THE PROVINCIAL ELECTIONS.

Marlborough Express, Volume IV, Issue 200, 23 October 1869, Page 4

THE PROVINCIAL ELECTIONS.

LOWER WAIRAU. The polling for this district came off on Tuesday last, and although a little stir was visible, yet the excitement was very subdued. Prom an early hour, the canvassers for one of the parties was seen busily engaged in bringing up forces. A report got into circulation in the forenoon that the practice of plumping was being resorted to by Mr. Sinclair’s party, which set Mr, Eyes’ friends on fire, and elicited a strong denial from Mr. Sinclair ; but it is only justice to say that the number of plumpers given for any candidate were extremely few. At 4 p m. a notice was posted stating that the official declaration of the poll would not be given till Monday next at 4p.m. The numbers polled weio a,o u..aui . Eyes ... ... ... ... 68 Sinclair ... ... ... 62 Redwood ... ... ... 40

Mr. C. Redwood then came forward to return thanks for the large support given him. He said that although defeated, he was not ashamed, for he had not been beaten in a straightforward manner. However, his friends had supported him faithfully, and he hoped to come forward on their behalf on a future occasion. He admitted that he had been fighting against two trained veterans, and he felt he had been handicapped too heavily to win, but now the weights were taken off, and he felt that when next he came before them he should win in a canter (cheers). He felt proud in having polled so many as he had done, and hoped at a future time to render them good service, as it was his ardent wish to do. He did not mean to say that Messrs. Eyes and Sinclair were not honest men, but they had not more interest in the Wairau than he had. Indeed, he did did not know how much they had and did not think they knew themselves (cheers).

Mr. Sinclair said he was unable to give a speech, but when occasion enabled him to serve them,he would do so faithfully. His only regret was that he was opposed to Mr. Redwood, and hoped to be in with him on a future occasion. He thank'd them for the support given at the poll. As a proof of the earnestness of all parties in this contest, we may note that 89 persons recorded their votes out of a possible 96. UPPER WAIBAIJ. A MEETING of the Electors of this district, called by Mr. Alex. Monro, was held at Eenwicktown on Tuesday evening last. The attendance was very good. Mr. Thomas O’Sullivan was called to the chair. Our own reporter having a prior engagement, we are indebted to a gentleman present for the following brief epitome of Mr. Monro’s address: Mr. Monro said that he had come forward —not as some people had said, at the instance of Mr. Coulter, as a divider of the votes —but because the great interest he had at stake in the district justified him in so doing, and also with the hope of working some good for the district, as well as for the Province in general. After the new Council met, the first business before them would be the election of a Superintendent; and he thought they could not do better than to re-elect Mr. Eyes. He would support every reasonable measure brought forward for reducing the expenditure of working the Government. With respect to Education

