Capt. Porter at Makaraka.

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

Capt. Porter at Makaraka.

Captain Porter addressed the electors at Makaraka, last night. This meeting had been originally adjourned, owing to bad weather, and it was strongly anticipated by those who journeyed from Gisborne to hear the the candidate, that another delay would occur, as the evening closed in with wet, unpleasant weather, quite enough to damp the ardour of the most fervid electors. The anticipations, however, proved very incorrect, for long ere the advertized time, a numerous gathering had assembled at the meeting place, and Captain Porter, on his arrival with his town supporters, was greeted with cheers, numbers were anxious to hear him having put in an appearance despite the unpropitious w'eather. The hall was fairly filled, and after a brief delay, Mr. Ball, of Matawhero, was voted to the chair, and in a few appropriate remarks, introduced the candidate.

Captain Porter, who, \on rising, was greeted with applause, referred to the pleasing significant fact that though on this his second endeavor to propound his views, the weather was adverse, still the numbers who had gathered were strong evidence of their earnestness in this forthcoming election, and though he would now only briefly refer to the most important topics, yet he would meet them again, after his return from the Wairoa, and more fully discuss the very many important matters re the coming struggle. Captain Porter stated HIS STRONG FAITH IN THE PRESENT MINISTRY, giving as very good reasons for so doing, the desirable results that have occurred owing to their vigorous action lately in Native matters, and their successful endeavors in the past to relieve the financial embarrassmentwith which the country, on their accession, was threatened. Necessarily, as the candidate himself remarked, his statements must be a reiteration of those previously expressed, but still he would endeavor to clearly define his views, and place before them his ideas in reference to the most important topics of the day, now immediately in consideration. In reference to the

NATIVE LANDS, AND THE SETTLEMENT OF TITLES, He said that the very laws themselves as at present constituted, were more of a hindrance than not, and he would not only give his most earnest consideration to the solution of this paramount difficulty, but was prepared with a very .., COMPLETE AND WORKABLE SCHEME, which he detailed, to prevent any further trouble in this matter, and that would afford every . facility to all parties dealing with Native land ; giving to the Judges extended powers, and arranging for quarterly sittings with an officer appointed permanently, who could carefully register all transactions, so that all parties should be en- ‘ abled, by the payment of a small fee, A. to gain every information they might

require. The next important question then referred, to was the EATING OF NATIVE LANDS. Capt. Porter said that unfortunately from the very surroundings great difficulties were experienced in making good roads in this district, and that therefore every means should be adopted to secure sufficient supplies to carry out the works required, and that both the Government and Native Lands should be rated, and all parties furnish their quota of support. He said that, very reluctantly, he was compelled to mention that the other candidates had objected to, or rather condemned the scheme he had propounded to meet this exigency, and which he fully explained, but still those candidates and others had contented themselves with a simple ridiculous denial, and had not endeavoured to show or appeared to be at all prepared with any other method whereby the equal rating of land would be secured. He himself was quite open to be convinced if any better scheme or way out of the difficulty was clearly shown, but he certainly thought that no objection whatever could be raised fairly to his proposals, and that the other candidates at least should have been prepared with some other way to secure this desirable result before so ruthlessly setting aside his carefully considered ideas in reference to this matter. It was a very important question, and one that he had studied carefully, and he had found by conference with most of fhe leading Native chiefs that his proposals to secure payment would be readily acceded to, and give general satisfaction. The next thing, ». e., administration of waste lands, was a subject most important, and one at any rate that he ought to be able to talk about with some authority, inasmuch as he had personally acquired for the Government immense areas at the cost of something like £BO,OOO, and which were available for purposes of settlement. He certainly objected to the Waste Lands administration as at present, and considered a better plan would be to amalgamate the Counties of Cook and Wairoa, forming a local Waste Lands Board and appointing two members to each, the Government appointing a fifth, and thereby secure better results. An endeavour had been made to make some capital out of his proposals to secure monetary aid to those who might be induced to settle on the Waste Lands of the country, but actually the idea was no new one, and was fraught with very feasible proposals. It simply meant the borrowing of .money, and lending it to bona fide settlers, payment being secured by improvement of the lands of the country, and that Boards could be established securing the proper distribution of such aid. He was earnest in this matter and desired to assure those present that it was a thorough conscientious endeavour on his part to give a fair chance to the working man to secure a freehold and a home, without being too much hampered at the start. Mr. Locke had said in reference to this that it would be too much of the pawnbroking shop business ; he failed to see this —however pawnbrokers’ shops at times met many difficulties, and there was no occasion to revile even them. Public Works Question. On this head Captain Porter called attention to the very unfair expenditure of public money, only some £30,000 having been returned against the sum of £400,000, which must have crept into the Treasury coffers from Poverty Bay sources. He would certainly most strongly and persistently endeavour to procure the breakwater for the port, and felt sure that the Government would readily accede to any such demand, if shewn clearly the right that the district had to the concession, it was just a matter of time, but it would be better to get one built permanent and complete, and to the result of Colonial Government effort, without in any way hampering the pecuniary resources of the

