ELECTORAL MEETING.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VI, Issue 873, 26 August 1879, Page 2

ELECTORAL MEETING.

A public meeting, convened by His Worship the Mayor, on the joint requisition of the Chairmen of the candidates meetings, for the purpose of deciding as to which one of the candidates should receive the support of the Poverty Bay portion of the Electorate, was held last ' evening m the Masonic Hall. At a very early stage of the proceedings, the Hallwas crowded, and a very great amount of interest as to the result was aroused m the public mind. Mr. J. Townley, on the motion of the Mayor, was voted to the chair, and after explaining the object of the meeting, said that it was for the electors present to decide as to which of the remaining candidates they should support, and to consider the best course they should now take. They had two candidates representing the Opposition, and one the Grey party, Captain Porter having resigned, they had now a choice between the two local candidates/ .and. it was their duty to see whom they would support. Mr. C. W. Ferris said, that as one of the Chairmen convening that meeting, he would suggest before they were asked to give their ideas, that it would be m better place . if they heard from Captain Porter his reasons for resigning. . Capjtaiu Pouter said he did not altogether agree with the motion of Mr. Ferris, as the meeting was not convened there for the purpose of considering that matter, but if the meeting was willing, he would do so. In response to loud cries of "Yes," Captain Porter ascended the stage and said that he could not give them his reasons without going over the same ground as he had dune when he first addressed them. In retiring, he had done so m favor of a local candidate. He came out as a local and independent, candidate and he retired independentIt had been said that that meeting had been called especially to favor him, and all sorts of remarks and rumours had been going about, which however did not affect him m the slightest degree. He had calculated the chances of a local man being returned if they all were m the field, and though he had promises of large support, he doubted, owing to the divisions, whether they would succeed m returning one. It had been determined that a selection of one of the candidates should be made, and that the electors should support that one. He consented to this as he came out not as a follower of any party but purely m their interest. He had, m doing so, nothing to gain but very much to lose. Mr Johnson had also expressed his willingness to retire on the decision of the electors. If the choice had fallen upon him, he (Capt. Porter) would have done so. When he first came forth he had but a few supporters, but a number of friends came out and supported him. This fact made him regret his retirement, and he was very sorry for it indeed. Had Mr McDonald come they might take action, but m his absence they could not say anything. He knew that he would also abide by the public voice m this matter. He had not had a show as yet, but the chances were that they would all go to the poll and that there would have been three at this end of the electorate and but one at the other. Their votes would have been divided by three as against the united vote at the Bay of Plenty. They could depend upon it that the electors there would sink all petty jealousies and come forward m favor of their man. With only himself and Morris running it amounted almost to a certainty that Morris would win, and it was a question whether McDonald was dividing the Bay of Plenty votes. In concluding, the speaker said he was indifferent to all the imputed motives urged with reference to his retirement. He came out honestly and he retired j honestly, though even his supporters were against him. He was there that night as an elector to take part m the meeting, and ask any questions if necessary. He thought it was their interest to return a local candidate, but if two went to the poll, to vote for the man who supported their views. He would like to have an expression of Mr Johnson's opinions. Captain Porter concluded amidst great cheering. Mr. Johnson, m response to calls from the body of the Hall, came forward and said that he did not know why he should give his reasons for contesting the elecion as he had already expressed his opinions on matters local and political. He did not know why he should give them again, but if they 'wanted him to do so he Avould. Capt. Porter had resigned, and he had told them his reasons for resigning, but that was nothing to do with him. He anticipated that some one would resign. If they wished him to state the reasons of his intention to stand and contest the election he would do so. (Hear, hear. No, no, and Yes.) He would put it to the meeting whether he* should resign m favor of McDonald and Morris. A Voice : No. Fight it out. Mr Ferris said that the statement of Captain Porter was not altogether, right. Mr Johnson continuing, said, that is the view I take of the matter. Captain' Porter asked whether Mr. Johnson still would persist m going to the poll. Mr. Johnson replying, said : Most decidedly; his constituents demanded

