak better for himself than others could speak for him. Mr Thomas Gallendkr seconded the nomination of Mr Driver, and remarked that during his residence in tho colony he had never known, so far as that district was concerned, and Otago generally, a more critical period. Parties, as they were no doubt well aware, had been very evenly balanced in the General Assembly, and if the electors of Otago did their duty they would return two members opposedto theStafTordMinistry. They had now to decide between the two candidates which, in fact, would be tho most fitting to represent them; for they might depend-upon it that not only would the gentleman they returned bo an index of their viewa, but that ho would, according to his conduct, reflect honour or dishonour npon them.— (Applause). A great deal of stress had been laid upon the words " Central legislation" by Mr Allan. Bot that 'gentleman had expressed so many different opinions, sometimes ho announced himself to bo a Separationist, and at others a Provincialwt, and when asked to reconcile diametrically opposed opinions, ho declared himself to be incapable of doing so. Whilst announcing himself to be in favour of Separation, he, at tho same time, most distinctly aiserted that Separation could not bo obtained. Then why talk of Separation ? Why, in fact, pester the electors with such humbug? When qnestioned about Central Legislation, he only advanced one argument which he presumed to be in its favour—-4he Harbour question—forgetting, at tho time, that that was a matter with which tho Province had nothing'to do* Indeed, Mr Allan's answers in respect to all the most important questions had been so unsatisfactory, and he shewed snch a total want of information on almost every topic, that ho felt constrained to say that if he were returned as the repriisentativb of tho district, an insult would be offered •to • tho community,—(Applan»e ! and disapprobation.) How would -he vote? What would ho dot Certainly, up to the present time, ho had given no indication as'to the manner in which he would vote. It wns stated at a meeting, a few evenings ago, -. that " on ounce of honesty was worth a hundred weight of clap-trap." To Mr Allan was applied the word M honesty." Could the electors, if they made tho most, carefnl microscopic' examination, sco where the honesty lay, So far as Mr Allan was concerned / He cotild not bo in favour of clasa. legfolationi !'an'd( yet 1 bo" Ihoi working tnaii's friend. He had mado a most lamentable conglomeration of: Centralism and Pro-■.-ftnctaUsm; th^n-ho said he was:opposed -to further taxation and to tho obtaining' £f more-loans;; And yet" ho had nop been able- to show how; he could .make np a deficiency in the revenue or do anything to i ease the expenditure of the' State:-' He had much pleasure in -.seconding tf>° nomination of Mr Driver, because he had, at least, expressed 4ecided.oi>miona in a straightforward manner. He never equivocated, and whether hejgave_Batis^ faction—Di* dialatMactionT "HS r janawew wore'^made'' in 1 a stri^htf<Jprard:, an<3 intelligible manner. ' The- electors ?had had-an-opportunity of ■witnessing" Mr DrivcrV oondlid;, In»tHe City '■ Coancili as well as in the Proymcial Oonncil. Ho was an experienced man* of business; he was respected, and he posaeesed qualifications] vhichji«nd6tedj[hiu*.fit to told the position of a legislator of the colony. Moreover,. Mr" Driver -was 'a gentleman'; he had always conducted himself respectably in the sphere in •which he moved, aid ho believed that1 they might with safety place the most implicit confidence

in him, believing, as ho did, that he would not reflect discredit on his constituents. — (Ob, oh, and applause.) An he had before intimated, Mr Drivur had had considerable experience ; he hod not been uhut up for years ia an immigration office, or in any other Government building. He had fought with the world and fought uucccwifulty, and if he could fight with the world and fight for himself, ho could also fight for them.—(Applaune.) Mr William iiAiui said ho had much pleasure in proposing tho nomination of !Mr Colin Allan. He did not, however, intend, on that occasion, to say anything respecting the qualifications of that gentleman, nor would he make any microscopical examinations.