MR. DEAN'S CANDIDATURE.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 155, 26 January 1871, Page 7

MR. DEAN'S CANDIDATURE.

(To the Editor.)

Silt, — I notice in your correspondence from Switzers repeated attempts to mislead the public (out of Switzers) as to the feeling entertained here regarding Mr. Dean's candidature for the General Assembly. Mr. Dean's " independeco of character and honesty of purpose " is made a great fuss about, while there are those who have not yet discovered that Mr. Dean is distinguished for either the one or the other — no other qualification is prominently claimed by that gentleman's supporters on his behalf — independence and honesty ai'e tho watchwords of his party, and it is his claim lo tbeso virtues I presume to question.

When Mr. Dean tendered his notice of resignation as teacher, (in November last, I believe,) the committee, a majority of whom were his supporters, accepted his resignation on tho understanding that the usual three months notice should date from Ist January, hence he would occupy the position of teacher till BUt March, and no secret was made of the intention of some of the committee to re-elect Mr. Dean, should that gentleman's political canvass be unsuccessful. Tho rumour to that effect "gave great dissatisfaction to the public mind, and when the Statutory Education meeting took place a few days ago, the number which attended was much larger than usual, and the election of a new School Committee of nine members being proceeded with, the result was that but two of the qid committee were retum&d*yJbi^t tiie most st^rikirrg-fcature-i of the evening's proceedings, was the fact that Mr. Braithwaite, who has shown himself throughout to be a thick and thin supporter of Mr. Dean, actually nominated that gentleman as a member of committee. This was objected, against on the ground that, as Mr. Dean was, till 81st March, in receipt of L2OO a year from the School Committee, it vnmkl be incompatible \Vath tliat gentleman's " independence of character and honesty of purpose " to take a seat on the committee whose servant he is. Mr. Dean was sitting next to Mr. Braithwaite, and whispered conversations took place between them throughout the evening, and although Mr. Dean's nomination was objected to, he, by his silence, acquiesced in and sanctioned the action taken by his supporter. The voting was by ballot, and Mr. Dean exhibited his " independence of character and honesty of purpose- " by voting on the question himself, and exerting himself to influence other voter?, although he himself was directly, personally, and pecuniarily interested in the matter in hand. Such, Mr. Editor, is the " independence of character and honesty of purpose " we may expect of that gentlemen in the Assembly — " when he gets there !"

Mr. Dean's " independence of character and honesty of purpose " as evinced by liis candidature for tho position of a member of the School Committee, was only appreciated by a small minority at the educational meeting, and therefore the offer of that gentlemen's services on the committee were rejected, and there is reason to believe a- similar fate will attend his ambitious craving for a scat in the Assembly.

- j Tiie statement that Mr. Bradsnaw's friends will try to induce that gentleman to retire from the contest, is false, and utterly without foundation, and shows little " honesty of purpose " in the writer. Yours &c, Ajax.

At a recent trial in the 'Warden's Court for damages for encroachment, verdict was given in favour of oefendants, on the ground that the plaintiffs had not pegged their claim in accordance with the Regulations, and consequentlyhad no title. It was remarked by Mr. M'Coy, that it would be well for the interest of the miners, as he observed a reporter in the Court, that the fact should be generally known ; we therefore again state as we did some time ago, that miners should have their claims pegged in accordance with the Kegulations, viz : — Corner pegs to be 2 feet above ground, and 2 inches in diameter, with trenches cut at each corner not less than[6 inches wide by same depth, and four feet long, and to prevent any cavilling or dispute, it would ba well to put in larger pegs ard larger trenches, by doing so, they would place their claims beyond dispute, and save litigation and expense.