HOKITIKA ELECTION.

West Coast Times, Issue 606, 3 September 1867, Page 2

HOKITIKA ELECTION.

THE NOMINATION. Yesterday at noon the nomination of candidates for the seat in tho Provincial Council, vacant by the resignation of Mr Bright, took placo in front of the Warden's Court, Hokitika.

The Returning Officer, Mr Sale, openod the proceedings by reading tho writ aud calling upon the electors present to nominato candidates.

Mr Cassius, M.P.C., said that a most pleasing duty had been imposed upon him as

tho mouthpiece of the most influential portion of tho community, viz., to propose Mr James Alexander Bonai 1 as a fit and proper person to represent tho town of Hokitika in the Provincial Council. He would not enlarge upon tho qualifications of the candidate he was proposing, neither would he draw comparisons between the two candidates ; much less would he indulge in personalities. Those had been indulged in quite enough at tho public meetings that had been held, at one of which — that held on Saturday evening — he was not sorry that ho was not present. The statements then made that tho election of Mr Bonar would be only endorsing

the wrong acts of the Government were utterly false. Tho Stewart Government had repeatedly — and he might say constantly — shown itself favorably disposed to tho district of Westland. The members of that Government knew the value of the district, and they had invariably upheld its interests. But, unfortunately for them, they were a weak Govemmont; they were powerless ; the opposition against them was too numerous for them to effect any good. Ho never appeared as the champion of tho Moorhouse and Stewart Governments, and he challenged anyone to prove whether, in his capacity as their representative in the Provincial Council, or on any other occasion he had taken the pjrt of the present Government when they appeared opposed to the interests of the district, (cheers,) and if he advocated the return of Al r Bonar, it was not because ho approved of the Stewart ministry, but because he wished to carry out a principle for which the members for Westland had contended, and which had been earnestly desired by tho puoplo of Westland, viz., that there should be a responsible minister to conduct

the government of the district. That officer had been appointed, and in his opinion he ought to have been called the Secretary for Westland instead of tho Goldfields Secretary. Ho gave his support to Mr Bonar because ho felt himself bouud by his former votes and proceedings to carry out the principle for which they had all been contending, and if he did not do aohc might very justly bo charged with inconsistency. (Cheers.) Now that tho wishes of the community were fulfilled, now

that what they hud bo long striven for was granted, ho would simply say tk&t tho arguments used against tho election of Mr Bouar wore contemptible. One and all of the representatives of Westland had persistently urged that it was necessary that some Westland man should have a seat on the Government Benches, and now that was granted opposition was offered to it. Ho was not in the least surprised that ono of his colleagues should bo antagonistic to the appointment. He wa3 not surprised at the opposition which had resulted from tho disappointment of one. Mr Bakff — It was not I who made any 'remark.

k Mr Cassiits would say that he never named any person. If tho cap fitted his hon. colleague let him take and wear it, for he (Mr Cassius) would dirty his fingers by placing it on that hon. gentleman's head. He was not surprised that his hon. colleague should be in opposition, but he was surprissd that any honorable man— a man of the highest integrity — should lend himself on this occasion

for an unworthy purpose. (Cheers aud groans.) He meant to say that it was unworthy to -lining &u>u»uul a-uuii — of- tl»o-liigliaafc iufcogrjf-y in order to defeat a principle for which they had been contending, and the realization of which they had at last secured. (Hear, hear.) It was a shamo, and ho begged the electors to act, and exorcise their privilege, and thus state that he was correct in saying that they would not endorse an action of this sort. It was jealousy for the office which actuated many of* the opposition, and ho charged.. some of the party with being actuated by nothing but jealousy and envy for the office. (Cheers and cries of " No, no.") Ho asserted, and he expected an answer from the opposing candidate. He asked that gentlemen whether ho would not have accepted the office had it been offered to him. He asked Mr Prosser as an Englishman to answer that question. (Hoar, hear.) He did not wish to indulge in any further remarks, otherwise than to recommend liis fellow citizens to return Mr JBonar to sit on the Government Benches in the Provincial Council, aud lie nc^v begged to propose that gentleman as a fit and proper person to reprjsent the town of Hokitika. (Cheers). Mr Mo watt, in seconding tho nomination, said that he wished on all occasions to avoid personalities, and if he made any remarks which might seem to be severe, ho wis'ied distinctly to be understood that they wore levelled against the system which had been pursued, and not against tho men. He had been blamed for what he said, the other night, when Mr Roes coupled tho name of their present worthy Mayor with that of Burgess and Kelly. But he (Mr Mowat) merely regarded that as a figure of rhetorical language, which ho attributed to tho learned gentleman's profession. No doubt had that learned gentleman been engaged to defend those men, ho would have described them as philanthropists, doves, and martyrs, whilstthepolieo who hunted them down, would have been blood thirsty tyrants and villians; all this he attributed to the result of professional habits, and so ke did tbo rhetorical figure which had been used respecting Mr Bonar. (Hear, hear.) Mr Mowat then proceeded to criticiso tho speech of Mr Prosser, delivered at tho public mooting on Saturday evening, and concluded by saying that he looked upon tho appointment of Mr Bonar, as Goldfields Secretary, as tho first instalment of that local self government which they were all so desirous to obtain. (Cheers.)