and the maintenance of roads, there must bo some money found for the good keeping of both ; and the only means he saw of raising the necessary funds would be by a property tax, which he would advocate. For Education, he would also push the question of getting some endowment from the Land Revenue that would be a permanency, as it was of the greatest importance that the schools should be placed on a proper footing. He was in favor of local boards for the whole management of school atfairs in their own district, 'With respect to roads, he thought there were two distinct kinds to be maintained, viz : Trunk lines and District lines of roads —the former to be looked after either by a central Board or the Council; the latter by local Boards, who should levy and collect rates, spend money, where necessary, and have all to do with the loads in their own district excepting the Trunk lines. He would advocate a compulsory rate, but at the same time it should be so regulated that if money was not much wanted in certain districts, then the rates need not be high or oppressive. He thought it would be a very good plan to allow people to do certain works as an equivalent for the rates levied on them, as many would sooner do a day’s work where required to he done by the Boards, than pay money out of their own pockets when the day came for paying their rates. He was in favor of a good system of drainage, but would oppose it if money was to be wasted as it had been heretofore. Messrs. Goulter, Paul, John Godfrey, J. Ward, J. Gibson, and several others addressed the meeting. From another source we learn that Mr. Ward addressed the meeting, when he avowed himself opposed to Mr. Litchfied’s candidature, as they wanted local men for the country, and not townsmen, who wanted to get all they could from the country, even the Publicans’ Licenses, &c. Mr. Godfrey replied to Mr. Ward, and some rather warm passages took place between them. Yotes of thanks to Mr. Monro and the Chairman concluded the proceedings. TUA MARINA. This Nomination came off at Mount Pleasant, Picton, on Tuesday last. We take the following from the Picton Press : Messrs. J. Wratt and Hathaway proposed Mr. John Godfrey. Mr. S. Bowler. Captain Dalton and Mr. F. Smith proposed Captain Baillie. Messrs. Hathaway and Rush proposed Mr. Soper. Messrs.Jselmes and Busch proposed Mr. G, Dodson. Mr. J. Godfrey said he would like to make a few remarks before a show of hands was taken, as he thought what he had to say might cause more hands to be held up for him. He would not say much. The question of maintaining and keeping roads in good repair and forming new ones was about the principal question, and the one that affected the settlers most. He would propose a compulsory rate, and levy a tax for this purpose. Strictly speaking it was not a tax, for the amounts collected from the settlers would be indirectly returned, as the money judiciously spent would improve the roads, and consequently reduce the expense of cai-riage. Education was a puzzling matte)", and one very difficult to deal with ; the present system was useless, and a better must be devised; he thought it would be better if the province would not pay for education. He was not in favor of re-annexation to Nelson.

Mr. Sami,. Bowleh would not say much. With regal'd to education, he thought it right that those who had no children should pay for education. The Drainage Act was a complete farce. It was not English fashion to have to pay out of your pocket, and not to be allowed to say anything as to how the money was to be spent. If returned, he would do his best to oppose any Roads Act ; he did not believe in being taxed any heavier j the roads must be made in some other way than by taxation. Captain Baillie would just say a few words. The Drainage Act was the most iniquitous he ever read. He was blamed for opposing it in the Upper House j he was happy to say he did oppose it. He objected to a Roads Act j provincial revenue from lands ought to support the roads. Education was a vexed question all over the colony, and he believed it would be better if the General Government took the working of the educational system into their own hands. He did not think re-annexation to Nelson would do any good, but harm. Mr. Hathaway asked if a Road Bill were brought in, would he be in favor of a permissive or compulsory one ? 1 Captain Baillie would say permissive

He would not support the election of Mr. Eyes to the Superintendency. Mr. Soper said things had been so mismanaged ever since we were a province, that we had just to begin again, and he came forward with the full determination to do his best to bring about a better system. He was the first to start education, and was proud to own it, when separation took place. The present Act was faulty, more especially the way in which it was worked, and he would see that something was done. He was unable to see what good Captain Baillie could do if returned. They did not want more golden keys; give them an iron one, and they could get along much better’. He spoke very highly of Captain Baillie as a private gentleman, but in politics he did not consider him stedfast enough. Pie would try to get an amalgamation of offices, and reduce taxation. Mr. Geo. Dodsox thought a Roads Act was necessary. As regarded education ; he denied the injustice of the present £1 rate ; he thought every householder ought to support education. The children’s school rate was quite high enough. The runholder must be kept under, and if a Roads Act was passed it must be compulsory. The Returning Officer then called for a show of hands for the respective candidates, which resulted as follows :—Mr. Bowler, 9 ; Captain Baillie, 8 ; Mr. Dodson, 7 ; Mr. Soper, 5 ; Mr. Godfrey 3. The Polling came off on Thursday when the numbers were as follows :

Messrs. Dodson and Baillie are therefore elected.

Ferry. Mt. Pleasant, Total. Dodson 38 4 42 Soper 32 1 33 Baillie 9 ... 28 37 Bowler 6 22 28