GERALDINE ELECTION.

Timaru Herald, Volume XVII, Issue 816, 15 November 1872, Page 3

GERALDINE ELECTION.

Mil HAYHUKST AT TEM.UKA. On Wednesday evening last, Mr John Hay hurst met the electors of the Geraldine Provincial district, at the Crown Hotel Assembly Rooms, Teniuka. Although the evening was wet, about a hundred electors were present. Dr Rayner was voted to the chair. Tlio Chairman m opening tho meeting, dwelt on the claims Mr Haylmrst had to the suffrages of tho electors. Pie said that Mr Haylmrst was no novice, but an old and tried public servant of the district, lie was an able man and a leisured man, a man able to devote a considerable- portion of his time to the service of the electors m the Provincial Council, and he (the chairman) was sure that they could not do better tlian elect Mr Hayhmvsfc .-is their representative. He (the chairman) did not intend to make a long spueuh, but would conclude with a hopo that that order would prevail, which was so well known at meetings at Teniuka, and that they would grant Mr Hayhurst a patient hearing, alter which, he had no doubt, that that gentleman would answer any questions they had to put to him, with his usual courtesy and candour. With these remarks he begged to introduce Mr Hayhurst to the meeting. Mr Hayhurst said he did not think a short time since that he should be there that night soliciting the suffrages of the electors for a seat m the Provincial Council, vacant by the resignation of Mr Macdonald. That gentleman's resignation, had taken them all aback. When he first heard of it, he (the speaker) had no intention of contesting the Beat, and, m fact, if a better local man came forward at the present time, he would retire m his favor, for he should not like to see a better man than himself defeated. When Mr Macdonald 's resignation was first known m the district and his friends asked him (Mr Hayhurst) to stand, he declined, because he thought there were men m the district wlio had more leisure and were better qualified to deal with political matters than he was. But, it was not long before a gentleman appeared with an address m public print, offering himself as a candidate for the seat. That gentleman was new to the colony, and probably held the ideas peculiar to new arrivals. He (Mr Hayhurst) was not opposing him further than that he believed that a new arrival could not be so conversant with the requirements of a district like this as he was himself. That was why rather than see such a trust put into the hands of a stranger, he came forward and offered to serve them himself. This gentleman most likely, like most new arrivals, thought that they m the colony did not know how to manage their own affairs, and proposed himself to put everything right. But they knew that such people m the outset of a colonial life, scarcely knew how to manage tlieir oton affairs — how then should they trust them to manage the affairs of the colony 1 No doubt, at the nomination the next day, his gallant friend would shew them that they were all wrong, and would support his statements with so many notes and extracts, that they should not. be able to followiihn at" all, his object being to prove that fur years past what they had bjen doing was wrong. However, he (Mr Hayhurst) had no doubt if his gallant friend had been here all these years, chinas would have been no different now t> what iliey are. People were apt to hue sLjiit of change of position ,md cirua.ns&uces and apply the rule of Gij-tlay to wii.it was required seven years .i o ';). Wiiatisvoi- his gallant friend might say of un justice or bad management m the p;ut, he (thj speaker) believed that everything had been done for the best at i\ii tiiuj. JS r aw comers generally considered tu:it everything a3 they- found it whs wi\>i:g, that they tuemselves were the Lt3t patent out, witii every improvement, and could put everything right. He (Mr Hayhurst) had hoped that when he called that meeting he should have had. the pleasure of previously seeing Captain Bullock's opinions m print more than just his election notice. His gallant friend commenced by giving notice that he had made the province his home, and might naturally be supposed to have its best interests at heart, and although a non-resi-dent among them should, if elected, consider the welfare of the district as especially entrusted to his care. Well, he (Mr Hayhurst) should think he ought to have the interests of the province at heart, or else he was a very bad colonist. He should think little of him were it otherwise. If he failed to have those interests at li6art after being elected he would be a ) traitor to his trust, and the sooner he was