—(Laughter.) He considered, notwithstanding what others might say to tho contrary, that Mr Allan had expressed his opinion in a straightforward manner and that he ought to receive tho unanimous support !of the electors. IMr William Subdues seconded tho nomination of Mr Allan. He did not think it was necessary for him to dilate Upon tho respective merits of the candidates; Thoy had Mr Allan's character beforo them, mid that of Mr Driver also. The RETUttNi>m Okkjcbii than called upon Mr Driver, as being the first in tho field, to address the electors. -Mr Durvrit said he believed ho should consult tho wishes of the mcctin? if he tnodo his remarks as brief as possible, for there were very few present who had not Attended somo, if not all of the meetings which he hod recently held, and therefore thoy were well acquainted with his political views. Of course,, on all those occasions he gave utieranco to opinions which did not find favour with tho wholo of the electors ; but they must admit that ho did lay before them something definite, and that he endeavoured to express his opinions clearly and intelligibly.—-(Hear.) He could not help taking advantage of that opportunity to clear himself of charges which hid been made against him by his political opponent. At every meeting which Mr ALI an addressed, ho commenced by generously stating thnt he should always avoid saying anything which was calculated to hurt tho feelings of his opponent.' Yet scarcely were the words uttered than ho * endeavoured to mislead • the' electors by making statements, of which if he (Mr Driver) were tho father, ho would be ashamed. At Cavershaui, s> few evenings ago, Mr Allan made remarks which affected the elector* of that portion of the district, namely, that ho (Mr Driver) had promised to present tho Waikari Rangers with a silvor cup, with a view, as he insinuated, of influencing tho election. Surely tho electors, whatever they thought of him, would give him credit for possessing more common sense and more tact, than to suppose that he would adopt such a ruinous lino of policy. If the statement, were true, ho should consider that ho had offered an insult to tho Waikari Rangers, for such a proceeding would bo tantamount to saying that thoy could bo bought by tho presentation of a silver cnp. At any rate, ho bogged to deny that tho statement contained a veslige of truth.—(Applause.) He never made the offer, neither did ho authorise anyone to make such an oiler on hia behalf. It was true that a member of the Company spoke to him, but it was on an altogether different and strictly private matter; and hp (Mr Driver) then requested that the affair should not be brought forward in an official way until after the election was over. The next charge Mr Allan mado was that ho (Mr Driver) had employed men to " hound him down from meeting to meeting." He (Mr Driver) also denied that that statement wan true. Ho was proud to find that the thinking men of the district — indeed, he might say with truth, that the working men, despite tho fact that ho had not boasted on his card that ho was their friend, had come forward to support him. If the gentlemen who took part in the contest had taken measures to make Mr Allan to expose his views it was no fault of his. As for as ho was himself concerned^ ho always folt pleased when the electors assailed him with questions. There was also a charge made in-regard to his property at Maori Hill. Itwu reported that he had promised tha.t kcertain. road should be mode in the district if tho electors in that neighbourhood would vote for him. If, however, the electors of other districts would go amongst the residents at Maori Hill, they would Hod that they wonld not bo bought over in that or in any other way. Thero certainly was a long standing question with regard to.a right of rn«3,'through, hi» property^ and he had informed a deputation that he declined to entertain the matter unil of ter the election*, He was surprised to find that such reports wero circulated by those who knew them to be untrue. He cautioned the electors that the 'ensuing session at Wellington, would in all probability bo a most critical one t ~Jt, would be tho laat session of the present Parliament; and it was wsl I known that the Ministry anticipated that when the elections were over a very great change would takeplaceinreapecttotheirsupporters. Ho did not believe that Otago would send to Wellington such men aa had heba, returnod~n»on who- not only misrepresented the electors, but actually disgraced thorn.