PUBLIC MEETING AT LEESTON

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2058, 28 September 1880, Page 4

PUBLIC MEETING AT LEESTON

A meeting of ratepayers was held in Spring's Hotel, Leeston, on Thursday afternoon, to take into consideration the action of tho Board of Conservators re tho election of two members. Mr Ronnie was voted to the chair. The Chairman said that the meeting had been called by a large portion of the ratepayers in tho district, beoause of the setting aside of the election of two members, to consider what steps should be taken. A large section thought that thoy should have advised as to the spending of money instead of entrusting it to one or two. Mr A. McLacblan explained what had taken place at Bouthbridge. He then went on to say that on the night before the nomination they had a meeting in lieeston, when it wbb decided to put in nomination Messrs Gabbie, Forsyth, and himself. Along with Mr Osborne he went up to Southbridge to lodge the nomination papers, but the returning officer refused to aocept them as returning officer, and referred them to the advertisement appearing in that morning's " Guardian." That was not satisfactory, and they told him so. The returning officer was willing to shelter himself under the wing] of the chairman, but they were determined to have the matter put to rights. Then they agreed to send a telegram to the Hon. J. Hall explaining the circumstances, and asking him to consult the Attorney-General. The following was the reply they had received from that gentleman :—" Wellington, 22nd September, 1880. — IE you will give dates of papers in which advertisements appear, I will, as scon as they reach me, inquire on the subjeot, but as I leave for Canterbury the day after to-morrow, if papers cannot reeoh me before then you had better telegraph to Mr BollestOD, whom I will ask to attend to the matter in my absence.—Johk HaliL." The following telegram had also been received :—" Wellington, September 22nd, 1880.—About leaving for Christchurch, but I have telegraphed to the Returning Officer for a oopy of tha paper containing second advertisement. Will also endeavor to ascertain his reasons for inserting it.—John Ham." It was for the meeting to decide what course should be taken. Mr Bluett would like to ask the Returning Officer when the flaw in the Act had been discovered—whether it was before Mr Lee's election or recently, Mr Desborough explained in detail. Mr Bluett said they were perfectly well aware of all that which tho secretary had just told them, but what the meeting wanted co know was, whether he was conversant with the fact of the flaw in the Act prior to Mr Lee's election ? Mr Desborough replied in tho nogative, observing that Messrs Hanmer and Harper had been consulted on that occasion, and asked whether the voting was to be personal or cumulative. Mr A. McLacblan wished to know why tho Returning Officer had not conducted the last election in the samo way. He oould not help thinking that the Returning Officer was not in a position to act impartially. At the Southbridge meeting they hod been - taken quite by surprise, and were flabbergasted by the smooth way|of putting it adopted by tho gentleman at the head of the Board. The present was a question affecting tho rights and liberties of the subject, and tbey were determined to have things done on the square. Mr Desborough, after entering into explanations, said he believed that Mr Lee was taking steps to have matters put straight. As far as he was concerned individually, it made not the slightest difference to him. who was returns 3. If he had conducted the election iu the manner suggested by the last speaker, it might hove beon upset on the petition of any ratepayer. Mr Spring wished to know who had authorised him to write for advice.

Mr Desborough replied that he had done so as Returning Officer on his own responsibility. Mr Bluett wished to know if Mr Dssborough had a copy of Messrs Hanmer and Harper's letter in 1878. Mr Desborough said that he had shown Mr Mcljaohlan copies of the correspondence. Mr Bluett thought that the Board had placedfi itself in this dilemma : Either the election of Messrs Lee, Lockhead, and Marshall had been illegal, or the election should be carried on. He would therefore move—- " That a deputation be appointed by the meeting to wait upon the Hon. John Hall in order to plaoe such facts before him as they can procure with regard to the upsetting of an election lately advertised by the North Baksia Board of Conservators for filling up two vaoancies on that Board." It was right that a deputation should be appointed, for he could not help thinking that there had been a little " sheenannaking " in respect to the election. If Mr Mcliachlan had not been so outspoken in threatening to sack the secretary and the Board altogether, the election would have gone on quietly. It was a happy thought that of consulting Messrs Harper, Harper and Scott. [Laughter], Mr A. MoLaohlan thought that the appointment of a deputation was the quickest way of getting the matter put straight, and therefore had great pleasure in seconding the resolution. . The Chairman put the resolution to the meeting, and it was carried. Mr Bishop moved the following resolution :—"That in the opinion of this meeting it would have been better for the Board of Conservators to have allowed the election to go on, and any electors who felt aggrieved could then have taken what steps thoy please in the matter." This was seconded by Mr Sandrey and oarried. Mr Sandrey then proposed—" That the deputation consist of Messrs Bluett, MoLachlan, ar.d Rennie." This was duly seconded and carried. Mr 7. MoLaohlan moved—" That in the opinion of this meeting Mr E. J. Lee, by hie arbitrary action in connection with the Bakaia Board of Conservators, has forfeited the confidence and esteem of the ratepayers in this side of the North Bakaia district." Mr Bothery seconded the resolution. Mr Bluett thought it rather hard to pass such a resolution when Mr liee was not there to defend himself. No man had pitched into Mr Lee stronger than he bad, but it had always been to his face, and not behind his back. The Chairman put the resolution to the meeting, and it was carried. A vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated the proceedings.