that he should go to the poll. (Loud cheering.) The Chairman said they had nowtwo local candidates to consider. (A Voice : Name them). They had Mr! Johnson, and he presumed that Mr. McDonald was a local candidate. (Cries or no). Mr. Matthison said as some misapprehension appeared to prevail relative to Mr. "McDonald's claim to be considered a local man, he would take it upon himself to explain! He said lie was m a position to state he was a local candidate. He held several town sections, land at Whauaupoko, shares m the Ma-kauri, and indirect interests, also which he was not m a position to explain to them. He had just left them, but he knew that he would return. Mac had said that if elected he would take up a permanent residence here m twelve months 1 or resign. He would be here on Wednesday, and m his absence it would be unfair for the meeting to express its views. ""' : . '•"-•"": Mr. A F. Hardy then attempted to address the meeting, and notwithstanding the pleasantries and jokes indulged m at his expense, he maintained his ground for a very long time. His remarks were' principally directed against the present system of Native land purchase. Mr. H. E. Webb next came forward, and said he had but a few words to say. He thought as three gentlemen had appended their names to the advertisement calling the meeting, they should give an expression of their views, and not require to do so. ; They each represented a particular candidate, and therefore he thought it was fair that instead of calling on the meeting that] they should express their views. There was an element of unfairness about the proceedings. They should certainly hear Mac before they made their choice, and if they did not do so, it would be unfair if nothing else. They had plenty of time to arrive at a decision. : The Chairman ssid he had called tt m the interest of the electors. They could not have too many meetings at election times, and he did not consider it a waste of time. They had all through determined when the election came on, that they would support a local man, and m calling the meeting they did so to decide which one would have it. They had to define who was a local candidate. He was told that he could not mention Mac Donald as such. He did not think with Mr, Webb that it would be premature to decide now. Mr. Ferris said he was one that signed, but the meeting was not called m favor of any particular candidate, artd he did not think he gave Mr. Webb any reason to suppose so. He would vote for his m«in, but he would not tell his name. He did not consider Mao a local man. (Mr. Webb : If you did you would not have called the meeting). He had left here to go to England, and now that an election was coming on, he had returned to represent them. He had a good bit of property here was what Mr. Townley said and promises to reside here after election. Captain Tucker said that if Mr* Ferris had not spoken as it was not intended that any man Bhould, he ' would not have troubled that meeting. He would take up the cudgels for an absent man who had been attacked, and of which he would say it showed very bad taste indeed on the part of Mr. Ferris. He maintained jthat he was a local man and had a stake m the district. (He then desoribed the various interests Mr. McDonald had). When he left here, he could not possibly see the dissolution of the House. He intended and long wanted to represent this district, ana would have done so at last elections. He could hot say whether he then went so far as to announce himtelf as a candidate, but he would tell them why he did not come out. There was then a considerable feeling m favor one ofcandidate that he thought it unwise to oontest the seat. As to the question of a local man, they must define a line somewhere or the other. They should await his arrival before they came to any conclusion on this head. He was now m Tauranga, and meeting everywhere with every great success. With regard to the other candidates he had nothing to say. Mr. Ward said he thought there were a good many pleasantries indulged m altogether unnecessary. They had come there to consider as to whether it was desirable to support the Opposition or the present Grey Ministry. It was not a question of local candidature at all. He did not think that any of the candidates took that view of it. It was simply Grey or the Opposition. As Mr. Mas>Donald was not present, it would serve no good to discuss his candidature there. He * was pledged to support the Grey Ministry. The best thing they could do would be tc hear his opinions. They had heard nothing concerning him except what Mr. Tucker and Mr. Ferris had said, and there had been nothing said calculated to show anyone what they should do. Mr. Ferris had said he would.vote for whom, he did not know or would not telL J(A Voice : Quite right.) When they came here they did not do so to hear men informing them what they should do. Were they to be led away by the elocution of Mr. Tucker and Mr. Ferris ? Could they not form their own opinions 1 He hoped they were not such idiots as to be led away by them. Mr. Blackstorck then addressed a few complimentary remarks m favor of Captain Porter and Mr Johnson. Throughout the proceedings there were loud cries for Mr. Rees, and m defence to the many calls he at length ascended the platform an addressed the meeting at considerable length. He defended the Grey Ministry and exElained the Liberal programme now efore the country, but we are unable to find space for it m our present issue. The speaker was warmly received, and patiently heard throughout his speech. Messrs Carlaw Smith and Duncan McKay next addressed the meeting. On the motion of Duncan McKay, it was proposed that this meeting expresses its full confidence iv Sir George Grey and this liberal polioy." The resolution was seconded by Mr. McLeod, and on being put to the meeting, was received with loud and prolonged cries of " Aye." On the negative being put there were also many " noes." The Chairman declared the resolution carried by a large majority. A vote of thanks to the Chairman concluded the meeting.