THE ELECTION OF SUPERINTENDENT OF OTAGO.

Southland Times, Issue 638, 1 March 1867, Page 2

THE ELECTION OF SUPERINTENDENT OF OTAGO.

(Otago "Witness.") The polling for the Superinfcendency of Otago took place on the 20th inst., and it has resulted in the election of Mr James Macandrew. In Dunedin, there were two booths — the Provincial Council Hall, and the Schoolhouse, Great Bang-street. There was almost incessant rain until 3 tfclock, and occasionally the fall was heavy. The weather no doubt caused the excitement respecting the election to be less visible than it would have been had the day been fine ; but from the opening of tne booth, there was a considerable shifting crowd in "Water-street, and on the terrace of the Provincial Buildings. Cabs were employed on each side ; we mean, of course, for Mr Dick and Mr Macandrew. Mr Grant may at once be dropped, with the statement that he had one vote given for him. The Macandrew cabs were the more numerous ; and during the day, voters were brought up to the Provincial Buildings in buggies, and gigs, and even wagons. Each of these vehicles bore a playcard, " Macandrew, the People's Man." The enthusiasm of Mr Macandrew's supporters was evidenced otherwise than by the number of cabs employed or lent for the day ; but it was a subject of general comment that Mr Dick's party showed nothing like enthusiasm and but little of organised work. The crowd round the steps at the Provincial Buildings was mainly composed of Macandrewites ; and they cheered their .. friends and hooted their opponents, with a will. The "State of the Poll" was fictitiously and frequently announced by hand-bills and bellmen. Towards four o'clock, the crowd increased; and there were pretty confident statements made that Mr Macandrew would have a majority of at least 300 in the city. There was the usual laughter and cheering and hooting when the cab arrived with the voters who last entered the booth, and when the luckless cabby who was the, first to be. too late dashed up to the steps. Mr Macandrew, who had been almost carried up the steps when he arrived shortly after four o'clock, now presented, himself at a window over-looking the Terrace and steps. There was cheering for a minute or two ; and then Mr Macandrew said—lf ever a man had reason to be proud of his position, I have reason to be proud of mine to-day. I believe that I am now, de facto, if not de jure, Superintendent of Otago. (Cheers.) You have achieved a victory this day, in Duhenin, which I believe is *to some extent unparalleled in the history of representative institutions. You have conferred the highest honor you can confer upon man, on one who has no claim to your regard — upon one who is not a wealthy man, but who has a strong arm and a stout heart, andwho has a warm place in the affections of thousands of honestmen in this Province. (Cheers.) Consider the result of this poll — against an opposition which might well have caused any other man to quail but myself. The whole influence of the Executive Government lias been brought to bear against me — the whole of the merchant princes, the wealth, and the socalled respectability of the place— and lastly, and perhaps most of all, the strong course the Press has adopted. I say that, considering all that has been done against me, I believe that this election will create a great excitement throughout New Zealand ; and it will, I believe, be a land-mark in the history of the Colony. (Cheers.) I feel prouder far of the confidence and esteem of the masses of the community, as shown to-day than I should have been if all your merchants, and squatters, and money-grubbers had been my supporters. (Cheers.) The one is a far more stable thing than the other — a far more sound foundation than the other. Gentlemen, I have proud satisfaction in thinking that, personally, I have not solicited a single vote. on this occasion. You have shown to-day, that this country is to be governed in future by the will of the people. (Cheers.) We will have no more maudling sentimentalism. (Cheers.) I believe that to-day you have laid the axe to the root of that upas tree which has retarded the progress of the^ province";

of late years — the withering influence of which has kept everything back — that upas tree, beneath whose pestiferous shade all life dies, and death lives. (Cheers.) You have laid the axe to the root of that tree to-day. The total numbers polled were — Macandrew, 2259; Dick, 1392. Mr Grant received two votes — one in Dunedin and one at Arrow Town.