PUBLIC MEETING.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 1950, 5 April 1875, Page 2

PUBLIC MEETING.

A public meeting was held in the Theatre Eoyal on Saturday evening, at which Messrs Bowe and Davies, candidates for the seat in the Council recently left vacant by the demise of Mr W. T. Swan, addressed the electors. Some time before 8 o'clock, the hour at which the meeting was announced to commence, the Theatre was crowded, and at a few minutes to eight the °two- candidates as. cended the stage, accompanied by their respective supporters: Mr J. E;- Macdonald was elected to fill the office of

Chairman; Mr Benshaw, also proposed, declining to act.

The Chairman having in the usual manner briefly addressed the meeting, a difficulty occurred as to which of the candidates should first address the meeting, both appearing to be affected with an excessive modesty on this head.

Mr Macdonald remarked that both gentlemen appeared to entertain a lively idea of the advantage of the last word, an advantage always sought by lawyers and women.

A facetious member of the audience demanded that the Mayor should be the first to speak, as he received a salary for speaking. Mr Eenshaw said Mr Eowe had called the meeting and invited the Mayor to join him; therefore he ought to be the first to preside. Mr Brown ingenuously suggested that the candidates should toss up—a happy thought which did not appear to meet with favor.

Mr Brodie came forward, and would undoubtedly have said something, but his appearance "was the signal tor a tremendous uproar ; and he did not. This barrier to the progress of business seemed to give lively satisfaction to the meeting, and the stoppage must have been prolonged had not Mr Howe consented to be the first to speak rather than detain the meeting.' Mr Bowe then came forward, and delivered a very able address, in which he reiterated all that he said at the hustings. - He referred to 1 the resolutions of the General Assembly at last session in iterms of condemnation. He would increase facilities for prospecting, and said he would see (if elected) that the miners obtained their full share of the money voted by the Provincial Council. In concluding, Mr Bowe; referred to personal matters. He had not met any men who would say anything openly to him, but he had heard many whispers behind his back, and knew his men. (Here Mr Cook came from the rear of the stage with an air, apparently, of general preparation for anything.) They (the whisperers) would not dare to meet him openly and make the accusations to his face. They were unworthy the name of men. Mr Itowe was cheered lustily on resuming his seat. Mr Davies then came forward. His address was short;. Though he might not be as good a, speaker as Mr Howe, he nattered himself that he understood the wants of the place as well as any one present. He had always- borne in mind the interests of the miners when making any roads during his connection with the Highway Boards and the Council. With regard to the foreshore, he considered that his action in preventing its being given to the Provincial Government was the greatest feather in his cap. He considered the tax upon the miners for educational purposes unjust. He thought, also, that the .Thames did not receive sufficient assistance in the matter of its Hospital. Mr Davies then touched upon personal matters. He gave the Chairman a number of the Evening Star, in which, in a report of a late council meeting Mr Bowe said he would sooner the. General Government kept the foreshore than that it should be handed over to the Borough. (The Chairman read the paragraph.) j Mr Eowe explained that he had said he would sooner see the General Government retain the right to;dispose of the foreshore than that ifc~ should be handed over unconditionally to any one body. He wished the miners to obtain a fair share of the revenue derivable from the endowment. ■ „•• ■■■■ >\ -■ ■'■[ , '"<,' ;;! ], Several questions were put to the candidates, as to their views upon, different local points. Mr B. Macdonald Scott proposed a vote of confidence in Mr Bowe. , Seconded by Mr James Macky, and supported by Mr Patrick Nolan. Mr Speight then came forward, but was greeted with a strange mixture of noises from the meeting, expressive of a disinclination to hear what he had to say. Mr Speight said he was an elector, and if they refused to hear him, they would be the greatest cowards unhung. At this the meeting became awfully indignant, and demanded an immediate apology, or a hearing was quite out of the question. Mr Speight apologised with as much alacrity as he had said that which had wounded the feelings of the meeting, and

thereby rendered the apology necessary. He explained that the stigma would only apply in case they should refuse to hear him, who had a right to speak. This appearing quite satisfactory, Mr Speight proceeded to move au amendment that Mr Pavies was the best man to represent the Thames. In doing so he referred to Mr Eowe as being inconsistent in his views. ( Mr Benshaw seconded. On the Chairman putting the amendment and resolution to the meeting, the resolution, in favor of Mr Eowe, was carried by a large majority.