EAST COAST ELECTION.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume IX, Issue 1004, 26 November 1881, Page 1 (Supplement)

EAST COAST ELECTION.

Capt. Porter at PatutahiOn Monday evening last, Capt. Porter addressed a meeting of the electors at the school-house, called for by previous notice. Mr. G. L. Sunderland occupied the chair. From commencement to finish the candidate was most earnestly listened to, and, in replying to the various enquiries made, gave every satisfaction. One of the matters of major importance td this particular portion of the electorate was closely referred to ; and those present learnt, probably for the first time, how the actual bona fide settlement of the Patutahi lands was effected. It would appear that after the Native disturbances in 1865, the Government confiscated a block of land at Patutahi, supposed to consist of 57,000 acres. The conduct of the survey of this land w'as entrusted to Captain Porter, and it was found to contain 37,000 acres only, and out of this the Government had set aside 10,000 acres for the Ngatiporou, and 10,000 for another tribe, which had been in active service on the part of the Government. This 20,000 acres Captain Porter succeeded in buying back for the Government at the very low rate of something like 6d an acre. And another 20,000 acres he persuaded the Natives to hand over to the Government for nothing. Thus, making up the area accrued to its original form of 37,000 acres. Captain Porter, in concluding his remarks, very quietly referred to sundry election canards, and which it would appear had been most industriously circulated. However, they were too paltry in every detail, and he would not closely refer to them. Subsequent to the meeting a number of gentlemen present pledged themselves to use every endeavor to place Captain Porter at the head of the poll. The Chairman, who proposed a vote of thanks which was unanimously acceded to, stated that he would not propose a vote of confidence, inasmuch as the other candidates had not yet been heard. . The proceedings, orderly throughout, thus terminated.