THE ELECTIONS.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 472, 20 December 1875, Page 3

THE ELECTIONS.

LTTTELTON NOMINATION. The nomination took place at noon to-day; there was a fair attendance. The returning officer (Dr Donald) made a short address, that this was probably the last time that he should stand before them in that capacity. There was much apprehension with regard to the secrecy of the ballot, but he assured them it was entirely unfounded. As to the numbering the voting papers, they need not fear on that matter, but could come and vote without any apprehension. It was entirely in their power to return whom they pleased. He would now call upon some elector to propose a candidate. Mr J. G. Fyfe begged to propose Mr H. R. Webb as a representative. He had been their member in the Provincial Council and General Assembly, and was well fitted for such a post, being cognisant of all their wants. He had much pleasure in proposing Mr H. R, Webb as their representative. Mr H. Allwright seconded the proposal with great pleasure. He had done much for the town, and as all their opponents must acknowledge he had given his whole time. He trusted they would not be buoyed up with the hope of a large majority, but would all vote for Mr Webb. [Cheers.] On the last evening he addressed them there was one thing that he had wished to speak of, that was with regard to the reclaimed land. This land was within the precincts of the borough, so that they could claim rates from the municipality for it. A petition had been sent asking this should not be the case. He was Mayor then, and asked for a copy, and found that those who resided there asked that they should pay no rates. He fortunately got a copy, and saw that in the lease it was stated they should pay all rates and taxes. So soon as the Government saw the discrepancy, they gave the town the benefit, but the occupants kept out this fact in their petition. Mr Murray-Aynsley's name appeared on it, and if that was the way he was to benefit the town they were better without him. He trusted the electors would go to the ballot unbiassed, and think twice whose name they struck out. [Uproar.] He had been then 25 years, and knew who had done most good for the town. Mr Anyesley Ihacl clone nothing but get something for them for their regatta. Did he live amongst them ? Would they see him again till next election? He had had no fear how it would turn out; but he asked them all to vote, that Mr Webb might have an overwhelming majority. [Cheers.] Mr H. N. Nalder had much pleasure in proposing Mr H. P. Murray-Aynesley as a proper person to represent them. There were great questions to decide next session, and he thought Mr Aynesley best fitted to deal with them. The Abolition Bill had to come before the House again, before it was law, and this was a very vital question. He did not agree with either candidate on this point, but thought Canterbury and Otago had done well under the provincial system. As to Education, it was a most important question. They had heard a great deal about how Mr Murray-Aynsley wished to make them pay one-sixth towards their r>v>ool buildings. Mr Webb had made free euu^. : , n election cry, and it would be made a, queslion u« lht £ aU candidateß That gentleman had said n« —, * j fee education. He referred to the „ f Monday last, and it was stated there that that gentleman said he was then in favor of free education. On questions being put, however, Mr Webb had to acknowledge voting for the second and third reading of the Bill that had in&do

them pay 10s per head for their children. I' seemed then that Mr Webb was in favor of that tax. It was strangely inconsistent in Mr Webb, if his views were in favor of free education, that ho should have voted a> he did, and yet express himself in favor of free education. His (Mr Nalder's) opinion was that they would have to pay for a good Education, for when they had to pay interest and sinking fund out of the consolidated revenue, there would not be much to spar<' for education. Mr Webb said he voted for that tax because Government told him if he did not, they could not carry on the present educational'system, if that was his opinion why not say so at once. It appeared, that if the Government said to Mr Webb pay £1 a year or 80s, he would vote for it because they said so, and they would have to pay it. They remembered a Bill for Endowment of Municipalities. Mr Webb had told him himself he was in favor of license fees, etc, being given to the towns, and yet he found that Mr Webb voted against it in the Provincial Council. In the General Assembly he voted for it, because iu the 14th clause of the Abolition Bill it was distinctly stated such fees should belong to municipalities. And now with regard to the personal attacks on Mr Aynsley and his supporters, who were accused by their opponents of being in the squatting interests. Mr Aynsley explained how his interests stood, and he asked them was it likely that a personal interest in a few thousand acres should influence his vote. It was said Mr Aynsley had a direct ictarest in the runs. What merchant, he should like to know, was not interested in squatters. The shipping was supported by exports, which were grown by the squatters. If it was not for wool Canterbury itself and the towns of Lyttelton and Christchurch would be nothing at all. There would be a few ships arrive to supply our wants; that was all. Canterbury and this town had a great deal to thank squatter! for What were Mr Webb's two brothers-in-law but squatters. [Mr Webb—" No."] Mr Allwright asked if he had any right oi reply as his name was mentioned. Dr Donald ruled it was not a place foi discussion. Mr Nalder said an attack was made oi Mr Aynsley, and it was given as a reason tha they should not vote for him—[interruptior from Mr Allwrightj - that Mr Aynsley tool no active part in either social or public aflairs

