MR VINCENT PYKE, M.H.R., AT BLACKS.

Dunstan Times, Issue 770, 19 January 1877, Page 3

MR VINCENT PYKE, M.H.R., AT BLACKS.

Vincent Pyke, Esq., Member of the House of Representatives, addressed a well attended meeting of his constituents at Blacks, on Saturday evening last the 13th instant, Mr John Pitches (Member for the Riding) in the Chair. Mr Pyke reviewed the work of the last Session, stating what had been done, and fully explaining why he spoke and voted against the sham Resolutions, pointing out that the real object in view by the movers of those Resolutions was not Separation, but the endowment of the North Island from our Provincial Land Fund, to the extent of L 125,000 per annum, and also, the defeat of the County System, in fact, an attempt to*rob the people in the interior of Otago of Local Self Government, so as to keep everything in the hands of a Dunedin and Taieri clique ; also, he* explained his action with regard to the Gold Duty, and the exemption of mining property from taxation, and entered into some explanation with regard to the County System and the benefits to be derived therefrom by the people of this District, pointing out that without taxation at all the County would have a revenue derived from Gold Fields’ revenue and other sources, amounting to nearly LS,OOO per annum. After a long and eloquent speech Mr Fitzgerald proposed and Mr Glass seconded the resolution—That this meeting approves of Mr Pyke’s conduct in the Assembly, and desires to express confidence in him as Representative of the District, which on being put to the vote was carried by acclamation. Mr Pyke returned thanks avowing that so long as he retained the respect and confidence of his constituents he cared very little for the misrepresentations which had been made respecting him by a hostile press, or the undeserved censure of persons who were unlit to pronounce an opinion on the subject. AVith regard to the question of a County Town, he said that he would never consent to subordinate the interests of the County, and the convenience of the County ratepayers to the interest of any Township whatsoever—the Office must be at the place where most convenient.