THE ASHLEY NOMINATION.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1730, 5 September 1879, Page 3

THE ASHLEY NOMINATION.

The nomination for the Ashley district took place at the Town Hall, Amherley, at noon on Wednesday. About 100 electors were present. Mr C. Whitefoord, returning officer, presided, and called upon the electors to propose some candidate to represent the district in the House of Representatives. After some delay, through some of those present who had engaged to propose candidates not being very clear about the proper order of precedence, Mr R. L. Higgins, of the Oust, came forward and proposed Mr Walpole Cheshire Fendall as a fit and proper person to represent the Ashley district in Parliament. Hr Higgins said as it was customary on such occasions to make some remarks, he would only say that he had much pleasure in supEorting Mr Fendall, because he had announced imself a supporter of Sir Gt. Qrey’s_Goverament, of which policy ho was himself a humble follower. He said that he was also an uncompromising opponent of the policy and the party which Mr Moorhouse advocated. His idea was that the former Government—viz,, the Atkinson —were only able to destroy institutions, and were not able to replace them. He felt very strongly in the matter, and would like to put in men who would keep out such a principle. Though it was not essential to have a local man, it was always better to have one if practicable. Ho said his friend Mr Fendall did not represent the pastoral interests exactly, hut would most materially represent the agricultural ’cause. Ho believed that Mr Fendall was a man of very considerable ability, and hia interests were identical with their own. Mr C. Ensor seconded Mr Fendall’s nomination. His remarks were principally to the effect that he fully endorsed Mr Higgins’ views. He said, also, that Mr Moorhouse Wished to misrepresent them as ho had done his late Christchurch constituency. Mr Dilnot Sladden said, as Mr William Sefton Moorhouse was so well known to Canterbury and Canterbury men, it would be a perfect superfluity for him to endeavour to say anything in favour of Mr Moorhouse. Mr Moorhouso’s actions and past exertions in the way of advancing the interests of the colony, and Canterbury in particular, were too well known and admired to require any comment from him, or any other old settler who had watched his career for the past twenty years. Of course, they were now, in the shape of railways and every other advancement, reaping the rich fruition of the policy instituted by Mr Moorhouse and his coadjutors, and so firmly planted as to be an everlasting boon to them, their children, and their children’s children. Ho was very proud to be there that day to propose Mr William Sefton Moorhouse as the most fit and proper person to represent the Ashley district in the House of Representatives. Mr J. W. Moore seconded Mr Moorhouse’s nomination. He thought the Ashley district should feel very highly honored to have the chance of returning such a veteran reformer as Mr Moorhouse. Ho asked them to believe that he was a true Liberal in the proper sense of the word, but not a Liberal of the claptrap kind. He also asked them to remember that Mr Moorhouse had always been the truest friend of the working man, and had been returned by acclamation by the working men of the colony long before Sir G. Grey or his party had considered it conducive to the success of their party tactics to institute tho~ class against class cry. He was not going to be led to believe that their old and tried friend was now in hia ripe age going to turn the enemy of his old friends, the working men. Nor had ho read anything to give him such «n idea, either in any of the public journals or iu any record of his past views or his present actions. He did not represent the capitalists, but he was fully competent to represent the masses, and the country would have every reason to cry “ Shame” on any constituency who would withhold from the House such an old and tried servant. He had known Mr Moorhouse for twenty-five years, always as a most liberal statesman, and Canterbury to the backbone. And he was then only adding his quota to the support of a genuine Liberal policy in seconding the nomination. In conclusion he would say that the more able the captain the more chance they would have in getting into port. [Cheers.] Mr Anthony Hodgson then proposed Mr James Alexander Cunningham as a fit person to represent the constituency. He said his friend Mr Cunningham was an old resident. Though a young man, he was well read, and well qualified to be their member. He said no doubt Mr Moorhouse’a name would be loved and revered so long as Canterbury stood, but he found fault with him because ho did not speak quite so powerfully as formerly. He supposed ho was getting old. He said, if he spoke candidly, he believed hey would most of them yet veto for Mr

Mooihoußo. He was not a politician, but considered they would most of them vote for Moorhouse. But Mr Feudal! had, he was sorry to say, made a mess of himself altogether. Why did not Mr Moorhouse launch out and give us a good speech. The old must die, and we must bring the young forward, viz., such as Mr Cunningham. He did not give much for professions on the platform, because when they went into the House they would vote the way they thought proper. Mr Peter Duncan seconded Mr Cunningham’s nomination. He said Mr Cunningham had once been a squatter, but had fallen from that high position, and taken to grow cabbages. [Laughter.] But he was a man very highly esteemed in his own district. His qualification as a legislator was first-class. He was a fine man, and would jealously keep guard over their interests, and he was also of the full age, and could speak for himself. No other candidate being proposed, the Returning Officer called upon the several candidates to address the electors, if they thought fit. Mr Fendall then came forward to address the electors, and was cheered by his supporters. Ho said he would not detain them with a long speech as he had so often addressed them before. In addition to the views he had already expressed, he said he should be in favor of dividing the district, leaving Loburn to go somewhere else, as any candidate from there must be a stranger to that part of the district [Cheers and groans.] He would now leave himself in the hands of the electors. [Applause.] Mr Moorhouse, who was received with several rounds of applause, said he felt very much obliged to Mr Hodgson for the ver handsome tribute ho paid to hia past services. The only thing he seemed to find fault with was that he (Mr Moorhouse) did not speak on local matters, and that ho did not own a large or a small farm in tho district. If that was the only necessary qualification, that might be very easily overcome. After the handsome speech of Mr Hodgson, ho had not much to say, but asked them to infer from his past services that whatever was left of the energy of his youth in the way of progress, would still remain in tho same cause, and ho did not think he was ya very ancient. [Loud and long continued cheers.] He said he would not say that the policy of the present Government was stolen, but it was adopted in nearly all its particulars from that policy originally introduced by the late Government, The sole business of the General Assembly was to make general laws, and his friend Mr Pendall well knew that all local matters were most ably administered by County Councils and Road Boards, Ho hoped shortly that they might have that place very much improved by tho extension of the railway to tho West Coast. As regarded the Bank arrangement, that had been very much misrepresented, and he considered that both parties in the House should arrange 'the banking account.

