THE ASHBURTON SEAT.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1647, 27 August 1887, Page 2

THE ASHBURTON SEAT.

MX, PURSE IX AT LAUFISTON. Mr Purnell addressed a meeting o about 50 electors at Iho Laurlston school 1 house yesterday evening. Mr James Johnston was m the chair. The candidate, who was well received m the courße of hia remarks said he hac been much edlfisd the previous evening by Sir Julias Yogel's laudable sentimenti . on tho land question, but he would have felt etill more edified bad he not remembered Sir J uliua' past political career, when ho had championed the cause of the land monopolise. It was they who had put and kept him m power, and when he returnod to tho colony m 1884. who was it that took him m hand and restored him to tffi.e? It was the large landowners of Canterbury. The speculative auotioners, and persons of that stamp, hoped that if Sir Julins was restored to ower, he would bring about the borrowing of large Bums of money, which would result m a big " boom" m the course of whloh they would make fortunes, whatever might happen to the colony afterwards. After a few questions had been put and answerd, Mr Dent moved, and Mr Maidens seoouded. a vote of thanks and confidence to Mr Purnell. Mr Lemon movod, as an amendment, that a vote of thanks only be given to Mr Purnell. Mr D. Bobs seoonded the amendment, which, on being put to tho meeting, was lost by a largo majority, only fqar hands being held up m i's favor, one of which ttss raised by mistake, The original resolution was then put and carried, The prooeedingi terminated with the usaal compliment to the chair.