Mr John Sheehan at Tararu.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 4038, 7 December 1881, Page 2

Mr John Sheehan at Tararu.

Last evening Mr John Sheehan, addressed a large meeting of the electors of the Thames Borough, residing at Tararu, in the Public schoolroom.

Mr Comes proposed, and it was carried, "that Mr Walter Fricker take the Chair."

Mr Pricker having taken the Chair, introduced Mr Sheehan in a short speech. Mr Sheehan (who on rising was greeted with the most decided demonstrations of approval) said he should not trouble the meeting with any of the burning questions of the day, but should speak first as to the personal contest between him and Mr Speight, and afterwards would touch on local questions. As all knew he had been twelve years in public life, and during that time he had found from experience that no good was to be gained by running down or abusing his opponent. Nor did lie intend to do so, but there were many things in connection with the present contest that required refutation, and he must therefore speak ia his own defence. He looked upon it that the

Thames was his seat, and no one had a right to take it from him without first asking leave to do so. When the last election for City East came off, he and Mr Swanson assisted materially in paying Mr Speight's expenses, and since that time had assisted Mr Speight in every way, by advice, by his and experience. The first intimation he received that Mr Speight wanted this seat was about two months a no, when he'was at Waitotara. Before he came here he had been on the West Coast assisting the ! members of his party in various contests, { and in fighting ajfainst members of the • Opposition. Even 7 iii''|'aiu'(inua ho had I done some good. While be had been j doing this for his party, at his own cxi pense, and at considerable inconvenience to himself', whs it fair to say that he had swerved from his allegiance to the Grey party? When he had been fighting thus hard for his party, was it fair that Mr Speight shoul I endeavour to injure him on the Thames P No. And that was what, he was doing. Mr Sheehan put a parallel case. Supposing he and any gentleman had been working a claim and that his mate came on good told, and and said to him, " I am going to throw this claim up. Either you can buyme out, or I'll buy you," but at^the. same time time keeping the discovery »f gold a secret from him. Would that be fight P (No, no.) And that was what Mr Speight was attempting to do—to jump his claim. It had been said that he (Mr Sheehan)' had spoken with Mr Speight and Sir George Grey a long while ago, and that it was all arranged. Such, be assured the meeting, was most emphatically not the case. Yet he was told just that afternoon that Mr Speight had asserted that the seats had been arranged. A gentleman well known and highly respected on Tararu road, Mr S. Viall, had told him a circumstance that would account in a large measure for the many rumors set afloat against him on the Thames about his coming to oppose Mr Speight. He was sure none present would question a word that Mr Viall would say (hear, hear), and the following was what that gentleman had told him:—'He (Mr Viall) was in a certain shop in Pollen street, Shortland, speaking with a mutual friend, when Mr Speight entered, and showed a telegram just received from himself (Mr Sheehan)—the now well known one in reply to Mr Speight's peculiarly Irish one. Mr Speight remarked, " How wrong of Sheehan to come to the Thames. Why, myself, Sir George Grey, and him-; self settled that I was to go for the; Thames, Sir George Grey for City East,i and Mr Sheehan for Waitemata." Was it then any wonder that misapprehensions should exist in the minds of the electors about him and his move ments. He and Mr Speight sat in the House for weeks, and often conversed; together/and yet Mr Speight never intimated to him his intention to stand; for the Thames. He (Mr Sheehan) was pleased to find that Mr Speight had a private income, because it did away with; the charge that was brought against Mr Speight of living on the honorarium. So far as he (Mr Sheehan) was concerned, he had done 50 days work for every one of his opponent's, and work also that was of the most trying description. But this was brain work. He did not object to a working man being in the House—that was what was wanted. His father was a; working carpenter, and he himself was a working man. (Cheers.) He had since raised himself to the top of the tree and he would not be surprised if Mr Speight rose, to be equally high some day. But any man to gain distinction must be utterly unselfish. There had been many uncomplimentary articles written in the newspapers against Mr Speight, but Mr Sheehan would tell the meeting he had never written one line, or authorised it" to be so written. He believed the fight should be fought out on the broadest principles.; .After speaking on local matters, Mr Sheehan said in conclusion he would tell them that no matter how much better Mr Speight was than himself, he (Mr Sheehan) could without boasting obtain more votes than Mr Speight when in the House. A new loan was to be floated, and the meeting might rest assured he (Mr Sheehan) would be able to get them more money, as he could give three votes to the Government for every one Mr Speight gave. (Hear, hear, and applause). If returned he should be a firm adherent of bis party but he was not going to be a puppet to work at any time the strings were pulled. (Applause.) Several questions were put and answered satisfactorily, but as they have been asked before it is unnecessary to reproduce them. Mr Steadman proposed—" That this meeting having heard Mr Sheehan's address desires to express its entire confidence in him as a fit and proper person to represent the Thames constituency in Parliament, and therefore pledges itself to use every exertion to secure his return." He said Mr Sheehan was gaining rapidly in public favor, and that instead of a defeat being.anticipated Mr Sheehan ought to expect a great public victory. He considered the Government had humbugged them long enough, and it was absolutely necessary for the salvation of the Thames, that Mr Sheehan should be returned. He had great pleasure in pro- , 1 posing the resolution. . Mr Thorburn seconded, and in doing so remarked that Mr Sheehan had always , been instrumental in doing good to the ( district. On two occasions Mr Sheehan , had granted £250 for works in connection | with Hastings Hiding. The resolution was put and carried , without dissent, and the meeting ter- \ minated with three cheers each for Mr Sheehan and the Chairman, as well as the | customary vote of thanks to the latter. ,