SELWYN ELECTION.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 477, 28 December 1875, Page 2

SELWYN ELECTION.

The nomination of candidates for the Selwyn district took place at the Road Board office, Leeston, on Monday, the 27th inst, at noon, amidst considerable excitement. Mr E. J. Lee, returning officer for the district, having read the election writ, called upon the voters present to nominate a candidate to represent the Selwyn constituency, and requested that an impartial hearing be given to anybody who might wish to address the meeting. Mr H. D. Gardener then proposed Mr W. Reeves as a candidate to represent the interests of the district in the Assembly, and asked the electors to remember the great services to the country by Mr Reeves during the laßt five years. He was satisfied if they re-elected Mr Reeves, that gentleman would do his utmost for his constituents, as well as for the whole colony. Mr James Gammack then seconded the motion, and informed those present that it was for them to elect one out of the seventyeight who had already watched the interests of the colony in the House of Representatives. It was for them to elect a man of ability and experience—a man of honesty of purpose, who at this critical period in the political life of the colony, and at a time when a new era was to be commenced, would act in the interests of the people. He had great pleasure in seconding Mr Reeves' nomination. The Returning Officer then inquired if there were any others to be proposed as candidates. Mr W. Miles, of Springston, then said he had much pleasure in proposing Mr C. A. Fitzroy to represent the Selwyn constituency. Though this was the first time that Mr Fitzroy had appeared before them in his present capacity, he was sure, if elected, he would acquit himself honorably. Mr H. P. Hill, in seconding the nomination of the latter candidate, said he had much pleasure in appearing there to do so. He had been informed that there were some who thought Mr Fitzroy too young and inexperienced to represent them. From those he begged leave to differ in opinion, as he considered Mr Fitzroy, if elected, would be an acquisition to the Assembly. No other candidate being proposed, Mr Reeves addressed the meeting. He said that on previous occasions he had made them so well acquainted with his policy, that

he considered it out of place to take up any more of their valuable time. The question which was now before them was—Have they sufficient confidence in re-electing him to represent that valuable constituency 1 [Cheers.] He stated tbat he considered that the next meeting of the House of Representatives would be the most important ever held, or likely to be held, in the colony, from the fact that a new constitution would be framed, under which they will have to live in the future. It was for them to say which candidate they would have, and trusting their judgment, the matter would be left in their hands. Mr Fitzroy then briefly addressed the electors. He stood before them as a candidate for their suffrages. It had been stated that, from his inexperience and youth, he was unfit to represent them in the Assembly. He desired to state that everyone must have a beginning, and that if they did him the honor of electing him, they would get a man whose interests were similar to their own, and a man who would do his utmost to further those interests. No questions having been asked the candidates, the Returning Officer called for a show of hands, which he declared to be as follows : Mr Reeves 60 Mr Fitzroy 24 This was received with vociferous and prolonged cheering, Mr Miles demanded a poll on behalf of Mr Fitzroy. The Returning Officer then notified tnat a poll would take place at the undermentioned places on Thursday, the 30th inst, between the hours of 9 a.m. and i p.m., at Leeston, Dunsandel, Halkett, and Springston. A vote of thanks to the Returning Officer brought the proceedings to a close.