Mr Cunningham said he did not consider he owed any apology to the electors for coming forward. He did not contest of his own desire, hut upon the requisition of a Irrge number of his friends in the Loburn district. Though his friends called him a young man, he did not think he was so young after all, as he had already done a great amount of public service on the Boad Board, He wished to become what Mr Moorhouse said he was, a young beginner. He had no idea of coming forward a fortnight ago. He did not agree with Mr Fendall, because his idea was that manhood suffrage was one of the standard points of the Liberal policy. He would go further than that. He would give every woman who paid rates a vote. Mr Moorhouse believed in the land tax, and would tax improvements. Mr Moorhouse here said the candidate was misrepresenting him. He did not approve of the land tax and would not tax improvements.

Mr Cunningham said he was reported to say so in the “ Lyttelton Times.” Mr Moorhouse said he did not care what the “Lyttelton Times” said. Mr Cunningham thought it was unfair to tax Crown lands. He would rather raise the runholders’ rents. They must have a general property tax, as the country people wore too much taxed in proportion to townspeople. He was in favor of selling laud on deferred payments, as most of the land now was held under land sharks. He thought it seemed impracticable to distribute the banking account.. He hoped they would not smile, but help him with a few votes. If they did not like him at present he would do his best to make them like him in the future. He could not make a set speech, as he was only in the habit of saying a few words at a time. In conclusion he came forward as the farmers’ candidate. At the show of hands there were for Mr Moorhouse 27 ; Mr Fendall 18, and Mr Cunningham 4. A poll was demanded on behalf of Mr Cunningham. A vote of thanks to the returning officer, proposed by Mr Moorhovfse, seconded by Mr Cunningham, closed the business. Three hearty cheers were then given for Mr Moorhouse, and one man gave a cheer for Sir G. Grey. The poll will take place on 11th September PABNELL, WAIRARAPA, WALLACE, AND MOUNT IDA ELECTIONS. [Bi Telegraph. 1 MASTERTON, September 4. The latest telegram from Featherston gives the total election returns for the Wairarapa as follows : Beetham ... ... 726 Bunny ... ... 529 Pharazyn 501 The Maurioeville and Alfred Town returns have yet to come in, but will not alter the result, Messrs Beetham and Bunny’s return being certain. INVERCARGILL, September 4, The poll for Wallace took place to-day, but owing to the straggling character of the district the returns will not be all in until tomorrow. As present Mr Hirst is ahead, Mr Joyce is second, and Mr Cuthbertaon last. DUNEDIN, September 4. Mr De Lautour was returned for the Mount Ida district unopposed, NOMINATIONS. [Bx Telegraph.] AUCKLAND, September 4. At Maraden nomination the candidates proposed were—Sir R. Douglas, Rev. Bruce, Messrs Dargaville and Colbeck. The last is Greyite, and the others independent. The show of hands was in favor of Mr Colbeck. At the Waipn nomination the show of hands favored Mr F. A. Whitaker, the independent candidate. Messrs Cunningham and Roche run as supporters of Sir G. Grey, and McMinn for the opposition.

WELLINGTON, September 4. The show of hands at the nomination for the Wellington country districts resulted as follows:—lzard, 20j O’Neill, 14; Brandon,

TIMARU, September 4. At tbe Geraldine nomination to-day Mr Edward Wakefield waa proposed by Mr Alfred Cox and seconded by Mr Michael Quinn, Mr Henry Feld wick was proposed by Mr K. F. Gray, and seconded by Mr Harrop. The show of hands was nearly 2to lin favor of Mr Wakefield. A poll was demanded for Mr Feldwick. MISCELLANEOUS ELECTION ITEMS. [Br Telegraph."] AUCKLAND, September 4. Mr Sheehan leaves for Napier to-morrow morning to contest the seat for Clive against Mr Ormond.

A keen contest is expected to-morrow between Messrs Whitaker and Tolo, the Government candidate. The latter is expected to win by a large majority. WELLINGTON, September 4. The statement which has been circulated that Mr Halcombe is ineligible to contest the seat for Manawatu in consequence of having signed a contract for 3000 sleepers on belli If of the colonists and Corporation is authoritatively denied. Legal advice has been taken on the point, and it is held that the case of the Hon. Henry Russell (a very similar one) has established a precedent on the point. DUNEDIN, September 4.

Mr Macassey is talked of at Arrow as likely to bo nominated on Friday, If he is, Mr Mandors’ return is certain, as the voles will be so split between Messrs Mason, Finn, Menders, and Macassey, that Mr Menders and his friends are devoutly hoping the new candidate will be run.

It is generally thought that the Port election to-morow will be a very close affair, and that twenty votes will decide it. The friends of both candidates are straining every nerve, and every available vote will be mustered, indeed some will bo brought from considerable distances north and south. Mir Green is

sure of a majority at Blueskin, but the committee of Macandrew, in order to reduce it as much as possible, intend to dispatch to the polling there as many voters for him as can be induced to accept a trip by rail to Blueskin,