NELSON. PROVINCIAL COUNCIL ELECTION, COBDEN DISTRICT.

Grey River Argus, Volume V, Issue 324, 11 February 1868, Page 2

NELSON. PROVINCIAL COUNCIL ELECTION, COBDEN DISTRICT.

THE NOMINATION. The nomination of candidates for the representation of the Groy District in the Provincial Council of Nelson., tqok place at the Warden's Court, Cobden, at hoon, on Saturday, before T. A. S: Kyn^. neraley; Esq., ( R.M., Returning Officer. There was very little, interest manifested by the public, very few— not more than a score being present. Indeed before the hour for the nomination arrived it was a doubtful question if a sufficient number of electors could, be found to propose and second the various caudidates. One of the candidates had to ride' off post haste to the North-beach, to hunt up a " free and enlightened" to act as seconder ; whilst another gentleman was in great anxiety as to whether he could find any one either to propose or second him. However the difficulty was got over by one of the'candidates magnanimously lending his services to one of Ms rivals. The Returning Officer having called for the nomination, of candidates Mi- Poole proposed, and Mr J. H. Graham seconded, the nomination of Mr A.B. Bain. Mr Poole proposed; and Mr John Miller seconded,- the nomination of Mr J. H. Graham. Mr Courteney proposed, add Mr A. B. Bain seconded, the nomination of Mr G. H. Home. A show of hands for the respective candidates was called for by the Returning Officer, which resulted as follows :— Bain 1 ; Graham, 1 ; Home, 5. Mi- Bain demanded a poll, which was fixed to take place on Monday (yesterday) at Cobden, Ahaura, Charleston, and Brighton. The only candidate who made a speech was Mr J. H. Graham, who said that although he was a stranger in Cobden,the electors could see by the. report of his

speeches at other places what his opinions were. He was an old miner, and as such his interests, were connected with th§ whole district, and, if returned, he would do his best for the community of the Grey district, as much ajs he would for Charleston or Brighton. He thought the pro, poser of Mr Home (Mr Courtney) Tiad §ome interested motives in seeking to re= turn Mr Home. There was a. certain tramway in which that gentleman was concerned, and perhaps there was an idea of getting some of the public funds to help it. But he thought it would be wrong to call upon any of the public funds for the. help of private speculations. He had no objection to tramways, and would give, them poper encouragement, but he 'did. not think they were an unmixed advantage. If advantageous in one sense — in giving n.en cheaper provisions ; in anothersense they were injurious, because th«»y took a good deal of labor from working nien. in the shape of cutting tracks, pack ing, &c, With regard to the proposed railway from Nelson to Cobden, he would support the expenditure of the L 300,000 it was estimated to cost ; and he approved, of giving land to the company making the! line ; but was not in favor of guaranteeing interest on the capital. He had no. doubt in his own mind that if returned he. : would be able to serve the district well. He had gained more confidence in himself lately, particularly after the Returning Officer- at Westport had sa_id, shout MrSmith being the stamp' of men to go to the Council. If Mr Smith was really the right stamp, he. could only say that he.(the speaker) had greater faith in himself then he had previqusjiy entertained A vote of thanks to the Returning Officer cpncluded the proceeding