PROVINCIAL COUNCIL ELECTION.

Wanganui Herald, Volume V, Issue 16713, 8 February 1873, Page 2

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL ELECTION.

WANGAEHU DISTRICT.

NOMINATION OF CANDIDATES.

At noon to-day the nomination of candidates to represent Wangaehu in the Provincial Council was held, Alfred Ross, Esq., Returning; Officer, presiding. At the hour appointed, some of the surrounding settlers assembled, together with some well known politicians from town, notably the lately elected members, Messrs Watt and Hutchison. The Returning Officer having read the writ, called for the nominations.

Mr Alexander Williamson nominated Mr John Morgan as a lit and proper person to represent Wangaehu in the Provincial Council.

Mr David Strachax seconded the nomination.

Mr H. S. Harrison had pleasure in proposing Mr James Findlater asafitand proper person to represent Wangaehu. Mr Findlater was well known to the Electors, as lie had taken a prominent part in many of the local institutions, j furthering the interest of Wanganui as much as he could. Above all that his amiable disposition would tend if elected to improve the Provincial Council, and raise it above being the bye word and laughing stock of the province.. He would endeavour to work harmoniously with his colleagues for the good of the distiict. Mr L. Daniell seconded the nomination. Tne Returning Officer asked for a show of hands but Mr Morgan requested to be allowed to address the electors before the show was taken. Mr Ross said he had no objection, provided the other candidate wished it. On the question being put to Mr Fiudlater, Mr W. H. Watt who was sitting alongside whispered audibly "object," whereupon Mr Findlater intimated that he did object. Mr H. S. Harrison also objected to the speeches, as they might be lengthy ones, and he was anxious to get away." Mr Watt, as an elector, objected, pleading that he had business to do in town.

Mr Hutchison said it looked very much like as if Mr Findlater's party wished to burke discussion.

The Eekuiiing Officer, in order to settle the discussion, took a shew of hands whether the candidates should address the electors before the shew of hands or after, when it was decided in favor of the speeches.

Mr John Mokgax said lie liad come forward to seek the suffrages of the electors, and would make a few remarks on his past career. He had been a member since 1867, and therefore the electors could take his past acts as their guide whether he was entitled to their confidence. Upon those years of service he stood to be judged, and if the electors considered he had not represented them faithfully, then he would stand convicted of a breach of trust. He had always advocated local government, liad made it a pole star for his political life. Every motion for that object that had been brought before the Council, he had voted for consistently, and probably had made some enemies. Any one who took an active interest in local government must of necessity take upon himself a certain degree of responsibility attaching to it, and consequently he had become connected with local taxation. His opponent had the advantage of him in that respect, as he came before the electors untried, and not mixed up with any measure. The electors well know that in adopting the system of local government, no member could not exempt his own constituency, but should look broadly at the principle of 3very measure. He had not shirked his duty in the past, and would not in the future. If the electors wanted a representative to act as the tail to another member, they need not elecß him, for he would not do it, but act and vote according to his own honest convictions (Hear Hear). In the coming sessionthere was nogreatquestionwhich had taken any prominence yet. A railway had been spoken about, the province giving security in land. Until he knew the details of the measure he was not prepared to say whether he would support it ov not. He was cer-

