PROVINCIAL COUNCIL ELECTION.

Grey River Argus, Issue 73, 30 June 1866, Page 2

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL ELECTION.

NOMINATION OF CANDIDATES. The nomination of candidates for the re. presentation of Greymouth in the Provincial Council of Canterbury took place on Thursday, at the Warden's Court, Blaketowa Therewas no hour mentioned in the electoral notice, and it was taken for granted by the public thatthe nomination would take place, as usual, at noon. Consequently, the various candidates, surrounded by their committees and supporters, arrived at the Court in the midst of ■a heavy shower, of rain and hail, and the outside public enjoyed their discomfiture when it transpired that the Returning Officer ■with the writ had not arrived, and was not likely to arrive that day, in consequence of the flooded state of the rivers. After a weary half hour, passed under the lee of the Court House, the candidates and their friends returned, to town, thoroughly drenched and disheartened at such an absurd termination to all their little schemes. ' But, shortly after three o'clock Mr Sale was seen to ride into town hr hot haste, and the familiar voice of the bellman was soon heard announcing the joyful tidings that the nomination would take place immediately. Accordingly a rush was made to the Court House, and in a very short time, about 130 persons had assembled there. The clerk's table and a chair did good service as "the hustings." Mr Sale, Returning Officer for Westland, read the writ issued for th*e election, and also the electoral notice which was published in this journal. He said— You are aware that by law the nomination should have taken ( place to-day at twelve o'clock ; but there is a. clause in the Act which provides that in the case of any unforseen or unavoidable delay, the return is not void on that account, and the delay of a few hours i does not vitiate the proceedings; I could not be here sooner, in consequence of tbe flooded state of the rivers. (Hear, hear.) Before I ask any gentleman to come forward to nominate a candidate, I will just say a few words as to what I believe to be the. qualification of persons voting at this election. I know that a great many persons have had doubts on the point, for I have had many letters and verbal requests "with regard to it. Although.it is not my business to pronounce an authorative opinion, yet I am m a manner compelled to form an opinion in order to carry ont the election. (Hear, hear). I have taken very great pains to form a correct opinion, arid I have consulted legal gentlemen of high standing, and other persons ; men of sound sense and judgment, I have come to the conclusion that the holders of miners' rights and businesslicenses of six months' standing can vote for the member of the electoral district within which the miner's right or business license was taken out. (Hear, hear. ) I may tell you that opinion is backed by some men of high standing and of legal . education ; but I must also say that there are others who hold a contrary opinion, that the proper persons .to vote for the electoral district of Westland are the owners of miners' rights and business licenses, and that the only persons entitled to vote for the towns of Greymouth and Hokitika are the persons whose names are on the electoral roll of- last year. (Hear, hear.) That opinion is held by men of eminence, but it would disfranchise the whole of us if it. was the case ; and the only reason they give for arriving at that opinion is not because it is plain from the face, of it, but because they think such -was the intention of the Legislature. Now, that might possibly be the intention of thfr Legislature, but I am also certain that it never was the intention of the Legislature to disfranchise Greymouth and Hokitika — (applause)— and we have as much right to say this is the intention of the Legislature as they have to say that was its intention. lam afraid the conclusion I have arrived at will give rise to disappointment in this way, that a miner who took out his miners' right in Greymouth will not vote for Westiand, but for th» town of Greymouth. I will read you the law I depend on for this, and on which I have formed'my conclusions. (He read the 4th clause of the Miners' Representation Act of 1562, and, also, as amended in 1565, when business licenses were added as a qualification). Mr Luscombe: Will you be good enough to give us the names of the gentlemen with whom you consulted? (Cries of "No, no.") Mir Sale : I dp not intend to. mention any of their names, but they are men of standing. It does not matter whether they are or are not, but I simply mentioned the fact, because I did not wish to appear to force my opinion down any man's throat, but simply to dp what is right. (Applause, and hear, hear. ) Mr Simmons : If your opinion turned out afterwards to be incorrect, would the election be null and void? ; _ Mr Sale : I believe it would be possible in that case to upset the, election by process of the Supreme Court. A Voice :' Is it necessory for the candidate to have the same qualification? Mr Sale: I have only to do with the electors, not with the candidates, and I am not going to trouble myself "about them. I have only to take the votes of such persons as are qualified to vote, and no btheas; and the qualification is as I have stated it. (Hear, hear.) Mr Kilgotjb : It appears very hard that because I took out my business license in Hokitika, I should have no vote here. ■Mr Sale : I am aware that it does press hard in some cases, especially on the miners. I am sorry that such a disappointment should take place, but it is .nothing ..to the disappointment that would have been felt if you had not been able to return a member at all. (Hear, hear.) I now call upon any duly qualified elector to nominate a candidate. Mr Charles Brockley proposed Mr John Arthur Whall, as a fit and proper person to represent Greymouth in the Provincial Council. Mr Edwin AsHTOif seconded the motion. Mr J. A. De Hammett proposed Mr John Albert Keenan, and Mr Patrick Michael Gkifi'lN seconded the motion. Mr David Mtuhisox proposed, and Mr James Middleton seconded the- nomination of Mr Thomas L. Shepherd. Mr Alexander W. Moncrieff* proposed Mr W. H. Harrison, and Mr J. P. Christenson seconded the motion, Mr Duncan M'Lachlan proposed Mr Richard Charles Luscombe, and Mr Daniel M'Leod seconded the motion. ' There being no further nominations, the Returning Officer called upon the candidates to address the electors. ' ; Mr j. A. Whall said: You have been told that I. do net indulge you with long speeches, and I will not do so on tie present occasion. You have been told by the Returning Officer that the result of this election depends upon another class of electors, who have never been calculated upon in this election. I mean the miners, and as Isee that there is a meeting of the miners to be held this evening,'!" will reserve my remarks for that occasion, as most of the gentlemen now present have already ; heard my political views. (Hear, hear.) Mr J. A. I^enan next mounted the table, and said : In the first place, I" wish to thank the very influential number of gentlemen who signed my requisition, and also the mover and seconder otJmy], nomination. (Hear, hear/ and laughter;) Inia letter which appeared in this day igryuf, I

