THE ELECTIONS.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume I, Issue 21, 21 November 1861, Page 5 (Supplement)

THE ELECTIONS.

W Al MAE, AM A. The nomination took place on the 6th, when Mr. Donald Gollan was proposed by Mr. E. S. Curling, and seconded by Mr. .Alfred Chapman. As no other candidate was proposed, the Returning Officer declared Mr. Gollan to be duly elected. PORANGAIIAU. Mr. Ormond, who had resigned his seat as member for Waipukurau, was proposed by Mr. 1). Hunter, seconded by Mr. A. Lambert, and declared duly elected for this district, on the 11th inst. There was no other candidate. TE AUTE. 1 or this district the nomination took place on the 11th instant also, when Mr. T. Tanner proposed Mr. H. S. Tiffen, who was seconded by Mr. G. A. Oliver, and declared by the Returning Officer to be duly elected, no other candidate being jmoposed. TOWN OF NAPIER. The nomination for the Town took place on Thursday last, the 14th instant. At noon, a large number of persons—electors mid politicians—were collected in front of the Government Buildings, and, from its having been gossiped that a goodly number of candidates would enter the lists, all seemed “ eager for the fray.'’ And it appears that gossip was right in this instance, for there were no less than half a dozen gentlemen proposed as fit and proper persons to represent the electors in the Provincial Parliament, and as two only were required, of course tour of them were doomed to meet with “ bitter disappointment.” Ihe Returning Officer having read the writ, said he was prepared to take the names of candidates, when Mr. T. I). Triphook was proposed In 7 Mr. M. Mullaney, and seconded by Mr. G. A. Bryan. Mr. Edwards was proposed by Mr. France and seconded by Mr. Mullaney. Mr. Colenso was proposed by Mr. J. Steven, and seconded by Mr. Reardon. Mr. J. Wilkinson was proposed by Mr. R. France, and seconded by Mr. R. M. Skeet. Mr. H. L. Skeet was proposed by Mr. C. ‘ Allen, and seconded by Mr. J. Doherty. Me. T. D. Triphook then came forward, and said he had arrived in Napier when the town was in a miserable state, and had been a resident amongst them for the last four years, during which time he had done all in his power for the advancement of the town. He did not seek the honor of a seat in the Council without having taken the opinions of others, and had Mr. Kelly or Mr. Scaly come forward, he should not have offered himself. As he had issued an address, they all knew his views on the various political questions of the Province. He was opposed to the squatting interest-—to persons settling on Maori land, acquiring a sort of pre-emp-tive right thereto unjustly. With regard to the improvement of the Port, he thought that if the plans had been lithographed and placed in the hands of the public, much misapprehension would have been avoided. He should support the continuance of the harbor works, and the making of direct roads from the Port, to the inland districts. There were largo tracts of land lying idle from the want of roads. He protested against the sacrifice of lands at ss. an acre by the Commissioner of Crown Lands, and thought the Superintendent had not acted fairly in setting aside the Land Board and re-appointing Sir. Tiffin, who was in reality the agent of the run-holders. He (Sir. T.) had been offered a seat on the Laud Board hoard by the late Superintendent ; and it had been said that he was anxious to get a seat in order to get ss. land for his clients ; hut the Superintendent had got 2000 acres of ss. land on his own run, through the hands of an irresponsible commissioner, which might not have been allowed by a Land Board. Plad this hoard been now in existence, it would no doubt have checked the great sacrifice of land now being made. He would not accept a Government appointment; and although suitable men unconnected with office could not always he got, he thought there was fair ground for objection to persons voting their own salaries. He would supjiort the agricultural interest, as he believed such a population to be the mainstay of the Province. The former Superintendent had done what he could to introduce a system of agriculture, but our present one had done nothing. The Tikokino reserve, after AISOO spent upon it, was si in unoccupied, althou£fh families were known to he waiting for it. He regretted to see A 10,000 per annum going from the Province in importing timber, whilst there was plenty in the Puketitiri and Pohui bushes of excellent quality, to which a communication might be made by ihe judicious expenditure of no very large sum. He saw 7 no

