THE NEW BLOOD; OR, FRESH FACES IN PARLIAMENT.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIV, Issue 211, 17 September 1879, Page 4

THE NEW BLOOD ; OR, FRESH FACES IN PARLIAMENT.

[" Evening Peat."] Mr Dick, the successful candidate who headed the poll at Dunedio, fa a veteran who returns once more tr» th** political arena after a long r*';,, vro p n , 0 About fourteen years * U n thie ' man was Superintend o f Ol.ro, and be eat for eeveral yeßrß in tbe Provincial Council, ror -, 8 th j a his first appearance tv t jDBe of Representatives. Mr Dick began in life as a draper, and §0 -sequently became a prosperous merchant in Dunedin. A few years ago he retire! from business, having amassed a fortune. He has always taken a ketn interest in public affaire, and has been a staunch adherent of the cause of Temperance. At the present time he occupies the pest of President of the Good Templars' Association of Dunedin. Mr Dick pos<eß?e a high claime to (he confidence of his constituents, beiog a cIP' ar headed, slightforward, basiD'.ss man, having a character f>, integrity which is acknowledged both by friends and foee. He it moderately fluent in speech, without being eloquent. Hia support will be given to tbe Opposition, aqd he it likely to prove one of the most valoable of tbeir new adherents. Mr Spkight, who will make bis bow to the Speaker of tbe new Parliament as representative for Auckland City East, is a native of Dublin, and by profession »n engineer. He has resided for many years at tbe Thames, where he haa taken a prominent part in many local institutions and where ne occupies a seat in tbe County Council. Bqt like Mr Dick in the Sontb.eo in tbe North it is as champion of the cause of total abstinence that Mr Speight is beat known. Hia eloquence, which ic of the fervid description, bas been constantly employed in this behalf, and be haa filled tbe office of R.W.C.T. for tbe North Island. At present he ia R.W.G.S. of the Good Templar organisation. Mr Speight Wftß the the nominee of the Grey Committee in Auckland. Mr. Fbkdkbick Whitakeb, Jun., wbo ousts bis former conqueror, Mr M'Minn, from tbe Waipa seat, is the eldest bod of the veteran politicise, Mr F. A. Whitaker, of Auckland. In early life he entered bis father's profession, and practised as a solicitor for a short time. But the attractions of journalism seduced him from tbe steady pursuit of a forensic career, and about four years ego be purchased the " Waikato Times " from Messrs Laogbridge and Silver. Although he has at times appeared in Court aa an advocate, he haa since devoted tbe main portion of his time and energies to tbe more arduous bat exciting, and to Mr. Whitaker more congenial, w oik of a news* paper proprietor and editor. From the tone of the "Times'" leaders, one would infer that tbe new member Was of his father's way of thinking, but it is whjapered that in tbe late election the Government influence was exei ted on Mr Wbi taker's behalf, anil this being bo, we presume ibal bis opposition, if existent at 6)1, will be of the mildest; deacription. Mr Whitaker possesses considerable intellectual ibility ; he speaks fluently, bat is too exciteable to make a formidable debater. Mr James Walker Bain, the new member for lovercsrgill, is alao a representative of tbe "Fourth Estate." Twenty yjfcars ago he settled in Southland, where, in partnership, with Mr George Sroallfield, he started the *' Southern Jpews," the first newspaper in Invercartjil), generally spoken of as the M Southerly Buster." On the separation of Southland from Otago, the title was altered to tbe " Southland News," which the paper still retains. On tbe death of Mr Smallfield, Mr Bain sold the "News," and paid a visit to Scotland, where be remained two or three years. On bis return he porchaaed the " Southland Times/' which be conducted till about a year ago, when it passed into the hands of a joint stock company, who still carry it on. Mr Bain is well known aa an active promoter of building societies. His first appearance in tbe political arena w«s last year, wbeo be contested the Invercargill seat in the anti-Grey intereat with Mr Feidwick, the proprietor " Southland News," who beat him by a small majority. At the last mayoralty election in Invercargill Mr Bain suffered another defeat at tbe hands of Mr Good Willie. Too resolute and persevering to be daunted at these rebuffs of fortune, be again came forward at this election, and after one of the closest fights of the campaign toraed the tables on his opponent. Mr Bain is a shrewd business man, and although nntil lately he bas not entered the political lists, he has taken great interest in every election, and his influence has been eagerly coarted by candidates. Mr Bain ia likely to be a aaelol member, and he ia certainly a great improvement on Mr Feidwick.