Egmont Election.

Patea Mail, 7 December 1881, Page 3

Egmont Election.

Mr HUTCHISON at MANAIA. (from our correspondent.) Manaia, Monday 7. Mr Hutchison met (he electors here on Saturday night in Lloyd’s room, which was crowded. Mr Alex. Milne was voted to the chair. Mr Hutchison complimented the district on the progress made in town and country since meeting the electors before. Hereverted to the charges he made against Major Atkinson at his former meeting! and replied to statements made by the Major in defence of those charges. The first charge as to New Plymouth harbor had not been answered satisfactorily, in fact was unanswerable. The second charge he had made against Major Atkinson was as to the expenditure on railways, roads, and bridges. Major Atkinson had at the hustings in Hawera endeavored to justify his previous statements in answering charges on this head, and actually had the unfairness to calculate the amount of money' spent in this electorate up to the end of June last, instead of March, which was the last month in the financial year. The unfairness consisted in comparing 15 months’ expenditure in these districts with 12 months in other districts. It was not only a peculiar position to take up, but discreditable to him. (Laughter and applause.) He He did not think the colony should be rated for native troubles. The natives had set themselves against constituted authority, and new lands should be made to pay' the cost. It should be carved out of the reserves. They would not feel it, but the settlers would. He considered Opunaki was too much hemmed in by native reserves. Mr Hutchison touched on other matters, as reported in the Patea meeting, and sat down amid applause. QUESTIONS.

Mr Ilendy asked if the candidate would be in favor of making enquiry as to how the names of many settlers had been smuggled off the roll.

Mr Hutchison said that he had received reliable testimony that day from settlers on the subject, who had stated that names sent were not on the roll ; and whether returned or not, he would consider it his duty to look into the matter, and obtain the fullest information. (Hear, hear.) Several other questions were put and answered.

Mr Glenn proposed a vote of confidence. He considered Mr Hutchison’s views had been clear and explicit on the N.P. harbor question and property tax, both of which, as tilings stood, would interfere with the progress of the district. Mr Hutchison was the man for the district.

Mr Scott, in supporting the resolution, said the settlers on the Plains would be making a great mistake if they 7 returned Major Atkinson again. Mr Hutchison deserved their support, and he hoped that on polling-day they would rally 7 round him and do their best to make his election sure. (Applause.) Vote taken : 82 for, 9 against. A vote of thanks to the chair terminated the proceedings. POLITICS ON THE PLAINS. (F K<j M O U K CORIiIiSrOKIIEN T.)

Manaia, Monday',

The general election takes place next Friday and I take the last opportunity of making a few remarks on the Egmont contest. Each of the candidates has a strong committee here, and more than

usual interest appears to be manifested in the result. The votes of a few settlers who lived in New Plymouth for some y'ears before coming here are expected to be recorded in the Major’s favor, but even they are rather disposed to accept Mr Hutchison’s statement that the further prosecution of the harbor is “full of danger to the district.” Many new settlors have no confidence in the Major’s figures, and as that gentleman could give no satisfactory promise as to the line he would adopt to relieve the district of the <: bare possibility ” of being rated, he will find arrayed against him, when the polling day arrives, at least | of the electors between Opunaki and Waingongnro. The Catholic vote, of which so much talk has been made, will, I am confident, be an independent one.

It is considered here that Mr Hutchison has sheeted homo some grave charges ; and whatever the result in other parts, the majority of the settlers on the Waimate Plains are prepared to accept him in preference to the old candidate, as the ballot box will show.

Mr R. E. Mcßae has been appointed Deputy' Returning Officer for Manaia. A large number of horses were impounded on Monday, and are being claimed and sold by natives.

A committee has been formed and a programme of sports arranged for Boxing day\ Subscriptions are coming in freely. A match for £25 a-side between Michael Daniels and Joseph Heaphy, two wellknown athletes, has been arranged. The winner of three out of five jumping events on Boxing day to receive the stakes. £5 has been deposited. A number of sections, town and country', have changed hands within the past fortnight at considerable advances on the price obtained at Government sale.