tainly in favor of a railway, but if it was shewn that it would prove ;>. burden boyoml the endurance of the district he would heartily oppose the measure. (Hear Hear). Mr Bunny had intimated that he intended borrowing .£IOO,OOO, but nothing definite was known. Even Mr Watt, a member of the Executive could not say what was going to bo done with the money, beyond the expenditure of £5000 for school houses. He (Mr M.) would not pledge himself to support the loan, but if he saw by the schedule that the district he represented would be greatly benefited by the loan, he would support it (Cheers). It had been freely stated that amendments to the Education and Highway Acts were needed. He quite prepared to give his support to any amendments that would make the Acts more efficient, and more workable, keeping in view the original principle! There was one great question which-in his opinion was of paramount importance, and that was the readjustment of the representation. The number now sent was 23, Wellington Borough taking 7, and Wanganui Borough 3, leaving only 13 for the country districts. With the numbers as they now stood, great difficulty was experienced in ° the Council of carrying any measure likely to benefit the country constituences. Wellington and Wanganui being now Boroughs, had not so much interest in the Council, and should be less numerously represented (hear hear). The formation of those Boroughs was one step towards the abolition of provincialism, and by giving country districts more extended powers than they now possess, provincialism might be swept away altogether (cheers). Although, an anti-provin-cialist he believed in making the best of it, and consequently would support the present Government as far as was consistent with his own honor, and not beyond, (hear, hear.) He had always been a supporter of Mr Bunny's, and was so when he (Mr M) assisted in repealing the Executive Act, by which Mr Bunny was enabled to take his seat as a member of the Government. Much had been said on the question of unanimity. He would like those who had raised the cry to define what they meant by it. He had always worked in unison with his brother country members, and he would dare any one to disprove it. If unanimity meant that he was to follow blindly at the bidding of another he would have none of it, and lie trusted the electors thoroughly understood him on that point. The surveys of the province, were in a bad and shameful state, but who was it that had consistently and steadily urged the completion ? It Avas himself. He had voted for a sura to to be placed on the estimates for the completion of the surveys, but Mr Watt voted against it. Another small matter in which he had taken an active part was the remission certificates to volunteers. The Coimcil were pledged to grant them, but when Mr Halcombe brought in a Bill to repeal them Mr Watt supported it, and lie (Mr M) opposed it. [Mr Watt interrupted, and said that he Avas not a candidate, and could not understand why Mr Morgan kept referring to him. The Returning Officer thought Mr Morgan should avoid bringing in Mr Watt's name, as it Avould provoke a discussion]. From the remarks made by Mr Harrison, he (Mr M) took it that the electors would, if they elected him, make the Council a bye-Avord and a laughingstock. [MiHarrison said Mr Morgan had placed a harsh construction on his words, and one Avhich he did not intend to convey. What he meant was. that the electors, by electing Mr Findlater, Avould haA'e a member who Avould work harmoniously Avith his colleagues]. He (Mr M) had come forward thinking it an honor to represent the electors, and, if elected, he pledged himself to act on the broad principle of doing his best for his district and the province (cheers). Mr James Findlater said that as the time Avas short, and he kne-Av the settlers Avere anxious to get away home he would not detain them. He could not folloAv Mr Morgan though the details of Avhat was going to be done during the next session as it Avas mostly all supposition, but he would assure the electors tliat every measure would receive his attention, and if he thought it would be detrimental to the interests of the settleis, he would consult them before giving his vote. He would work in unison with his colleagues believing that it Avas impossible to obtain things for his district single-handed, but if he assisted other members, he should expect other members to assist him, (Oh, Oh.) —After a pause the candidate proceeded, reading from a written paper —Mr Bunny had intimated that he intended borrowing £100,000. He would not support it unless he saAv there Avas a chance of getting a good slice for deepening the Wanganui river, Avliicli Avould confer a benefit on the Wangaehu district. He would take this opportunity of returning his sincere thanks to the gentleman signing the requisition to him. Mr Morgan had said that he (Mr F) Avas a nominee of Mr Watt's. (Mr Morgan denied having used the Avords, the Returning Officer corroborating him). He (Mr F.) was not a nominee of Mr Watt's although he was exceedingly glad to see Mr Watt present and supporting him (laughter.) The District Highways Act Avp.sapet tliingof Mr Morgan's who voted for the rating by value instead of by acreage against the wishes of his constituents. Mr Morgan asked the

electors to wait after the shew of hands had been taken bo that he could explain) The shew of hands had been taken. (Laughter, during which it aa^is ex^ plained to the candidate that the she* of hands had been only on the questijw of speaking. Mr Watt took ad-. Jl age of the noise to inform Mr Findid^^ , that he must go in on the EducatiS^"* Bill). With respect to the Education Bill he was prepared to give great attention to it, and promised again to consult his constituents upon any, and every measure touching on then- interests.Mr Hutchison said he took a great deal of interest in the Education Act, and he wished to put a question. Mr Ross said he could not alloAv it, as he found he had been Avrong in allowing any speaking at all before the show of hands Avas taken.

On the shew being asked for, tAvelve were held up for Mr Morgan and six for Mr Findlater, -whereupon the latter demanded a poll, "which was fixed for Saturday, the 15th mst. Immediately on the conclusion of the Returning Officer's remarks, Mr Watt jumped up and proposed a vote of thanks to him. Mr Morgan said he thought Mr Watt might have left that duty to one of the candidates. The Returning Officer asked if any suggestions could be given as to the most suitable polling places' next time, when it Avas stated that the school rooms at Kaitoke, Matarawa, and Upokongaro -would be the best. This closed the formal business, and Mr Hutchison moved that Mr Blyth take the- chair, m order to alloAv the candidates to more fully explain their vieAvs, but Mr; Watt and his party hurriedly cleared out of the school house, and thus broke up the gjithering. ' : :: -