—(Applauuo.) There had been a good deal said about Otago not receiving justice from the General Gowrnmcnt. Now such a result was not mainly attributable to central tactics, or to thepolicy of the northern, members, but it wa» chiefly the result of the contemptible position Jn .which the province had lie-."n placed by hor own members.' -Sonic !of!th«m had not occupied that position in the 'General Assembly, which men representing so important a place as Otaw> ought tt, have held.—(Applause.) If he were returned, ho would not be tought or »old by money or anything else. He would not play second fiddle ; to Fox, V«igel, Stotford, Mocandrow, or anybody els*. - 'fhff alt I important question in connection with thiu contest was, he believed, C\ ntraiiara ,-trr*ui -Provincialism, but if hia opponent were re urned, tho electors," i.\vhaa~ha. came forward fox .re-election; could not, wifth justice, exwess thenm-lvi* dissatiu--fiiKl with anything he might do whilst a, me Tiber of the General Asscmblyr, becaiu^Oj he had •tJ6t,- L 4ftnnj'!th,«^|>!rle»ooit'"cdniest, committca hiins^lfitb one pledge, nor .had he iuade a plain at?d definite statement of his; political views..., Hia."opponent oh one occasion, ij)tiniAt l ed, Ithntjyj.. would, vote agnins^tho, Stafford: Ministry ;.--butsubsequently he announced that;v if they changed their policy hi ''would.'.yole. for. tbcliifc. - '<'■ Now tHore "was nothing" more"oaay than for, a Ministry fo. change .their Ijoficji in suchjnanner aa that m gentle* tisan -who baa exorcised each ornniona," 'might find sorae, .100ß-hpl^ by, which he could find_ his, ymy. _oat..o£-a-diflioulty--intplrTilioHpi^ious.Blc^ge* h>d,(plaog«d him.-':r' 11-He !''-i^iijpr'flpaiett ./'/t0.... aaythat~JE«7 present Government I had Wot governed: the country; properly.' ••HB''(|itj,-j iot agree with their pbKejy and. tbxT^fora I ho] difitijMtily 'atatecliißafc. ualesa '^ie]r adopted an entirely different policy itf th^t which <thiy- %fld, 'Mtlwrlo; pursued, they would. cer!*&ly/.jiot:.olbiiaia-».voW fxonxHm,"lf he wereiww retnrned. totlie

Assembly ho should be compelled to voto against them. Yet, if they turned round aa it vans, and followed a diametrically opposite path to that which they had previously followed, ho would not say that in that case ho would voto to oust them from ofUco, for ho would never bo found recording his voto to turn out one Government in order to put in office a eet of placohtintcro.—{Applause.) It had been pretty well ventilated throughout the district that he was the agent of the squatters. Ho denied the statement, and it must bo patent to everybody that a man who occupied the position which he did could not fail to qualify himself for the position ho nought to occupy. His interest was almost as jrreat with ono class on with another. Ho had a large stake in the country, and if any claw of persons were deprived of their rights and privileges, he would himself be adversely affected. He contended that tho roan who sought to represent them, and who was elected by them, ought to have some stake hi the country. It had been reported that he was opposed to the system of Hundreds. He had' endeavoured, . from timo to time, to undeceive tho electors on that point, and he believed that ho had convinced tho thinking part of the community that ho wan in favour of Lho most liberal administration of tho land law. Ho slated his views on tho subject of Hundreds in tho moat distinct manner when ho was previously before tho electors as a candidate for tho Provincial Council, and he had not as yet icen any reason why he should depart from them. In conclusion, he begged to thank the electors for tho honour thoy had done him in nominating him at a candidate for the representation of tho district in tho General Assembly, *nd he trusted thai, if elected, ho would, when he returned, receive the support, not only of those who might