called to account the better. In the nex clause of the address his opponent went on to say that as his private means were unconnected with local or colonial invest ments, he was m a position to enter tin House unbiassed by class or clique, ant. not as the mouth-piece of a party, or t.i advocate of individual interests. Well, he (Mr Hayhurst) did nut think it required a very long sighted man to Si-i through that. That was by no means hu idea of the qualifications for a representative. His idea was to return a man ii that capacity who had to look after his own interest at the same time as his constituents', then he knew that if he made a mistake he himself would have to pay the piper. If they returned a gentleman who had nothing to lose and all to gain, hdoubted if they would put the trust m safe hands, it was far better to give it to one who had something to lose. Then as to his independence, he did not think that if he was a gentleman of independent means he would accept the appointments he had held or aspired to. His address went on to say m reference t<; education that he regarded it as sound ii; principle but faulty m detail. He (Mi Hayhurst) agreed with his gallant friend that the present educational system was sound m principle, but he thought it was also very sound m detail. [Hear, hear.] There might of course be some little improvements, especially m the direction of giving more power to local school committees. There might be some restrictions to compel parents to send their children to a school when within easy access of it. He saw m his walkings that the tax was not sufficient to make people send their children to school. He did not know if that was one of the " details " to which Captain Bullock alluded. In regard to deferred payments hisgallantfriend said he was "opposed to the system of deferrod payments not only as false m principle generally, but as unsuited, and unnecessary to the wants of our province m particular." As regai'ded deferred payments, ho (Mr Hayhurst) was of the saim; opinion. He was opposed to them on the ground that they could sell their land fast enough, and any man was a fool to Bell on credit while ho could get cash. (Hear, hear.) The Captain then wont on to say that he was a believer m progress m every form. Well, he (Mr Hayhurst; sxipposed it was the same with all of them — they had come to the country with that idea — and no doubt if they both were returned, they would both go m for progress. In the next and last clause of his address, Captain Bullock said, " The disbursement of the loan for immigration and public works is not strictly a provincial question, but my best cff.irts and influence shall be directed t> diverting our share into remunerative channels and districts that would repay expenditure." He (Mr Hayhurst) though 1 ; that thai might as well have been left alone, for they all knew that the Provincial Council had nothing to do with the loa<is. Th Immigration department used to bo i:i tin hands of the Provincial Councils, but now all they could do was to ma'ie recommendations to the General Government as to the class of immigrants they required, and of course it would rest with himself, m common with other members, to make such recommendations. Tin. last part of the clause ho didn't understand. As regarded himself, he thought he was pretty well known for good o. evil. His gallant friend was not known. He (Mr Hayhurst) had been mixed up iii all their committees and public matters. aud had always been be.V>re them. Som< of them could follow him back to when he first came into the district. All hu could say Avas, that if .anything he had done warranted them m rejecting him, by all. means let them, for he should be very chary himself m giving his vote to a man who did not deserve it. With refer- j ence to what was to be done m the Coun- ! oil, lie was not so well posted up as he should be m a few days, if he was returned. All he could say was, that they had plenty of money m the public chest — some £200,000 — and it required some one who was conversant with the wants of the district, and some one willing and able to point out where expenditure was most wanted, and watch that the monin was not squandered. As regarded the allocations to this district ; he had seen the report of the last meeting of the Board of Works, m which they had detailed what moneys the district was entitled to. He quite agreed with what the Board had done on that occasion. He would do his best to get the money expended aa near as possible m the mannei as laid down by the Board. The Board occupied much the same position m relation to the Provincial Government as tho Provincial Government itself did to the General Government. Large sums o; money had previously been voted, biri insufficient to carry out any one work. Oi; this point he quite agreed with Mr Healey, the member