MR HALCOMBE ON HIS TRIAL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume II, Issue 2, 29 August 1879, Page 2

MR HALCOMBE ON HIS TRIAL.

TO THE EDITOR OF THB MANAWATU HERALD Sir — Mr Halcombe's organ, the Feilding Guardian,has thought fit to accuse the Foxton people of being " credulous electors," but the Editor ought surely to be aware any such statement was inacurate, if Mr Halcombe bad mentioned to him, as he did to the electors here, " that he did not expect to poll a single vote in Foxton." We might justly be accused of credulous* ness if we advocated the cnndidature of a man for the Electoral District of Manawatu who in his address knows only one portion of the District, anfl who in defiance of any reliable data, declares unhesitatingly (except at Foxtou) fir the junction of a railway line at Palmcrstou, and who appeals to a constituency of a few years' growth, to his 25 years' residence amongst us— and who has been unable (apart from any bashfulness) to refer to any one action he has cartied whilst holding a Provincial office, for the advancement of this County. Credulous we should be, to believe that the questions put to Mr Johnston af Hie Feilding meeting, by Mr Macarthur, were for any other purpose than to attempt to detract from the effect caused by Mr Johnston's speech, for what has thejCounty representation to do with the present issue F and if Mr Johnston had acted wrongly at the commencement, why have not Messrs Halcombe and Macarthur moved In the Council for an amendment ? Does Mr Macarthur consider this is any excellent reason for supporting Mr Halcombe ? Mr Fox is the " uncle of my nephew," Mr Halcombe, and if he has made Such deliberate misstatements in the House of Representatives as to cause the questions put by Mr Macarthur, we should be still more credulous to believe that Mr Hitlcombe, from his close relationship, is one likely to contradict him — and perhaps even more oredulous to believe for one moment that if Mr Halcombe was returned we should be represented by an exj.ert on engineering matters, or an expert in judging of the quality of the country. IFiirOiei^tlift pnnstant ftppflftls tffiflf. hy tftft - Guardianto tFe electors to support Mr Halcombe are based on the narrowest grounds, vi»i, that he resides in" hi District, that he is ia JkPijord witu tae Northern constituency, and tfnfpie hKS'the requisite ability. I take it, his residence in the District was only secured" by his obtaining an appointment before coming here ; 'that the large support promised Mr Snelson, belies his being in so much accord with the Northern constituency ; and that his ability has yet to bo ascertained. That his independence of financial considerations is arguable, may lie shown by his having entered into private business, as well as being Agent of the Corporation ; his bias is shown by his remarks on the Railway Route; and his unreliability by his repudiation of an agreement made with a Highways Board. Mr Johnston, on the other hand, makes no promises which he does not see his way to fulfil. From experience as a business man he admits that ho cannot address his constituents after each session, and that toloca matters he would give fair and impartial attention. What more (if the broad questions of politics are agreed upon) do the electors require ? I trust, therefore, that Electors in the North will unite with us and secure the return of an independent representative. I am, &c, Foxton. Foxton, August 28, 1879.