COUNTY COUNCIL ELECTION.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1062, 21 December 1871, Page 2

COUNTY COUNCIL ELECTION.

The nomination of candidates to represent Greymoutfe in the County oouncil of Westland, in the room, of- Mr F. Gfcin-' ness, resigned, took place yesterday in front 6|v jjh.e Court House. The proceedings 'were"'*"'bf a very quiet nature, not more than 50 or 50 persons being present. The returning officer, W. IE Revell, Esq., haying read the writ, called upon any person duly qualified to nominate candidates. Mr John M'Gregor proposed Mr Edward , Barton Fox as a fit and proper person to represent the district in the County Council. Mr James Morton seconded the nomination. Mr Thomas Alduidge proposed Mr John Harris. Mr Richard Slattery seconded the proposition. Mr James Johnston proposed Mr James Wylde. He did not wish to see such proceedings made a burlesque of. What they wanted was a scientific man, a man of ability, and this would be found in the gentleman he proposed, who was a first-class surveyor. It was all very well for such men as Jack -Harris and Fox to put themselves forward, but'it was a disgrace. (Mr Harris : Who do; you call Jack Harris? . My name is . John Harris. (Laughter ana uproar.) It was a disgrace — a pantomime. (Mr Harris : If it is a pantomime, you play the part of the clown.) 1 (Laughter;) MrJWylcte is the only man fit to represent the district. The Returning Officer then, called for a show of hands, which was as follows: — ; Fox ... ... ' ... 13 Harris ... ... ... 7 Wylde ... ... ... 18 The Returning Officer then declared the show of hands to be in favor of Mr Wylde. Mr Harris demanded a poll on behalf of himself, and Mr Morton on behalf of Mr Fox, which was appointed to take place on the 29th inst v Mr Fox then came forward, and said he was not unknown to the inhabitants of Greymouthj as he had been more or less connected with its progress. He was Chairman of the Road Board, and had rendered some service in that capacity. He would say more then, but would meet them at the Town Hall and explain his views. He would do his utmost^'tb get returned, and, if hie wM T f6rtunate7 would! do all that lay in his power to forward the interest of the district. (Cheers). Mr Wyldb thanked the electors for placing hi,m at the head of the poll r so far as the shoW of hands was concerned, but as he had already explained his views he would not detain them. Mr. Pox said he would leave iio stone unturned in oj?der to secure hig eleotibni and perhaps he was right, but for himself he was a believer in the ballot, and would not ask anyone to vote for him, but leave them to do as they pleased. It was thought in some quarters that it was useless to return candidates ;to the County Council, but the Council had a large sum of money at its disposal, and he believed that the next year would be an important ,oHe for the Grey District, and it would be requisite to have the country opened. It was a farce to send a man without weight or experience, and I for him to do good it was requisite that j he should possess both. Now, he did possess experience of such bodies, ob- - i ---«} j % fnivm >jonif»,vfiaw service iniihe Provincial Conncil, besides some little tact. He did not say that he expected to be* returned, but if he was, her would do his best for the district. (Applause). Mr John Harris said, after the speeches of the two last gentlemen he would say but very little, as he was not in the habit of making long speeches like those gentlemen who promised everything. He would like to know what jfr Fox would do for the district if he was^ returned ) Wliat stake had he ? There was no doubt but whit he would promise everything. Mr Wylde's aim was a Government billet,, and they would remember that in' this object he was defeated at th 9. last session, and should he be returned he would endeavor tq obtain his object by voting, for the County Chairman. $ho.uld. he (Mr Harris) be returned, he would do his best for the Grey without fear or reward. (Cheers). Mr Johnston would ask Mr Harris, if he was elected, would he stand for County Chairman ? . J Mr Harris : No. Mr Fox proposed, and Mr J. Harris seconded, a vole of thanks to the Returning Officer, which concluded the proceedings. ■