PROVINCIAL COUNCILS ELECTIONS.

New Zealander, Volume 8, Issue 666, 1 September 1852, Page 2

PROVINCIAL COUNCILS ELECTIONS.

We have this day to record the progress and results of the Elections for the Electoral Districts for which Auckland was appointed the polling-place. We may as -well at once state that the successful candidates were, for the City, Messrs. Brown, Salmon, and Whitaker ; for the Suburbs of Auckland, Dr. Campbell ; and for the Northern Division, Messrs. Forsaith, and Allan O'Neill. The Nomination took place on Monday at the Hustings erected for the purpose in front of the Market House in Shortlandstreet. The proceedings were opened at noon by Thomas Beckham, Esc[., Returning Officer, who read the Writ directing j the election of three members for the City of Auckland. In order to lay before our j ! readers a more complete report of the addresses and general business of the day than it would be practicable to give in our present issue, occupied as our space is by important English news, we confine ourselves here to a summary, reserving the Speeches, &c, for our next number. John Salmon, Esq., was proposed by Mr. J. A. Gilfillan, and seconded by Mr. Andrew Rooney. Frederick Whitaker, Esq., was proposed by Mr. Wm. Connell, and seconded by Mr. Black. Alderman O'Neill was proposed by Dr. Lee, and seconded by Mr. Alexander Wright. William Brown, Esq., was proposed by Mr. Wm. Mackenzie and seconded by Mr. Boy lan. The several candidates, at more or less length, addressed the electors on the topics which most engage public attention, such as Cheap Land, Provincial Separation, and Education, Mr. Brown's Speech was the least explanatory, that gentleman resting his claims mainly on the ground of the opposition to the Government which he had for many years consistently maintained, and on account of which he anticipated a ! support which would place him at the head of the roll. After the nominations had thus taken place, Mr. William Forsyth came forward to propose to the candidates a series of questions on Retrenchment in the Public Expenditure, Reform in the Constitution of the' Resident Magistrate's Court, Reform in the mode of Summoning Juries, and Reform in the mode of issuing Publicans' Licenses. These questions were urged by the proposer with untiring perseverance, and answered by the Candidates, especially by Mr. Whitaker, with promptitude and apparently to the general satisfaction. In the particular case of Mr. Brown, Mr. Forsyth put questions respecting that gentleman's treatment of himself (Mr. F.) in the Southern Cross, and respecting his religious belief; to the former of which Mr. Brown replied that he was not the Editor of the Southern Cross (!) to the latter inquiry he declined to give any answer. A show of hands was then taken, which was declared by the Returning Officer to be in favour of Mr. Brown, Mr. O'Neill, and Mr. Whitaker. A poll was then demanded on behalf of Captain Salmon, which was accordingly ordered to take place yesterday. The Nomination for the Suburbs of Auckland next took place. John Logan Campbell, Esq., was pi'oposed by Mr. T. H. . Bartiey, and seconded by Mr. James Robertson. Dr. Campbell addressed the electors, and, there being no other candidate, was declared by the Returning Officer duly elected. The Nomination for the Northern Division followed. Mr. Thomas S. Forsaith was proposed by Mr. Joseph May, seconded by Mr. Bycroft. Mr. James C. Hill was proposed by Mr. Hart, seconded by Mr. Caldicott. Mr. Allan O'lSeill was proposed by Mr. Andrew OBrien, seconded by Mr. Coolahan. The several Candidates having addressed the Electors, Mr. Forsyth again came forward with his series of questions, which were proposed and answered. A show of hands was then taken, which proved in favour of Mr. Forsaith and Mr. 0 Neill. A poll was demanded on behalf of Messrs. Paton and Hill. Yesterday morning the polling for the contested Districts took place. At 12 o'clock the numbers for the City were, Brown, 300; Salmon, 294; Whitaker, 261 ; O'Neill, 196. At 2 o'clock they stood —Salmon, 392; Brown, 381; Whitaker, 344; O'Neill, 268. At the close of the poll at four o'clock, the numbers were declared as follows : — Brown 490 Salmon 481 Whitaker.. 454 O'Neill 313 The Returning Officer therefore declared the first-named three candidates duly elected. For the Northern Division the numbers at the close were — Forsaith..,, 148 A. O'Neill.. 90 Paton 82 • Hill 404 0

The two candidates highest on the Jist were of course declared duly elected. The candidates — both successful and unsuccessful, -with the exception of Mr. Paton, who did not appear on the Hustings — severally returned thanks to their respective supporters; after which a vote of thanks to the JReturning Officer- was proposed by Mr. Brown, seconded by Mr. O'Neill, and carried amidst great applause, which testified how thoroughly the impartiality, courtesy, and ability with which Mr. Bcckham performed his responsible duties were appreciated by all parties. We have great satisfaction in stating that from beginning to end the proceedings were characterised by an orderly and good-humoured bearing and forbearing on the part of the people, which was most gratifying and creditable. Notwithstanding that this was the first election for a Legislative Council ever held in the Colony, the conduct of all classes would favourably contrast with that of many old and practised constituencies at home. As respects the issue of the City election, which excited especial interest, we may congratulate the constituency on having chosen, in Mr. Whitaker and Captain Salmon, representatives who are not identified with extreme party politics, and who did not make an obstinate perseverance in a course of hostility to the Government at once their credentials as to the past and their pledge as to the future. Captain Salmon was all but at the head of the poll at the close, and had been actually at the head during part or* the day ;— a testimonial to his unobtrusive merits which, considering the anxiety shown and the means made use of by some of Mr. Brown's friends to secure that position for hbn, is worthy of notice and remembrance.

Pensioner Settlements and Southern Division. — The Nomination for these Electoral Districts will take place this day at Onehunga. The polling- will take place both at Onehunga and at Howick (the latter being an additional pollingplace as notified in the last Gazette) on to-mor-row (Thursday).