ELECTION FOR THE PROVINCIAL AND MUNICIPAL COUNCILS.

West Coast Times, Issue 239, 28 June 1866, Page 2

ELECTION FOR THE PROVINCIAL AND MUNICIPAL COUNCILS.

In pursuance of an advertisement which appeared in yesterday's issue of this paper, a public meeting was held yesterday afternoon at the Prince of Wales Opera House, and although the rain descended in torrents, * rendering the streets next to impassable, an immenso crowd assembled in the house, which was filled in every comer. The occasion was evidently considered an important one, for a, rumor had gone forth during tho day that, by an arbitrary decision of, Mr Sale's, the great majority of the Westland electors would be disfranchised as voters for either tho Provincial or Municipal Councils. Athalf-past two o'clock the chair was taken by Mr Prosser, who opened the meeting by reading the advertisement, which was signed by several well-known Ilokitika residents. Its substance whs, that a committee should be appointed to wait upon his Honor the Superintendent, in reference to a decision arrived at by the Commissioner at ameeting held on the previous evening respecting the qualification ( qf voters at the ensuing Municipal election, and which threatened the disfranchisement of the great body of the people. The believed that the gentlemen who had called the meeting would not confine themselves to the Municipal elections only, but refer to those for the Provincial Council also. When the Provincial Ordinance Extension Act was before the House, Mr Hall promised him that a clause, empowering holders of business licenses or miners rights of six months standing to vote, should be inserted ; but instead of this, a clause providing for the formation of Electoral Rolls was introduced. These Rolls were to be compiled from the Rolls for the General Assembly ; and as the latter had never been formed in Westland, its in* habitants could not be qualified ; and unless special action were taken they were threatened with disfranchisement. (Applause.) He called on Mr llees to move the first resolution. Mr Rees spoko at great length upon the resolution, which was as follows :—": — " That it is the opinion of this meeting that tho present condition of the Franchise is confused and uncertain, and therefore it is unwise at present to take any steps for the election, either of members for the Provincial or Municipal Councils." The speaker alluded to the confusion which existed as to the qualification of voters, and this had been caused by the understanding between Messrs Hale and Prosser having been broken through. It is through this that tho people wero threatened with disfranchisement, for at the best, their title to vote was exceedingly indistinct and doubtful. Messrs Prosser and Barff were elected by the act introduced by Mr FitssGerald, but since then, the West Coast goldfields had been mapped out into districts, and the formation of electoral rolls ordered: and this act expressly repealed the bill introduced by Mr FitzGerald. This act, however , stated that no person can vote unless on the eleotoral roll, which roll was to be formed from the Roll of the General Assembly ; and as the latter had no existence in Wostland, some 30,000 people, who constituted the better part of Canterbury, woro to be deprived of their right