for Timaru, m recommending tho Government to put these different sums of money together so as to carry oui properly two or three works, as he va.convinced that there was a great waste o: money m constant patching. With respect to railway matters, he understood that some gentleman outside had bet» unable to sleep, fearing he was going l.i. take tho railway somewhere, he did noknow where, — he presumed down In Milford. He had not said much before ': he had never, either m private or public, said where he wished the railway to go. He had m public laughed at tho idea that the railway co'.ild be diverted either hei\ or there by anybody. He believed th.v the General Government had the vor\ best information, aud would take tlu railway where it would be best. It wonM not rob him of one night's rest if it div not go within ten miles of his property. As a proof of this, he could point to liisactiou m regard to the Rangitata bridge : for the handing it over to the Government free of charge; he voted wholly and soleh to send the railway that way. If his views had been different, ho' never would haw wandered about two or thruj nights to g-ji the railway diverted to Mount Peel. Had he studied his own interests, ho would have attended the 'meeting when the motion was passed, and tabled a motion to the effect, that the bridge ha;l cost the Board £20,000, and that they wanted £40,000 for it. The Government would then have been certain to refuse it, and instead of getting the railway inland, it would most likely have gone by Milford. That, he thought, settled the railway. If returned, ho should not say one word respecting it to any authority m order that its direction should be changed one way or another, for he was sure that the railway must go through their district. He would never be so selfish as

to try to take it up to his own house. In .•ouehision, all lie had to say was, that if jlocted, ho would promise to do all he .•mi ld to further the interests of the district and the province as a whole. He v;is determined not to l>e the mouthpiece if a party ; and inure than that, he would tot l>e the mouthpiece of his own constituents : he would not be a mere delegate. They must bear m mind that his n-ork and duty was to study the interests if their district m common with other listricts. He would not go to the Coun:il pledged to support any party or any particular government ; but he would support that Government which would administer the affairs of the country to ,he best possible advantage, and that government, and no other, should have !ii3 support. Mr Hayhurst resumed his seat amid applause. Mr Lavery asked Mr Hayhurst if he was m lavor of Irish Immigration m prer'erence to Scandinavian. Mr Hayjiukst said he knew nothing about Scandinavians, and therefore could •say nothing about them. He knew that the Irishmen were good men, especially m swamps. [Laughter.] Mr A. Wilson asked Mr Hayhursfc if m the event of a memorial going up for the purpose of obtaining r» ground for an annual agricultural exhibition, if he would supp >rt it, and also try to obtain a grant m ai 1. iUc Hayhurst said a grant would lay with the Executive, but if lie was furnished with a tracing of a piece of suitable land, of which there was plenty m the neighboi'hood, he would do his best to try and get it reserved. Mr J. Mkxdklsox moved, and Mr (L Pr. Tripp seconded thu following resolution, which was carried unanimously, — " That this meeting pledges itself to use its bi'st endeavours to secure the return of Mr Hayhurst to thu Provincial Council." Mr Hayhurst proposed a cordial vote of thanks to Dr R-iyner for the very eflicient manner m which he had fulfilled the duties of Chairman. Mr Marshall seconded the motion, which was carried by acclamation.. Dr Rayncr having briefly acknowledged the compliment the meeting then terminated. THE NOMINATION. The nomination of candidate for the purpose of electing a gentleman to represent the Guriiidine district m the Provincial Council, tonic place yesterday at noon, at the Court House Teinuka. About a hundred electors were present and considerable interest was manifested m tiij p.Mjij liii^s. The Return ing Officer, B. Woolkombe, Esq., liavii g read the writ, called on the jlectors to l.oiniiiato a lit and proper perion to represent Lli9 dUtriet. Mr Almxa."dl:r Wilson said he had the liimnv tn prop. >so a gentleman with whom !io was not personally acquainted, but to .vliom they ought as a stranger to show she utmost courtesy, when ho showed snoh pluck m coming forward as ho had lone. At the pris.mt time he was labornig under thu disadvantage of being opposed by a local man, I nit on some future occasion ho might appear before them under more favorable circumstances, m opposition to some onej who