GENERAL ELECTION NEWS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume I, Issue 97, 12 August 1879, Page 2

GENERAL ELECTION NEWS.

+ . MAXAWATU. 1 Things are very undecided so far. as this constituency is concerned. Several names are spoken of, but so far only Messrs Halcombe and Snelson Have definitely declared themselves. Messrs Johnston, Thynne, Sa'nson, and Dr Bullor, are all spoken of; .but so far none of them have declared. From what we can learn, neither of the three last-men-tioned gentlemen are likely to offer, and we Iherefore expect the contest will lie between Messrs Johnston, Snelson, and Halcombe. A. very.abjeot appeal was made in the Feildirig Guardian of Saturday to Mr Snelson to withdraw, and leave Mr Halcombe to secure the block vo':e of the Northern end of the district. Why should not Mr Halcombe, on precisely the name grouuda, retire in favor of Mr Snelson ? It ia stated by our contemporary that Mr Johnston has pledged himself in favor of Foxton as the junction of the Wellington

railway. Wo would like our contemporary to state when, wliorc, and to whom the pL'dgo was given. Tho bait held out to Mv Snelson that Foilding will support him when jMunawatw gets two members, is very rich. But wo imagine Mr Snolson knows a thing worth two of that. " A bird in ihe hand is worth two in tho bush." As a man, i\lr Snelson is movo reliable and more popular than Mr Halcombe. He commands a larger following of personal friends, and would beat Mr Ualcombo in the Northern district. IJosMos, i 3 Mr Halcorabe sura that Miinawatu will get two members ? If it does, the district will mos: likely be divided, and each end receive its member, Palmerston of course being united with Feilding. If such a division took place, would Mr Halcoinbo say, "Now, Mr Snolson, I've had an innings, you take one ?" Certainly not ; ho would say, " Possession is nine points of the law." If the'people of South Manawatu wore compelled to choose between Messrs Pnelson and Halcomho, they would prefer the blunt outspokenness of the former to tho unctuous and feline pala ver of the latter. Mr Haleombe is by no means sure of the seat. In fact, if the Smith Manawatu does not bring forward a man who commands general confidence, we strongly expect Mr Snelson will head tho poll. The people of South Manawatu will give a cordial support to Dr Buller, if he contests the seat. Should he refrain from doing co, and Mr Johnston come forward, they will prefer supporting him on the ground that as an outsider, he will judge tho railway question purely upon its merits, aud not as a violent partisan. During the railway discussion some months ago, Mr H.ilcombe took very high ground. He said, i " You Foxton people want to press the j Government to take the line to your town. i Look at us. Sec what a dignified position ■we assume. We simply want th« best point |of contact to be selected." Now, he says through his journal, fi Whoever receives j tho support of the Foxton, Carnnrvon, i and Sandon voters will have to bind himself i very distinctly to advocate their views on this"po ; .nt, and this same statement will holdgood as to the nor 'hern votes." So that, Mr Halcombe intends to throw over his past action, and declare himself as in favour of the line to Palmerston, whether such is the .best or not. It therefore appeai'3 South Manawatu is after all, willing to treat the matter in tho more honorable way. The people of this part of the County are desirous of having a fair hearing. They ; prefer Mr Johnston on the ground that he j will deal out even-handed justice; they ; have asked no pledges, and they expect i none beyond the simple assurance that he i will deal fairly with both ends of the | County, aud not oppose " tooth and nail " j such schemes as the line from Carnarvon to j Sandon. If Mr Johnston stands, he may j expect to hear of his " sins of omission," — in noglectiug to meet his constituents, and other matters ; his views on colonial policy will also doubtless bo subjected to criticism; j but we would rather see an honest and im I partial representative returned, who holds what wo think wrong political views, than behold tho dworu foe of half the district sitting as our representative in Parliament.

Mr Felix M'Guire, Mr a. F. Sherwood, and Major Atkinson will be candidates fop Egmont (Pb.tea). Sir George Grey is to be nominated for br-th Ohristchurch and Thames (his present seat). It i 3 said that if elected by the j former constituency, he will Bit for it in I preference to the Thames. The Hon. Mr Sheehan has issued an address to the Thames electors. Mr Win. Rowe (better known as Billy Rowe) also stands for the seat, He was elected in conjunction with Sir G-eorge Grey at luet election. Mr Ballancehas deserted Rangitikei, and intends to stand for one of the Waaganui seats. It is generally thought Sir Win. Fox and Mr W. Watt will stand in the interests of the Opposition. Mr Bruce, the other bitting member, will also stand with Mr Ballanoe, in the Liberal interest. Major Willis (Banguikei) announces himself as an uncompromising opponent of Sir George Grey. Mr Hugh' Stafford (a brother of Sir Ed. Stafford) will be a candidate for Nelson Suburbs. The Candidates for Wellington Country will probably be Messrs Izard, Brandon, and Gillon. The List gentleman was dofeated on a previous occasion by Mr Brandon. It « liksly Mr Quick, lawyer, will contest the Hutt seat against Mr Henry Jackson. A. K. Taylor is announced as a candidate for Eden. Olaude is spoken of as a possible candidate for Waikato agaiust Whitsiker, who has issued an announcement. Cunningham, of To Awamutu, stands for Waipa. Captain M'Keozie has issnod au address to the Waikaia electors. He Gxpresses broad Liberal vie. vs. but will not follow Sir George Grey as leader. Mr Baslings declines to stand. Captain M'lienzie will address the electors in the various cen*res shortly. The candidates for Wellington will profa ibly bo Messrs Geo. Iluntev and W. H . Levin, in the Conservative merest, and Messrs. Hutchison and G. Fialier on the Liberal side. Mr Andrew Young will also, in all probability, offer himseh. [Since the above was written, Mr Levin has announced himaelf as a Liberal.] Mr J. M. Clark is announced as a candi date for Auckland City East. Among probable candidates for the East Coast (Poverty Bay, Tuuranga, &c;j Allan Sl* Donald is named, who comes out in the 'jroy interest; also Wm. Kolly, Captain Morris, and Veaey Stewart. It is also stated that Itobert Graham has received an invitation to stand.