THE ELECTION.

Manawatu Times, Volume III, Issue 69, 27 August 1879, Page 3

THE ELECTION.

■J£R' JOHNSTON AT FEILDINGv .vWfrv* Johnston addressed, the electors m M^ysruor's Hall on Friday evening. 'Great ifiteredt 1 ' 5 in' th 6 'proceedings^ the and Mr. Johnston, at the close of his address, was. subjected to very severe, questionings by the supporters of the local candidate. " .-■■■ ■Mr. J. WHipßEiwas voted to thei chair, and m a few brief introductory remarks bespoke for Mr. Johnston a fair and impartial hearing. . ' ■ 1 Mr! . Johnston commenced his address by pbierving that he had found it to his advantage that his opponent had declared, la. imflelf a su pporter of the Grrey Ministry. On the present occasion Le did not possess

that advantage, as Mr. Halooiabe and hip* self occupied the same platform j and on that ground, while placing before them his political opinions, he claimed for himself an indulgent hearing (applause). In standing by the side of Mr. Halcoinbe m opposing Sir G-eorge Grey, h.e did co b.ecause the head of the Government had dealt with their rights, their liberties, and their taxes m a most unconstitutional manner. [Mr. Johnston then went over the same ground .traversed m his speech at Foxjton, fully reported m our last issue, and received, during the delivery of his address, considerable Applause.-] The Chaibmab" having intimated that Mr. Johnston would answer any question, Mr. MAOAaTHT7B.-rrrWill Mr. Johnston kindly tell the meeting what was the date of his last visit to Feilding ? Mr. Johnston. — it was at thelast election. (LaQghter). If Mr. Macarthur's question, as I suppose, points to my -not having visited my constituents of toner, I can repeat , what I said on this subject at Foxton (remarks repeated). .Mr. ■ Maoaethto,— You say that tbe process of the Wainganui Harbour Board Endowment would 'have gone to the Treasury to be wasted m an' "authorised expent |>ure if the B,ill had not |passec q , but m tliat case would not 20 per cent of that amount come back to the Country. Mr. Johnston.— rl do not kuovp whether the Bill had passed at that time. A perfect volley of questions, most of them of a frivolous nature, were asked and answered. V Mr. J^OKSbN moved a Vote of thanks to Mr. Johnston for h.is address, which wes seconded by Mr." MAipA^THtr^. ' - ■'•' Mr. MatsmQ'B- moved, as an amendment, a vote of confidence iv Mr. Johnston, which having been put to the meeting, was lost. The original motion was then put and carried by a large majority. Mr. Johnston acknowledged the complimeu't. -He begged to thank them for the vote of thanks they had given him. Though the confidence extended to him was rather 'limited, he trusted that by the polling day • it would be enlarged, and; that the ballot 1 box would declare him duly elected. J A vote of thanks to the Chair term'nated the proceedings. /