WAIKOUAITI ELECTION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 2257, 30 April 1869, Page 3

WAIKOUAITI ELECTION.

The nomination of candidates for a member to represent this district in the Qtnernl Assembly^ in tho room of Robert Mitchell, JEaq', resigned, took place at the Court House on Tuesday, at noon, according to notification. - Owing to the inclement state of the weather, and tho absence of a number of the electors in Dnnedin to witness the arrival of 11.It. H. the Duke of Edinburgh, the attendance in front of tbo Court House was not numerous. The Returning Officer (J. W. Murdoch, Esq.) read the writ, under tho hand of hiu Excellency the Governor, authorising the election, and the advertisement fixing the day and hour. He then called upon the electors present to nominate candidatca for the vacated seat, when

Mr Thomaa Whinatn said he had much pleasure in proposing Mr Francis Dyer Rich, as a fit and proper person to represent tho district in the General Assembly. Mr T. 8. Pratt bad much pleasure in seconding tho nomination of Mr Hich as & tit and proper person to represent the district in the ABsembly. Ho (Mr Kioh) wnaa gentleman well known to tho electors for hia genial manners and thoroughly earnest and practical business habits in carrying out any matters he took in hand. Ho had resided in tho district for somo years, and all his intereata might he euld to be centred in tts wellare. Luckily, however, we were not agitated at this time by strong feelings of local neglect. Last year wo had fought a good light, which would doubtless bear good fruit, ' The diatrict. might be said to be bo far pacified that the inhabitants felt willing once again to pive the Provincial Government free scope for redeeming past neglect, which it eeomed not nninclineu to do. Wo, therefore, placed faith in promises made—looked hopefully toward* the future, and woo hi leave the Provincial Government full opportunity to redeem the neglect exercised towards tho dibtrict, and the electors wou d, he believed, | unanimously aend their representative to the colonial Legislators unfettered in any action ho might see fit to adopt in the interests of tho. colony generally. In this election there w»s no party conflict or partica'ar interest predominant; but the electors wore desirous to return & gentlaman who would devote his energies to advancing tho welfare of the whole colony, Mr Hich'a lons residence in the North Island, and his Knowledge of native affairs at tho present time, rendered him a desirable ..representative, and his experience certainly qualified him to I offer suggestions for the settlement of the Native question, which will, undoubtedly engage the attention of t he General ABaembly this neasion. It was imperatively demanded that Bomo more practical means should bo devised to end the present war, which tvas impoverishing the country nod involving the colony in serious difficulties He therefore felt great pleasure in seconding Me Uich'a nomination. .;•..<• After & lengthy pause, there being no other candidate nominated, • Tho returning Officer declared Mr Francis Dyer Rich to bo duly el cted a member of the House of, Kepresentatiycs for the Elec{ toral I Strict of Waikousiii, in the placo of Mr ltottert Mitchell (resigned). Mr Kich tinm stepped forward, and said that he could not but exprefcß his thanks to the electors for their unanimity in electing him as their representative in the General Assembly, and for the confidence they had placed in him. He must coufrss that he had not taken » very prominent r-r active part in politics hitherto, but he had been impressed with the importance of the present native struggle, and it was more with -regard to matters in the North island, and a disiro to HC'i tho war ended, that he had been induced to come forward. lie thould do his j utmost to assist in devising more effective j means of s-curinp the petco of tho colony. ! Other uea&ures that might be introduced during the session affecting the welfare of tho colony he should take a liber-1 view of, and would be found at all times to do tho utmost ho could to benefit tho greatest number of people, and generally to advance the interests of the country at large He had grot hope that something definite would be done this session with regard to the Native War. He folt tho necessity existing that something should be done. He con »id<ired himae.f to be toletably conversant with the Native difficulty, as he had studied the question and had kept himself well posted up in the matter from various sources. He had carefully read the newspapers, and profesued to have a thorough knowledge of the subject. ,As he had taixl before, this was his chief reason for coming forward. One member oould not accomplish a great deal, but ho would do &U he could, and nee his best energies in promoting* the interests of the colony, which he deemed to be the duty of every representative on any question of importance. On the Nativii question he should speak strongly, ac he felt. Ho did not, however, intend to ex press any opinion, against those in authority, bat he thought great mismanagement in reference to native affairs had existed somewhere. The General Government should have defined their policy last session, and should have kid down some scheme of conducting the war. He considered that matters in connection with it could not 'be in ft worse condition. He touted to meet the electors on hk return iiom the session. He again thanked them for that proof of their conudesoe.-r(AppUune.) ; t ; ' In answer to questions. Mr Bieh aaid it

wonld support the introduction of a regiment of Ghoorfcne in tho pTrscn| Maori war, as ho was of opinion that anything was prelerablo to Brit'sh troops. Tne Maori modo of war* fare, and tho nature of the ground, rendered tho latter unmited. Ho thought gnerill/% warfare the beat to adopt towards tho M noris. He considered it was the duty of the Home Government to aasiat tho colony under its present difficulties. In settling the Maori war ho would »c«k the assistance of tho 'friendHea." The Governor recommended the Imperial Government to withdraw tho

troops. The Governor and General Cameron did not agree, and a bnnao divided agsinst itself ia attre to falL The self-reliant policy was advocated by Mr Weld. He (Mr Rich) did not blame tho Imperial Government for aeing on the self-reliant policy. If tho Provincial Governraentrcftißcd U do an act against a majority, and it came before tho General Assembly, be would support it. Ho was in favonr of railways, but did not think the money could be raised to make one through the Middle Island. He had not, however, eiven the question sufficient consideration. Waa not prepared, to tj»y whether ho would support a land tax or income tax if introduced ; nor would ho pledge himself. Ho was nofc in favour of an exportation duty on wool. .

Mr Rich then proposed a vote of thanks to fche Returning Officer, who duly acknowledged tho compliment, and called for three cheeis for the Queen, which were given with a-wilL The electors gave three cheers for Mr Kiflh, and quietly dispersed.—Herald.