ELECTION OF TWO MEMBERS FOR THE PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 5, Issue 266, 17 May 1865, Page 3

ELECTION OF TWO MEMBERS FOR THE PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

"-i- On at noon v a meeting of elector* took place m front ojf thepourt-house, in accordance with tlie officialadv. rf igCmeot, for the purpose of pjjlpPdqMlng.t’fd members fori the town of Napiqr in lieu of Messrs. Smith.and Fitzgerald, who had resigned. The Returning Gflioer baring retd the writs,-* f Mr J. Sf. Slnsrtwsa nominated by Mr 3.0, Oxeubridge, seconded by Mr A. Franca,- . \ , ;Mr John Buchanan was nominated by Mr J. Begg, seconded by Mr T. B*. Harding.' ' < Mr T. K. Newton was nominated by'Mr W.' Parker, seconded by Mr M. M’Nalty. Mr J. M. Stuart said lie would use his best endeavors to advance the general interests of the province,. He would neither be a toady of the government, nor indulge tn rancorous opposition for* the sake of opposition; but would guard to * the best of his ability against corruption on the one hand, and reck'ess extravagance on the other. Mr. J. Buchanan was not present, which was the occasion of same little, expression, of- disappointment and dissatisfaction on the part of the electors. Mr Newton referred to his former career as a : member of Council, ills own conscience approved of what ho had done in that capacity; he did what he conceived to be his duty without favor for any man, and he had confidence in again asking, the electors for their suffrage?. He resigned because private interests required him to carry out a contract, for the performance of .which he had become surely. This had been held up as a very.great offence ; but there were,few tneu who could afford to sacrifice their own interests for those of the public. He might mention, as a matter which might possibly influence a vote, that the firm with which he was connected hold a con. tract for the supply of certain articles for the use of Provincial Government. This the electors would take for what it was worth. It had been said that he was a government candidate. It was not the case ; he was quite unpledged and meant to remain so—to attach himself to no parly. He had been charged with holding a Maori run ; but the interest he had in that run had ceased to , exist., Mr Stuart was reminded that be also held a contract under the Provincial Government for sheepwash tobacco, worth some £lO a year. In reply to questions put by Mr Colenso, Mr Newton said that .he was not a noniinae ; that nothing-was likely to occur agaiu of the same nature that caused his resignation on a former occasion : that he quite agreed in the opinion that the occupation of any part of. the plains as runs was detrimental to the interests of the town of Napier, and to the promotion of an agricultural population, and that he would join in any movement for putting a stop to it; that he would oppose any provincial loan where it could not be shown that certain definite result would follow the expenditure, and where proper provision was not made for interest and sinking fund. Mr Colenso appeared perfectly satisfied with Mr Newton 1 ? explanations. In reply to Mr Sourlcs ’ . j He entered into certain explanations concerning the contract he was obliged to carry out, but they did not appear to be satisfactory. Itv reply to Mr Tiffcn, He pledged himself to support any movement, the obji ct of which would be to eject the present illegal occupants of the plains. - In reply to Mr Harding, He was not prepared to say that recent expenditure of public money on the natives waa to be considered as waste. In reply to to a question by Mr Tiffen on illegal occupation, Mr Stuart said he supposed the Twelve Aposllee were meant. He would do all in his power to hustle them off the plains. Had the Government chosen they might just as well have had the plains as the Apostles, and they would now be support ing a large population. It was a disgrace to the province. Mr John Begg said that he was but 'a poor representative of Mr Buchanan, but that that gentleman had abilities of a high order, was thoroughly independent, and would have nothing to do with Maori runs or the other evils the electors complained of. Mr Harding having said a few words in favor of Mr Buchanan, The Beturning Officer called for a show of hands, which he declared to be in favor of Messrs Stuart and Buehauan j whereupon Mr Newton demanded a poll. The polling took place yesterday and seemed to be entered into witii spirit by the supporters of all three candidates, and though as at the Hustings it was sufficiently obvious that Messrs Stuart and Buehauan were the favorites, there were’probably more votes divided between the two parlies than is usually the ease on these occasions, which was mainly owing to the fact of Mr Buchanan’s entire absence Irom the scene of contest, he having left the matter entirely in the hands of the electors, not soliciting by advertisement or otherwise a single vole. Lariy in the day the lead was taken by Messrs Stuart and Buchananj tad this was steadily maintained throughout until the close at 4 o’clock, when the result was given to a large assemblage of the electors by the Returning Officer, as follows: Mr. J. M. Stuart ... 64 J.. Buchanan ... ... 61 T. K. Newton ... ... 55 The result was received with great acclamation. Silence being obtained, Mr J, M. Stuart came forward, and in a few words returned thanks for the honor done him, and and would only repeat what he had before stated, that he.should maintain a vigilant watch over the . interests of his constituency, supporting ail inea*ures that he considered for their benefit. . Mr T. K. Newton also came forward, and thanked his friends for the number of votes they had recorded in his favor. And though he had not been, elected, he thanked them all the same. . Mr Robottora.did the same on the part of the absent Mr Buehauan, and the preceadioge ter. as mated. ■■■ * * ** * ;