By Magguffin.

Manawatu Times, Volume III, Issue 6, 13 November 1878, Page 2

By Magguffin.

"A duel's anmng yo takin' notes, An' faith he'll prent 'em."

Ifc is seldom that Municipal, or eron County elections create such an excitement as that at present prevailing over the contests now being carried on m the Munawatu, but znore especially for the representation a? Awahou. In the Kiwitea, Oroua, and Horowhenua Hidings the candidates were not put to a struggle, but m the Manchester, Kawakawa, Taonui And Awahou, the aspirants for County honors are not to be allowed to write M.C.C. after their names before first running the gauntlet of criticism, an! being tested m the crucible of the ballot box. But although battles have to be waged m the four ridings, the character of ihe contests differ moat materially, for while m Manchester, Taonui, and Kuwak&wn, the fight will partake more of the nature of slight skirmishes, m the Awahou it is a pitched battle — a war to the knife, m which no quarter is given or taken on either side, and which onn only result m tba total annihilation of one of the combatants. And here I might remark, par parenthese, that the man must indeed be a philanthropist, and deeply imbued with the spirit of patriotism, who consents to serrc tho public m the Councils of his country. Scarcely lias the sheet been dry which contains his election address, when his name* character, and antecedents become public spoil, and he himself pilloried m that accommodating machine, tho Press— an inviting target for every unsavory missile. To his horror and astonishment he finds the minutest actions of his past life— from the wild freaks of schoolboy days to bis most secret negotiations — are paraded .before an admiring public, and shady transactions which he vainly imagined buried beneath the weight of years, most mysteriously float to the surface. Every member of tho community who can so far wield a pen as to murder Lindley Murray, considers it a sacred duty he owes to society to contribute his quota to the candidate's biography, and day after day he is compelled, as it were, to run a social gauntlet. Mr friend Magginnis, who has been through the ordeal, assures me, however, that according to the gravity of the charges, and the length of tho catalogue, depend the chances of success, and that m politics he who would rise should possess a soul above trifles. If that statement be correct, I should imagine from my experience of the Colony m general, and politicians m particular, that we hare a number of moat eligible persons amongst m, and that New Zealand has reason to bo proud of the number of her rising men. But I digress, and to return to nij subject. I'or tho M.VKOUKSTRB BIDING there are two members to bo elected, for which threa candidates have presented themselves — Messrs Macarthur, Lash, and Halcombo. Formerly tho riding was only i possessed of onu momber, tho office being held br Mr Jlilcombe ; but owing to its rateable v:ilue anil importance a claim was ra.ade for increased representation, which whs very prope-rjy conceded without demur. Feeling thut he would hnvo no earthlj ah nu;e to sewk re-election for Kiwitea, Mr Macurtluu* decided to abandon that riding, and seek to be Mr Huleonib/a colWgud for Manchester. This step h:ul the result of causing Mr Irish to come forward a3 a candidate, as it was thought — and very justly, too, — that it would not be wise to elect two members so bound up m the Corporation. Mr Halcombe has been a moat energetic, attentive, and able representative m tho past, but he v now handicapped m having to stand against Mr Macarthur on one sida and Mr Lash on tho other, Had' Mr Halfora'ie been the only representative of the Corporation his return would be assured, but the electors will not hare a double dose of the "E. nnd C. A.," and he is placed at a disadvantage m being pitted against Mr Macarthur. Although the latter gentleman is but accond m Cvia-

mand, he possesses abilities far superior to his chief, and while Mr Halcombe has the reputation of being a finished adept m the suaoiter m modo, soft, specious, and insinuating, he is also accredited with an even greater modicum of insincerity. Mr Macarthur, on tho contrary, is not exactly the person to whom you would be drawn by affinity ; his manner is rather more repellant than captiTating, but Mr Macarthur is a man who to know is to value and respect. He is blunt rather than bland ; and and has not yet succeeded m making his face say one thing, and his tongue another. He has opinions, and he has the courage to utter them ; and while ho would not say anything which he did conscientiously believe, he would not be silent if he- considered it his duty to speak. The electors of Manchester Riding will elect ono member from the Corporation, and as I bolicve my estimate of Mr Macartlmr will be endorsed by all who know him — believing him to be more able, and, politically, more honest, than his Chief, I consider he it will be upon whom the choice will fall. It will therefore, be found that the future members will be MACARTHUR LASH.