Political News.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 124, 6 May 1884, Page 2

Political News.

Referring to the ensuing local election the New Zealand Time. sa;» j ; -M v . Samuel left Wellington yesterday (Saturday) to visit Gisborne for the purpose of canvassing it and the surrounding district. At the last general election Mr. Locke contested the seat with Mr. McDonald, but was defeated. At the time this was largely attributed to the misfortune he met with in Wellington, when he broke his leg, which prevented him from getting about the long straggling electoral district. Unable to ride, except for very short distances, he could not canvass the remote country villages, whilst his more active opponent went everywhere. The other candidates are Mr. Gannon and Mr. Rees. The former is new to political fame ; the latter is a lawyer. Mr. Rees achieved fame, when in the House, as the maker of the longest speech ever made in the colony, and we believe the second longest on record. A devoted nt of Sir Geo ! G r, whom he mad the hero of a second-rate novel, he may be counted as an Oppositionist. The other two candidates have not declared themselves; but as Mr Locke has always been opposed to Heer; and his f'd’owers, it is ' nly reas mable to suppose that he will be either independent or vote with the Ministry. Mr. Locke will receive the support of most of the country settlers, and in Wairoa gain nearly a block vote If Messrs. Rees and Gannon both stand, they will divide the town vote, and Mr Locke will have an easy victory : but, even if one retire, public opinion expects him to be returned at the head of the poll. [Per Press Association.] MR. MONTGOMERY AT CHRISTCHURCH. Wellington, May 3. Mr. Montgomery addressed a large meeting in Christchurch last night. He challenged a number of Major Atkinson’s facts and figures and maintained that Taranaki and Wellington had obtained a most unfair share of public expenditure, to the detriment of the South. He repeated most of the points of his Akaroa speech, saying there was nothing in it to retract or explain. He advocated one Government for each Island, with a Federal Government of restricted powers. He believed no good could be done in the present House, and wished it simply to pass supply for a month and then be dissolved. A resolution that Mr. Montgomery was worthy the respect and confidence of electors of the Colony was carried almost unanimously, an amendment declining to express confidence in him as a leader until they had heard Sir George Grey, was negatived by a very large majority. MR. ROLLESTON AT BLENHEIM. Mr. Rolleston addressed a large meeting in Blenheim last night. He said he beleived the Hamner Plains Hot Springs would soon be as much visited as Waiwera. He beleived that coaches would run from Christchurch to Blenheim within two years. The Colony could not afford to make a railway, and he did not think much of the central route. He repeated his Land Policy, as enunciated at Papanui, and hoped to get a Bill, to carry it out, passed this session. He charged holders of large estates to remember the duties as well as rights of property, and to provide comfortable homes fox* their work people so that they could marry. It was a shame to work their runs with swaggers only. He was strongly opposed to either Financial or Insular separation. A vote of thanks was unanimously given. Sir George Grey passed through here today on his southern tour. He will be accompanied by Mr. Mitchell, of the Hansard staff.