Untitled

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5016, 23 July 1884, Page 2

AUCKLAND, July 23. Mr F. J. Moss, elected for Parnell, was for many years Provincial Secretary in the Otago Executive. He was opposed by Sir Julius Yogel on the election of that gentleman to the Otago Council. After a struggle for three years Mr Moss was defeated, and Sir Julius Yogel formed an Executive. Subsequently Mr Moss emigrated to Fiji, and became a cotton planter. Finding the climate unfavourable, he returned to Auckland, and was engaged as Provincial Accountant and afterwards Secretary to the I Board of Education. He also did writing for the Press. He resigned his engagement under the Board to contest Parnell in the Grey interest against Mr Header Wood six years ago. He contested the same seat for the last Parliament, and was again elected by a large majority. He always acted with the Opposition, until last session, when he declined to vote for the want of confidence motion in the Atkinson Ministry. The Grey party were greatly incensed, and put Mr Seymour George, Sir George Grey's nephew, the late inernbei for Rodney, up. against him. The largeness of his majority caused surprise, it being expected that the contest would be keen. He is a fluent speaker and an experienced politician, about 60 years of age. Mr J. M. Dargaville, the member for City West, sat for the same seat in the last Parliament. He was opposed this isiine by Mr William Swanson, the former member for Newton, who. had announced ids intention to retire after sitting in Parliament continuously for thirteen yeaxs. He was one of the four Auckland m-ambers who deserted from the Opposition to the Hall Government five years ago* and secured them a majority. This told against him in the present contest. He also delayed coming out too long, being pressed into the contest by friends to the Ministry. Mr Dargaville whs formerly manager of the Union Bank of Australia at Auckland. He contested the Superintendency some years ago, and was defeated. He afterwards took part in the Provincial Council in opposition to Sir George Grey. When Superintendent he was always identified with the opposite party until the im-

I position of a property tax, tthen he found ' the Grey party in opposition to it. He was elected to the House last election as an Independent Oppositionist ; and his Parliamentary career was chiefly distinguished by violent attacks on Major Atkinson and the Bank of New Zealand. This time he was supported by the Greyites, but declined to pledge himself to follow anyone blindly as a leader, being merely returned as an independent member of the Opposition, pledged to a land tax. He is a good speaker ; about 50 years of age. Mr Thomas Peacock (Newton) is a native of Glasgow, an optician by prof eosion, settled in Auckland since 18G2. He has been twice Mayor of the city, and has taken great interest in the development of the coal and timber industries. He was elected to the House of Representatives for Auckland North at the last general election in the Ministerial interest, and has been closely attached to theparty. He is extremely popular in commercial and general circles, and takes a public spirited part in all local affairs. He is of good address, great intellectual power, and high integrity. He is of the Presbyterian religion, and has been associated si'ith nearly every popular movement in the Auckland district, besides holding seats in a number of public bodies and companies. He retired from City North in order to contest Newton^, in which the district he resides. He is a: supporter of Major Atkinson, but reserves to himself liberty of action in the event of new combinations being formed. Sib GEORGBMAUBicEO'RoBKEjWho won the Manukau seat against Mr Lawry, is about 58 years of age. He is connected by marriage with Sir Frederick Whitaker. Until elected Speaker of the House he was regarded as a firm supporter of Sir G. Grey; but the latter has personally opposed him at the present election. He is possessed of great literary attainments, and his calm dispassionate judgment eminently fits him for the position of Speaker of the House of Representatives. He has been in Parliament nearly a quarter of a century, representing the same constituency throughout this period. Sir Maurice O*Rorke takes great interest in higher education, being President of the Auckland University College Council. Mr W. J. Hubst (Waitemata), sat in the last Parliament for the same seat. He is a native of Berwick-on-Tweed> carrying on an old-established grain and seed business in Auckland; aged 55. ' He has been Mayor of the City and a. member of the Provincial Executive under Mr Gillies' superintendency. He is a fluent speaker, a persuasive debater, and very popular with his constituents, to whose interests he gives assiduous attention. He was one of the celebrated Auckland four who went over from Sir George Grey to Sir John Hall, and has since been a consistent supporter of the Ministerialist party. He is returned as a supporter of Major Atkinson against the Gre.yite candidate (Mr J'arnall) , who was formerly member for a northern constituency, but resigned to accept a post as Immigration Agent. Mr Hurst was proposed as Chairman of Committees in the last Parliament, but withdrew in favour of Mr Hamlin. Mr J. A. Tole, solicitor, who has defeated Mr O'Neil for Eden, may be regarded as the only out-and-out supporter of Sir George Grey returned by an Auckland constituency at this election. Mr- Tole came out in the Grey interest, and has now been returned for the fourth Parliament. He is a Catholic, and personally opposed to the present system of education ,~ but at the request of a majority of hia constituents^ he has throughout conceded that point. Mr Cabman is a son of one of Auckland's most prominent politicians of the Provincial Council days. He has in the past been regarded as a staunch supporter of Sir George Grey. He is now elected as an independent member, defeating. MrBrodie, the Thames County Chairman. Mr Cadman has been Chairman of the Coromandel Council since the County Act was brought into force, and, by rigid attention to all his official duties, has secured tneconfidence of the electorate. He is about 36 years of age. Mr Thompson, who has defeated Mr Newman by such a large majority for Auckland North, is an untried man in Colonial politics. Though unassociated with local politics here for many years, he was a member of the City Council for nine years. He has carried on the business of a grocer in City North for 30 years, and is highly respected. At all previous elections he has worked hard for Greyite candidates, and at his meetings here he has promised to give Sir George Grey an independent support. In appearance he is somewhat gaunt, but his figure is tall and commanding. He speaks seldom, but then in an argumentative, logical manner. Age about 53.

Mr Fbaber the elected of Thames, is a burley sport-loving Scotchman. He arrived in the Colony during the war, and for some time he held a commission in the Colonial forces. About 1872, was appointed Warden and Resident Magistrate, and his administration of the goldfields gave universal satisfaction. Indeed, during his eight years' service on the Bench, not one of his decisions was appealed against. He resigned the Magistracy some four years ago, but since then he has gone in for civic honours, being at the present time Mayor of Thames. He is a Greyite in politics. Mr Speight, the defeated candidate., was also defeated by Mr Sheehan by a small majority at last general election.

Mr W. F. Buckland, elected for Franklin North, is a son of the late Mr W. Buiklaud, who sat in the House of Representatives many years ago. He is a barrister by profession, admitted within the last few months, having previously been engaged in land buying and agricultural pursuits. He has been prominent in the representative cricket and football teams which have made tours of the South. He has twice contested Franklin North before against Major Hams, and been defeated. He is a fair speaker, about thirty-five years of age, and a native of Auckland.

Mr W. P. Moat, elected forEodney, was formerly in the Provincial Council, and has sat on the Waste Lands Board and Board of Education for many years, of which latter body he has been Chairman. He is quitean unassuming man, and a strong Antir Greyite. He is an indifferent speaker, and not likely to cut a very prominent figure jja. the House.