now voto for him, but also of those who opposed him! —^Applause.) The electors were then invited to question tho candidate. Mr Siikdiikx asked Mr Driver if he ofiered to present the Waikari Bangers with a silver cup. Mr DiuvKii: Never. : Mr, Fountain explained that he was instructed by the Company to wait upon Mr Driver in regard to another matter, and that he (Mr Fountain) failed to furnish an answer, and hence the mistake originated. Mr Driver did not offer to give a silver enp to the Company. Mr Diuvbr said that if tho meeting would permit him, he would state exactly tlie nature of-tho conversation which took place between himself and Mr Fountain. Mr Fountain camo io him some timo ngo (he was tho only gentleman who hrA spoken to him in regard to the Waikari Rangers), and asked him if ho had any idea of joining tho Volunteers. Ho replied that ho had not. He ♦.hen asked whether, if tho Waikari Hangers were to elect him as their Captain, he would be disposed to act in that capacity. He (Mr Driver) replied that ho never felt disposed to acquire a position for which ho was not qualified, for tho sako of the honour that might be attached to it. It was true that some months ago ho had said ho would give something to tho Waikari Rangers. It happened shortly after tho titoe when ho was informed by tho Clerk of the Treasury Ofiice, that there was a cheque lying for him which ho did not conceivo ho ought to appropriate, that ho said ho intended to distribute tho honorarium which ho had received as a member of tho Provincial Council, amongst the District Hood Hoards; and that he would probably give a cup to the Waiknri Rangers. When Mr Fountain spoke to him, ho intimated that ho intended to ad hero to h is originally expressed in tention; but he also begged of him not to say anything tintil after the election was over. That was the whole matter out of which some persona had endeavoured to moke so much political capital. In reply to Mr David Miller, Mr Dkivkr said ho was a member of the Waikari Rangers. Mr A. Boykh iutimated that Mr Driver had, at every meeting, stated that he did not intend to canvass the district; he would like to know whether he paid canvassers ? . Mr Vntrm replied thai Tie liad already stated that he paid no person for canvassing for him. :Mr Boyks : Well, then, you must hare some raali^ners. Mr Diuvkr : Prorably. Mr Boyes handed to Mr Driver a piece of paper in corroboration of his last ata'oment. - ■ • -.■■••• ■1 Mr DRmnt juud Tie wonld *c*4 the not* handed to him. The writing was very bad, but-it asked if he had a collector in the Valley at 10* a-day. The signatures being Alexander Deans and Lindsay. In reply he stated that ho paid to no person in tho Valley 10.1 "a-day. ''" Sir tktXOtt : Well then, the other side .have been at work. ■~. . -■•- \ Mr Dhivkb : I havo paid nobody to canvass for me, nor do I intend to do bo. Mr Wamku SrMPKoiriukcd whether the candidate would be io, favour of; such a revision of the land law as would enable the ruhholders and immigrant* to be placed on a sure foundation, and in order that those heart burnings and'difficulties previously inseparable from. the land Jaw*, might be avoided I Mr Diuvbh said ho would, but explained that tho more the land law was meddled with, the more difficult if became to make an amicable adjustment. He certainly would like to see a change initiated thnt would have tho effect of dispelling tfiosodJlficuHic*, which set class against class, because fri that lay the seat of tho;.- injury. ; Pastoral gupmits must eventually give way jto agricultural settlement. Hia prosperity in the country :dependedr«pon ite goirig ahead, and they might therefore rely upon his doing everything in hia power to make it. do «<■>, , ■ '-" Mr R. Axdbhson asked whether, if the candidate waa elected, ho would resign his,seat as .»jnemror of tho City Council ,J Mr DuiVKit could not say that ho would <lo jso, because Jig did not/»Heve that the tw<> positions would clash, ; .His term of, as a member of' the City Council, vfchtch expired i« August, might terminate before the Assembly met. .Ajt the pnp&ut timo, however, he had no inten--/ti'oh of standing r ,for 7 re-electi*n .as a inen>t«!r «£,thoiCi£y Conncit, for his engagements