Electoral

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 4037, 6 December 1881, Page 3

Electoral

and approval,, and apparently profit, as the Shamrock battery materials taken by the contractors were his own property. The Engineer certified, and the whole was done in correct order— in the office. Still, when the Una road contractors purchased timber (on the Engineer's advice) left after completion of the race tunnel, ahd approved by the Engineer, as according to specification for that work, he is not allowed to use it for an ordinary culvert on his contract. This is consistent conduct on his part; still the Chairman is silent and refuses to raise a finger on the contractor's behalf, in fact, it would be infra dig Jo even enquire into the matter. Why should His Highness inspect the work or enquire into complaints when they had so efficient a servant at their command P Surely such a course would degrade the man that he must either resign his appointment with all its little perquisites, or die of a broken heart, leaving a widow and large family to lament his departure. This, the 'Chairman says, would be a national calamity. Then as to the water race works. There were many unemployed at the time, and the contractors engaged to keep four shifts regularly going on the work. Complaints were made to the Chairman that this was not done; the contractors were spoken to about it; the Chairman (now a candidate for promotion to the House of Representatives) calmed the 4t- contractors' feelings by stating " Yon can carry on the work as you like, and let them (the public) prate away." So that he thereby assumes to himself the. whole power of the Government and the County Council by cancelling one of the material conditions of the contract. What would he not assume if sent to the House P Certainly His Excellency the Governor will have a lively time should Mr Alexander Brodie ever arrive at that sublime degree of M.L.A. Then take the County Council's published accounts, and you will sometimes see an entry of upwards of £800 under the heading of " sundries." Is the Chairman ashamed of setting out the full items comprising, these "sandries?" Are the travelling allowances so heavy that he cannot take the ratepayers and the general public into his confidence fearing adverse comment ? Is this a fair way of setting out the public accounts of a public body in which all the inhabitants are interested whether ratepayers or Jiot ? And can we elect a man who will treat us in this auspicious manner to a more exalted position of trust ? Again, what did he state to the voters the other day on the occasion of his late election for the Council ? I am almost ashamed to relate his tyrannical assertion, namely, "that the Waiotahi electors had so right to bring another man to oppose him," thereby assuring those men they were not independent but must bow down to him, and accept him, and no other as their representative at the Council board whether they will or no. In fact, he wouid claim a life interest in the office !!! Is this the man for our choice P

I could give many other reasons exemplifying this gentleman's'incapacity for the position to which he aspires, but this letter would extend to an unreasonable length. I have no doubt many among you can more fully amplify what I have adduced; I will, therefore, pass on to the second candidate in order on my list, namely, Mr Cadman. This gentleman is little known in this neighborhood. What are his qualifications? I know nothing of a personal nature against him, but has he any of those qualifications required in 8 legislator ? He may be a good practical man, as Chairman of a County Council, but I fail to see any ability displayed by him of the legislator in his utterances. Of course he has got up his address for the occasion in a studied manner, but take him altogether, what weight will he have in the House of Assembly? I can see none in prospect. Having no experience, he is more likely to be made a tool of for party purposes than become an efficient member baying an opinion of his own, and the ability to work that opinion in such a manner in the House as to shew he is determined to carry his argument to a successful issue. Now, compare both the candidates I have referred to with the other, Mr Mackay. In him you have a man of thoroughly trained energy and courage, with ability to bring his convictions, to bear upon the members of the Assembly. All those Of you residing here on the opening of this goldfield will bear me out in commending the skill, courage, and indefatigable energy displayed by him on that occasion. We are indebted to his energy and perseverance for being here at the present time. He has an intimate, knowledge, of our requirements, and farther, his knowledge of the whole colony is so extended that be is able to take broad views of political as well as local questions and is thereby better qualified to arrive at just conclusions than another with want of experience, and with cramped ideas.' He can clutch at tn idea quickly and can enforce his opinions with energy and perseverance, until he brings it to a successful issue. His" statements will be listened to with respect. He will make himself heard, and his energy is so great that nothing daunts him when he is convinced he is on the right course, He will command the respect and attention in tbe House which no other candidate for this electorate can or lias the ability to command. He has the native difficulty at his fingers' ends and is more conversant with and able to contend, with that difficulty than any other man nVtlie colony. I venture to say that had he the management of the Parihaka

affair lie would hate discovered the proper time and manner, and taken the proper . steps long ago to stamp out that difficulty j to the saying of the colony of no less a sum than £2,000 a day, to which the colony has been put for something like six or eight months past; or if he had not the power to take action himself in the matter, he would hare brought his opinions so prominently before the House with such convincing arguments, founded upon his long and intimate knowledge of the difficulty, and I am right in saying in this particular instance, that those in power would hare been compelled possibly even against their prior convictions to surrender f their own and adopt his, and the country would hare been greatgainers. Tbe natural courage with which he is gifted he will'take with him into the Hou>e, making himself heard and his opinions respected as coming with authority. His views are liberal, but he; protests, and I think very properly, at being considered a blind follower of Sir George Grey, the Hon. Mr Hall, or any other man who may for the time being be the leader of the Ministry or in opposition, but he pledges himself to go further on the Education question than the other candidates inasmuch that he will advocate the granting of imbsidiea to private

schools, and this pledge is made by him not as anything new or clap trap to catch tfny particular class of voters ; he lias told you he advocated the same principle when sitting iv tbe Provincial Council as member for the Thames constituency some years ago.

The question mny be asked what has Mr Mackay done for the Thames district beyond the duties incumbent upon liim as Native Commissioner ou the opening of this gold field ? In reply I state, without fear of eontradition. that he has made a free gift to the Thames inhabitants of five acres of land, for which he paid the natives £8 per acre, and afterwards native duty and other charges, which land is conveyed to trustees to be held in perpetuity as a cemetery, and that if he bad not so given or parted with the land now forming our present cemetery we couid not have obtained a site nearer than Rewi's Hill beyond Parawai. Further, he secured from the natives a free gift of all tbe present sites of the Churches for all the religious denominations on the Thames. For these two acts of chari y I think you will all agree with me that he deserres something more than empty thanks at our hands.

In conclusion, I ask and beg of you to rally round the man who has the ability, and is willing to exert that ability for your benefit, and will act, if returned, in such a manner as to cause us to look up to him with pride as our member.—l am, &c ,

An Eiectob. Thames, 6th December, 1881.