CROMWELL.

Dunstan Times, Issue 714, 24 December 1875, Page 3

CROMWELL.

(FROM «UR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) On Thursday last the long expected Cricket Match between the Marne I and Stogie took place, and resulted in an easy victory for the Single by 37 runs and three wickets. The playing d >es not merit any special notice as it partook more of the character of a scratch match than anything else. If Cricket is to flourish in this district 1 would strongly advise some of the autocrats to exorcise a little forbearance, and to keep in rai id the fact that a Cricketer is not ma le in a <’ay, and that proficiency can only bo acquired by steady practice. The ' luh number twenty odd members, and I would suggest the advisability of arranging a series of matches similar to those in vogue at Dune lin. The Club can only he said to be in its infancy, and it is undeniable that it possesses several young players, who with a little instruction and practice, would not disgrace any “ field” in New Zealand. The “ old uns 11 will soon have to give place to the “ young uns ” which was shown in the late match. In the K. M Court, before W. L'. Simpson, Esq., rt M Harry Tobin was charged with keying a vicious dog. Evidence was taken by which it appeared that the dog in question had been annoyed by boys throwing stones. It was also shown that the “ canine pet ” had inserted his teeth in the leg of Mr Murrell's son, who had never been in the habit of teazing him. Thore was no evidence that it occurred on a public street, and the defendant stated that he never knew the dog to he vicious, and had since given him away. Dismissed with a caution. . Owen Pierce pleaded guilty to an infringement of the Bye Laws, • and was fined 2a Sd and costs. On the civil side in the ease of Weekstead v. Halliday, a claim for L 34 10a, for wages, his Worship gave judgment for the amount claimed and costs Dounghua v. Beattie This mi a suit to recover tho sum of LIO on an 1.0. U. for money lent. The plaintiff depose 1 that ho lent the money to the defendant in Dagg’s Hotel and h§d never been paid. Mr Beattio

gave a totally different version. The evidence was most contradictory and his Worship reserved judgment. This case has caused some little excitement, and the decision of the Magistrate is looked forward to with some interest on account of the diversity of evidence. Fox v. Robertson. Claim for wages.— After hearing a deal of evidence ihe Court pronounced judgment for the plaintiff in the sum of LG and coats.

