COUNTY COUNCIL ELECTIONS.

West Coast Times, Issue 2239, 3 December 1872, Page 2

COUNTY COUNCIL ELECTIONS.

THE NOMINATIONS. For the Arahura Electoral District the nomination meeting was held at noon, yesterday, at the Court House, Stafford. The Returning Officer, Mr M. Price, having called upon the electors to nominate duly qualified persons as candidates, Mr Patrick Moran proposed Mr John White as a fit and proper person to represent the electors of the Arahura District in the County Council. There being no seconder, after the lapse of some time, the Returning Officer declared that the motion was not seconded. Mr J. Bowes then proposed Mr J. F. Byrne, and Mr D. Hannan seconded the nomination. Mr S. George proposed Mr R. J. Seddon, which was seconded by Mr C. Petersen. Mr White's proposer then informed the Returning Officer that a seconder was present, and Mr J. M'Whirter thereupon seconded the nomination of Mr John White. Mr M. Griffith proposed Mr Barff, seconded by Mr J. Lahore. There being no other candidates nominated, the Returning Officer called upon Mr White to address the electors Mr White said that he had no intention to make a long speech on that occasion but should take an early opportunity of expressing his views on public matters. One thing he could promise, and that was that he would remove the scales from the eyes of the electors. He could assure those present that he came forward to contest the seat from a sense of public duty. Mr Byrne also said that he should not deliver a long address. He had been a resident in the district for a long time, and was well-known to the electors He would express his views at greater length at the meetings he intended to hold at various places throughout the district. Mr Seddon said that the district had been represented by strangers hitherto, and he, to some extent, based his claim for support upon the grounds that he was a local man, and thoroughly understood the requirements of the people. Mr Barff differed in opinion from the candidates who had preceded him. He thought that there was not a more suitable time for the delivery of an address to the electors than at the nomination. The affairs of the County were in a most unsatisfactory condition, and the Council would have before them a task of no ordinary difficulty. By the end of January the liabilities would probably amout to abont £35,000, and, with a failing revenue, there was no chance of satisfying the creditors of the County without the aid of the General Government. The liabilities had been chiefly incurred in constructing roads throughout the County. He regretted to say that he saw no probability of an improvement in the revenue, unless a comprehensive water-supply scheme was speedily initiated. It would be the duty of the new Council to urge upon the Government the necessity of attending to our wants in that direction, and he did not doubt that if the in-coming Chairman acted earnestly in the matter, the Government would be found willing to concede to Westland what had already been promised to some of the provinces. The speaker then referred to his past services, and expressed ;i belief that as his old supporters still rallied round him, he should find his name at the head of the poll at the close of the election. He hoped to see a fair contest, although he was perfectly aware that certain persons were preparing to use most unfair means to influence votes. His

friends and himself would use all leritimate means to carry the election, iftd 'tie looked forward with confidence to the result.' The Returning Officer then' called for a show of hands, which, was taken vjith'jhe following result :-i-White, 7;' Byrne, 5 $ Seddon, 2; Barff, 24. L •■ ■■'■ Messrs Moran and M'Whirter haying demand a poll on v 'betfalf o!' a Mr White, the Returning Officer announced that it would be taken on Thursday, the 12th instant. A vote of thanks to the Returning Officer terminated the proceedings. At the Kanieri the meeting was held at I the Court House, Mr F. F. '^jb^mfgej Returning Officer, presiding.' ' " ""' " ! Mr H. L. Kobinson was proposed by Mr Griffiths, and seconded by Mr Laurence. Mr J. Reynolds was proposed by Mr Stewart, and seconded by Mr Dale. A show of hands having been called for by the Returning officer, there were six held up for Mr Robinson, and two for Mr Reynolds. A poll having been demanded on behalf of the latter, it was fixed to take place on the 12th instant, in accordance with the County of Westland Act, and the proceedings terminated with a vote of thanks to the Returning Officer.

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