had less claim m the electors than Mr Hayhurst had. If on the present occasion he had been opposed to a squatter instead of Mr Hayiinrst he himself should decidedly have supported him m preference to a squatter. lv proposing Captain Bullock ho could not say much about him, except that he had held a good situation m Christchurch, and that he was a man who had travelled and seen a good deal of life. Mr Wilson concluded with formally proposing Captain Stanley Bullock, as a fit and proper person to represent the district. Mr Gosling, senior, seconded the nomination. He said that when he came down that morning, he was led to understand that Captain Bui ick had no one to second him, aud'proffered his services, as lie considered that the district's character for courtesy was at stake if after the gallant Captain's pluck m coming forward at a time when no other gentleman appeared willing to do so, he could find no proposer or seconder. He (Mr Gosling) believed m Captain Bullock's programme at that part where he said he was " at a loss ;o understand why so large ft proportion jf profits from the sales of waste lands ?liou d lind its way out of the district producing it." He w ii3 with him m that part. When yoais ago the League was conned, and succeeded m getting 25 per jent. of the proceeds of land sales allocated to the district for its special use, he Sook it only as an acknowledgement of a lebt, but was not satisiied \v<th it, for he considered that the district was entitled to 50 per cent. He recollected the time when, m conjunction with Mr Hayhnrst, they asked for 25 per cent, out of the .•as enrage rents, but they did not got i . They all knew the number of deaths which .iad occurred through the want of bridges, .mil the dilliciiity of getting goods between I'iiiiiiru and Teuuika through the want of >r per means of communication. They ill knew the a athy which had been shown by the Government m regard to ,ht Tiiiiaru and Teniuka railway, and oiiey were always ready to ta.io advantage if their local squabbles about bridges and :very other subject of discussion further ■o delay public works m. the district, and .hoy wanted a membur who would do his ie.it to push these wor&s forward — as Japtain Bullock promised to do. Ha ..ipposed they would think ho was spaaing warmly m the iuerosts of a stranger, but he was not doing so because he was ■pposud to Mr Hayhurst, but because he ,eit honorably bound to accord every support to a gentleman who had come to heir lvlief m the hour of dire necessity. A'itli these low remarks he begged to second Captain Bulloc ;'s Humiliation. Mr Menhhl-jun said he had great iil.'asure m proposing a gentleman whose biiitios they all knew — Mr Johu Hayhu.se — as a tit. and proper pardon to represent their district m the Piovincial Jouncil. Thj fact that another gentleman had come forward, placed them m a o^sitioii of having a choice, and being able to decide which was the best man. Japtain Bullock had told them that he was a Captain m India — In the artillery, he believed — [Captain Bullock : In the cavalry.] It was for them to say whether . they w.inted drilling or a man who understood their local requirements. If Captain Bullock knew anything of those requirements, it was by reading and nothing else. He (Mr Mendelson) considered that the electors, m common with himself, had no right to entrust their property into the hands of a

person they did not know, or whose I opinions they had not heard — as to Mr Gosling's remarks about his candidate's pluck m coming forward, he (Mr Mendelson) considered that he showed neither courage or prudence m doing so. It was like a man intruding into another person's house when he had no business, and it showed neither courage or pluck. He begged to propose Mr John Hayhurst as a fit and proper person to represent the district. Dr Rayner i-ose to second Mr Mendelson's proposition, and commenced by taking exception to the tone of his (Mr Mendelson's) address. In regard to the qualifications of Mr Hayhurst, he said that that gentleman had leisure and property, and was a tried public servant, he having satisfactorily represented the capital of the south — Timaru. He was also a man who was quite unbiassed, and if they returned Mr Hayhurst he was certain they would return an impartial man, one who would not represent "class" at all. The province at present had a bloated exchequer, and they would find that Mr Hayhurst was the man who would go m for a proper appropriation of the money now lying unexpended m the provincial chest. There was not much now-a-days that a candidate for the Provincial Council could speak upon but this ' bloated exchequer.' He was sure that Mr Hayhurst, who was a cool calculating man, would do his best to gee this money oxpendod