PROVINCIAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 14, Issue 724, 7 October 1869, Page 2

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS.

PORANGAHAU. An election of a fit and proper per son to represent the district of Porangahau in the Provincial Council (vacated in consequence of J. D. Ormond, Esq., having accepted the office of Superintendent) took place at Porangahau on Friday, Ist inrt., resulting in the re election of Mr Ormond without opposition. TOWN OF NAPIER. The nomination for the election of a fit and proper person to fill the seat for the town in the Provincial Council left a acant by the resigna tion of S. Locke, Esq., took place on Tuesday last at noon, outside the Government buildings.

The Returning Officer having read the wrir, —

Mr J. G. Kinross proposed Mr T. K. Newton as a fit and proper person to represent the town of Napier, and Mr M. Boylan seconded the nomination.

Mr H. Groom proposed Mr James Grind ell, and Mr T. T, Price seconded the nomination. Mr Newton then came forward and addressed the electors. lie said it was now nearly three years since he first addressed them on a similar occasion, and then it was their pleasure to return him. He shortly afterwards left the Province on a visit to England, and resigned his seat in consequence. Had he not done so, he would not now have been in the position of a candidate, He was blamed by some for so doing, but his view was, that it would be an injustice to his large constituency to lea\e it even partially unrepre sented. He concurred in the repeal of the Executive Act, which had been carried this session, as he thought iz would put a atop to the cries of " Government : ' and " Oppo sition" as it would place the Council in the position of Government, and the Superintendent the officer of the Council. The subject of educacation was at present engrossing much public attention, and was one of tho<e subjects which would probably come before the Council next sessions The present annual rate was very obnoxious to the public, and he hoped that next session some comprehensive and satisfactory measure would be devised to do away with it. He thought he had touched on all matters of importance, and would only say further, that as one of the oldest settlers here, he had known the place and watched its growth from its infancy. All his interests were identified with those of Napier, it was his future home, and the home of his children, and in carrying out his own interests he would be carrying out those of the electors. He did not intend instituting any canvass, but would leave the matter jn the hands of the electois.

Mr Carlyon; "Will yon pledge yourself to vote against a tax on the water of the Napier Aitesian Well? Mr Newton ; No. Mr Carlyon; Do yon approve of that tax 1

Mr Newton : T did not say so. I shall not give any pledges. Mr Grindell then came forward. He sa;d he had come forward in consequence of the request of a number of the town electors. He had not

had much experience in political matters, but he was in no way deficient in common sense and intelligence, and if they did him the honor]

'to return him, they would find in 'him a thoroughly independent member. He would not be a supporter either of Government or Opposition —he would support his own conscience aud his conscience would support him. Mr Carlyon : Will you pledge yourself to vote against taxing the Napier Artesian Well, which was bored by public subscription 1 Mr Grindell gave an affirmative answer.

Mr Carlyon: Will you use your exertions to repeal the Executive Act? An act has already been passed to that effect but I believe it is invalid, and that the subject will come up again next session. Mr Grindell : I am not clear on that point; lam not well acquainted with the subject.

Mr Carlyon; Then you should have made yourself acquainted with the subject belore you came here.

Mr Grindell : I have one word to say about my opponent, gentlemen. What did he do before, when you elected him? Why he got a little contract to supply the Government with tea or sugar, or something else, and threw up his seat in the Council—sacrificed your interests for his own—and he will do it again. [Hear, hear.] The show of hands was then called for, and declared by the Returning officer to be in favor of Mr Grindell. Only one elector (Mr J. G. Kinioss) appearing to ask for a poll, Mr Newton demanded a poll for himself, which was granted, to take place the following day between the hours 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. The polling took place accordingly yesterday, and at 4 pm. the Returning Officer declared the result as follows • Newton 80 Grindell 51 Majority for Newton 35 —He then declared Mr Newton duly elected. Mr Newton, in thanking the electors, said he had fully calculated on this result, but was none the less grateful on that account. He had not instituted any active canvass, so that his election was a sign of the approval of the electors. He would ever do his best for the interests of the public. Mr Grindet.l also thanked the nublic, He had been fully prepared for the result, but taking into consi deration the wealth, the influence, and the unwearied exertions that had been used to secure the return of his opponent, he thought the victory was his own after all. [Cheers,]

WAIROA. We observe by a notice in our contemporary's eolumns that the nomination of a candidate to represent the above district in the Provincial Council, consequent on the resignation of Colonel "Whitrnore, will take place on Monday next, 11th inst., and the poll (if necessary) on the 13th inst.