THE COMING ELECTION.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3209, 11 October 1881, Page 2

THE COMING ELECTION.

[To the Editor of the Daily Telegraph.] Sir, —A review of Mr Ormonde political career, printed in pamphlet form, is, I understand, in free circulation amongst the small farm settlements in the Seventymile bush, the object for which it is easy to comprehend. In this precious production the political "mole-bills" in connection with this gentleman's public life are converted into gigantic mountains with the view of prejudicially affecting his chance of election. Public records are generally public property, and without referring to either the merits or demerits, of Mr Ormond or of any one else, I will, with your kind permission, quote a portion of a short speech made by the Hon. Colonel Brett on June 17th, 1880, as recorded in Hansard of last year's session, No. 6, page 305, which at this particular period may not be out of place. Speaking in support of the Hon. Mr Wilson'a motion re purging the roll of Justices of the Peace, Colonel Brett is reported to have saidi—"The Government knew thoroughly well that there were a large nnmber of objectionable characters whose names were upon the roll, and if the Attorney-General and his colleagues had any backbone they would do their duty ; but they were afraid to do their duty t and wanted to throw it upon the Council. The Government must kaow perfectly well who were ineligible " from other causes." For instance there was a gentleman—no be would not say " gentleman " —there was a man upon the roll; he had been placed there two years ago by the Grey Ministry, who had been convicted of sly grog-selling. Did any one mean to say that the Government were not aware of that. If they were not they ought to be. That person, be might state, lived in Hawke's Bay. He would not mention tbe name—the AttorneyGeneral could find that out." lam aware, Sir, of the person referred to <by the Hon. Colonel Brett, but as it may come within the ranee of probability that he resides in tbe Waipawa County it would not be out of place for the electors to ascertain if possible his personality, and if found to be disporting himself in electioneering matters to give him a " wide berth."—l am, &c, Squint. October 10, 1881.