THE COUNTY ELECTON.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3204, 5 October 1881, Page 2

THE COUNTY ELECTON.

[To the Editor of the Daily Telegbaeh.] Sir,—As Capt. Russell has thought proper to question the assertion I made on Monday, that he had without consulting me personally canvassed the County, I think it right to put the matter a little plainer. About the first week in April I heard that Oapt. Russell was getting uneasy about the matter, and that it was likely he would not consult me about it. I made it my business to see him on the subject. 1 did so under Mr Tuxford's verandah about the middle of April. I introduced the subject, and said I thought, if we were to run together again, which I proposed we should, it was better to leave the question of which seats we should each stand for till the bill was passed and the electoral rolls prepared. He said he considered himself purely a country man. I replied, " Yeß, as much so as myself, and no more." I added that it seemed to me to be proper that the Chairman of the County should seek to represent it, but that I should not move in the matter in the meantime as I thought it altogether premature. I understood he assented to the proposal. I ascertained afterwards that, before this conversation had taken place, Capt. Russell had canvassed for the County seat, and if it is doubted I will refer bim to gentlemen whom he personally visited on the subject early in April. On May 4th the paragraph referred to appeared in the Herald, and from that date—but not before that—l gave my confidential friends to understand tbat I was not satisfied with Capt. Russell's conduct in thd matter. I will say positively for myself, and I believe I can for my friends, that no one canvassed an elector in my interest till after Captain Russell's declaration that he would meet all comers. It is quite true, after receiving that challenge, I said 1 would put on the gloves, as I considered it a complete breach of the understanding, and a very improper position for Captain Russell to take towards one who had been working cordially with him as his colleague. As to Captain Russell's labored argument to prove that he and not myself is the senior member, I would refer bim to a wellknown precedent at home of the Hons. Bright and Chamberlain, who sat for the same constituency. At the last election Mr Chamberlain, a new man, was returned at the head of the poll, and Mr Bright, who has sat for many years for the same seat, is the junior member in a Parliamentary sense. The claim that he represented the district in the Provincial Council is a very weak one ; it is quite true that he was one of two members for the country districts, but he did not represent Clive, Hastings, Havelock, or Petane. My recollection of what took place at the Government caucus referred to is very distinct, and I certainly beard nothing of the remarks Captain Russell says he made, and am personally aware that the first intimation the party had of his opposition to the bill was received after bis return from his week's canvassing in Napier.—l am, &c, I?. Sutton.

October 5, 1881