WAIMEA EAST ELECTION.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 282, 24 November 1873, Page 2

WAIMEA EAST ELECTION.

DECLARATION OF TOE POLL

The formal declaration of the poll took place at thc Richmond Institute at noon to-day, when the Returning Officer said tiiat his duties on that occasion were more onerous than usual as he was called upon to give a casting vote, the numbers being:— Barnicoat 79, Harley 6t, Kelling 61. However, in this particular instance he was relieved of any great anxiety, as there was a well established rule that the Returning Officer should not take upon himself to do that which the constituency had declined to. They had not spen fit to reject their sitting member, Mr Kelling, and he should therefore give him his casting vote, and declare Mr Barnicoat and ,Mr Kelling dnly elected. Mr Barnicoat desired to l hank the electors for the honor they had conferred on hira He felt it the more keenly, as, indeed, he should have felt defeat, as that was the first Provincial election that had taken place in tho district under tho system of ballot. He hoped that they would never have re-sf-on to regret the choice they had made. There was one important question that bad been put to the other candidates at the norninaiion.but had not beea asked of him namely, for whom he intended to vote as Superintendent. Fe had thought it was universally understood to whom he should give his vote, but as it appeared th>»t it was not so, he would take the opportunity of saying that he intended to give his earnest support to Mr Curti?, and to do all in his power to secure his election. Mr Keiling returned his sincere thanks for fhe supp rt he had received. One reason that he had not polled more vote.? was that a new candidate had come forward, and for such his supporters always exerted themselves to the. utmost extent in their power. Another was that he had n-.'t deciured which candidate he should support for the Supc-rintendeney. He hnd no idea there was so strong a feeling on the f übject, and at the time of nomination had not read the speeches of the two candidates. Even previous to doing so he had been inclined to favor Mr. Curtis, but since thon he had quite made np his mind to support bim, and bad already been working for him. He again wished to thank them, and to assure them he fhould do all in his power to advance the interests of the province. Mr Harley. although defeated, felt proud of the position he had occupied on the poll as a voung man coming forward for the flrst time. He thought that be and his friends had done much to secure Mr Barnicoat's flection, and he hoped that in future he wouid put m-re steam on, oil his springs, grease hie wheels, and go ahead. It would have been very awkward fdr him (Mr Harley) had ho been returned as Speaker, as that otficer {.rot _20() a year to hold hia tongue, a thing he coul 1 not do for _ 1,000 a year. He could nor. re a silent member, but would have been loud in advocating their interests. Mr Barnicoat wished to correct Mr Harley's mistatements. The Speaker did not get £200 a - year to hoi 1 his tongue, lie drew no honorarium, which was a deduction of nearly £30 a-year, and he was also a member of the Waste, Lands Board, which occupied very much of his time and attion. Nor did he hold his tongue, but was heard on almost evory question, and always on those connected with finance. Mr Harley eaid Mr Barnicoat's reference to th" Waste Lands Board n minded bim tbat they had done great thing?. They had moved mountains sni-h as Mount Owen, and Mount Arthur. Had he been a member of the Board he would, ere this, have moved Mount Hochfort into Neleon A vote of thanks to the Returning Oflicer terminated the proceedings.