Mr Cosgrave proposed Mr Evan Prosser as a fit and proper person to represent them in the Provincial Council. He contended that, through tho neglect of the Government a great portion of their commorco had gone to the JJuller, and now they added insult to injury by appointing a Goldfields Secretary ; and he, for one, would never consent that the paid nominee of Canterbury should bo their representative. In Buying this he meant no disrespect to Mr Bonar, but there was a'vass difference between Mr Bonar the citizen, and Mr Bonar the representative of Moorhouse and Co. He stated that Mr Moorhouse had deceived and insulted tho people of Westland, and ho concluded by recommending the electors to choose Mr Prosser ai their representative. 1

Mr M'JBeth seconded, and said thai he felt surprised that Mr Cassius should bring personal feeling into tho matter and, say that the opposition to Mr Bonar as Goldfields Secretary was bscauso Mr Barff was desirous of occupying that office. (Laughter.) Well, ho would not mention names, but he would contend that by electing Mr Bonar they would bo endorsing the conduct of the Government towards Westland, and for this reason ho (Mr M'Both) opposed his election. Mr Bonab, who was loudly cheered, said that he came before them seeking their suffrages, and at the same time knowing that tho course ho was pursuing was such as he conscientiously bolievod would benefit Westland. It was this feeling, and this only, whioh had induced him to accept office. As to the abuses that had been talkod of, his friend Mv Pvoasev, if elected, had not the power to

remedy those abuses, but he (Mr Bonar) as Goldfields Secretary had that power, and he intended to exercise it for tho good of Westland. Mr Prrosser had blamed him for no tattendiug to tho report of Mr Balfour respacting the port and harbor works, but he (Mr Bonar) could inform Mr Prossor that the clo-ing of the South channol, which ho (Mr Bouar) had ordered to be done, was in accordance with Mr Balfour's suggestion and advice, Tho question of Separation would havo to be decided by tho Geuoral Assembly, and he really could not see why that question Bhould have beon introduced into that election. Mr Bonar concluded his address by stating that he would remain in the Executive only so long as he felt that he could advance the interests of Westland, and when ho could not do that, without being asked to do so, ho would at once resign. (Loud cheers.)

Mr Pkosseb, who was loudly cheered, said that he never in tho course of his existence heard such futile arguments as those brought forward by the supporters of their worthy mayor. (Cheers and laughter.) Ho affirmed that Mr Bonar, in accepting tho office of Goldfields Secretary, had endorsed tho principles of the Government — a Government which had so deeply injured Westland. Mr Cassius had asked whether he (Mr Prosser) would have accepted the office of Goldfields Secretary had it beon offered to him ? To that question he (Mr Prosser) would reply distinctly " No," and even had he felt inclined to do so, ho should have first consulted the constituency on the subject. After replying to the observations of Mr Mowatt, Mr Pro3sor contended that tho appointment of Mr Bonar as Goldflold's Secretary was illegal, and with reference to the suggestion for filling up the south channel with sand bags, ho knew at least that was not in Mr Balfour's report. Then with regard to Mr Bonar's statement, that he as the Goldfields Secretary had nower to remedy abuses, and would do so. He, Mr Prossor thought there was too much of the f I am" in that — they all knew how it used to be formerly when if any application to the Government, tho answer wus "I am the Government." Now they did not want men of that class. He concluded by affirming that the return of Mr Bonar would be a heavy blow to tho Separation movement, and said that ho trustod they would all do their utmost to benefit the district, and return him (Mr Prosser.)

The RETiTENiNa Ovkicek then callod for a show of hands, and -declared it to be in favor of Mr Prosser.

A poll was domanded by Mr Bonar, which will open to-day at 9 a.m., und close at 4 p.m. A vote of thauks to tho Reluming Officer, termiuated tho proceedings.