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Grey River Argus, Volume X, Issue 794, 11 February 1871, Page 2

The election of a member for the House of Representatives for the Totara District h^s resulted in the return of Mr MichaelKeogh, ex-Ward«n. The contesting candidates were Mr Tribe, of Koss, Mr Can-eras, and Mr H '.us The number of votes rec -rde'l for, the respertve can<!ida*es was: — Keo«h, 131; Tribe, 128; Carreras, 75; Ho..s, 14; giving Mr Ke<- K h a majority of thre ?. In estimating tiie qualifications of -the several candidates there was no marked distinction arm>ng.*t them. Mr Keo-jrh, u'tli ugh for 3t-ver.il yea>'s a inillx oHirial, hi» h >d no experience whatt ver in public life. He does n-'t appear to hare hetr.-<ye I any particular knowledge of the principal political questions of the day, and has evidently all to learn. However, he is an educated gentleman, and if he address himself industriously to the task of mastering the present great political problems will no doubt make a useful member. Mr Tribe, although an untried man as a representative, has during his candidature evinced a thoughtful and

comprehensive knowledge of public affairs, and for that reason and hia intimate acquaintance with the question of water supply, we think his rejection is to be regretted. Mr Carreras is a hardworking, plodding, conscientio\ts politician, but without much originality of mind or purpose. His expressed opinions bear the impress of want of consideration and latitude of thought. His qualifications are such as to make him much more valuable in local politics than in the extended area of the General Assembly. Still, had he been returned he could have been relied upon as a loyal supporter of every measure calculated to advance the interests of the mining community. Mr Hoos has, we think, been hardly treated by the electors. He had a fair claim npnn their consideration, and the fact of his only having recorded fourteen votes savors a good deal of reproach to the electors themselves. We do not regret his defeat, because we do not think he was the most useful man ; but it is a pity that his past services were assessed at so small a figure. The elections far the West Coast are now over, and only one of the old members, Mr Harrison, has been re-elected. What weight or influence the four representatives will be able to wield remains to be seen. It is a misfortune that three out of the four have everything to learn, and must inevitably occupy a comparatively negative position for the first session. Possibly there may arise between them differences of detail ; but it is to be hoped that they will meet on common .ground on all matters affecting the interests of the Guld Fields. There are violent contrasts in the members themselves ; but it is a fortunate thing that the wholesome attrition which occurs in the General Assembly generally has the effect of smoothing down asperities, and macadamising those members who represent common interests. Let us hope for the best.