OPOTIKI.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume II, Issue 125, 12 November 1873, Page 3

OPOTIKI.

(from our ows correspondent. ) November 1. There was a sound of revelry last night and no ! mistake, even until there was enough daylight in the morning to see the way home, and something to share. The congratulatory ball and supper (in honour of Mr William JTo'ly’a return from the House of -Representatives) came off last night, and was the most brilliant success ever achieved by ; the public of Opotiki. Certainly no prettier comj pliment could have been paid to our right worthy ! | and well deserving member than the thorough appreciation of his deserts which was evidenced by the unusually crowded attendance, the recherche style of the decorations, refreshments, and supper, the quality of the music, and the hearty zest with which every 7 one entered into the amusements of the evening. There was a very considerable representation of the fair sex, dressed in a stylo that did honour to their taste and skill in harmony of colours, and in contrast to their indisputable natural advantages. Altogether! mayjcongratulale Mr William Kelly upon the hearty and sincere approval which has been generally evinced by Lis constituents iu favour of Ida past service. November 3. A largely attended meeting was held on Saturday evening, convened by Messrs Tanks audifitzgibbon, representatives of Mr Williamson, ae a candidate for the Superintendency, Mr William Kelly occupied the chair. Captain Tanks spoke fluently and sensibly in favour of Mr Williamson, and was loudly applauded. Several gent lemon then endeavoured to express their opinion at the same time, and much warm discussion ensued, which gradually degenerated into something like confusion, when the chairman very wisely declared j the meeting dissolved. This, however, did not satisfy some of the red-hot politicians, who conj tinued their arguments with unabated spirit until j a late hour. Altogether, I am afraid that Captain j Tucks will think us a rather ‘‘ rum” lotto deal j with ; hut let us, in justice to him, say that we j ful j appre ciato and highly approve of the straightj forward, forcible, and yet gentlemanly manner in j which he advocated Mr Williamson’s cause, that j his sensible and well chosen remarks and his ! moderation towards the opposing candidates have ! won for him many staunch supporters. S November G. ! Polling day for the Superintendency ! The (own i is lively with fun and excitement and eloctioneer- ■ iav mad.

This warning- M*r Commissioner Wilson whs landed fivmi the Southern Cross, which called outfu*e the bar, and landed him in a small open boat, U, being iiituf/ennis for the steamer to venture on. Mr Wilson is canvassing for Mr Lusk, and Jro.,, h-.« conversational abilities, great influence vi-’th i l e Maoris, and Intimate acquaintance with trudr language and habits, he will no doubt secure a S> timber of their votes. Public opinion is largely in lavoup of Mr Dargaville. M Kl'.TI N’O OF FLF.OTORS. A i.meting teas loud ol .\'<vi>inber I], at I ■ ■ Sciuxil bouse, of I *.e ehct.o-s ..{ Opotiki, convened by Mr Wilburn Holly, M H It. and M.P.C, to give an account of im stewardship during the p is-t session, The aMondanc,- was unusually large ; nothing short of To ivo.ci it. was thought, could have gathered so prompt and large a representation of the Opotiki settles s. Mr Hubert King was unanimously to ted to the chair. The Chairman begged to state that this meeting had been convened for the purj.uise of giving Ins friend, Mr Kelly, an opportunit y of explaining all that lie had done for the benefit of tho district as representative in the House, and of further soiled ing their support, in the forthcoming election for <he Provincial Council. Ho would now introduce M r W iliiuiu Kelly to tho meeting. (Mr .Kelly was then introduced, and received with loud applause).

Mr William Kelly, acknowledging his favourable reception, would ask permission to state his views upon some questions of immediate importance to Opotiki and the province in general, viz., immigration, education, and public works. Ha would commence with that, most objectionable imposition the Education Hato. Ho was opposed to it from tho first. Ho was only a few days a member of the Provincial Council when this Act was passed. Ho would road, for tho information of tho meeting, an account of the origination of the tax from his Blue Book (account read). Ho stated that ho had no intention whatever of supporting tho said tax, but still thought it highly necessary to have some sort of education for the poorer dosses. Ho believed the same could be done in a milder and tnoro palateablo form. He had seen the evils which have resulted from the present system. lie had given tho matter a serious and careful consideration, and was aure that tbo interests of public education could be carried out in a milder and j aster form; ho would do Ilia utmost to alter tho present state of t hings. Then, with regard to obtaining assistance from tho Provincial Government for public works, he had already carried on a considerable correspondence on tho subject, from which ho would read a few extracts bearing immediately on the question—(extracts read amid applause). Ho had always dona his utmost for tho interests of this place and for tho town of Onohunga, which he had the honour to represent. He trusted that tho electors would do him justice to admit that be had acted consistently throughout, and omitted no opportunity M advancing tho prosperity of tho district (Um 1 applause). F'vrthi'J',- with regard to public works, he would inform tho -meeting that the funds of the Provincial Government are very limited. They had had great difficulty in obtaining the formation of the telegraph line, not but that the members of Ihe Council had looked favourably upon the proposition, but the want of funds bad been tho great obstacle. He dilated largely upon the advantages the people of Opotiki would derive from the institution of telegraphic communication {applause). With regard to provincialism. In- did not approve of it as a system, and vou:d endeavour to do away with it oventualy. lie would also like to soo a now class of Superintendents introduced into Auckland ; there had been too much of the self-interest and the “ old identity ” class. Ho, for one, would like to see more independence of action in that particular department. To return to local matters j he should always be only too glad to further the interests of tho place in any way—that any petition, memorial, or even individual request from any ot His constituents would moot with his immediate attention and support ; any necessary or desirable improvement which came within his personal observation ho would endeavour immediately to remedy. He believed that he bad been accused of ambition, and begged to distinctly deny that accusation. [A. Voice : Then why don’t you let Moody go in—-(laughter).] He would repeat that ambition had no reference to his present determination to stand forthoforthcoraingeleclion, which he trusted that all who had witnessed his previous conduct would admit —(loud cries of “Yes, yes” and cheers). He would conclude by slating his views with regard to the immigration scheme. Ho was of opinion that it was greatly mismanaged, and would endeavour to institute a thorough reform in the existing state of circumstances, Ho read correspondence, and explained why ho was of that opinion. Ho believed that » system of special settlements would succeed, and would advise tbo purchase of waste lands and tho location of immigrants thereon upon deferred payments. He would also have all necessary road works instituted so as to give them some encouragement at the starting. Did not know that there was anything more that ho could explain. He would now be glad to answer any question which might be put to him, and begged every one to ask freely and without hesitation—(loud applause). [Conclusion of report of meeting and remainder of Opotiki news in our next.] THE POLL. Tho following is the result of the poll sent specially by our own correspondent : • Dargaville ... ... ... OS Williamson ... ... ... 29 Lusk .. ... ... ... 7