COLONEL HAULTAIN AND HIS CONSTITUENTS.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 8, Issue 444, 6 December 1866, Page 3

COLONEL HAULTAIN AND HIS CONSTITUENTS.

(Prom the Dally Southern Cross, 28th November.) A Meeting of the electors of Franklyn was held in the hall, Otahuhu, to hear the explanation of Colonel Haultain, the Defence Minister, as to his political conduct in the General Assembly, as their representative. About 200 persons were present. The meeting was held on Colonel Haultain’s invitation, James Robertson, Esq., presided. Colonel Haultain made a lengthened statement, to the effect that he had not pledged himself to vote with the Auckland members on the Separation question. The only pledge he made was contained in his election address. He had been anxious to resign his connection with tho Ministry, but they were unwilling to accede to his request, as they considered his services as Defence Minister necessary in the present state of affairs. He altogether discarded the idea or statement that he had retained office through any sordid or mercenary motive. He adduced as an argument, that he had left his family and occupation to take tho field in the Waikato; and he resigned a lucrative command there, when he found that bis views did not accord with the policy of the Weld Ministry. On the motion of Mr Andrews, seconded by Mr Stayke, it was resolved that Colonel llaultaiu’s explanation of his political conduct was not satisfactory to the electors of Franklyn. 'Two electors only voted against the motion. Several questions were to put Colonel Haultain, and among them was whether he would resign if a majority of the electors should request him to do so by petition. On his stating no the electors left the hall abruptly. The feeling against Colonel Haultain was umnistakeable. It was stated that many electors would have been present, only they thought they would take the most effectual way of treating the case with contempt by absenting themselves altogether. ■ A vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated the proceedings at half-past S o’clock.

A week ago, the people of Napier were longing for xain y nor hare they longed in vain. Since then, the old proverb that ** it never rains but it pours ” has been amply verified —an aburidant quantity of rain having fallen daring the last three or four days. Though the effect of this may be the stoppage pf shearing for a day or two, we feel sure that the copious showers which have fallen will be very acceptable to the majority of the people of the Province. IaiPOUKDED Stock.— A sale of impounded stock will take place at the Meanee Sale Yards this day at noon. We would draw attention to the extensive sale of Watches, Clocks, &0., by Mr John Stuart, at 11 a.m. on Saturday next, Bth December. (Sea advertisement in first page of this morning’s issue.)