THE ELECTION CAMPAIGN.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5740, 22 August 1879, Page 2

THE ELECTION CAMPAIGN.

(PER PRESS AOENOT.I Masterton, Thursday,

Mr. Carter was well received here last evening. A vote of thanks was accorded him for his address. Mr. Carter, though pressed by the meeting, would not declare himself either a Government or Opposition supporter. Otaki, Thursday.

Mr. Halcombe addressed a large meeting here last evening, at which most of the European residents and a large number of influential natives were present. He condemned the system of small advances on native lands to single individuals, and crippling the majority of the owners by proclaiming the land under negotiation. He advocated the opening up, and the sale by auction of native lands by the Government, the proceeds being handed to the native owners, less expenses. Mr. Halcombe received an almost unanimous vote of confidence and promise of support. Grahamstown, Thursday.

Steps will be taken within the next few days to bring out a candidate in the Grey interest to run with the Hon. J. Sheehan, in the event of Sir George Grey running for Christchurch with a prospect of sitting for that constituency.

New Plymouth, Thursday.

Mr. Kelly addressed the electors of New Plymouth last night. A feeble vote of confidence in him was passed. Gisborne, Thursday.

Mr. Sheehan landed here yesterday. It was understood that a public meeting would be held, at which he would deliver a speech, but after consulting with some of his friends he abandoned the idea. Thera is a strong feeling here against the Greyites. Nelson, Thursday.

Mr. Curtis addressed a very large meeting of electors last night, the Provincial Hall being crowded in every part. He strongly attacked the administration of the Grey Government, especially in regard to native affairs and public works, and attributed the present disturbed state of the natives to the Government’s gross mismanagement and ill-judged interference. He referred to the Thames railway job as an act that should never be forgiven in any Government, and said that alone was a sufficient justification for the no-eoqfideoce vote. He exposed the fallacy of Sir George Grey’s statement that every morsel of food the working man put into his children’s mouths was heavily taxed, and that the poor man was more taxed than the rich, and said that Sir George Grey must have known these statements to be untrue, or he would surely have endeavored to remedy the evil during the two years he was in office. These statements were made solely for party purposes, and the endeavor to create bitter animosity between'the classes, in order to gain capital for himself and his followers, was a great political crime, that no past services, however distinguished, could condone, and a long life of repentance could never efface. In reference to the education question, Mr. Curtis said that although his ewn opinion was not changed, he would not, in view of the expression of public feeling on the matter, be so pig-headed as to try to thrust his own views down their throats, and therefore should abandon his amendment. Mr. Curtis was loudly cheered. A vote of thanks was proposed, and an amendment of a rote of confidence moved, but was withdrawn at Mr. Curtis’ request, as he said that as yet they did not know what candidates were coming forward. The vote of thanks was passed amid great cheering. The meeting, on the whole, was orderly and attentive. There are now four candidates for the city— Curtis, Adams, Johns, and Graham. Dunedin, Thursday. Mr. James McKenzie has been requisitioned to contest Waikouaiti. The Port Chalmers nomination is fixed for 80th August, the poll for the sth September ; the Dunedin nomination for the 28th August, poll 2nd September ; the Roslyn nomination 29th August, poll sth September ; the Caversham nomination on Ist September, poll on the 9th.

Captain Baldwin has just returned from Melbourne, and will contest either Caversham or Waikaia.

The Dunedin candidates are holding back as long as possible from addressing the electors. This is done in order to minimise Jexpense. Mr. H. C. Clayton addressed the electors at Blue Spur on Tuesday night. He declared himself an independent member, a secularist, in favor of manhood suffrage, and a liberal goldfields member. A requisition is being signed in favor of James Fulton, R.M., asking him to stand for Taieri. He will probably consent, and resign his Resident Magistrateship. Captain Mackenzie is now actually canvassing the Waikaia district, and there is no sign of opposition to him at present. Timabu, Thursday.

Mr. John Studholme received a vote of confidence from a crowded meeting at Pleasant Point last night. Christchurch, Thursday.

The Hon. E. Richardson delivered an exhaustive address on the political situation this evening. A vote of confidence was proposed, to which an amendment of thanks was moved, and the show of hands being nearly equal, the Mayor could not decide either way. A second show of hands was then called for, with the same result. The meeting broke up in great disorder in consequence. BuufHEllf, Thursday.

The Wairau nomination takes place on September Ist* and the poll on the Bth ; Pioton nomination on August 30th, and the poll on September sth. There is not likely to be any opposition at Picton. For Wairau Mr. Seymour -will be hotly opposed by Mr. Henderson, the Grey candidate.

The Cheviot nomination will take place at Kaikoura on the 29 th August, and the poll on the 6th September. Mr. Inglis will oppose Mr. Saunders in the Liberal interest, and will support the present Ministry. Mr. Seymour’s meeting last night was crowded. He condemned the Government administration, and accused them of not carrying Liberal measures when they might have done so, two sessions ago. Mr. Ward made a telling speech against the Government and Mr. Henderson. The election will be a very close one. Both sides claim a majority. Hokitika, Thursday.

For the Hokitika district election the date of the nomination is fixed for the 30th instant ; the polling on the sth September. Totara district—Nomination, 25th instant ; polling, 10th September.