COUNTRY NEWS.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 22, Issue 92, 28 November 1911, Page 4

COUNTRY NEWS.

Citom oar Correspondents)

MAHAKIPAWA. ; Friday. JNti’ B. McCallum met the free and independent electors here last night. He was accompanied by Mrs McGalmm and alady friend. About 50 turned up. Those who have votes could be seen on the road wending their way to the hall with their peaceable gingham under their arms. I don’t think a single man carried a walking stick. Mr James Fulton, chairman of the Boad Board, occupied the chair, and Mr ,H. Edmonds nursed the blackboard, on which the candidate very carefully explainedl the working of our borrowed millions. He explained how 20 years ago the' liability was £2 15s per head, and that after the loan had been more than doubled it had fallen to £2 10s. Seeing that my rates year by year are increasing by leaps and bounds, whilst my income is almost stationary, this is no consolation to me. (Some 20 years ago I paid 3s rates on a Picton section; on Thursday last I paid 15s, i and property tax on four times the amount just before; yet Mr McCallum scouted the idea of the Premier juggling with' figures), The meeting all through wasmost orderly, not a single interruption or dissentient yoice being heard. At Mf McCallum toot his seat, not a question being asked, a vote of thanks to the candidate for his address was proposed by Mr J. Moreton and seconded by Mr D Halkett, which was carried with acclaim With a hearty vpte of thanks to the chair man the meeting ended. I hear* that one of the richest, if not thi richest,; men in Nelson is going to call ii his money here and invest it in Queens land', Government are, b; his account, |Bqre conscientious, and havi more sexuphes about taking a man’s bard earned savings J and’ earnings from hi people. v • Will you please tell us through you columns successSo; duties chnrged on’a man’s property in th Sase of day, worth £IO,OOO. v, -mean both outies added together. I hav the death scale but not . the succes sion duty charge!

’■ V'VpottiiCAi. r v ' s • ■ 'Monday.••••.? Mr Duncan, M.P.. met the electors here ,v oh Saturday evening! He was greeted by a good honee and delivered an interesting and instraotive)tddr«M, speaking in a fluent and terse manoeS fvOm the, sUrt to finish. He bis actions • in-- tbs Honsei, hffactiv#ly replied to criticisms, gave figures cdthegrants that ’'had, been distributed tbUmdTffsrsot iProvinees* showing how fared by comparison. He raferw;o tfae :of £SOOO to Blenheim, and contended that when a Member notesentedthepeOpla, no matter what the colour of the politka of the Member, ones he was elected to rsbrelent them they should back himnpforaU they oonld.Aoy man who has pcenpisd a position on Stoy pnblis Board will appreciate this and agree'with Mr Dandan. speech showed eonclnshrsly the spatter had carefully studied. and was quite familiar with the matters he touched upon,. Asbefore, this andlence was most orderly and appreciative, as they always have been at previous meetings here. In conclusion, only one question was asked —jnst an explanation question. Mr R. Barker proposed a very hearty vote of thanks to end confidence in 1 Mr Ouacan, which was seconded by Mr H. Edmond, and . named amidit sheets and appkinse. The candidate, as an afterthought, gave bachelors “a littledig.” He expressed the opinion that although it was well to make ante of a living before they embarked on the married Ulei those a< old bnfien ’.' that were welbto-do and could maintain a wife should ■ be taxed] and the money given to single girls who with to marry. I would remind him that sometimes when

a man gets into the position to maintain a , wife as be would like, or that the lady would expect, he finds the ladies '* fight shy." Tbs writer once heard a lady express the opinion

that no man had a right to propose tq a lady without he had an income of /500 a , year—' and a single lady, too; and would Hr Duncan have an old man marry a young wife? Ob, Mr Duncan, Scotchman and all that yon an, that yon should forget the words 6t yonr own sage bardie’s song on this very subject I I fear my Scotch is not good, but here they are. as best I can give it:—

, “How can a young lassie love an old man ? ■ I will wreak him and frethim Until I heart-break him, And than hie old pewter shall buy me a ■■■" new pan? Would Mr Damn jtsve old baehelon repeat the errors which his own dear Burns so graphically brings to light in the lines above? Ob, Mr £)., snn yon are only joking! A hearty vote of thanks to the chairman, Mr James Fulton, which also was received with applause, brought a pleasant hour and a quarter to a close.