to the best advantage. As regarded Captain Bullock, he came among them as a perfect stranger, but Tomuka treated him with respect, and provided him with a proposer and seconder, although ho(Dr Rayner) was sure he would not be elected, yet he felt certain that when he returned home he would not complain of any want of courtesy having been shewn him. He noticed that Mr Oriiisby had just entered the room, and he would now make a remark that he would not have made m his absence. He wanted to know what their two members had done I Certainly Mr Orinsby carried a motion that the land sales of the district should take place at Timaru, but that was merely put upon paper and nothing further was dune. Mr Macdonnld, too, had altered the name of their Road B >ard from Goraldiuo to Temuka Road Board, but m doing so he never had the courtesy to ask the Road Board — which was one of the oldest m the province — whether they objected to the change. What was the next thing Mr Macdonnld moved ? why that £300 should be given for the diversion of the Rangitata Creek. Blr M.icdonald had a run there, .and had himself had the creek diverted originally m which several people had lost their lives. He then came coolly and asked to have the creek diverted back. He did not think they gained much by electing his opponent of twelve' months' ago. To return to the candidates: he asked them to compare their respective interests — one of them had large vested interests among them — the other was a stranger. Dr Rayner concluded by seconding the nomination of Mr Hayhurst. Mr Ormsby said he supposed he should not be m order m speaking unless he proposed a candidate. Thf Returning Officer replied m the affirmative. Mr Orjisby said, that being the case, he would propose a candidate, as he wished to speak m reply to Dr Rayner, who had made an attack upon him. He asked what could the Provincial Council do now that the management of Railways and Immigration was taken out of its hands. These matters lay m the hands of their representatives m the General Assembly. Mr Stafford, their representative, believed m a railway from Timaru to I'emuka, but nowhere further. Mr Stafford, with whom he had the honor of being acquainted, was not present, and therefore it was not right to speak about him m his absence. The Returning Officer interrupted Mr Orinsby by asking him who he had to propose. Mr Ormsby : I am going to propose you, sir. The Returning Officer said of course he should resign immediately. Mr Ohms by resumed. sa3 r ing that the Provincial Council was powerless, except to vote the salaries of the police. In reference to that, he might state that he was one of those who voted against thu reduction m the pay of a valuable force which had done so much to secure the safety of life and property, and he believed m paying such salaries as would Iceep the best men that could be found m the police. (Hear, hear.) All other work such as Immigration and Railways, he had now no power over, neither would Messrs Hay hurst or BiiShiu!; if they were returned. Almost the only thing they would have to deal with would be the grants to R-.iad Boards, and perhaps a bridge over the Tomuka. The Returning Office said he musical. ;or a seconder to his own nomination, although he should have to resign immediately. Mr Gosling seconded the nomination. There being no one else desirous of making a proposition, the Returning Officer then invited the candidates to address the electors. Captain Bullock said he originally intended to commence his speech bj' asking them to "hit him hard as lie had no friends;" out on coming over from the Crown Hotel he had found c>vo friends — the gentlemen who propoied and seconded him. In reference to Mr Mjndelsou's remarks, he observed that that gentleman, who did not know the difference between cavalry and artillery, a horse or a gun, perhaps did not know the difference between the on rage of a cur and the coxirage of a soldier. If he did he would know that a soldier liked to be first m the field and the last to leave it. While Mr Hayhurst was m Christchurch enjoying himself at the races, he (Captain Bullocx) was down at Teinuka , therefore he looked on that dunghill as his own. [Hear, hear,- and laughter.] The only thing he objected to m the place was the way m which they all persisted m trying to make him drunk. He could assure the meeting that if he had not been very careful the candidate for Geraldine would have had to have been brought there on a shutter. There was only one gentleman who did not receive him kindly— that was Mr Mendelson. That gentleman met him at the coach on his arrival at the ; j Crown, and told him to go back, as his chance was oniy £1000 to a 'gooseberry. He (the speaker) did not know what chance he had got, but he had bet sixpence upon it, and it would be the ■

