The Patea Mail. Established 1875. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5, ,1883. HOW LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS ARE MADE.

Patea Mail, Volume IX, Issue 1108, 5 November 1883, Page 2

The Patea Mail. Established 1875. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5, ,1883. HOW LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS ARE MADE .

Bather a queer story of the way a recent appointment to the Legislative Council was made, has come out, through the occurrence of a little domestic quarrel. For the sake of the uninitiated in the mysteries of political wire pulling, we give a resume of the transaction. Duiing the last parliament, M. A. de B. Brandon, member for the Wellington County electorate, was the father, of the House, having sat 21 years and always given the party now in power a consistent support.- At last general election he decided to retire, and it was generally, believed that ho would be

called (o the Legislative Council. The first session, however, came and went but he was not called, and it was well known lie was very sore on the subject. Daring ..the recess, Mr Edward Shaw, late District Judge in Wellington, and; formerly on the West Coast, joined Mr Brandon’s legal firm, which became. Brandon, Shaw, and Brandon, Then shortly 'before last session Mr Weston resigno.d his seat for Inangahna, and Mr Wakefield came forward. What followed is told by the Auckland Star ; The Government were very anxious to keep Mr Waki li dd out, and Major Atkinson personally waited on Mr Sliaw at (lie firm’s office, and aSkod him to stand for Inangahna Mr Shaw replied : “ How can yon ask me to stand in your interest alter the way-you have treated my partner, Mr Brandon?'’ Major Atkinson replied : “Oh that will be all right! There will be ho difficulty about that.” Ultimately ‘Mr Sliaw agreed to consult bis partner, and Major Atkinson ■'promised to find £IOO or two towards expenses. Mr Shaw did consult''Mr Brandon, an 1 became a candidate. Mr Beet ham, t lie Govern men t whip, ,hj anile- i him, it, is said, £.IOO towards expenses, and a similar sum was also afterwards , sent, him,., While / the election was on it became, whispered that if Mr Shaw got in Mr Brandon would be called to the Council, and thatMr Brandon would pay Mr Shaw’s expenses. This was denied, but Mr Shaw got in, and almost immediately alter Mr Bran;, don was c.vlbM t6 the' Council.' It seethe the costs of tlto electiph amounted to some £7OO or, £BO.O over the amount, .contributed by the .Ministerial party, 'and this was paid lent of the firm’s .account. Other partnership differences, however,, have since arisen between Mr Brandon, jnn, and Mr Shaw; the: result of- which lias been a 'grand row abouti the whole affair, an I a dissolution of partnership; and one or two lawsuits, it isrunvou red, are likely to follow. *Thns, the Whole story has .Como' dtif, to the great amusement of the people-in? M r elliugto.n, and ihw. i .co.!pjny gonerally . 1 A . V