ROWDY MEETING OF AUCKLAND CITY WEST ELECTORS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5798, 29 October 1879, Page 2

ROWDY MEETING OF AUCKLAND CITY WEST ELECTORS.

(per press agency.) Auckland, Tuesday. A largely attended meeting of the City West electors was held to-night in the Lecture Hall of the Young Men’s Christian Association Building, for the purpose of obtaining an expression of opinion regarding Mr. Hurst’s secession from the party. Mr. Lennox was appointed chairman. Mr. Dorrington rose and proposed a resolution. In doing so, he expressed an opinion that the action taken to judge the member's conduct was premature, but as they were there they might as well say what they thought. It was quite possible that subsequent events would put a different complexion on the action of the four seoeders from that which it now bore, and that on their return to Auckland they would be asked to justify themselves. Still Mr. Hurst had not represented the wishes of his constituents, and had violated his election pledge, by acting in opposition to the majority of the Auckland party, and he (the speaker) therefore moved, —“That Mr. Hurst having been elected to act with the Auckland party, and having deserted the same, this meeting calls upon Mr. Hurst either to support that party or resign his seat for City West, and that the Chairman be requested to wire resolution to both Sir George Grey and Mr. Hurst,’’ The speaker then read the following telegram, which he averred had been received from Sir George Grey •- —“ Late desertions do not disorganise us.” The resolution was seconded by Sir. C. SI. Hill, amidst great disorder. Mr. M. A. Black protested against the unfair and un-English conduct of condemning a man behind his bade, and judging him without waiting for his defence. He applauded their member’s action, and that of his three colleagues. (Applause and disorder.) The leader of the party had resigned, and the Auckland members were released from their obligation, leaving them free to do the best they could for the province. Mr. Macandrew’s antecedents were not such as to justify them in looking to him for justice, but rather the reverse. He was an Otago man and a Scotchman, and therefore not far-sighted, and was indisposed to look beyond his own province. Besides, he had ever been an enemy to Auckland, and had to the best of his ability resisted her efforts to obtain what was her rightful due. Whatever faults the Hall Ministry had, they appeared to be actuated by more impartial desires, and professed a willingness to render justice to Auckland, and were also ready to carry out the Liberal measures !'i; people had resolved upon. He moved as an 0.-niimeat to the motion—“ That the electoi- City West have no confidence in the Macandrew administration, and fully endorse the actio . taken by Mr. Hurst and others." Mr. Ewington seconded the motion, A number of other speakers followed un both sides, and applause and dissent always attended. The chairman read a telegram he

1; t'l just rec-ivcd from t’.. . four Auckland members, diviner tiitir motives j as! tying their allegiance in Half's party. Tile auieucluient being too. it was boot, t'orrii the majority was not fwWera-jfc-. Mr. Masefield then moved as a further amendment, and it was seconded—That this meeting postpone the consideration of Mr. Hurst's action till a farther meeting of the City -Vest electors.” Tile amendment was negatived by a rather narrow majority, and. the motion was carried. 'l'lie iiieeth:, was a \ e’. v df. e ■ :iy one. 'lire number of Mr. Hur t's sympathisers was large, showing that the electors are pretty well divided in their opinion, ami that opinion is far from being -o unanimous as the promoters of the meeting anticipated. Tim motion pa E sed is not looked upon as of any great moment. The action of the Hall Government in promising justice to Auckland has gained them support and much -popularity.