Waimea-Picton Election.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 1, Issue 87, 2 December 1890, Page 2

Waimea-Picton Election.

TO THE EDITOR. Sin,—l sec in your contemporary, the Times, dated November 25th, a letter signe(l " Supporter, qi Meriji," the Grove. Now, I do not know wl'jq "Supporter of Merit" may be, his effusion smells so strong to'me that I think he must ho a supporter of wool. Ho states that Mr Mills' supporters are dreadfully afraid of Mi' Hursthouse, I would like to know where he gets his information from to. biige such grmm.dleßs assertions on.

(He must be afac simile of his idol at drawing on his imagination for facts.) Now, 1 can assure " Supporter of Merit" that not one of Mr Mills' friends here are the least bit afraid of Mr Hursthouse or his clique. Nor yet one in the creek do I know, but three miners (more shame to them) who are in favour of his pet, and one of them is doubtful. He says on the platform : Hursthouse can "snuff Mills out," and several other high-sounding expressions, as "gentleman," "hardhitter," " clinker," " the whole district rings with his praise." " good horse from a mule," etc. Now Mr Hursthouse may be all those things in the i opinion of " Supporter of Merit " that! he claims for him. But I fail to see what claim Mr Hursthouse has to any of them, more especially to that of " gentleman," and on Mr Hursthouse's own showing. In answer to a question put by Mr Snow, re Aboiitition of Gold Duty (in case "Supporter of Merit" forgets I hope he will excuse ! me for reminding him) Mr Hursthouse I said he voted for the abolition of the duty. But with all his ability, Mr Hursthouse walked straight into the trap and got caught, as Mr Snow told him in the most emphatic manner that he did not vote for the abolition of the gold duty. (Mr Hursthouse, finding himself in such a position before the electors, replied, I believe you are right, it is so long ago I forget.) Now, sir, it is handy to be able to forget, I can only say that if any candidate can place himself in such a position as the above, and can claim to be styled a gentleman, that the characteristic of a gentleman has assumed a new meaning since the Waimea-Picton contest began. Supporter of Merit refers to Mr Hursthouse as the horse, and Mr Mills as the mule. What a natural contrast, what a grand illustration, take it home and study it, and you will see the class distinction that is drawn between us and men like " Supporter of Merit." Sir, the whole of " Supporter of Merit's" letter is a base tissue of over-stretched veracity, which we, as miners and working men, will prove on polling day, as far as Cullensville is concerned. I hope the Liberals and working men in other parts of the electorate will vote as well as Cullensville, and the mule goes in hands down. —I am, &c, A Supporter of Truth. Cullensville, Nov. 26, 1890.