Elbction,

On Friday evening last Mr Vincent Pyke addressed a large and influential meeting ol the Electors in the Athenteum Hall, Cromwell. The Mayor, D. A. Jolly, Esq., presided and introduced the Candidate, claiming for him a fa r and impartial hearing. Mr Pyke, who was well received, gave an outline of the policy he intended to support, and staked his return upon Insular separation with one Government if possible, if n< t two for the Southern Island, -He reviewed the circumstances attending the passing of the Abolition measure, and was somewhat severe in his observations upon the North Is’and describing them as lacking energy—lacking will—lacking power, and lacking zeal. Their system of managing Railways was id : otic, and out of the Colonial Debt of twenty millions no less than thirteen had been expended in the Northern Provinces.. The tenor of his remarks ware of the same nature as those published in your last issue. At the conclusion of a very able and instructive address, a number of questions were asked and quickly answered to the apparent satisfaction of the meeting; tho principal interrogator being Mr M’Keliar, who proposed “ That this meeting desires to accord a hearty vote of thanks for his Inci 1 address and the courteous manner in which he has answer 1 tho several ques tions —Seconded by Mr Stewart. As the question was about being put, Mr Dagg proposed and and Mr Burrows seconded, .“ That Mr Pyke was a fit and proper person to represent this Constituency in the General Assembly. A slight discussion hereupon ensued, when Mr Pyke stated that he did not desire any Vote of Confidence until both Candidates had been heard, wh"n the Ballot Box would decide, and he trusted that those who had confidence in him would not fail to put in an appearance on the eventful day. He begged to move a Vote of Thanks to bis Worship the Mayor—this was carried by acclamation, and the meeting dispersed. On Saturday last Mr Pyke met the Electors at the School-house, Kawarau Gorge— Mr Roger Bell was voted to the Chair. After hearing the Candidate, on the motion of Mr Redhead, an'unanimous vote of confidence was carried. On Monday Mr Pyke addressed a largely attended a meeting at Bannockburn when after explaining his views at length, Mr J. Moore proposed, and Mr Pride seconded, that Mr Pyke is the most fit and proper person to represent the Dnnstan district in the Gemral Assembly. Mr Smart proposed as on amendment, That Mr Pyke is not the most fit and proper person ; seconded by Mr M'Kersie. Upon a show of hands the motion was declared carried by two to one. On Tuesday evening Mr Pyke held a meeting at Bendigo, and a vote of thanks was passed. Mr B, R. Baird, the local candidate, addressed a numerously attended meeting at the Athemeum Hall, Cromwell, on Saturday evening, tho 18th inst. Mr W. Grant, in the absence of the Mayor, presiding. As you will doubtless give your own reports of Mr Baird’s meeting either at Alexandra or Clyde, I will barely say that in his address be referred to the questions of the day, and said his opinions on the Abolition question were as enunciated in bis published address : he was in favor of cutting up the rims, on the expiry of the leases, into blocks of from 2000 to 10,000 acres each ; of pushing the railways into the interior ; of the total abolition of the Gold Duty ; a reduction in the fees paid by miners for leases and other certificates. He concluded by saying if the electors be’ieve 1 in the policy he was prepared to support, it they thought he would conserve their interests and protect his own ; if, in short, they trusted him, they would evince that on the polling day, and give a strong pull and a pull altogether.—Continue I app’ause A number of ques‘ions were then put and answered.—Mr Cnlclough proposed, and Mr Stewart seconded, “That this meeting desires to tender a vote of thanks to Mr Baird for his able address, and his satisfactory’ answers.” Mr Colclongh went on to say that his reason for so doing was owing to the fact .that on the preceding evening a vote of thanks was accorded to Mr Pyke, and it was not deemed advisable to put the vote of confidence, and it win’d now he discourteous to pass one in favor of ths local candidate. It would he more magnanimoua on the part of the meeting to rest content with a vote of thanks. Cries of No ! no ! no ! The Chairman, I w’ll put the vote of thanks. Put and carried.-Mr MacKellar, 1 dil not intend to offer anv remarks this evening, having attended in mv capacity as an elector, hut really, Sir, I think it is not customary in a British community for one and all to conceal their feelings. On last evening I propose! a vote of thanks to Mr Pyke and withheld mv judgment till bearing both candidates, as it would scarcely have bean fair to have passed a vote of confidence seeing that one of the candidates—announced to meet them 24 hours later—had not been heard. He would at once declare that he was a staunch supporter of Mr Baird, and if others were afraid to come forward, and preferred keeping in the shade, ho did not. Mr Stewart. If Mr MneKellar refer* to me, I will tell him, and the rest ofven, that I nm going to vote for Mr Baird.—MrMaeTMlar, I’m very glad to hear it. Mr Baird had the merit of being a local Candidate, and on-

joyed thio merit of being wrapped up in them both commercially and otherwise Mr Baird had published his address, whih Mr Pyke, being an old tactician, had care fully abstained from so doing. Why did he not state his views in the local papers, the Cromwell Argus and the Dunsta' Times? Echo answers Why ! Yet, in comparing that gentleman’s remarks with Mr Baird’s address, they would be found to coincide in every particular. Until very recently, it was generally believed that M i Pyke was a Centralist, but in his (.Mi MacKellar s) opinion, ho was an ultra-Pro vincialiat. Ho admired Mr Baird for his fearless declaration, as he could not accord his admiration to those who preached one thing at one time, and another thing at another time. He took this opportunity of stating that he would shortly address his constituents, when ho would have a word or two to say upon the abolition question. In conclusion, he assured them that he had every confidence in the Canrlilate, and believed if they returned him they would put the right man in the right place. Applause. —Tlie Chairman, I stated at the outset that I did not entirely hold with Mr Baird’s views, but I am glad to see a local man show to the front, and like the old woman of nursery rhymes, I must “ take the rough with the smooth,” and forego the slight nolitioal difference. Applause. —Mr Marsh, Sir, I beg to move an implicit vote of con-, fidence in Mr Baird as a fit and proper, person to represent this important district in the General Assembly. He possesses the merit of being a local man, has the time, the money, and is one of us. Seconded by Mr Greevea. ThEmotion was then put and carried Mr Baird briefly returned thanks, and the usual compliment being paid to the Chairman, tbs proceedings closed. Mr Baird has held meetings at Kawarau Gorge and Bannockburn, at which votes of confidence have been carried. Mr Baird has held successful meetings at the various centres, and it is expected that the Election will be very close—the friends of each Candilate using their best endeavors to return their man.