W. L. Rees at Auckland.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume IX, Issue 1013, 17 December 1881, Page 2

W. L. Rees at Auckland.

Mr Bees stated he trusted they would return him—indeed he was certain they would. (Laughter.) He was not opposed to two of the candidates, but to Mr Peacock solely, as the principles of the party he was associated with were diametrically opposed to his own. It was asked what he had done for Auckland. He had goti £50,000 voted for roads and bridges absolutely by his own exertions, and had never even received thanks for it. He placed the motion on the paper, and ascertaioed he could carry it. The Grey Government asked him to withdraw the motion and they would place the sum on the supplementary estimates. He found that was not done, and went to Mr Sheehan, who referred him to Sir George Grey. Instead he wrote out his resignation, and placed it in rhe hands of the Speaker. The sum was put on the estimates, the vote carried, and the Speaker tore up his resignation. (Cheers.) For the truth of that he referred them to Sir William Fitzherbert, Sir George Grey, and Mr Sheehan. As to the £3OO paid to him. it was a perfectly just

payment for services rendered, which were of an onerous character in looking np the case of the Natives in the West Coast affair. He would take occasion to explain matters about the working of the East Coast Land ComE, and his connection with it, at leeting in the Theatre Royal. In contesting City North he obeyed the wishes of his party, but would have preferred to fight Mr Swanson in Newton. He would go to Waitemata too, and face the gentleman who painted pigs and betray his country. (Laughter.)