were becoming daily morq imfruurousy and Corporation- ■matters- were no Win good working order, tfhere'wos bha promise, howe^o£3hat h© ,WOU W ,maW, and that 'was that lie would not ■WoepAi«iße»*fhdein"t!lt# i*fes«nt^G6verii rment of JiewJJealand, or- under any other Oovernmenf within a period oft 12 ijjdnths after he had resigned or cossed to fee a member o£ the General Assembly, t'l'hjit; was * guarantee■ cto: tbo..1 electors] t|iat ho would not vote 'for "the puroose of acquiring office, and he also promised ha 'resign jifcyjNay^tiina&.zeqneßtedby a ihaiority of those who recorded their votes on liia.ttMlL—lt bad been-industriously circulated that htfjuppoited tho establishinept of public slaughter houses in tho district. a7Bi6-> denied the tnttK'-ofC&£fc statement i» tptg^ ,He.jrtate)i r mo»t di*-finlpUjL^MltMlCiiy-iCavami that, the

establishment of abattoir* would bo objectionable to many of the rosidentn, and he accordingly opposed tlio proposition. In reply to Mr Ea«tham, Mr Driver said ho had not promised to present tho Waikari Ranger* wi h a silver cup in order to securo their support. Ho waa under no prom Leo to tlio Waikari Hangers. Mr Allak then addressed tho electors. Bo said that at that stage of tho proceedings it would bo useless for him to mako any statements on political topics, seeing, too, that ho had already addressed tho electors at length in various part* of tho district He had no doubt that they would cxerciso conscii-nliously the privilege* conferred upon them. Tho profession of his opponent must necessarily induco him (o lean towards a certain class, and therefore ho waa not tho proper man to be elected as tho representative of that district.—(Oh, oh, hear, hoar, and hisses.) Tho Chairman interjected that snch interruptions wcro not seemly, and that ho therefore trusted they would tiot bo ropefited, but that tho candidate would be permitted to express his opinions without j further interference. Sir Ai.i.ak continued that ono of tho most important questions to bo considered at tho present juncture of affairs was tho land law, and therefore tho electors would bo careful who they sent to Wellington, because that matter would bo one of tho first probably that would enI gago tho attention of tho Legislature. I Thoy required to hold out inducements to people to immigrate, but if tho land was locked up, what inducements wcro thero for men who were possessed of & littln money to como here ? Therefore tho electors ought to send a representative to Wellington who would take euro tliat a proper settlement of tho land law was effected for tho benefit of aIL The electors woro then invited to question the candidate Mr David Miller asked in what way Mr Allan proposed to benefit tho working man ? Mr Allan explained that hn had already stated that ono of tho greatest benefits that could bo conferred upon tho working m,m wai to mako tho land law as liberal as posstt.le, hi order that every facility to settle in tho conntry might jbo obtained. In reply to another question put by Mr Miller, Mr Allan- intimated that ho would do what ho considered would l>o most advantageous for tho interests of tho colony —what would do tho greatest good to tho greatest number. The IIKTUKHiHri OrncKit : As thoro arc no more questions to bo asked I will now take a show of hands. The show of hands was then taken with the following result:—For Mr Driver, twenty-three ; for Mr Allan, thirteen. Tho Kbturnino Okfjobu : Tho election hns fallen, by tho show of hands, upon Mr Henry Driver. Mr Aia.as : I demand a poll.—(Hear, hear.) Tho JlKTUiiNiKfi Okfickii : As Mr Allan has, on his own behalf, demanded a poll, a poll will tako place on Friday next, between the hours of nino a.m. and four p.m. Tho polling placed will bo as follows :—At tho Drill Shed, Kaikorai; the Drill-shed, Caversham ; tho Schoolhouse, Monuntfton ; and tho Schoolhouse, North East Vnlloy. I will also endeavour to mako arrangements so that I may declare tho poll at half-past five o'clock on Friday evening, eras soon after as possible. An Elector : Where ? Tho IlßTUitNiri'o Orrmn : Hero. On the motion of Mr Duivkr, seconded by Mr Allax, a vote of thanks was passed to tho Returning Officer, and tho proceedings terminated.