electors' faul- if he lost. [Laughter.] He had had some experience m education, having bee.n chairman of a school committee. Ho thought that more power should be given to local committees. The compulsory tax was hard upon bachelors, but then they ought to get married. [Laughter.] With regard to Immigration, that was no longer m the hands of the Provincial Council, but if returned he would do all he could to further public works m the district. Although not. a resident m the district he should not the less look after its .nterests. Ho should live at Christchurch — at head quarters, and would always be found at his post. In regard to the next session he had no idea what would come before the Council, as all great questions had been taken out of its hands. If he had been m the Council last year, when thp question of reducing the pay of the police came on he should have fought against it. With regard to the railway business, about which there was sucli a serious dispute between his Honor the Superintendent and the Council, when that question of Irving was brought forward, be thought his Honor was m the right — fur — although there was no greater stickler for discipline than himself — lie would not deny the man the right to speak his mind like an Englishman, and should have taken the Superintendent's part at that time. He was opposed to deferred payments for land, as it would l.iy the door open for men to take up ground and then do nothing with it afterwards. In conclusion, all lie could assure them was that lie had come down to redeem his pledge, and if elected, would do his bt-st to make their district second to none. Mr I-Jayhukst, m a lengthy speech, touch* cl on all tho matters he had referred to on tho previous night. As an elector, he thanked Captain Bullock for coining forward, as it showed that I.he representation of the district was a thing of some value. He was really sorry that Captain Bullocii was not a resident, for if so, lie would sooner that ho should go to the Council than himself, for lie did not regard it so nuijli as an honor as a duty which he would only be too glad to throw oil" his own shoulders if ha could. Uut he objected to any but a man who had some stake m it representing the district, and considered that when Captain Bullock said his means were unconnected with local or colonial investments he made a dead shot at himself. As to Progress he believed m that, and m this respect himself and his opponent both rowed m the same boat. But he thought that the Progress of their district had not been so great as it should have been, through their having a non-resident to re-present them. He alluded to Mr Stafford m the General Assembly. They thought when they selected him as their representative m the Assembly, they had made a grand choice. He believed Mr Stafford was a Efentleman who would not sacrifice his word m any shape or form, and he did not say he had done so. But lie, living at a distance, was not thoroughly conversant with the wants of the district. He could not converse with gentleman regarding the wants of the district, and then go home and judge of their remarks as a whole. He would not think it a great hardship for people to drive grain into Timaru, but would regard it as a small distance, m which they only had two small rivers to cross. . Their railway was the first on the programme of Mr Vogel's Government, and it seemed likely to be the last that would be carried out. He objected to the district being represented by an absentee, and the difference between an absentee and a resident was the difference between himself and Captain Bullock. In conclusion he thanked the electors for the patient hearing they had accorded him ; and as an elector, he thanked Captain Bullock for coining forward. Mr Mendelsokt called on Mr Woollcombe to address the electors. Mr Woollcombe said lie had already resigned As It j turning Oiiiser, he then called for a show of hands, which, when taken, he declared to be m favor of Mr Hayhurst. Captain Bullock demanded a poll. The ItETUiiNiNG Officer saicTthe.poll would take place on Wednesday, the 20th. between the hours of nine and four, at 'the Court-house, Temuka : and Mr i'ancred's woolshed, llaukapuka. He would declare the result of the poll the same evening ah Temuka, at 6 p.m. Captain Bullock said lie had had one pleasure that day m meeting the electors, lie had now another m asking them to accord a herrty vote of thanks to their ■Returning OUdcer. Mr JtiAVHUKST. seconded the motion, which was carried by acclamation. The ItETuiiNiSG Officer acknowledged tho compliment, and the proceedings terminated with cheers for each of the candidates including the Returning Oiiieer himself.