STANMORE ELECTORATE.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2538, 27 May 1882, Page 3

STANMORE ELECTORATE.

MR COWLISHAW AT BINGSLAND. Last night Mr W. P. Cowlishaw addressed a large body of electors and others in the Binggland Schoolroom. The proceedings were heralded with symptoms of approaching disorder, oheers being alternately called for Mr Pilliet and Mr Cowlishaw. Mr C. B. Taylor was voted to the chair.

Mr Cowlishaw, on coming forward, was greeted with some applause and with _an uproar so noisy that his words were inaudible a few yards away. His opening word, " Gentlemen," was the signal for yells of derision, and a voice—" You may well say ' gentlemen.' " For some time Mr Cowlishaw spoke to the reporters, and was understood to say he was sure that the few people making the noise did not represent the constituency. In 18S1 the Legislature had passed the Corrupt Practices Prevention Act to prevent any undue influences from being used. The Legiiliturj had de's) -mined to put down with a strcnjr hand the tecdency ft J an unjust preponderance of money in the ohoioe of representatives. [Here a great deal of stamping was indulged in by the speaker's noisy opponents.] The Act's provisions he had carefully studied, and he had determined to regulate his conduct honorably according to them. He had deemed it necessary to inquire into transactions that had taken place during the election, and he believed that some of Mr Pilliet's friends had indulged in many illegal and corrupt acts. Having some evidence to go upon, he had thought it his duty to institute further inquiries, and the result was a lodgment of the petition. [Hammering of stioks intervened at this stage.] The election was declared void. The judges had BGen fit to animadvert on him in reference to several points, in timating thtt the circumstances attending Mr B joiner's evidence obtained at the White Hart Hotel had not been oreditable; that the employment of a detective was unjustifiable, and that the oircumstanoes attending the obtainiog of the letter from Mr Pilliet to Mr Scott were discreditable, [Here the disturbance was renewed, and reiterated orios were heard of " Turn him out," in allusion to one " free and independent " of a particularly noisy temperament, while the crowd congregated, as in a football sorimmage round the centre of attraction. A couple of policemen were present, and a voice cried out, " I authorise the polioe to turn that man out." Presently a few noisy youths were threatened with expulsion, and some degree of harmony resulted.] Mr Cowlishaw, resuming, said he was. sure the majority of the audience would like to give him fair piay. [Cheers.] After hearing him, they would have another opportunity of recording their votes, aud showing their appreciation of him. But they need not interrupt him, for, if necessary, he would speak above the meeting to the people at large, and what he said would be heard by a larger audience than had attended that meeting. [Comparative order now reigned,] He believed he should be able to convince them that the judicial remarks were not maintained by facts. Mr Toomer had been a candidate for Stanmore on an aivanoed Liberal ticket. From him Mr Cowlishaw received a letter that it was necessary for him "to keep the old man going." [Chorus of ironical laughs.] Of this Mr Cowlishaw did not avail himself. He did not want to secure the services of Mr Toomer. The next thing was that Mr Toomer had retired in favour of Mr Pilliet, and was engaged canvassing actively for him, Mr Toomer had asked Mr Cowlishaw to go to the Eastern Hotel and have some conversation. He replied that he would not. From information, Mr Cowlishaw had deemed it necessary to proceed to the warehouse of the Messrs Toomer, and had asked to see Mr Toomer senior. He was not in, but his sons volunteered a statement of the oiroumstances under whioh Mr Toomer had retired. Mr Cowlishaw was told the father was in town. Having seen him, they went together to the White Hart, where Mr Toomer voluntarily made a statement, and said in future he would Bupport Mr Cowlisbaw. At the hearing of the petition, Mr Toomer said that the statement made at the White Hart had been made while he was under the influence of drink, having had something " hard," but that he had had sufficient consciousness to be able to give evasivo answers. Mr Cowlishaw said that in this there was not a word of troth. To show the amount of drink they had at the White Hart, ho mentioned that they were drinking one bottle of champagne amongßt four, when Mr Holraca and Mr Loughrey oame in. Mr Holmes, when asked to join, said he did not care for champagne, but would take a glass of whiskey. Mr Toomer said he would have port wine end lemonade. The only drink Mr Toomer had at the White Hart was a glass of ohampagne and some port wine and lemonade [A voice—" No ; a ' tot * of his ' favorite,' "] His statement had been