THE ROSLYN ELECTION.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2483, 31 January 1871, Page 2

THE ROSLYN ELECTION.

Tho result of the polling for the l-’oslyn district was declared at the Kaikorai Drill Shed at half«past five. The numbeis appeared iu our second edilion last evening. Mr Driver on coming forward was received with cheers. He said this was the second time the electors had done him the honor of electing him as their member for the House of Representatives, the last time by a very large majority, but this time under circumstances which had very materially altered the result. At the same time he felt satisfied that all those who had voted against him had not done so on personal grounds ; and he should entertain no ill-will

towards them, feeling as he did that they had voted agaimt him on a political platform. It had not been a contest between himself individually and the gentleman who had opposed him. Ho had been opposed by leagues, and gentlemen not in the district had made it their business to come into the district and work against him : not that he said they were not justified in doing so, but the electors should not have been interfered with. With reg rd to the g ntleman who had opposed him, he had no ill feeling towards him ; and neither as member of the Assembly or as a member of the Provincial Council, if he should bo sent there, would be take any steps, privately or otherwise, which would prejudice him for the course lie had taken, WJjen he (Mr Driver) left the hustings he forgot all that had passed during the election, (applause) —and, as their representative, should endeavor to do his duty to the best of his ability. (Cheers.) Although his majority was narrow, yet it was a good one ; and he had felt during the last two or throe days that the contest wa-: not as to the fitness of his opponent or himself to represent them, but it had been unfairly mixed up with the election for Superintendent. (Applause.) For his own part he cared very little which of the candidates was Superintendent : lie should vote for the oim be thought the best qualified for the office, but should do no more. (Applause.) Poss thanked the electors for having placed him ip the proiid portion of representative of the niialtercel district of IlQsfyn. Had the district, been left as it was, their

newly dceted representative —(groans) —lie was simply stating facts, the electors in that part of the district which was now cut off from the rest, would have voted for him (Mr Ross), and he would have been their representative—(Oh ! and a Voice : Shame on you.) He reciprocated the sentiments expressed by Mr Driver, that with the close of the election all personal feelings should be buried. He was not, however, afraid of Mr Dri ver’s interference, or that he should suffer an injustice, so long as he (Mr Ross) did his duty ; but at the same time Mr Driver might have it in his power to make it ratlnr uncomfortable for him, l.e was therefore glad that he hud untiling to fear on account of the opposition he had made to that gentleman. With reference to the election being mixed up with any other he must say for those who supported him, so far as he knew it had nothing to do with. the Superintendent!),! election and whenever such a tlung was mentioned he at once said be would be no party to such a proceeding. He might say this, for Mr Macaudrew : during the time ho bad been in office he had committed no act of malevolence towards those who voted against him, and as a civil servant he had always received him, Mr Ross, in his official capacity with the utmost courtesy. The fact of his majority being i o narrow must have shown Mr Driver that his (Mr boss’s) opposition was not of :o harmless a character as he affected to believe when he first entered upon the field ; at some future election he should come forward and fight it to win. Had he known that in the course he felt it his duty to pursue the majority would have been limited to 36. he would have resigned bis posi ion and have come boldly forward—(Uh ! oh! and a Voice: Don’t you believe it.) He however, resigned himself to his fate. The means that bad been taken l>3 r the other fide to secure the election he should never have resorted to—(Groans and confusion. Three cheers were here called for Driver, and heartily given. Another Voice ; Will you resign or not ? Mr Ross, No—(laughter.) The open houses at Cavcrsbam were making open mouths at Kaikorai—(A Voice: Its a lie, and groans.) Last Saturday a runholder called on him and said to him, “ Mr Ross, as a private gentle* man, [ would give you oO votes rather than Mr Driver one”—(Cries of name, and in« creased confusion ) As he did not wish to make any ill-feeling, be would conclude by tha-iking those who had voted for him.

Mr Driver denied that he had had any canvassers, who were authorised to open nubile houses for him ; on the contrary, he had gone to t hose where any misunderstanding was likely to arise, and told th‘ proprietors he would not be responsible for a single shilling. Mr Driver’s supporter then “cheered” him, and the proceedings terminating with a vote of thanks to the Returning Officer.