ROXBURGH.

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

ROXBURGH.

(prom OUR CORRESUONPUNT.) December 15 *h, 1875. Our local candidate, Mr T). pp Mervyn, addressed the electors of the Waikaia District, on Friday, the 10th inst , atEttrick ; and at Ormond’s Hall, Roxburgh, on the following evening. The attendance was very large notwithstanding the flooded state of the river. Mr Geo. Ireland was called to the Chair, and after making a few remarks as to the importance of the approaching e'ection, and the great rare that should be exercised in returning a suitable member introduced the candidate. M- Mervyn spoke at some length as to his views, which were opnosed to Provincialism. Tie re'erred to the land laws of Auckland, Hawkes Bay, Christchurch, and Southland, how the very pick of the land had boon sold to pastoral tenants and capitalists ; to the maladministration of the Waste Lands of Otago, and said that Provincial Go■' emrncnts had assumed powers never intended by the constitution. The cry of testing the constituencies before introducing the Abolition Bill had been pretty well tested during the last session, as nearlv every member intended to seek re-election. Mr Mervyn said that as it was his intention to address them again he would not enter fully into matters at present. He wished it to bo understood that it was his determination to contest the seat for the district against all outsiders ; but if the electors brought forward a local man he would give place to him. After Mr Mervyn had answered a few questions a vote of confidence was passed. It cannot he said at present what Mr Mervvn’s chances aro of success ; nor is there any word when Mr Bastings is to he amongst us, or indeed it he is coming at all ; hut Mr J. B. Bradshaw, it is said on good authority, will address the electors at an early date. 1 think, when we have heard that gentleman, we shall be in a better position to decide to whom our vote and interest is to be given. In the Tf.M.’s Court, on Tuesday last, the only cases of importance were those of John M'Arthur v. Holmes, Manager of Cargill and Anlerson’s Station ; and S. Croasan v. We’ls. In the former the plaintiff sued the defendant for wrongful discharge, claiming L 32 10s, six months’ wages as per agreement. The plea set up was that M‘Arthnr had brought a drunken man, whom he had picked up on the road, together with a bottle marked “ Lemon Juice,” but which contained something stronger, on to the Station in a dray, with which he had been to the Teviot. and that he himself was the worse for liquor ; but as there was no evidence to show that M‘Arthur was incapable of attending to his work after reaching the home station there was nothing to show that he had broken his engagement. The case, however, was settled out of Court.—Crossan v. Wells was an illegal transaction, Crossan having made a foolish bet with regard to the soundness of his horse The money was lodged in Wells’ hand ns stakeholder, who endeavored to show in Court that the, stakes were lodged with Ryan, who had made the bet with Crossan, and by Ryan entrusted to him, and by him returned to Ryan. The Court gave judgment in favor of Crossan, he having to pay costs, and the Bench remarking on the foolishness of his conduct.—Before the License g Court the application of Thomas Erridge, of the White Comb, to transfer his Bush License to James Cosgrove, was adjourned till the 29th inst.