DISTRICT ELECTION MEETINGS.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 224, 13 June 1873, Page 5

DISTRICT ELECTION MEETINGS.

On Tuesday evening Mr Oliver, of Dunedin addressed the electors of Hyde in the Royal Hotel, Mr Duffy in the chair. The meeting was a very orderly one. Mr Oliyer went over the quarrel between the Ccun;il and the late Government, and then referred to wants local and general, of which wants he appeared to be very familiar with. He touched boldly on the education question. He maintained that nothing less _ than a purely secular system would views. These views he had held for many years, and saw no reason to change them. He would be in favor of a compulsory system, but would provide that the pastors of any denomination should have access on certain days, set apart to instruct the children belonging to their own denomination. The Candida e was closely questioned by Messrs Teviotdale and Ramsay, both of whom displayed considerable ability in drawing out the candidate's views on questions of vital importance. ' The answers appeared to satisfy the meeting. It was proposed by Mr E. Connell, seconded by Mr Teviotdale that this meeting express its confidence in Mr Oliver, and that he is a fit and proper person to represent the district in the Provin; ia l Council. An amendment by Mr Ramsoy that while expressing every confidence • in Mr Oliver, this meeting do not pledge themselves to support him, until they have heard all the candidates. After some (discussion the unqualified vote of confidence was carried. Mr Oliver, in thanking the electors, said, that if elected or not, he / would use his best endeavors to get the Strathtaieri opened up by either road or tramway, and considered that, from his own knowledge and what he had lately learned, the Strathtaieri was one of the finest agricultural districts' in the Province, and only wanted the Deep Stream bridged, and some other trifling outlays, to open it up for settlement. A small portion of the land sold and Bet apart would meet these expenses, should it prove difficult to get money from other sources. He also promised to endeavor to get a sum placed on the Estimates to cut a road from Hyde to Hamilton. Mr Armstrong next addressed the electors. He went over the same ground, as to the present crisis, as the former speaker; but seemed to lean very much in favor of the action taken by the Council, the only thing he seemed to regret was the deep laid scheme to get a dissolution, and it had, lie said, succeeded, as his Honor had the right bower, and euchered them. He (Mr Armstrong) had done always what Mr Mervyn told him, and as he had no claim to be a speaker, he would allow Mr Mervyn to give an account of their mutual doings. He would support Mervyn, and give him his vote, and he hoped they would all vote the same way. Mr Armstrong was listened to very good humoredly, amid bursts' of laughter, A vote of confidence was passed in

his favor, every one taking him at his word, that if he had done wrong, he had only done what he was told. Mr Mervyn next came forward, and commenced his address. He did not seem at all happy, and went out of his way to attack Borne Hogburn clique, and that wretched rjg, the 'Mount Ida Chronicle.' He indulged in personal remarks of a very gross character. He also made an attack on Mr Oliver's appearance, and was checked by the Chairman. [Mr Oliver denied that he was the nominee of any clique, nor did he know of any such body. He came before them on his own merits,. and had carefully refrained from alluding in any way to his opponents, and considered he was entitled to be protected from the meeting from the personal remarks' made by the speaker. (Great cheers.)] Mr Mervyn apologised, and then briefly reviewed the late events in the Council, and read a statement of expenditure in the district for the last four years, and also referred to the present works at Naseby, for the maturing of which he and his late colleague were, and ought to be credited with. Many questions were asked, and answered rather evasively. Mr Gilchrist proposed, and Mr Boyd seconded a vote of thanks t;o the speaker for his address, without pledging any support, or expressing any confidence. After a good deal of discussion it was declared carried, eight hands being held up for it. The usual votes of thanks were accorded to the chair, and were well responded to— Mr Duffy having presided with great judgment and tact over three meetings. meeting then broke up, and quietly dispersed. Messrs Mervyn and Armstrong met the Eyeburn electors last Monday, at the Upper and Lower Townships, but did not succeed in obtaining votes of confidence. ■ Mr de Lautour met the electors at St. Bathans on Monday night, and was -well received, getting a large promise of support. St. Bathans had been holiday making to Blackstone Hill, to see the lastjof their old townsman, Mr Murray, who was leaving th..m. Mr de Lautour also visited the Serpentine on Tuesday, and obtained a unanimous vote of confidence, and on Wednesday he held two meetings at the Kyeburn, obtaining unanimous votes of confidence at both meetings.