COUNTY COUNCIL ELECTION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume II, Issue 76, 18 May 1880, Page 2

COUNTY COUNCIL ELECTION.

+ KAWA KAWA KIDIN'G. An election of a representative to fill the vacancy in the Manawatu County Council for the above Riding, caused by the resignation of J. W. Gower, Esq., was held at the sohoolhouse, Carnarvon, on Saturday last. Abiut 20 electors, from various parts of the Riding, were present. At 12 o'clock, the Returning Officer, Mr Henry Hammond, read the advertisement in the Manawatu Herald calling the election, and stated that as he had only received one nomination, viz., that of Mr John M'Lennan, - who was proposed by Mr S.inson, and seconded by Mr Penny,— he should declare that genllsinau duly elected for the Hiding. Mr M'Lennan said that he was much obliged to the electors of the Riding for the confidence they had shown in him, and he hope'! that they would have no reason to regret giving him that confidence, when the next election took place. He did not believe in " speechifying." There was too much speochifying in the Colony, and too little work done. He would go in foi- having the work done, and never mind the talking. He again thanked th« electors, and stated they might rely on him doing his best for the County, and particularly for that portion winch had done him the honor to return him as its representative. Three cheers were then given for the newly-elected Councillor by those present. Mr M'Lennan proposed the U9ual vote of thanks to the Returning Officer, which was seconded by Mr Sanson. Mr Tompkins proposed a voie of thanks to the representative of this journal who was present, who, he pointed out, h?d ridden a long way for the sake of reporting the election. Mr Sanson seoonded. As those present were about to move away, Mr Robert M'Kenzio said he had a few ■words to say. They mi^ht have seen a paragraph in one of the papers to the effect that he would be a candidate on this occasion, and in justice to those electors who had asked him to stand, he wished to make an explanation. Only two things would make him contest the election, and those were— first, if Mr M'Lennan worked against th.o interest of the district, he would oppose him or any other man, even although he only polled two votes ; and secondly, if it was the general wish of the ratepayers, On

this present occasion, three electors who had strongly opposed him when he contested the stMt at the last general election, had . asked him to stand, and he had promised to do so if certain conditions were fulfilled. These conditions had not been fulfilled,|ttnd he therefore had not contested the electJinjL.. still hi? might point out that Mr M'Lennan , was only manager tor an ab^entoe, and that, lie considered, was a strong objection to his election. Were he a farmer, with a good stake in the country, it would have been much betlc. However, the election was now decided, and ho hoped tho electors would li'ivo no reason (o regret their choice. The proceedings then terminated.