THE PREMIER AT AUCKLAND.

Otago Witness, Issue 1191, 26 September 1874, Page 9

THE PREMIER AT AUCKLAND.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT. )

Mr Voxel's meeting last week Indicated so marked a separation between himself and his constituents, and shadowed forth so clearty the widening of political differences between tho North and South, that I tele, graph instead of waiting for the mail. The meeting was held in the Choral Hall, which was crowded with 2000 people. The curiosity to see Mr "Vogel was very great, so few of his constituents knowing him personally. Tliis led to their constantly rising in expectation as people entered on the sta^e, and at last the Premier entered in a crowd, and all stood up crowding over e.vch other to catch a view. Mr Vogel evidently mistook it as a designed compliment, especially as there w as considerable cheering, and was much pleased There were not many on the platfomi except Mr Will son and Mr LuulUe of the Southern Cross, and Mr Kussjell, Chairman of the meeting-, but a lar"e body of stvonsr supporter scattered through the crowd and kd the cheering. The feeling of the meeting at the beguiling was a compound of anger and curiosity— an "-or at being threatened with the abolition of the Provinces while retaining them in tho South, and curiosity to see a member of whom they knew so little but had heard so much. Mr Russell made a mistake at starting by speaking of Mr Vogel as not only a member but holding in his power the Government of the country There woro loud and angry cries of dissent to this. Mr Vogel rose, and was applauded by knots of people scattered about, but coldly received by the mass. He told them he was going to leave for' Sydney at midnight, and appealed to their consideration, and was Rawing ground when he unhappily mentioned Gillies incidentally, whoso name was greeted with three cheers. This angered Mr Vogol, uho lost his temper. He maintained that a man must tiavel through the length and breadth of the Colony before he was able to give an intelligent vote in politics. Mr O'Rorke's name drew more cheers. Mr Vogel then got worse and told his constituency he could do without them* as every town in tho Colony had asked him to stand! They did not need to be told that it was considered somewhat an honour to have a Minister as a member. He said he was not likely to »sk their suffrages again' and wanted rest from his \ cry arduous labours. He had a burning dcs re, however, to koo them in the same prosperous condition as the South before quitting the scene of his labours. Mr Vogel then gradually recovered his temper, and got on very woll towards the end, but talked too much about the Colonial Governmont of this island, and leaving the Provinces of the other to govern themselves. He however wound up with a peroration showing his usual good tact, although his speech before had been contemptuously defiant. He sat down amidst applause. Someone oalled for Mr Rees, and vociferous shouts for Rees followed, and he got on to the platform. Mr Rees is a lawyer, impulsive and eloquent great at crickot, great at football, and indomitable often in scrapes, but popular because always been ou tbo weaker side. Mr Russc 1 asked if Mr Rees was an elector for Auckland City East, and Mr Rees replied yes. Mr Russell snid he was not on (ho now roll, micl abruptly declared the meeting ended. Mr Voirel stepped forward and said that timo was precious, and that he could not afford, in his position, to banuV wouls with popular orators. Ho bowed, and retired through tho sido scenes amid shouts and groans, followed by the others in single Hlo, each having his name shouted out with gronnm r.s he passed along the stnjje to the slips. A number nf people loft the Hall wfih thorn The remainder stayed, but Mr Roes r. fuse*! t<> speak against Mr Vogol behind his back, r curetting only that he would not stay to meet him face to face but had left in bo undignified a manner. The meeting then dispersed. It is very clear that Mr Vog~l wants to close his connexion with Aiickhiifl City East or olse, liko Rehoboam, wns ill-advihoU by intoi counsellors. Ho tpokc out plainly that the Laud Fund was not to bo touched, and directly contradicted Mr Wood's statements that ho hnd said to the contrary. The people here are very indignant at his propping tr? put them under direct control of Assembly with a nominee as resident Minister, while the South' onim* all its present privileges. They Jmvo shown grant determination to }»yp fllj tile Pr-pyjliu^