NAPIER ELECTION.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume II, Issue 80, 8 January 1863, Page 2

NAPIER ELECTION.

The nomination of candidates to serve as members of the next Council took place on Monday last, in front of the Council Chamber. After the Returning Officer had read the writ, he called for the names of candidates to be proposed, when Mr. James Wood was proposed by Mr. W. Miller, and seconded by Mr. H. Groom. Mr. John Alexander Smith was proposed by Mr. F. Sutton, and seconded by Mr. J. 11. Yautier. Mr. Alexander Kennedy -was proposed by Mr. W. Miller, seconded by Mr. R. Maney. Mr. William Colenso was proposed by Mr. H. Groom, seconded by Mr. Brooke Taylor. Mr. John Wilkinson was proposed by Mr. P. Searles, seconded by Mr. J. M. Stuart. Mr. Thomas Edwards was proposed by Mr. J. Begg, seconded by Mi’. C. Oxenbridge. Mr. Thomas Hatchings was proposed by Mr. 11. Wiggins, seconded by Mr. F. SulLou. There being no other candidates, Mr. J. Wood was the first to address the electors. He said he was no speech-maker, but his career in connection with the press was well known to them. When separation was agitated, although he did not take a very active part, he lent his support towards its attainment. He didnot think there would be much money for the Council to deal with in the next session. He thought, with regard to the Native question, that the members would be at one. In answer to questions put, Mr. Wood said he would not generally support paid officers in the Coun-

cil. He intended to support Mr. McLean, as he had a great stake in the Province, and was well lilted for the office of Superintendent. In reply to a question as to the mistake in the forms for claims to be placed on the electoral roll, he stated that not having received a copy of the last Act passed by the Assembly, ho had printed jthera in accordance with the preceding Act, Mr. A. Kennedy then came forward, and said that he had had but little experience in politics, but he thought he might be of some service to them. So far as he knew Mr. McLean, he should give him his support. He believed him to be a good man. In reply to a question, Mr. Kennedy said he would support reduction in the^expenditure if practicable. Mr. Wilkinson said he had not the “ gift of the gab.” He had been requested by a number of electors to come forward, and his object in doing so was to give his support to Mr. McLean. He believed him to be preeminently the best man. He did not pledge himself to support him in every measure, as / he did not know what his policy might be. I He would support the interests of the town { generally. He thought it would be good thing to try and induce population here, and he should support steam navigation. If a t few hundred pounds were expended in o iening up the timber trade it would be a good I thing for the Province. If elected, he would do his best to serve them. | Mr. Edwards said he went in to support \ the town, and read an extract from the report of the Council proceedings of last session contained in the Herald, whereby he ■ accused Dr. Hitchings of having lost the ex- \ penditure of A9OO in the town by his vote | on that occasion ; and he would ask if it was ,■ fair for him to come forward after selling them in that manner. He did not call that ( independence. He would support town improvements and the working of the dredge, and set the ruuholders at defiance. He would not take office if elected. He thought McLean the best man for the Superintendency, because of his influence with the ' Natives, and he would be enabled to protect country settlers in the event of an outbreak. He should like to see the roads opened up in every direction. Mr. Colenso said it was not his intention to come forward, but he had been brought j forward, and if elected he should do his duty. , He then alluded to an article which appeared lately in the Times, pointing out that there were many good men in the humble rank of ! life fit to represent them, andsaidhethoughtthe 1 electors ought to have acted on the suggestion. The batch nominated that day °did not please him. They must set aside the runholding interest as opposed to the town, as all the land had been acquired. He thought the squatters were weaving the web of the Maori question, from which it would take us some trouble to get disentangled. Squatting was illegal, and if he had°not thrown himself in the gap, Fox’s bill would have been carried last session. He would support Captain Carter as Superintendent if he would come forward ; but he must know Mr. McLean’s policy before he could support him. Dr. Hitchings, after a few humorous remarks said he remembered the question alluded to by Mr. Edwards, and proceeded to give an explanation. He then said that his interest would be with Mr. McLean, who would have great influence with the General • Government; and he thought the Province ; ought to be proud in having such a man at its head. Within four years we should have taxation, whilst hitherto the land had been wasted, and they wanted to squander the remainder. He would reduce the number of offices hy amalgamation ; he did not believe 1 it practicable to do without salaried officers ' in the Council. He believed Mr. McLean to be the second man in New Zealand, and that property would rise ten per cent, here by his locating himself in this Province. The Returning Officer declared the show ’ of hands to be in favor of Messrs. Hitchings, Kennedy, Edwards, Colenso, and Smith. A poll was demanded by Mr. Wood, which was fixed for tiie following day. THE POLLING Took place on Tuesday last, at the Resident Magistrate’s Court, and at the close thereof the Returning Officer read the state of the poll, as follows : Smith G2 Kennedy 61 Wood 59 Hitchings 57 Colenso 45 Edwards 45 Wilkinson 32 Ihe numbers ior Messrs. Edwards and Colenso being equal, the I’eturniug Officer gave his vote in favor of the latter candidate, and

declared Messrs. Smith, Kennedy, Wood, Hitchings, and Colenso to be duly elected as members of the Provincial Council. Mr. Colenso, in a lengthy speech, condemned the Scotch party in severe terras, and gave several reasons against Mr. Mr. McLean being chosen as our Superintendent, and denounced the underhand influence which had been at work in this matter. Mr. Wood, as one of the “sly-going Scotchmen,” defended that party in an excited speech. Messrs. Kennedy, Hitchings, Wilkinson, and EdwaVds also addressed the electors in somewhat shorter and milder terms, and Mr. Colenso having replied, the assembly dispersed.