retrenchment in the salaries ot Government officers, but a great deal in the spending of money on the public works. The Superintendent would take credit no doubt for meetingAhe Council with’ a full treasury, which w r as simply owing to urgent works being left undone, although the funds were voted. He believed the late Superintendent to have been the best they could have had at the commencement of the Province. A4OO a year was a sufficient salary for the Superintendent, especially if spending only one-half or threefourths his time in the public service. He thought the executive might do without their 20s. per day, and that the country members should act without such heavy allowances for expenses voted them hitherto; hut he did not see how they could reduce the salaries generally, or diminish the number of offices. In reply to questions put, he said that if anything better than the dredge could he suggested for deepening the harbor he would He would’ not sit on a Land Board for nothing. He would vote for any other plan than the making of a canal, if it were a better one. He considered the salary of the Superintendent too much ; hut would not reduce the salary of any of the clerks or surveyors. He would vote for Mr. M right’s salary as director of works ; and considered the salary of Mr. Tiffeix not too much if that officer did his duty, hut the fact was the principal work of Commissioner of Crown Lands was performed by Mr. Webb, the chief clerk. He should not he sorry to see the whole of the provincial system swept away. Mr. Edwards then addressed the electors. He would support the carrying out of the report on the improvements in the harbor, and also the continued use of the dredge. He would have the town streets carried out in their integrity at the public expense, continuing the roads from thence to the country and the timber districts at whatever cost. He considered A4OO plenty for the Superintendent's salary, and would vote for that sum ; and with respect to the country members, who were wealthy men, he thought it discreditable to them to .take Ala day for coming to the Council to - protect their own interests. He would have the Shakespeareroad completed according to the report. [Several questions wore put and answered amidst much laughter.] Mr. Colexso then stepped forward. lie said he had no speech prepared, and he hardly knew what to say ; but he would say a few words. They all knew him—lie came before them a tried man. Mr. Allen ; Yes : Mcnc, mate, tekel, uplift r sin. ■ Air. Colexso : Speak in English that the people may understand you. Mr. Allen : They ail understand it ; it's in the Bilile. Mr. Colexso : I have heard of a certain person quoting Scripture for his own purposes. Mr. Allex : I have hoard you quote it many a time. Mr. Colexso then continued his speech, in which he alluded to his being at Auckland, and having seen an article in the Times, wherein he found it advocated that no paid member of the Government should he returned fur the Council, and that a pledge should be demanded, before election, that a member would not take office, ami that the members of the Assembly had talked the matter over with him. He should- like to know where they would find persons to carry on the Government. Then the Herald was complaining of the long-winded speeches made in the Council; but he might inform them that the Herald was read at the Mechanics Institute, Auckland, more than any paper published in New Zealand. And this was owing partly to the reports of the “racy’’ speeches made in the Provincial Council, and partly to its open column ; and yet the editor complained of the very thing which gained the paper such popularity. He might tell them it was he who moved for an enlargement of the Council last session, and he was glad to see so many good men coming forward, for he could bear his defeat more calmly if beaten by such men. But he was sorry to see the country elections pass off in such an apathetic manner. If half a dozen townsmen, who had votes in some of the country districts, had gone up at the last hour, he believed they might have carried the day. Mr. Triphook uttered a great fallacy when he said he would accept of no office because of his own business, and would OOjcCt lO Oi,ii o.V S uOinu’ SO. Tf I ]i O Hilary of the'Superintendcnt was to be reduced, they must also reduce that of the Land Commissioner to A3OO, and the others in proportion. Several questions were asked, and replied to amidst much laughter and jesting, and lie retired after a lengthy speech bearing but little on matters affecting the Province!

Mr. Skekt then came forward. Pie deprecated the reckless expenditure of the Government. For £3OO the treasurer should have something else to do besides the treasury duties ; aud no paid officer should ha\ e a seat in the Council. f l’he Inspector* of 1 olice, also, might do something more for his salary, and thought he should wear a uniform, as inspectors did in other places. He considered that the harbor might be improved by piling, aud that the dmlge should be laid up. The canal, he believed, was solely projected for the accommodation of one individual. If they were to spend the money-in promoting immigration, it would be more beneficial he thought. As it was, men were obliged to go away. Pie would not interfere with the salaries" of the clerks. At this stage of the proceedings, Mr. W. Miller proposed Mr. J. Begg as a candidate, and Captain Blair seconded him. Mr- Begg, who had questioned the foregoing candidates to some extent as to their intentions touching the salaries of the drones,” &c., said he would do his duty if elected. He would yield to none in independence and honesty of pmqiose, and if they could not understand good broad Scotch be would try and make them.—(Laughter.) A show of bauds was then taken by the Returning Officer, which was declared to be in favor of Messrs. Coleuso aud Begg, and a pull was demanded by Mr. Triphook! THE POLLIXO Took place on Saturday last, and the Returning Officer announced the result of the voting as follows ; Triphook 50 Coleuso 39 Wilkinson 20 Edwards 0 Skeet 5 And declared Messrs. Triphook and Coleuso to be duly elected. Both of these gentlemen briefly thanked the electors, and Mr. Begg also made a short speech, and the proceedings terminated. It appears that the return of Mr. Ormond for Borangabau is invalid, in consequence of his resignation as member for Waipukiirau not having been received by the Superintendent previous to his election, and that another writ will have to be issued iii consequence. Captain Lambert is named as the member likely to be returned for 'Waipukiirau.