MR. FOX AND HIS LATE CONSTITUENTS OF WANGANUI.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVII, Issue 1490, 18 January 1861, Page 4

MR. FOX AND HIS LATE CONSTITUENTS OF WANGANUI.

FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT, Our Electors had the pleasure lust Friday of i hearing our representative Mr. Fox give an ac 1 count of his proceedings at the General Assem- i bly, the meeting was held at Dunleary's Hotel, (quite the enemy's camp), Ido not know why it I was so, whether it was accidental or intentional, 1 with the view of heaiding the lion in his den br '■ not, but it turned cut a bit of folly. Mr. Fox ; had a good' hearing and made an excellent ''■ apeecb, shewing that his conduct find been , quite consistent with bis professions, although some parts of it were rather distasteful to some of his audience, especially the militia officers, upon whom he was lather severe, but not more ' bo than they deserved. Mr. Fox concluded by thanking the electors for the confidence they had always placed in him, stating that he should at all times have muchpleasurein serving, tbem should they at any future occasion require his ' services, but as his friends had arranged that he should become a candidate for Bangitikei' jnstead of Wanganui, be bowed to their decision and thanked them for the trouble they had taken on Ins account.

Mb. Watt then rose, and after a short and complimentary addiess, proposed a yote of continued confidence in him, with thanks for his past services. This aroused the opposition, and Mr. Speed came.forward to denounpe the course Jlr. Fox had tuken with respect to tlie war. insinuating that he^bad allied himself with Arcbdeacofl Hadfield for the purpose of getting a sheep rua in the Manawa'iu. This inßtantly drew forth such' au expression of indignation from the meet?pg f that Mr. Speed had to sit down amidst suph a volley of hissing and hooting, that he did nut venture on big legs again ral others addresspd the meetiwif, stating that

their confidence in Mr. E'ox was not shaken the least, except ou the war question, and among them was Mr. W. Powell, who, although he expressed his thanks lo Mr. Fox in the strongest terms for the great ability he had shewn in every other matter that was brought before the House, except the war, yet moved an amendment on Mr. Watt's motion amounting to a total want of confidence in Mr. Fox's entire conduct. This brought on a very stormy discussion, aud Major Cooper, who seconded it, was ruled by the Chairman to be out of order as he was not an Elector ; but Mr. Fox being asked whether he had any objection to Major Cooper addressing the meeting, replied that he had no objection. The Major, in very bad taste I must say, then proceeded and put his foot into it very nicely, and the meeting had some very hearty laughing at his expense; his speech was very much in accordance with the warlike tenor of his senti ments, appealing to the feelings of the meeting, and cal'ing on them to be satisfied with notbiug but the confiscation of all the lands belonging to the rebels in payment for the murders they had committed.

Mb,. Watt replied, staling, that a large majority of the war party had no stake in the country, and were mostly militia officers; he easily accounted for Major Cooper advocating confiscation, as it was a measure which instead of producing peace would aggravate the war and keep him employed, perhaps, long enough to gel him promoted to be a general, while his subordinates would rise in lotatiou, aud some who were now captains would be made majors and colonels. Mr. Watt concluded by moving that all non electors leave the room before the Chairman put the question. This caused a considerable excitement and the Chairmar had some difficulty in getting a show of hands, so much so that he bad to request the meeting lo divide, which was done, aud he declared the amendmcut lost, which gave to Mr. Fox and bis friends the victory. By the bys, I had almost forgot to mention an incident connected with the event, which was, that as soon as_ Mr. Fox and those who accompanied him to the meeting came in sight of Dunleary's Hotel, one of the militory band struck up the well known air «• Sco the conquering hero comes," which as you have seen turned out very appropriate. I wish it could equally apply to his colonel relative to the Waireka affair. «fc