district. He would use every legitimate means to secure this, and did not doubt of ultimate success. He referred to the present great indebtedness, but considered that the inherent vitality of the country would shake all that off, and that a brilliant and prosperous future was before us. The question of Local Government was the next subject he would refer to, and he said that it was just possible this would be one of the first brought before the House, as at present there was a great deal too much complication, Dual Rates, Dual Powers and other conflicting interests, retarding progress. He would suggest that the Road Boards as constituted should be done away with, and that the Ridings of Counties be local Road Boards, the Chairman by virtue of office holding seat in the County Council. Education, the great and important question of the day, was next discussed, and in this particular Captain Porter said that he considered that the Act as it stands was intrinsically good, certainly requiring modification as far as regards expenditure is concerned, much unnecessary expenditure occurring in large cities whilst small outlying localities are begrudged the outlay of a few pounds for most necessary works. Patutahi to wit, where the paltry sum required to build a chimney was withheld. Certainly some alteration in this particular was most necessary, and, he would endeavor to impress on the authorities the necessity of close supervision in this matter. Having referred to the question of Representation in which he stated that he considered that the population of the Colony should form ihe basis of it. He made a general reference to the various reports which irom time to time had been most industriously circulated with the intention of defeating him in his candidature. He had personally refrained from any reference to any of the other candidates, and had also desired all who were supporting him to avoid any unfair allusions. Necessarily at times in referring to important public topics the names and ideas of others must be .'referred to by him, but still be desired to make it a point that any unfair reference should be carefully excluded. It had been said in reference to himself that he never intended to go to the poll—that he was offered an appointment as Major, which would have prevented him standing—again the last that he was about being appointed to the Bench as R.M. of Gisborne. All these and other rumors were simply election canards, got up with a hostile intention in fact. As far as the last item was concerned, he desired to say that he knew he would be as much unfitted for any such office as could possibly be imagined. The very fact that his being called upon as a J.P. at times, being most repugnant to his feelings, and that he was ’ always far the more pleased when his services in that particular could be dispensed with. Captain Porter then concluded his remarks by stating he had worked and served the electors in the past —he hoped well and faithfully; at any rate he could conscientiously assert that was his intention. He had ever endearvored to promote the general interests both of Borough and County and without ever receiving, either directly or indirectly, a sixpence of profit. Of course he had made enemies, but he hoped, and it appeared clear that he had, made manyifriends. He hoped, in fact was determined, to meet them once again before the final day, and trusted that those present will fairly weigh all arguments, and if convinced of his fitness, return him as their representative, in which ease he begged most honestly and earnestly to assure them that he would, in every way, endeavor to merit the confidence reposed in him. A most quiet hearing was accorded throughout, and the Chairman, Mr. Ball, then stated that they had now heard Captain Porter as well as the other candidates, and he was gratified that they had so pleasingly listened to

the candidate. Had they any questions to ask ?

In reply to Mr. Haughey, Captain Porter stated that the reason of his previously retiring from the contest was “pure and simple” in the interests of the electors, so that a member might be retusned from this end of the electorate, when Tauranga and Poverty Bay were one, and only returned the one member. He had previously explained this, in fact the public prints had explained it. Also, in reply to Mr. Haughey re Road Boards and Councils, he said that he was not in favor of the present system ; that the dual powers exercised were antagonistic and excessive. As far as the appointment of any official was concerned, he certainly thought the Council had a right to appoint its own officers. Mr. Haughey expressed himself as well satisfied with the replies to his questions. Mr. Walsh desired to know whether Capt. Porter would afford facilities to persons in the Colony to take up land. In reply he said that his intentions were most decidedly to give those actually resident in the Colony every facility, and not to those outside ; as he had previously expressed, it would be to afford every encouragement to industrious families.

Replying to Mr. Toms, he said that he would certainly aid in every way any scheme to procure a bountiful water supply for Gisborne and suburbs. Certainly he was in favour of the Upper House being an elective body. Was also in favour of cutting down secondary education, if financial pruning in this particular was necessary ; far better to keep the primary elements of education well supported. Replying to Mr. Boland, he said he would assist in getting a school site for the Waerenga-a-hika School; in fact he considered no difficulty at all should occur, as he was sure that the Natives would assist if they were asked to coalesce ; however, the Board of Education ought to arrange such matters without hesitation. He also said, replying to Mr. Toms, that he considered the school at Te Arai was, to all intents and purposes, a Native school, and he was equally as much surprised as the questioner to hear it designated an European school. Mr. Toms said: Well, gentlemen, I have asked sundry questions, and have met with ready, straightforward answers. There is one telling feature about them, they are evidently sincere and honest, and as I, with others, am satisfied with the replies to my questions, I beg to propose a vote of confidence in Capt. Porter. The meeting without hesitation conceded to this request, and the vote of confidence was given amid boisterous cheering of all assembled.

