The Lyttelton Times

Lyttelton Times, Volume V, Issue 326, 15 December 1855, Page 6

The Lyttelton Times

Saturday, Dec. 15. We have always refrained from takin<>any side in disputed elections unless the Candidates were men of high standing in iNew Zealand politics, whose movements might be of general interest in the colony and might involve changes in the position of parties. We have therefore refused to insert any letters from candidates on the subject of their elections except as advertisements. Letters from other individuals who have forwarded to,is their real names, we have of course given publicity to, whether treating of election* or of any other subjects of local interest/- \

We are requested to state that the exhibition of "the Horticultural Society, will he held at the Chrislchurch Cricket Club House, on Monday, the 17th instant, the day appointed for the anniversary of the foundation of the Settlement, and that arrangements have been made by the committee for taking especial care of all productions exhibited. Our advertising columns further notify that a Cricket Match between the members of the club will also take place on that duy.

Erratusl—A singular erratum crept into the leading article on Wednesday last. Instead of " Mr. Bell's conduct appears to us perfectly unintelliirihle," read " Mr. Bell's conduct appears to us perfectly intelligible.'

To the Editor of the Lyttelton Times. Sir, —Permit me to express my disbelief in the existence of the reported volcano nearCape Campbell, which Mr. Allen, in his letter, .copied in the Times of Wednesday week, says he saw from the deck of a coaster. His statement requires further confirmation from some one stationary at a residence on shore. Numerous bush fires at this season might easily mislead persons on a coasting voyage. None of the settlers about the Hurunui and Wai-au have seen any indication of this volcano, or heard any report of its breaking out. The Kaikora peninsula residents would have been sure to know of it, and to inform their neighbours. I am, truty yours, Unbeliever.

ADVERTISEMENT. To the Editor of the Zyttelton Times. Sm—-At a meeting of the Electors of Riccarton yesterday evening, an attempt was made to prejudice the.minds of the Electors against me, by an assertion that I am, in the present contest, a mere nominee of the Provincial Government. In defending myself from this absurd charge, I stated, amongst other things, that Mr. Ollivier had objected to me as a candidate on grounds diametrically opposite, viz., that I was likely in the General Assembly, to be opposed to Mr. Fitz Gerald, the head of the Provincial Government. Mr. Ollivier utterly denied the truth of my statement. In accordance with the pledge which I then gave to the meeting, I forward for publication the accompanying proofs of that statement. jgfeThe Electors can now judge as to the amount of credence to be attached to the present and many similar reports which Tiave been recently put into circulation, and as to"the fairness of the means which are made use of to influence their votes. Your obedient servant, John Hall. Christehurch, Dee. 13th, 1855.

Dear Sir—Having mentioned to you a charge brought against you by Mr. Ollivier, when he was canvassing me for my vote, and now having heard from ym that he lias denied it, at a political meeting at Riccartou last uight, iuduty bound to myself I give you in black and white his own words. He said "that be should be sorry to see you elected to a seat in the General Assembly, because you had a down upon his Honor, Mr. Fitz Gerald, and he thought it likely that yon would take a strong opposition tohis Honorthere inconsequence." Those were his words, they were indelibly fixed upon my memory, because the charge was in my belief so preposterous. Mr. Ollivier illustrated the sort of opposition thatjyou would be likely to adopt, by referring io the course adopted by "Mr, E. J. Wakefield in the first and second sessions of the Assembly. You nmy make any use of this you think proper. J remain, Sir, Yours truly, io J. Hall, Esq. j h. Moore. Forry Road, Doc. 13.

Christchureh, Dec. 13, 1855. J Sir > —I have pleasure in acceding to your request that 1 should Male to you in writing the precise language in which I was canvas?ed by Mr. Ollivier, who after very warmly slinking hands told me " that his address, asking the Electors of the Christchurch Country District to honour him with a seat in the General Assembly, had appeared in that morninc'if Lyttelcon Times, and he felt assured he could rely on me as one of his (supporters." 1 at once laid '• that 1 should not, before the day of nomiuauon, pledge myself to any candidate but Mr. Hall, who I understood was not unlikely topre-

sent himself to the constituency, and to him I should at once give an absolute pledge*" K To this Mr. Ollivier replied" Don't on any account support Mr. Mall, for he entertains a strong feeling of antagonism'to theJjSuperintendent, who is certain to he again elected for Lyttelton- Mr. Hall would vote against every motion his Honor might bring forward, and Canterbury influence in the Assembly be thereby greatly weakened ; but let me askjyou to give your second vote to Mr. Brittin, who although not so good a speaker as Mr. Hall, is nevertheless a true man, and will go with the Superintendent in everything." I first reminded Mr. Ollivier that he would be not unlikely to find the duty of canvassing for his own interest sufficiently onerous without espousing the cause of Mr. Brittin, and then said " that the objection he had u~ged against Mr- Hall presented itself to my mind as the strongest possible reason for my •upport, for I have not unlimited confidence in the discretion of the Superintendent.and the independent action in the General Assembly of a man of Mr. Hall's well-known judgment and ability would contrast most favourably with . the described cringing sycophancy of jour newly adopted frienl Mr. Brittin." At this moment our conversation was interrupted by Mr. Ollivier expressing a wish to canvass some other Electors who stood by, and although that is now some five or six weeks ago I have not since exchanged words with Mr. Ollivier on any political matter. I am, Sir, your obedient servant, To John Hall, Esqr- W.Wilson.

Christchurch, Dec 13, 1855My dear Sir —In compliance with your request I beg to state, as near as I can recollect, the substance of a conversation which passed between Mr Ollivier and myself on the subject of your canvas 5 a few days before your address was published* I had stated to Mr. Ollivier my intention to support him, and added that I had urged Mr- Hall to come forward as a candidate, as, although I differed from Mr. Hall on minor points yet I was satisfied he would make a useful and honest member of Assembly, and one whose talents would reuect credit upon the constituency he represented. Mr. Ollivier endeavoured to dissuade me from supporting Mr- Hall on the ground that it would be necessary to form a strong Canterbury party in the Assembly, which shouid acknowledge Mr- Fitz Gerald as their leader, and which should afford him their united support in carrying on the government in case lie should be called 10 take a leading part in it ; and that his great objection to Mr.li.nll was, that he thought he would be too desirous of taking a leading part in politics himself to submit to the guidance and control of Mr- Fitz Gerald. A course which Mr. Ollivier considered essentially requisite, anch which I understood him to say he himself intended to follow. You are at liberty to make any use of this note you think proper. I am, dear Sir, yours truly, . Alfred C- Barker. To J. Hall, Esq.