THE ELECTION.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume II, Issue 105, 15 November 1873, Page 2

THE ELECTION.

The candidates for the Election of a Member of the Provincial Council have been making good use of their time since the nomination, with a view to pull up some of the lee way which has been made. On Wednesday evening they addressed the electors at Dalziell’s Makaraka Hotel, on the several matters connected with the interests of the district. The meeting, which was a joint one, lasted about two hours and was presided over by J. B. Poynter, Esq. The utmost regularity prevailed, and a desire was manifest on the part of the candidates to evince a good feeling of friendly rivalry towards each other, and let each man stand upon his own merits. About twenty-five electors were present, and the supporters of either candidate seemed to be perfectly satisfied with, the views they heard expressed. Ultimately, Mb. Johnson was proposed by Mr. Hardy, and seconded by Mr. Parsons ; and Mr. Wyllie was proposed by Mr Cooper, and seconded

by Mr. Mclntosh as fit candidalcs for the representation of Turanganui. On Thursday evening a goodly number of electors responded to the invitation of the candidates who met at Villers’ Hotel at Ormond, Mr. Caulton in the chair. Mr. Wyllie explained his views on Education throwing the onus of taxation on parents ; he spoke of the Fencing Act—being very shifty—the more so when questioned. Mr. Wyllie also referred to steam and roads. Mr. Johnson addressed the meeting in support of steam, harbour, and moorings, also, of the duty of the General Government completing main roads. He condemned the Education Tux as oppressive and objectionable, advocating funds from the General Revenue and moderate fees. Mr. Johnson expressed his views on the Fencing Act, giving practical explanations of its working at present—recommending altera-tion—-but pledging himself if a majority of the whole district (not Ormond only) wished for a particular Act, he would support it. Mr. Villers moved a vote of confidence in Mr. J. Woodbine Johnson. Mr. Cooper proposed a similar vote in favor of Mr. Wyllie ; result—l 4 for Mr. Johnson : 3 for Mr. Wvllie.

The Music Hall was well filled by the town portion of the constituency on Friday evening. Both Mr. Johnson and Mr. Wyllie addressed the meeting at some length, the subject-matter of which was for the most part a repetition of the utterances made in other places. We must defer our report until Wednesday. One very important question was asked of Mr. Wyllie, to which he replied by saying that his private affairs would not admit of his attending the Council until the end of January. This being tantamount to disfranchising the electorate for a month or six weeks, will seriously damage Mr. Wyllie’s prospects of return. A vote of thanks to the candidates, and the Chairman concluded the business at an early hour.