Now, what he remarked was that Mr Aynsley took great interest in the regatta and in all *ociaf and political matters, direct and indirect. It had been said Mr Aynsley did all he could to take away the Hospital and Custom House, but it was not proved. One reason against him was that he did not want to pay taxes for the reclaimed land. Did Mr Webb do different with regard to Peacock's wharf ? [Uproar.] With regard to Mr Webb and his emissaries, Mr Webb and his supporters seemed to think that they would not vote fairly. They had a right to elect a representative. It was for them to elect the best candidate. They had a perfeet right to vote for whom they liked. It was allowI able to ask for votes, and better than to come

to the electors and say, " what have I done that you will not elect me?" [Loud cheers J Mr E. A. Hargreaves seconded the proposition. He had great confidence in Mr Aynsley : he could trust him as a merchant, and could trust him as a member for the Assembly. He was the man best fitted to grasp large questions. [Cheers.] Mr H. R. Webb, who was greeted with cheers, said be was induced to place himself in their hands, because he considered he had done nothing to forfeit their confidence; He had had it, and believed he kept it still. The gentleman proposing Mr Aynsley had made some remarks to which he must reply. As to the Abolition Bill, they both agreed on that, though Mr Nalder did not. As to education, he did not vote for rating clauses; the circumstances were altered. He had been told it was necessary not to intrench on the land fund, which ought to bear the cost of erecting the buildings, but nothing else. There j was now a different state of things; the funds were to come out of the consolidated revenue. With regard to the endowment of the municipal bodies, he went to the Provincial Council to vote for that, until he heard that if they got it they should get nothing else, and he was told if they got the fees they should get nothing more. As to Mr Nalder speaking of Mr Brown as a squatter, and Mr Peacock as the same, it was not correct. This was not a fitting place to bring in relations' names. Then Mr Nalder tried to prove that Mr Aynsley had done something else for the time, besides fostering the regatta. He had done something for the regatta as well as other things, as Mr Allwright had stated. Now, with regard to the rates and Peacock's Wharf. He had spoken to Mr Nalder, who had said "if you like to pay £ls, well and good." The case went into the Court, and he had to pay Mr Nalder to defend it. A few days after Mr Nalder had taken the office of borough solicitor, and he found him as his opponent after advising him to defend the case. [Mr Nalder—" I deny it."J He lost the case through Mr Nalder's neglect, and not putting in a certain document. [Mr Nalder again denied this. | As to being a local man, he asked them to say if they ever saw Mr Aynsley out of his business premises and about the town. He asked them to rally round his standard, which was liberty and justice. [Mr Nalder —"And the time-ball."] Yes; he was obliged to Mr Nalder for the suggestion.

[Cheers.] Mr Aynsley then addressed them. He was received with cheers. He said he must allude to the statement that he had done nothing for the town'of Lyttelton. When it was first made a municipality he had helped them, and ever since then he had tried to do them good in various ways. There was an attack on him about the rating the unclaimed land. At first the lease was sent in without that clause, making it liable for rates. He had given his views so lately that he did not wish to repeat them. With regard to the Custom House and Hospital being taken away, he was against it, and nad kept it there as long as he could. A report of a select committee had been taken, and it was resolved that one Hospital should do for both Lyttelton and Christchurch, and the Orphan Asylum was founded in Lyttelton as a sort of cornpens ition, and they were benefited by its expeuditure. They wanted also to do away with the pilot station at the Heads, but, he had opposed it. With regard to free education, Mr Webb bad suddeuly changed, ma •••"wfi had been given out a week before the eleceion. |_Mr Aynsley here reiterated bis opinions on education. He concluded < midst cheers.] A show of haads was demanded by the aeiuinii. B officer, and the result was--Mr Aynsley ... 16 Mr Webb 12 Majority for Mr Aynsley... 4 Mr H. R. Webb demanded a poll, and the meeting dispersed.

KAIAPOI NOMINATION. The nomination of a member to represent the Kaiapoi district in the General Assembly took place at the Court house on Saturday, at noon. About eighty persons were present. C. Whitefoord, Esq, returning officer, read the writ and the advertisement from the Pkkss, and then invited theelectors to nominate the candidates. He desired that order should be kept, and would allow no interruptions. Mr E. G. Kerr (Mayor) proposed the Hon 0. 0. Bowen. Mr seconded the nomination. Mr J. McFarlane proposed Mr J. Beswick. Mr G. Weston seconded the nomination. The Returning Officer called for a show of hands, which he declared to be Bowen 28 Beswick 46 [Cheers.] Mr Bowen demanded a poll, which the returning officer said would be taken on Tuesday, between the hours of 9 a.m and 4 p.m., at Kaiapoi, Rangiora, Eyreton, and Woodend. HON C. C. 30WEN AT FLAXTON. The Hon C. 0. Bowen met the electors of th*. Kaiapoi district at the district schoolroom on Saturday evening. Forty-five persons were present. On the motion of Mr Ratchelor, Mr Threlkeld was voted to the chair. After his address Mr Bowen answered [ a number of qutsoions to the satisfaction of the audience, and was altogether well receired Mr F. Young moved, Mr J. King seconded —" That this meeting thanks the Hon 0. C. Bowen for his address, and has full confidence in him as their representative in the General Assembly." The chairman called for a show of hands for and against; a large number of hands were held up for and none against it. He declared the resolution carried unanimously. On the motion of Mr Bowen a vote of thanks was accorded to the chairman.