NEWTON.

Auckland Star, Volume IV, Issue 1206, 5 December 1873, Page 2

NEWTON.

At two p.m. the official declaration of the poll, taken at NeAvton on the 2nd instant, was declared by the Returning Officer (Col. Balneavis), There was amorenumerousattendance than at Parnell, though by no means a large one. Shortly before the hour named Mr Maeready, accompanied by his friends, arrived on the scene in a trap drawn by four of Quick's greys, and was cheered as he came up. Immediately after him followed in a hansom cab Mr Cheeseman, who also was well received ; and the same may be said of Mr McElwain, who was on foot. Mr Shanaghan did not present himself on the occasion. The numbers were announced as folloAvs : Maeready 3CS Cheeseman ... ... 270 McElwain ... ~. 251 Shanaghan ... ... 203 The Returning Officer therefore declared Messra T. Maeready and T. Cheesman duly elected. Mr Maeready said he cordially thanked them for the honor they had done him in putting him at the head of the poll. He did not think a Aveek ago that he should have been in such a position. He had been rejected for City West, and NeAvton was the only place he could look to for a seat, but he felt that perhaps he should be looked upon as a tresspasser if he came forward. His friends, howeA-er, told him he Avas sure to be returned if he came out, and therefore he consented to stand. The Licensed Victuallers' Asaoeiation promised to assist him, and had done so. He knew that there Avas another society hard at work in another direction—the Good Templars. He did not know Avhat the name meant, and so long as he had his senses did not suppose he should know much about them. He was a man who drank his glass of beer and enjoyed himself in moderation. He did not approve of drunkenness, but objected to any man dictating to him Avhat he should eat or drink. He looked upon the Good Templars as a political Society, of which they had had many. There was an Alliance got up by Dr Purchase 19 years ago. Then there was a Temperance Alliance started by a broken down Waikato doctor, and now they had got to Good Templars—whatever that meant. He knew the landlady of an hotel, Avho Avhen asked if business had fallen off lately because of these Templars, replied, " Oh no ; on the contrary it haa improved); these Templars come up to Newton and have their meetings ; and as they go home at night they feel cold, and come in and have their glass of hot grog." He did not say all Templare did like that; he knew some who did. A gentleman in the body of the room— Mr Turk—said this was an insult and a lie. Mr Maeready said he believed it was true. He should not like to let a glass of greg pass Mr Turk for fear he should be tempted. (Laughter.) He (Mr Maeready) Avas proud at having been placed at the head of the poll by the Licensed Victuallers and other friends, and he thought the time Avas come Arhen the. Licensed Victuallers should be up andfdoing and see that their rights were not trampled on. There was a large amount of capital laid out on the trade, and much valuable property in the shape of houses not fit for any other purpose than that of hotels. (Mr Maeready was cheered as he resumed his seat.) Mr Cheeseman then came forward to return thanks, saying that he regretted the course taken by Mr Maeready to-day. He did not think it was good taste to set the Good Templars and Licensed Victuallers against each other. He thanked those Avho had elected him, and should not have referred to the Good Templars unless Mr Maeready had brought the questions forward. The Licensed Victuallers might have returned Mr Maeready, but they did not return him . (Mr C). He had not spent a sixpence in their houses. He had been returned by the sober portion of the community. He had never been tipsy in his life and hoped he never should. Drink had no temptation for him, but to some men it had, and some men did get drunk. Was it not well that they should be shielded from temptation ? He assured them that if any efforts of his Avould promote the welfare of the district he would not fail to use them in any way that an honest and faithful representative could possibly do. He Avould endeavour to get the toll-gates removed, and to obtain increased representation for the district, which was' insufficiently represented compared with City West* City East, and Parnell. Newton ought, in proportion to its area, population, and electors, to return more than two members.

: Having again thanked the electors Mr ' Cheeseman sat down amid the cheers of I those present. Mr McElwaine thanked those who had voted for him. He thought this election had really been a fight between grog and cold water. He did not think the advocates iof cold water need be ashamed. They had got one good member and lost one. They were pretty even with the others, but h believed this would be the last victory of th brewers and publicans over them at Newto fl " (Mr McElwaine remarks were received with a considerable amount of applause.) A vote of thanks to the Returning Officer terminated the proceedings. Mr Maeready and his friends then drove off to the cricket ground in their carriage and four.