OLD KUMARA

Hokitika Guardian, 9 January 1926, Page 1

OLD KUMARA

(Contributed.) The borough having been incorporated the first election for Alayor took place oil August 20th, 1877. There were two candidates viz.—Afr Peter Duugaii and Air Richard. J. Seddon. The election was fought by the candidates in the most friendly spirit. How newspapers took firm sides fifty years ago may lie seen from the following extrntes. The Grey Argus said:— “It will he an honor to he first mayor of Kuinara, and we see only one limn who has fairly earned it. That man is Richard John, who lias fought for Kumara. who has won for Kuinara, who has got into hot water for Kumara. over and over again, ever since Kuinara was. Richard John has his faults, as we all have; and his impetuosity carries him too far often, hut if Kumara has had a true friend and a persistent advocate, that friend and that advocate lias been Richard .John and no other.”

On the other hand the Greymouth “Star” wrote:—“Kumara is at present in a mild state of excitement over the election of its first Alayor, for which there arc two candidates Alessrs Duugaii and Seddon. Both gentlemen are perhaps well able to fill the position, Imt of the two candidates there can lie no doubt that Air Duugaii it by far preferabo to Air Seddon. Air Dungan’s past career is sufficient to guarantee that he will make no mistaken through hasty or foolish decisions while Air Seddon’s besetting sin may he said to he over impulsiveness, and too inudi desire to run amuck of anything and everything savoring of opposition.”

The result of the election was:— Richard John Seddon ... 10.’1 Peter Duugaii 73 The following day an election took place for nine borough councillors. AYe give the resets in full as the mere perusal of the names is of interest

to ltinnv of our readers. Air' Anchor 121 Air Corn foot 118 A 1 r I lamia I l<> Afr George 11l Air Bulstrode 10!) Air Duugaii 108 Al r Ream 108 Air Quinn 00 Air Al’llroy 02 Air Campbell 01 Air Hannan 80 Air O’Hara 08 Air Griffith 07 Air King 01 Air Hoiilahan 01 In the “Diggers’ Story” .Mr J. \\ . Poynton says: “Election meetings were just as decorously conducted as church services.” ’The following extract Irom the Kumara ••Times” shows that Air Poynton should have qualified his statement by some such word as “generally” or “usually.”

Alr Seddon was thanking the burgesses for choosing him as their first mayor when the following incident took place. Alr Seddon referred to a vicious and vindictive individual, who went about sowing the seeds ol discord among men who otherwise would lie friends. [Here Alr George Simmons, sen., in a very excited manner, said: “I deny it, sir! I deny it, sir!” and commenced gesticulating in a frantic manner.— Groans followed.] Mr Seddon continued: Leave him alone, gentlemen! He’s only a nuisance. [Geo. Stewart: “George Simmons! you are a hi—y nuisance, and I’ll wheel you down to the manure heap next week.”—Great laughter, accompanied by cries of “Go and fetch the harrow !”'Simmons (addressing Alr Seddon). “Aou’rc a hi— > clique I” —Groans and hisses.] Alr Seddon then continued. Not being a burgess and not knowing how to conduct himself as a gentlemen, no notice should be taken of him [Simmons],