The Waihemo Electorate.

Otago Witness, Issue 2387, 30 November 1899, Page 24

The Waihemo Electorate.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, — As the general election is at hand, and our member is again seeking re-election, we might reasonably inquire what benefit we have received from him in the past. He bought two large estates in this electorate (not compulsorily) at a price the owners wero glad to get, and which no private party would give. , They were cut up for settlement at a rent that is not a living rent. For years past he has dangled a Fair Rent Bill before us, without the least intention, of getting it passed, for he is aware that his Government would not stand six months afterwards, and as the Premier boasts that they could give the Pomahaka for nothing and still be the gainers by their tenants they might easily reduce their rents, and charge them with a direct land tax. What the Minister foi Lauds has done for his own electorate is a fair sample of what he has dono for Ofago ns a whole. Let us fancy a West Coaster and an Otago man contending who was the better man. The West Coaster might reply that the Minister and his following sold Otago politically for 30 pieces of silver, and he could prove it by figures. Now, I would propose that we should vote for new blood thia time. It might be contended that new blood, might provp nc better than the old. It is posBible ; but, then, it would take him three years to learn the working of the ropes. Then if ho did not give satisfaction we could try another. Besides, it is unlikely that the same victors would receive the spoils, and changing the cup from the one to the other the common people " might get a little drop, and" so -balance matr ters.-I am, etc, ELECTOR. " Waihemo, November 23. A new Roman Catholic Convent is to b» erected at Paeroa. In a., case at the Wellington Supreme Court in which two men were charged with stealing fowls (tfio Post says), counsel for the defence asked that his clients be sworn to give evidence. Ho said he wished first of all to call Mr Cooper. His Honor smiled at this somewhat unusual way of designatine a prisoner, and later on, when counsel called Mr Purcell, his Honor naively asked if Mr Purcell was "the other gentleman in the dock?" Constable Shepherd has been appointed an inspector under the Factories -Act for the Middle Island of New Zealand, and the islands adjacent thereto.