Okaramio.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 1, Issue 82, 4 November 1890, Page 2

Okaramio.

Mr Mills' meeting at Okaramio was held aa advertised at Mr Otto Haase's Hall on October 31st.

Mr John Hornby, on being voted to the chair, said he had known Mr Mills twenty-two years, and had always found him to be a thoroughly energetic and business man, and had had every opportunity of proving him such in his capacity as secretary of the Pelorus Road Board during the time of his association with him as a member of that body, and had no doubt if MiMills was elected as their representative the electors would find him the right man in the right place.

Mr Mills then addressed the meeting fully and clearly on the several subjects considered at previous meetings, and which have appeared in the Guardian of October 31st.

At the conclusion of the address, which received marked attention for two hours, Mr Mills sat down amidst much applause,

In answer to a question from Mr Ness, asking if the candidate was in favour of a special grant to 'Catholic schools, Mr Mills said that he would never do anything that would affect our country district schools, but thought the Catholics had a just claim, having in many instances established schools, and educated their children at their qwn cost, thus saving it to the country. In answer to Mr Hornby, he would not support a denominational system of education. If any denomination could show by results and number, a just reason wl}7 they should receive State a|d to assist them in maintaining schools under Go /eminent supervision in large centres he would not oppose a measure for that purpose. He considered if one man was bigger than another he had no right to use his powjr to obtain the other's money, so. Catholics should receive every consideration, but it must not infcefere with jibe, present sysfcen} of free and secujar education in our country schools.

' Mr Mills asked the electors not to expect any candidate seeking their suffrage to sink his own individuality, in all subjects there was a diversity of opinions, anc] the man whose opinion most' nearly approached their own was the one,to elect. The principle to go on was to do the best he could for all. Mr Hornby asked in reference to the labour question, Will you support a measure that should make eight hours a legal day's work. Mr Mills, in reply, gajd hq thought the npn wiiq eight hqipdid a reasonable work, and, as much as any employer should expect of him. Mr Leslie wished to know the oandidate's opinion about the Smgio4ax. To this Mr Mills replied that he did not think the country ripe for it at present, but considered that opinion, was tending that way, and must he' gradually brought about, . . ' I Mj? Javlqr m\w) it tiy Wk waj jq favour qf qpenfng up tlje mi Valley and oilier similar valleys for settle-; raent; to which he replied that the Bai Valley had beqn surveyed, and a large portion taken up. He did not believe in monopolies qf land, or monoDolies in anything. IJe would cjp if.Jj jn hjs pqvyti;/ fq settle, j;|e;oj?ltj qn the land, and Regretted that there was not a continuous }ine of railway to connect j

'Nelson With Picton through thekifcai, which Would do much to advance" thai object. A portion of the;,. Bai was; reserved as a State forest, arid some portions are still open for selection. Mr Taylor proposed "a vote of thanks' and confidence in Mr Mills as their future representative," which was seconded by Mr Thompson, and carried unanimously. . ,„,..,„...,- Mr Hornby received a hearty vote of thanks for the able way he had performed the duties of chairman. .

It was considered desirable that a committee should be formed to further Mr Mills' election, when the following gentleman gave their names as willing to act with power to add to their number namely : Messrs Hornby, Thompson, Edward Hart, T. Clarke, G. North, senr., G. North, junr., Taylor, Levien, A. King, C. Hornby, Leslie, Berry, Hope, and Bassett.