HUTT ELECTION.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5762, 17 September 1879, Page 3

HUTT ELECTION.

The formal declaration of the Hutt election took place at the Court House, Lower Hutt, yesterday afternoon. The was a moderate attendance of electors. The returning officer, W. P. James, Esq., announced the result of the election as follows : Mason ... ... ... ... 166 Jackson... ... ... ... 139 He therefore declared Mr. Mason duly elected as their representative in the House of Representatives.

Mr. Mason thanked the electors for the honor they had done him, and trusted that he would continue to please them. With reference to certain reports which had been circulated as to his conduct towards men in the service of the Board of River Conservators, he emphatically denied that he had given occasion for it. He had taken the overseer aside privately and asked him to discontinue his visits to the publichouses, and the overseer had willingly promised to do so. With regard to what had been said concerning the blacksmith’s work being taken away from Collett and given to Mcllvride, ho said that all the members of the Board had inspected certain work, and the overseer’s suggestions had been generally approved, but one of the Board had suggested some alteration, and Moll vride being the nearest was sent for to carry it out.

Mr. Buick, a member of the Board, here said that he was not present on the occasion. Mr. Mason continued, and said if Mr. Buick was not present he did not miss him. Upon Mcllvride corning Mr. Johnstone gave him instructions as to what was required. Mr. Johnstone was one of the conservators, and the Board had agreed that all the small work required was to be sent to the nearest blacksmith, so as to save time. This work was, therefore, put into Mcllvride’s hands to prevent unnecessary delay. He considered that he was fully entitled to speak to the overseer about his frequent visits to the publichou-e, and he disclaimed any wish to throw Collett out of his work. It was perfectly untrue that he had taken work away from Collett, for what was done was in pursuance of the rule of the Board. If Mr. Buick was not present at the time, the remaining fourjmembers of the Board were. He concluded by saying that he would have acted as he had done to any one else, whether friend or foe. (Cheers.) Mr. Jackson desired to express his grateful and sincere thanks to those who earnestly and straightforwardly supported him. He was no match for the wealth, slander, and corrupt practices which had been resorted to by the other side. (Oh, oh, and disorder.) He was, however, determined to make an appeal against Mr. Mason’s return. He trusted that all party feeling would now subside, leaving Parliament to decide whether or not his opponent was to occupy his seat. Mr. Valentine here said he desired to ask Mr. Mason some questions. He produced a copy of the Post containing Mr. Mason’s reply to what had been published in the Chronicle concerning him. He had, however, forgotten to bring with bim a copy of the latter journal. (Interruption.) He then proceeded to ask Mr. Mason questions bearing upon the subject, which were answered in language to the same effect as the replies already given above. He was proceeding to read Mr. Mason’s letter to him when

Mr. Beetuam took Mr. Mason away, observing that it was only wasting time to answer the questions again. Mr. Buck here stepped forward to speak, but Mr. Valentine objected, and good humoiedly pulled him off the doorstep, saying that he had not finished. Mr. Buck consequently gave way to Mr. Valentine, who however did not continue his remarks.

Mr. Pkodse then came forward, and referred to Mr. Jackson’s remarks ns to corrupt practices and slander. He said he had visited one half if not two-thiids of the electors, and he had heard nothing of it. Mr. Jackson ; “ Shall I mention names.” Mr. Prousb ; “ Yes.” Mr. Jackson : “ Mr. Samuel Mason.” Mr. Samuel Mason here came forward and asked what Mr. Jackson accused him of. Mr. Jackson said he told someone that he had received something for his vote as compensation for loss of office. Mr. Mason said he never said such a thing, or even thought it. Mr. Bock here came forward, and humorously remarked that they would require another doctor in the district to physio the beaten gentlemen, as there was so much sickness amongst them. (Laughter.) They would want better medicine than pills to enable them to recover. He continued to say that he respected Mr. Jackson as a surveyor and a gentleman, but he did not believe in him as a politician. A friend had told Mr. Jackson that he would never be returned again, and no doubt Mr. Jacksou knew to whom he referred. He believed that if there was another election tomorrow Mr. Jackson would not be returned. He concluded by observing that he was sorry to see Mr. Jackson “ hang his jib down” so much over his defeat, and considered that he had not the pluck of a gentleman The proceedings concluded with a vote of thanks to the returning officer, moved by Mr. Mason, and seconded by Mr, Jackson. THE WELLINGTON COUNTRY DISTRICTS. The declaration of the poll for the Wellington Country Districts took place at Kaiwarra at 2 p.m. yesterday. At the hour named there were present the returning officer, the three candidates, a policeman, and six “ free and independent” electors. Mr. James stated the number of votes polled by the candidates was as follows :—Brandon. 240 ; Izard, ISI ; O'Neill, 124 He thereforedeclared Mr. Brandon to he duly elected.

Mr. Brandon said he had merely to return his fgrateful thanks to the electors for again placing him in the proud position of being their representative. He alluded to the late contest as an eminently a fair one, and was glad no undesirable element had been imported into the struggle. Mr. Izard thanked the electors for the large measure of support which had been accorded him, and expressed his intention of again contesting the seat whenever it became vacant. Mrf O'NeiiL thanked his supporters, especially those in Kaiwarra, for the manner in which they had worked in his behalf, and characterised the contest as having been conducted throughout by all parties acting ia a spirit of fairness and harmony. A vote of thanks to the returning officer, proposed by Mr. Brandon, and seconded by Mr. O’Neill, concluded the proceedings.