to voto. That in his opinion was how the co-se stood. Mf Sale had applied for advice to Christchurch concerning tile aualUfcatidn of methbers" atid Voters for tne Provincial Council, and having received it, found that it did not coincide with his own views, which were, that to stand or vote for either Municipal Council, the qualification must be a twelvemonths' residence, holding either a Business License or Miner's Right in the meantime. Now, there were very few in Hokitika possessing that qualification; in fact, not one-third of the "inhabitants. They would thus be debarred tho choice of candidates, and might have to intrust their interests into the keeping of those.whom they would feel compelled to consider inferior then. If Mr Sale's opinion was correct, only about four out of the number of gentlemen already before ' the public as candidates for Municipal honors had a right to stand, or even vote. Tho speaker trusted that the inhabitants would uphold their rights as British citizens. They were called upon that day to do so, and as there was a higher tribunal to appeal to than Mr Sale — which was within their reach — it would be their own fault if any of their privileges wero taken from them by him tfirdugh mistake, as no one could believe Mr Sale to be other than honest and well meaning. (Applause.) Mr Sliaw felt much pleasure in seconding the resolution, and if Mr Sale was present, he should a&k him whether he thought the Ilokitika public was composed of fools. For his part, he did not think Mr Sale was one, as that gentleman, not content with holding a plurality of offices here, had now assumed to himself that of law adviser. (Laughter.) He did not think the public would stand that. On the previous evening, Mr Sale callod a meeting in—he must say— a very queer manner by sound of bell, ana but very few people were aware of it. Now, it must not bo supposed that ho was grumbling because Iris paper had received no advertisement (laughter), and that Mr Sale preferred the bell ar* mngement. Far frpm that-, he was not influenced by such Selfish motives ; but he belibved that Mr Sale was, and being afraid to face the public had determined to let the storm burst quietly — by sound of bell. (Laughter.) That gentleman's opinion of the electoral qualification was certainly original, and evidently emanated from himself, as he had telegraphed to Christchurch, "Am I correct ?" and the answer came, " No, you aro not," upon which he determined to act upon his own opinion, that a twelve instead of a six months qualification was necessary. (Applause and laughter.) It would bo unwise, in the extreme, to proceed with the elections according to Mr Sale's interpretation of tho Act ; as it was the opinion of the public that it was incorrect. Therefore, if the elections were not considered valid, electors would refuso to pay rates, ana that would cause great confusion and prove most detrimental to Hokitika. All of them had great interests at stake, and he for one risked in it the whole of his fortune; and he therefore considered it a matter of vital importance to them all that the elections should be postponed until the existing Act was clearly defined and, if necessary, reformed. (Applause.) Mr Button caino forward to speak in the behalf of Mr Snle, whose motives in calling the meeting of last night were misunderstood. Ho thought that that gentleman deserved thanks instead of censure, as he had put the electors upon their guard, by showing them the false position in which they were placed by tho existing Act. For this Mr Sate was not responsible, but these gentlemen were who introduced the Act in Council. In his (the speaker's) opinion, the piople were disfranchised by that Act, however it might bo read, and accordingly their only safety lay in calling a meeting, as they had done, and petitioning Mr Moorhouse. This Mr Sale, by his candour, had enabled them to do, and the people in conseqnenco wero much indebted to him. (Applause.) The Chairman then put the resolution to the meeting, and it was carried unanimously. Mr Bright proposed the second resolution, as follows : A -"That in the opinion of this meeting a bill should be at once introduced into the Assembly, for the purpose of clearly ascertaining the present position of the franchise on the West Coast Gold1 fields, and to extend the privilege of representation as far as possible to the people." He said ho wag not going to make a long speech, as the time before them was short, and the moment for action had come. The arguments that had already been made Vise of showed that the law was not understood. The very fact that Mr Sale had given one interpretation to tho law, and had found it necessary to apply for tho opinion of lawyers on the other side, who had given it with delicacy and hesitation, shewed that it was not understood. His own opinion was that no one on tho Wost Coast was entitled, as matters now stood, either to stand as a candidate or to vote for a candidate. He based the resolution in his hand upon the uncertainty and doubt that existed. Mr Button had advocated the very course which the promoters of the meeting had adopted. lie did not know why Mr Button, had thought it necessary to attempt to justify the promoters of the meeting. They needed no justification. He (the spealter) considered the remarks made by Mr Button as to the allusions to Mr Sale as uncalled for. (No, no, and interruption.) At all events he thought it evident that Mr Sale did not understand tho law, and that no one else understood it ; and in the midst of this darkness and uncertainty he was inclined to say thank God the Superintendent was near them, although he had not been able to land as yet. (Cheers.) Mr Moorhouse would next week be going up to the Assembly, which met on Saturday, and after conference with them, would no doubt undertake to make the introduction of a bill to amend the present disqualification one of his first acts. Mr Bright proceeded to support hi 3 view, that the mining franchise had been abolished, and the new franchise contemplated not introduced, and that if a Municipal Council were at present elected they would be an illegal body, all their acts invnlid, and any rate they mightlevey be very liable to be resisted. Ho concluded by moving the resolution amidst cheers. Mr Cassius, in seconding the resolution,' in a few remarks said he was one of the oldest inhabitants of the town, and possessing the necessary qualifications to either s.tand or vote, might be considered as somewhat disinterested. in taking the part he did. Ho had been requested to stand for both Councils by some of ,the mpst influential and oldest settlers— his fellow-citi-zens ; but as he would rather be returned

by the great mass of the 1 people* he cordially g&Ve hid assent to the repeal of the Act, so that, the franchise might be placed tin a broader arid more satisfactory basi§. He' believed Mr wale" ,w|ls actuated bft honorablo motives, but did not approve of all he said. A show of hands being called for, the resolution was declared carried. Mr Kennedy moved the third resolution—" That, should the meeting called today, for the purpose of electing assessors, be proceeded with, it will be advisable to adjourn it to a future day." In speaking to the resolution, Mr Kennedy said that he took the greatest interest in the matter before them, as it was of vital importance to .them AM that .the fraribhiae shttuld ,be extended as widely as possible. The Act referring to it, however, was a queer one, for even lawyers could not agree in construing it. Now, when doctors differed, it was considered that tha patient was in danger, and when lawyers disagreed on such a subject the public welfaro waß evidently in peril. (Applause and cheers.) He had considered tne subject, and was of opinion that if the Municipal Council was elected under the existing Act, it would he illegal. He thought it advisable to adjourn tho elections until a new bill wad passed by the Assembly.. (Approbation.) Mr Robinson seconded the motion, which was put to the meeting and carried. Mr .Robinson proposed; and Mr. Rees seconded, the fourth resolution— "That this meeting should elect a committee to carry out its views, to consist of all those gentlemen who had spoken that day, who should bo empowered to add to their number, and present a copy of the resolutions to Mr Sale." — Carried unanimously. Mr Binney had a resolution to propose, whioh ho felt sure would bo acceptable to all present, if they possessed any feeling of gratitude. It was— that the thanks of the inhabitants of Hokitika be returned to Mr Sale, who had prevented them from falling into a terrible dilemma. (Cheers and groans.) Had tho elections taken plicc, no end of confusion would have* arisen through members boing illegally returned, as petition'after petition to unseat them would have been sent in to the Assembly by those who entertained feelings of dislike to them. Moreover, the banks would never lend money to an illegally constituted Council. He should call for three cheers for Mr, Sale, who deserved well at their hands. This occasioned a tremendous uproar of cheers and hisses commingled 5 but eventually three hearty cheers were given, and Mr Binney retired, evidently well pleased. A vote of thanks to tho chairman terminated the proceedings.