promised to go over my political principles here to-day ; but as there is to be a meeting of miners to-night, I will there again expose my political creed. (Loud laughter, and cries of " Keep your prpmise," and " Let us have it out.") You can have it out to-night. (Laughter and applause.) Ido not think it necessary to detain you here in the cold now —(hear, hear)— but I. promise to address you to-night, and go over my political principles along with the other candidates. I again thank you, gentlemen, and make way for the next candidate. MrT. L. Shepherd said: I have addressed you on previous occasions, and have cxv plaiued my views at length, and there is no necessity for recapitulation. Now that it is stated the miners have votes my sincerity in advocating titeir interests will be proved, as 1 advocated their rights when it was supposed that they had no voice whatever in the el iction. (Applause. ) My views still remain the same as when they were first announced to you; and; if you return me as your representative, I will represent the mining interest, more especially. (Hear, hear.) I feel fully qualified for the task, owing to my long experience among diggers, and my knowledge of their wants.- (Applause.) I , have not been round canvassing this town j for votes, or asking' men to- support me.; I rely on myself. : (Applause.) I rely udou you in this that you will .-elect me believing me to be the best : man to;represent you. (Laughter and applause.) If elected, I shall do niy best to advance the interests of the district at large, and to advance the interests of those men who do not support me equally with those who dp. (Applause.),, IJtaye no; ill feeling towards the other candidates, and I only hope tiha,t the best man will be returned, so that Greymouth may occupy that position which it deserves. (Applause.) I will addsess : you to-night^ when il will go into my political views at length. . MiW.H, Harkison said: Ido not intend now to detain yoiv with a long speech, as you have had too many opportunities, of hearing my vie\v3, and I will only say I will leserve any further exposition of them until this evening. But the other candidates have taken upon themselves rather a liberty in announcing their attention to address you at the meeting called by me for this evening. (Applause, and a voice: "You attended Lußcombe's meeting.") I engaged the room, but I am perfectly willing that the other candidates should there have as fair an opportunity of expressing their views and, opinions s|s I have mj'self. (Applause.); I have ndthiiig further to say now, except^that, if elected, I shall endeavor to institute a thorough reform injthe acbninistration of the affairs of the West Coast. (Applause.) That can only be done by producing a better conception of the wants and true interests of this part of the Province than exist at present. (Hear, hear.) Mymottoisthis, audit should, be the motto of everyone who 'aspires to the ; Council— "Open up the country, and let the! towns take care of themselves." (Loud applause,) , v Mr R. C. Luscombe ascended ihe table amidst cheers and uproarf (A voice: . " That's the man for my money.") Since I h*ve come forward in, this' election,' I wOl go through with it, and I now tell you that I iiitjnd to stand : for my return, ; You have heard my opinions of what' is necessary, for this place, and I will endeavor to carry them out to the best of my ability.. (Mr Shepherd here made a remark.) I never interrupt you, Mr Shepherd, and if you dare to; interrupt me, I will give you a cut. (Loudi laughter, and confusion.) With reference to the interests of the West Coast, you have heard, me speak and express my opinions as to what should, be done for you, and, if you; return me, be assured that whether I look upon you or not mythoughts are in the siuno channel, and I '..will-do my best in. any direction in which' you may choose to ask me. (Applause, and a voibE: "As far as your abihty goes.") I will try to influence the members of the Council; to back ; up my opinions; and I will be present to carry through any motion I may propose. (Laughter, and applause.) : The Returning Officer took a show of Lands f(-r the various candidates with the following result :—" Mr Whall ? ... ..,; ... 22 Mr Keenan ... ... „. 25 Mr Shepherd ... . ... .".-;., 21 Mr Harrison ... ... ... 23 Mr Luscombe; .. ... r> 10 Mr Luscombe demanded a poll on his own account. ; ; j . ; v The Returning Officer announced that the poll would take place on the following day- ■-" :- '■":')■ .' '■' ..'"■'■ "■■-'-- ■ "■* Mr Ktsxt. moved a vote of thanks to Mr Sale, which was loudly responded to. At this moment, as a heavy shower of hail was falling, which ; .quickly dispersed the crowd, Mr Keenan got on the table, and was commencing' to thank -the electors' 0 for "returning him,?' when he was pulled down by a few of his friends. '.-■-. In the -evening two "monster" meetings of miners were held in the Royal and Victoria Hotels. .. At, the former the chair was "occupied by Mr Scott, and the audience was addressed by Messrs Shepherd^ Keenan, and Whall; and at the latter Mr D. M'Leah occupied the chair, and Messrs Harrison and Luscombe were the speakers in the first instance, but at the conclusion of the former meeting Messrs Shepherd and Keenan addressed this meeting also. '- We do not intend to report the addresses of the candidates on these occasions as they were almost entirely a reiteration of views expressed at for- ■ mer meetings. That at the Victoria .was the most disorderly election meeting that has been, held during the contest, ;ahd it' ended in a complete uproar after a second chairman had been appointed. ' '- • '