reduced to writing before he drank these, Mr Cowlishaw had been asked by Mr Too m or'a sons to keep him out of the witness-box. Touching the White Hart interview, Mr Cowlishaw had received a letter from Mr J. Holmes, datod 25th inst., stating that Mr Toomer was quite sober, and was not asked by Mr Cowlishaw or Mr Garrick or Mr Sharp, in the writer's presence to take whisky, and that Mr Sharp took no notes. On the same dale Mr Loughrey wrote to the same effect. In regard to employing a detective Mr Cowlishaw urged that, from time immemorial, it had been the practice of the British and other Governments to employ detectives for the deteotion of crime, and if it was proper that the State, representing the concentrated wisdom of the country and of ages, should employ detectives, why should not a private person do the same ? Llronioal oheers, and cries of "Wo admit that," "Carry it out," "Stick to the letter."] With regard to the circumstances attending the possession of Mr Pilliet's letter to Mr Scott, well it was—[Hooting, and cries of " Stolen, stolen." 1 At tho declaration of the poll Mr Scott had given a very decidod reason for deserting Mr Cowlishaw's cause. At the outset of Mr Cowlißhaw's candidature, Mr Scott had been a member of Mr Cowlishaw's committee. His request to be a clerk was deolined. Shortly afterwards he was working actively for Mr Pilliet. While the evidence in support of a petition was being investigated, Mr Scott placed himself in communication with Mr Cowlishaw's committeemen, and was engaged in Mr Feast's office. On receiving the letter from Mr Pilliet, Mr Soott immediately took it to Mr Goodman, and as he said, inadvertently it was left in Mr Goodman's office, strange to say. Had Mr Soott intended to act straightforwardly, what could his intention have been in leaving tho lotter at Goodman's offico ? Subsequently Mr Soott, knowing Mr Pilliet's supporters to be men oE warm temperament, felt it necessary to keep up appearances, and said the letter was lost or burned. Mr Cowlishaw deprecated any intention of having himself declared by the Judges to be entitled to the seat as a result of legal proceedings. After all, what had he to gain ? [Cries of " Revenge," " Gratification."] He then touched on leading political topics, favouring a 1 an for railways, roads, public works, and facilitating immigration. Taxes had been imposed to the exclusive advantage of landowners, who had benefited from the expendi--1 ture of public money. About £60.000,000 was the increaso in the value of land from its alienation from the Crown to tho valuation in 1879. In view of railway extensions pending, Mr G. H. Moore advertised a sale of lands, from whioh he would probably make a profit of £100,000; and others, between Waikari and Hurunui, would act similarly. Mr Cowlishaw advocated ohanges in the practice and procedure of Courts of Judicature, and urged that the machinery for redressing disputes touohing small acreages should be less expensive. In England the County Courts had jurisdiction up to £SOO in partnership matters. He should be prepared to support the Government in this direction. (Hear, hear.) Mr Cowlishaw reoeived an attentive hearing while expatiating on the excellent results accruing from the Hull Ministry, while Sir Geo. Grey had failed to carry his measures. In regard to levying rates, the people were harassed by haif-a-dozsn different systems of collection. The Government did well to propose the abolition of restrictions in the alienation of land. The recognition of the principle of aflirmat:o i was desired, and alterations touohing the property of married women and the management of Native affairs. A Board of Appeal might well be established from 'he deoision of suspension or dismissal of G°" vernmeat employes. In reply to questions, Mr Cowlishaw said he had not subpoenaed Messrs Holmes and Lsughrey to, give evidence against Toomer, • to shield him as much as possible. He did not come forward at tho instiga ll ° n of any Bank or other institution. He would i be glad to see Mr Pilliet come forward in tne , event of his being freed from disabiliti 6 *- Mr G. Swan proposed a vote of thanks, ' seconded by Mr J, Davis.

As 8b amendment, Mr John Jameson proposed three groans for Mr Oowlishatr. This was seoondod by Mr Clephane, who subsequently caused muoh amaaement by seconding the vote of thanks, apparently in mistake.

The Chairman refused to regard the sooalled amendment as such. Cries were raised of " Put the amendment," and three groans were heartily given, followed by equally hearty cheers. A show of hands being called, the Chairman announced the original motion carried. The proceedings ended at ten minutes to ten o'clock with a vote of thanks to the chairman, and all seemed in a hurry to leave the room, loßg sinoe redolent with an offensive odour from rotten eggs or other offensive substances scattered about surreptitiously on the floor.