AUCKLAND.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 14, Issue 736, 18 November 1869, Page 3

AUCKLAND.

[PEOM OUR OWN COItKESrONDENT.] November 10,18G9. TilE coming election is causing increased excitement among our politicians as tin' deciding day approaches. On each side may be found men who are, or profess to be, "quite sure" that their man will win. Time will show; meanwhile, I venture an opinion that Mr Gillies will poll a majority of bona fide votes. Unless the opposing side succeed in procuing personation on an extensive scale they will lose the election. 13ut there are several men well known here, who have on former occasions had to do with personation, and who would no scruple to play the same game again il they saw the opportunity. It is reported that his Honor the Superintendent has chartered a steamer to convey himself aim several other ollicials to the most northern I arts of the Province, ostensibly on public business, but in reality on electioneering It is somewhat remarkable that his visit to the north should be imperative now, jusi before the day of poll. Another paper —the " Auckland Daily News," published every evening—has been iu existence for live days, and is supposed to be iu the interest of Mi* Grillics' candi dature. As we had three daily papers in Auckland before, it might bo considered that there was no room for a fourth, as indeed would have been the case but for the fact that all three wore in favor of the reelection of Mr Williamson, and that public opinion was misrepresented, and even public meetings misreported, as suited the

views of the party. I have on different occasions been at public meetings, and on afterwards reading the reports, found them "doctored." Once, not a year ago, I looked into a room where a man was lecturing, and knowing that the lecturer had complained of being grossly misrcported on a former occasion, and that when he complained of it, the press stood upon it.dignity, that its representative was a gentleman whose veracity was abovo suspi cion, &c, I took the trouble of counting the audience on my entrance, and again on leaving, say after half-an-hour's stay. The number was on each occasion the same, rather over fifty. The next day an article appeared in the journal in question, ridiculing the lecture and lecturer, and stating with brazen effrontery that the audience at no time exceeded twenty persons, juveniles included. And this was from the self same gentleman who had on tne former occasion been charged with misrepresenting the lecturer. 1 had no sympathy with tho views of tho lecturer; but 1 do like fair play, aid felt annoyed that so wilful a falsehood should bo put in print, lowering as it did tho position of the press. This is one sample ; nioro could be given if necessary.

The little Daily News cannot have much influence, as its size is small, and it docs not appear to have a proper staff; but it represents public opinion in one respect, a protest against the Provincial Government, and against the combined press which was misrepresenting and abusing all who opposed it; and it has done some little good already in frightening its big brothers into correctly reporting tho meetings hold by M r Gillies. A free press, that would report faithfully, and allow its opponents «fair play and a moderate amount of space, would be very useful here, ai.d I am Utopian enough to bolievo it would pay in the ond.

Mr Williamson has on all former occasions been supported by most of tho members of tho Wesleyan body ; on tins occasion he will find several leading members of that body opposed to him. His conduct on many public occasions bus alienated

them. Ilis chief supporters at the goldfields are the most narrow minded sectionof his countrymen, especially the promiu,'enfc men in the Fenian organisation. His son, holding a semi-sineeure office at Shortland, made his delmt in public life at a meeting of that body ; other of his offi cials are likewise connected with it, until it would appear as if the way t> obtain government favors the:e was through that society.

The Herald, after abusing Dr Pollen ! soundly, when he withdrowand Mr Gillies • was invited to contest the election, tried 1o , make out that Pollen had been badly treated by his committee, &c, and asserted that while Pollen might have had a shadow of a chance, Gillies could not have a ghost of a shadow of a chance (the words may not be exact, as T quo to from memory, but the idea is.) I guess tho reception Mr Gillies has met wherever ho has addressed the electors, has enlightened tho Herald, and the polling day will satisfy them, whotil r lie wins or not, that he had more than

either tho ghost or the shadow of a chance. The Cross is now supposed to be under the control of Mr Vogol, who, being a political ally of Mr Williamson's, is scarcely likely to allow it to be used in opposition to h ; m. But practically the Cross has beon little more than an echo of the Herald for a lone; time past. Tho gentleman to whom public rumor attributed its literary articles, wis too nearly connected with an employe of the Provincial Government to expect any effective opposition, or anything more than an occasional and harmless passage at arms from him. While Mr Crcighton held the reins at the Cruss office, there was one organ of opinion opon to Mr Williamson ; but after Mr C.'s connection terminated, there appeared to be :i disposition to deal lightly with tho Provincial Government, of which he lnd become a prominent membei\ Add to this tho fact that two of its former staff are likewise now subordinate to their chief in his official position, and tho comparative neutralisation of the Cross may be understood.

It is probable some now men will enter the Prowneial Council this time, which in some respects will be advantageous 5 but the now blood which Mr Williamson has been buttering, (the West Coast miners), would hardly bo an improvement on our old identity, lie has on several occasions publicly flattered them' with the assertion that they were the only men to develop the gold-field ; whereas it is a notorious fact that the claims which havo been best worked have been under the supervision of miners who never were on the West Coast; and it has frequently been matter of re mark that the green hands had been as a rule the most successful at our gold-fields. We had a number of Cornish miners, experienced in copper mining, and from among (hem have been taken tho best practical managers on the Hauraki.

Tho ' Phcebe' is advertised to leave tomorrow your port.

November 13, 18G9. The 'Plicobo' has been detained until to-day. The new organ of public opinion has let a little daylight into the questions now agitating the public mind. Had it been earlier in the field, its exposure of the acts of the Superintendent and his supporters would have been highly beneficial, and would have been felt on tho day of poll. It has boon announced officially that- Mr M'Lean has arranged terms of peace with tho leading men of the so-called "King" party. The press is unanimous in approval, f hope the result will bo thoroughly satisfactory ; but it will be nothing new if, on further and fuller information we find that the Maoris have again proved tho victors

in the diplomatic struggle. A meeting was hold by his Honor at [Onehunga last night, and a vote of confidence proposed but negatived. Tho Cross admits this, and adds that thrco cheers were given for Mr Gillies, and afterwards three for Mr Williamson. The Herald asserts that the iesult of tho vote was not declared, but three cheers were given for Mr Williamson (not a word of tho three for Mr Crillics which proceded), and also asserts in another paragraph that tho feeling displayed was decidedly in favor of the presont occupant of the office of Superintendency. If we had another morning paper we should perhaps see another version of the proceedings, especially as it was evidently a defeat Gf Williamson's party ; although he may yet possibly secure a majority of votes in that place, which hitherto lias been ono of his strongholds.

Nelson Superintendency.—Tho contest for the Superintendence of the Nelson Piovince has resulted in tlie re-election of Mr Curtis by an overwhelming majority. The numbers stood as follows : —Curtis, 900; Akersten, 3GO; Gibbs, 239; Horn, 7. Mr Akersten's votes were principally from the West Coast.