THE GENERAL ELECTIONS.

Grey River Argus, Volume X, Issue 777, 10 January 1871, Page 2

THE GENERAL ELECTIONS.

MR. HARRISON'S MEETINGS. Ahatjra. On Friday evening Mr W. H. Harrison addressed a large meeting of the electors of the Ahaura at Pinkerton's Hotel. The chair was taken by D. M'Kenna, Esq. The Chairman in opening the meeting said that he was always glad to assist in meetings of this kind, but he wished it to be understood that although presiding as Chairman he did not desire to be identified with any particular candidate. Mr Harrisoa was well known to them as an old resident on the coast, and he was sure the me iting would give him. a fair and patient hearing. Mr Harrison expressed his satisfaction at Seeing the meeting was so well attended in spite of the heavy rain, and explained the alterations that had been made in the electoral districts. Although he appeared before them as a candidate for the first time, he was, personally at>d by repute, well known ta most of those present. He then adverted to the efforts that he had made during .the. last five years to put an end to the double government which was such a curse to the district. The proposal for annexing the south bank of the Grey to the Province of Nelson had not at one time the support of tbe people of this district — for reasons which he could not understand ; but he was sure that almost all of them would now admit that very great advantages would have acctued had annexation been carried. The Gold Fields wotild have received a great acquision of political influence, and would consequently have exercised a much larger power of control over the administration of their affairs. Mr Harrisou then proceeded to explain the financial policy of the present Ministry, and his objections to it, his opinions on this subject being fully shared in by the meeting. On the subject of water supply to the Gold Fields, he said that the measure brought forward by the Ministry was so ill-considered and so devoid of adequate machinery for giving effect to it, that he was sure no practical result would be forthcoming without fresh and more complete legislation on the subject. It would be Jus duty, if again returned, to use his beat efforts to secure a good workable measure for this purpose. 'He then proceeded to urge the necessity of a thorough reform in the administration of the Gold

Fields of the Colony, and pointed out the inefficiency of the present system of Provincial management. He animadverted in ; str,png terms upon theifc manner in which t£e delegated powers of^ the Governor under the Gold Fields Act were administered, and gave several instances in which the irresponsible exercise »f these powers was highly detrimental to the public interests. He proceeded to explain his opinions as to the manner in which the gold fields should be administered, viz., their removal from Provincial control, and making their administration, a responsible department of the General Government; the division of the gold fields into Boards of Works districts, each having a fixed proportion of the revenue to administer by a Local Board upon public works within its boundaries. That such Local Boards should also draw up the regulations for mining within the dis»trict, so as to ensure rules applicable to the special circumstances of each locality. The codification and simplification of the Gold Fields Acts, the establishment of the s j stem of delegation, and leaving the management of protection to ferries, tracks, &c., to the Local Boards. He was sure that unless some such system was adopted, and a larger local control was given over the expenditure of the revenue, there would never be satisfactory administration on the gold fields. Mr Harrison alluded in strong terms to the apathy and. neglect with which gold fields matters had been treated by the General Government and Assembly, and stated that it was the duty of the mining population to insist upon greater attention. The dissatisfaction that prevailed was so great and so generally felt that he was sure that if a new gold field was discovered in some other Colony the West Coast gold fields would be almost deserted. If he had the honor of being returned he would use every effort to effect a change, and if the Government would not move in that direction he would give a pledge to bring in a measure himself. He then referred to the question of Provincialism, and expressed hia desire to see the Provinces as at present constituted abolished. He was in favor of a financial separation of the North and Middle Islands, the establishment of each into a Province, with a legislation for its immediate concerns, and a, Central Government at Wellington to have charge over matters of a general character. He was in favor of manhood suffrage, and was opposed to protection. He touched upon the subject of State Education, and expressed the opinion that astrictly non-denominational system would not work well in the present condition of the Colony. Referring to the caudidature of .Mr Buckley, lie warned the electors that the return of any member not conversant .with, their interests would really be a disf ranch isement of the district, fie did not, however, believe that they would commit so palpable an act of political suicide. After a few questions had been put and answered satisfactorily an unanimous vote of confidence in Mr Harrison was carried, and the meeting terminated. Napoleon's Pursuant to notice duly given to the miners at Napoleon's, Orwell Creek, and the various diggings in the vicinity, Mr Harrison addressed a meeting of the elec^ tora on Saturday evening. It had been arranged by consent of the proprietors that the meecing should be he.d in the now untenanted Casino, it being the only large and suitable room in the township. But it appears that some influence had been put in- motion to prevent this, for on Mr Harrison's arrival in the evening it was found that the proprietor was absent, and it was alleged by thosa who professed to have his instructions that the proprietor had left word to refuse the use of the room. After some trouble and delay the custodian of the key was discovered, and was persuaded to give it up on payment being made. This difficulty being overcome, another was temporarily created by the obstructionists. When the crier proceeded to. announce the meeting it was found that the large bell used iv the township on public occasion* had been "planted." A small house bell "was brought into requisition, and ultimately the real bell was given up. At half, -past eight the large room was filled, there being about 120 persons present. The chair was taken by Mr Hopkins, who introduced Mr Harrison. His speech was, of course, almost a repetition of that made-at the Ahaura. It was earnestly listened to, and evidently won the approval of the meeting, for the motion of confidence in the candidate was unanimously carried. Strong working committees to secure Mr Harrison's return have been formed at Ahaura and Napoleon.