RICCARTON.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 252, 27 November 1914, Page 5

RICCARTON.

ME GEO. WITTY. On Wednesday evening Mr Geo. Witty, Liberal candidate for Riccarton, addressed a largely attended meeting in the Islington Hall. Mr J. Leslie, chairman of- the Paparua County Council, presided, and the candidate, who spoke on the lines of his previous .addresses, was accorded a good hearing. Mr Witty said that although the Reform Government had increased the amount that the Advances Department could lend to local bodies from- £SOOO to £60,000 or £70,000, the .removal of the restriction Was useless, since loans applied for were not granted. He stated that the Spreydon Borough Council had recently made an application for a loan of from £7OOO to £IO,OOO for drainage purposes. He had that day received a letter from the Department stating that it could not lend more than £IOOO. A motion thanking Mr Witty for his address, and expressing confidence in Ward and the Liberal Party, was carried by acclamation.

In the Belfast Hall last night, Mr Geo. Witty, Liberal candida€e"~for Biccarton, addressed a large attendance of electors on behalf of the Hon. D. Buddo, Liberal candidate for Kaiapoi. Mr Witty spoke on similar lines to previous addresses, and was given a good hearing, being frequently applauded. Mr Witty was accorded a vote of thanks, and a vote of sympathy to Mr Buddo in his illness was carried.

ME B. BUNN. Mr B. Bunn, Government candidate, addressed a crowded meeting at Kirwee on Thursday night, Mr J. N. Lawry presiding. Mr Bunn dealt fully with Sir Joseph Ward's policy speech, delivered at Wellington, and contended that practically the whole of the Opposition proposals were being carried out by the present Government. The only proposal which the Eeform Party had no prior claim upon was Sir Joseph Ward's baby-bonus scheme. The didate also dealt with .the. statements made by the Opposition regarding the Huntly disaster, mentioning that when such methods were adopted by a party for political%purposes, intelligent people would resent it. Mr. Buna's address was listened to with deep attention, applause being frequent. On the motion of Mr S. Bobertson, seconded i)y Mr E. Finlay, the speaker was accorded a hearty vote of thanks for his able and lucid address.

Mr Bunn also addressed a crowded meeting at Kimberley, Mr W. Syme presiding. On the motion of Mr J. Ward, seconded by Mi' F. Addington, a hearty vote of thanks was carried.