THE COUNTY ELECTION.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1361, 9 December 1872, Page 2

THE COUNTY ELECTION.

(to the editor.) Sir— ln your issue of Saturday, a contributor signing himself " A Visitor," : treated your readers to his ideas as to the subjects that were legitimate for candidates to speak on at the nomination, and instanced those of " unification or disintegration" of the County, together with the ti^bbub about Mr Warden Schawj/ as fair subjects for attack on the County Chairman, but the non-payment of the subsidy for six months to the Grey River Hospital he considered frivolous. No one but "Visitor," I imagine, can hold a similar opinion as to its frivolity when informed that the withholding of the subsidyis about to close the doors of the institution — an institution of all others that is most required on the West Coast, and one that has always been carefully watched over and supported by this com r munity. It think it was just and proper that ' the County Chairman should be brought to account for the subsidy not having boen paid, as it was his duty to see to it, and I hold it was culpable neglect if, as he informed the electors, he was not aware that it had not been paid. The. subjects that " Visitor" thinks are legitimate to find fault on would have taken up too much time at the nomination, but will no doubt be brought forward at the election meetings during the week. " Visitor," speaking of Mr Kennedy, seems to think him an eligible candidate, and pats him for "making a good fist" at hia first political speech ; Mr Kennedy made much more of his locus standi and stake in the country than Mr Smith did, but "Visitor" does not seem to have, noticed it, and has thrown the onus (if any) on the latter gentleman. I am of opinion that " Visitor" never heard Mr Smith utter the words that he attributed to him, and that he has made that gentleman the butt to air the little anecdote of the Manchester cotton lord, which bears no comparison to Mr Smith. By hi 3 own industry and ability Mr Smith has prospered among us ; he now offers to represent us in the County Council, and to look after the interests of the country generally, which, from his tact and general shrewdness, he is as competent to perform as any candidate before us, or even any other person in the community. I am, &c, A Resident. December 7, 1872.