1. 150 YARDS HANDICAP, for Boys under 15 ; to start at 11.20. Entrance, Is. Ist Prize, 12s 6d, and Parnell & Boylan’s prize of set garden tools ; 2nd Prize 7s 6d and Cricket Ball, E. K. Brown’s. 2. St. ANDREW’S HANDICAP. For this race there will be three events, and a prize for each. The highest scorer in all the events will obtain a cup, presented by Mr. J. Berry. The scores will count sto Ist, 3to 2nd, and 2 to 3rd. Entrance, 2s 6d for each event, or 5s for the Handicap. Ist event, 100 yards ; start 11 40. Ist Prize, £1 ; 2nd Prize a Ham, presented by H. A. Downes. HOP, STEP AND JUMP ; to start 12 noon. Entrance, 2s 6d. Ist Prize, a Dressed Sheep, presented by Thelwall & Co. ; 2nd Prize, Copy of Standard for 6 months, presented by Mogridge and Webb. 4. BOAT RACE, by Members of the Gisborne Rowing Club ; Ist Heat to start 12.20. 5. MAIDEN FLAT RACE ; 220 yards ; start 12.40. Entrance, 3s. Ist Prize, Good’s Cup ; 2nd Prize, Clock presented by M. G. Nasmith. LUNCH. 6. SECOND HEAT BOAT RACE ; to start 2 p.m. 7. St. ANDREW’S HANDICAP, 2nd Event; 200 yards ; to start 2.20. Ist Prize £1; 2nd Prize, Picture, value 15s, presented by Bourke, Smith & Co. 9. STEEPLECHASE ; J-mile ;to start 3 p.m. Entrance, ss. Ist Prize, £1 and Horse, presented by S. Stevenson ; 2nd Prize, J-ton Coal presented by Kennedy and Bennett. 10. CHAMPION SWIMMING RACE ; 200 yards ; to start about 3.10 Entrance 2s 6d. Ist Prize, 30s, and Cup, presented by Messrs. Brassey and Nolan ; 2nd Prize, Coat value 20s, presnted by Messrs Teat and Friar. 11. SWIMMING RACE, for Boys : 100 yards ; to start about 3.20. Entrance, Is. Ist Prize, ss, and J. Erskine’s Prize Cake, value 10s ; 2nd Prize, set of Jugs, presented by J. East. 12. FINAL HEAT BOAT RACE. 13. St. ANDREWS’ HANDICAP, 3rd Event ; 300 yards. To start at 4 p.m, Ist Prize, £1 ; 2nd, Lamp, value 15s, presented by Large & Townley. 14. HANDICAP WALKING RACE, If miles ; Entrance, 3s. To start at 4.20. Ist Prize, 1 doz. wine and spirits, presented by S. M. ’ Wilson ; 2nd Prize, Carr & Sons’ prize value 255. 15. TUG OF WAR, between teams chosen from Friendly Societies, Boating Club, and Volunteers, 5 asida. Entrance fee, Is. To start at 4.40. Ist Prize, Fatted Calf, presented by J. Tutchen. 16. WALKING THE GREASY POLE, Prize, the Pig, presented by L. Mclntosh. 17. CONSOLATION RACE, for defeated competitors in any event of the day ; distance, 150 yards. Start at 5 p.m. Entrance, Is. Ist Prize, A. Weston’s prize of 1 pint of milk delivered daily for 12 months ; 2nd prize, cake value 7s 6d presented by A. Allanach. CONDITIONS. All entries for the Handicaps to be directed to the Secretary, and delivered at the Masonic Hotel, 7.30 on FRIDAY, November 25th. Entrance' money to be enclosed with each nomination, and a description of the colors to be worn by. the competitors must also be forwarded. The decision of the Judges and Referee to be final in every instance. | In all cases there are to be three competitors or no event. Mr. J. Berry’s Cup will be given to the runner who scores most points in the 100yds., 200yds., and 300yds. in St. Andrew’s Handicap. Note.—The Committee reserve to themselves the right of altering and amending the programme. The J. Battery Band will be in attendance all day. Admission : —Adults, Is ; Children under 12, 6d. Hi. McKAY ) a , . W. J. QUIGLEY J Secretaries. 212