ELECTION OF MEMBER.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume II, Issue 106, 19 November 1873, Page 2

ELECTION OF MEMBER.

Messrs. Johnson and Wyllie met their constituents at the Music Hall on Friday evening last. Mr. R. M. Skeet was voted to tire chair ami called upon the candidates to address the meeting. Mr. J. Wooodbine Johnson said :—Mr. Chairman and Gentleman, 1 have met you here to-night as I think it an important fact 1 hat we are to be represented in the conduct of our affairs, 1 ask you all to record your votes for one or the other candidate as it will have a great effect upon the future. From the Provincial Government we have received nothing. Our grievances have not been attended to. We were prevented from joining Hawke’s Bay. A member of your own choice in the Council may be able to effect an alteration. If you do me the honor to elect me I will use my best exertions to that end. Something must be done in the shape of Harbor improvements; with good moorings a vessel would ride in this Bay as safely as in Hawke’s Bay. It is reprehensible that we have no steam boat subsidized by the province for this coast. Education is a difficult and a vexed question. I am opposed to the present tax, but I think the State should assist, —the Government should see to the means of Education, based upon a scale of moderate fees, being within the reach of all. Free Schools are objectionable—and exertions should be made to charge cost to the General Revenue of the colony or province. The time has not arrived for compulsory education. With respect to Immigration, I shall do my utmost to impress upon the Government the desirability of acquiring land in the district and settling the country with an industrious population ; and in short I will as your representative do my utmost to advance the interests of the whole district, and will not advocate any measures calculated to put class against class. Mr. Willie said: —Fellow Electors, as a candidate for your suffrages, I would touch upon a few subjects likely to engage the attention of your representative in the Council. I will begin with Education, I entirely agree with all that has fallen from the candidate who has just addressed you. The tax is direct and objectionable, and therefore I shall do my utmost to get it altered. A fair share of the Revenue is due to us on account of Harbor improvements. With respect to Roads, I do not think there are many who know much about it. I confess I do not. We want metal for the roads ; but the hands of the local Board are fettered. The General Government should be charged with the repairs of the roads over which they claim control. The district is becoming of some importance. Customs’ Receipts are at the rate of £4OOO a year to say nothing of the duty paid goods which come into this port. Your member must see to justice being done in this respect. The Patatuhi Block is still in the hands of the General Government. I consider this should be cut up at once for the location of a number of small settlers on it. A steam subsidy is absolutely necessary to connect Poverty Bay with Auckland. I may say that my opinion is that Provincial institutions are decaying, and will soon die out

and (hat the sooner we have the country divided into Shires the better. Retrenchment in the cost of departmental administration is much required. With respect to settlement generally, 1 may say that the Motu Block purchase is an acquisition, and I will aid all I can in the Council any scheme put forward for its occupation by small tenants, as also for the general welfare of the district.

Mr. Graham was voted to the chair to enable Mr. Skeet to say that he thought this bugbear of Education, upon which candidates dwelt so much, was nothing more than “ clap-trap ” to catch votes. Mr. Wylie had said that lie would support a taxation which fell exclusively upon heads of families with children, releasing single men from the imposition. Mr. Tucker said he had not heard Mr. Wyllie say so.

Mr. Wyllie said he thought the saddle should be put on the right horse, and that those who had children should be made to pay for their education. He thought that Government should also subsidize the schools.

Mr. Skcet wanted to know if Mr. Wyllie reconciled State Aid with his desire to tax married men only. A voice interrupted by asking —“ What about the Harbour?” Mr. Wyllie replied that lie would endeavour to get a sum placed upon the Estimates for the purpose. In reply to a question, Mr. Wyllie said that if elected, he should not be able to attend the Council before the end of January.

Mr. Cuff proposed a vote of thanks to the candidates, and Mr. Johnson proposed a vote of thanks to the Chairman!, both of which were carried by acclamation.