THE TOWN ELECTION.

Southland Times, Issue 1151, 22 October 1869, Page 2

THE TOWN ELECTION.

The most important event of the present political campaign, the contest for the representation of the town, terminated on "Wednesday, 20th mat., in a complete victory for the " Independence " party. After a struggle, the most severe which has ever occurred in Southland, they succeeded in carrying three of their candidates, by sweeping majorities, to one of their opponents. The result of this election demonstrates conclusively the benefit of matured plans and vigorous action. On Tuesday, the day of nomination, it was evident that both parties meant business. The best men on each side were brought forward, and all concerned seemed determined to spare no legitimate exertion to secure triumph for their respective principles. The nomination speeches of the various candidates showed exhaustive study of the main question at issue — re-union — and each delivered his opinions with that nervous eloquence characteristic of men fully impressed with the truth and importance of what they utter. The preliminary tussle of Tuesday; ~ however, "only "served to put both candidates and committees fully on their mettle, and on "Wednesday, the motto, " a fair field and no favor," with the addition "no quarter," was universally adopted. It is doubtful if the dead- walls of Invercargill were ever before so completely papered and painted, or if such a number and variety of vehicles ever plied at once in her streets, as on that day ; certain it is that, not even excepting the late quartz epidemic, so much excite- 1 ment amongst her inhabitants has not been witnessed for many years. Posters, as already implied, cards, handbills, &c., <fec,the hereditary accompaniments of contested elections, were issued in quick succession, and in profusion. Some of the " hits " made in that way were well placed, the most noticeable, and one which probably exercised considerable

influence, was a broadsheet published by the Independence committee, embbdyinsf an extract from a speech niade by^r Calder — the leading, man. of* the unionises -.- — some time:: since ia the ProvinciaT Council, in^wbi-jhlhe declared annex ition to Otago a calamity to be avoided. at all hazards. A new feature in the ."^qaib " line, was, however, introduced by N the anti-unionists, who, during: the afternoon, distributed'freely an "excellent photograph of what may be called a very clever caricature of the " situation," in which Otago, personified by a gaunt highlander, was represented* as eager to clutch a comely damsel — Southland — who apparently approached the hungry-look-ing " kiltie " too confidingly. Otago's drawbacks were introduced in the shape of hu a e billets of wood chained to the celt's ancles, and duly labelled, while Southland carried in her arms her " tocher," consisting of two million acres of land, forty miles of railway, &c. ; the only fault about her being her train of debt. Between the two figures stood a pole \ — annexation — surmounted by a human head adorned with a short beard, a pair of spectacleg, and a slouch-brimmed wide-a-wake, on which was written " Super, in embryo." Throughout the day it was pretty generally believed that the " Independents" were keeping the head of the list, although closely pushed by their opponents, and . many and diverse were the opinions expressed as to how the men would ultimately range on the poll. As four o'clock drew on, therefore, the crowds at the corners gradually increased, and when collected in one solid mass at the hustings, it appeared, as a bystander remarked, " as if every man in Invercargill had turned out." The door once closed, the crowd were not long kept in suspense. At a few minutes past four, Mr Hare mounted the stage, and gave the result as follows: — Menzies, 154; Lumsden, 146; Calder, 145; Webster, 143; Taylor. 110 ; Pratt, 98; Macdonald, 94; Ross, 87. The Returning Officer intimated that some slight discrepancy existed in the returns, but he did not anticipate any alteration in the relative positions of the candidates. Th« first five names, as separately given out, were received with most vociferous cheering. Dr Menzies then came forward and said he had again to thank the electors of Invercargill for putting him at the head of the poll. He was satisfied with those returned as his colleagues, and believed the province would yet pull through under the flag of independence. Mr Lumsden was proud of the position he occupied, because it showed he was not reduced to the necessity of clinging to the bare pole, but that a goodly flag yet remained, which he trusted would long float unfurled. He had stated from memory the day before that Otago's population had decreased more in proportion than ours, and his statement had been questioned by Mr Wood ; he now had the figures, taken from government documents (which he read) showing that her population had declined some 20,000. Mr Calder next thanked the electors for the honbrable position in which he stood. He could say that in all his electoral contests in Invercargill ho had never" been defeated. He believed in the flag of independence too, but it was a different flag to that of which some spoke. He predicted that before twelvemonths had passed, an opponent pf re-union would be as rare as the moa. Mr Webster had been so accustomed to return thanks for defeat, that ha felt at a loss how to express himself now he had been BUC- : cessful. He considered the result of that day's work an evidence that the intelligence of the community was being aroused, that people were beginning to think and vote for themselves, instead of following the lead of a parly cry. He was glad Mr Calder was returned, as he should like to see at least one man in the Council competent to express the views of that party. He entered the Council unpledged, arid would do his duty fearlessly, Honestly* arid to the: best of his ability. He could not refrain from again stating that never in his life had he experienced so much kindness, good feeling, and good humor, as he— a stranger — had received from the. people of this place during the past week or so. Me Taylor had not expected to stand so high on the list. Considering the amount of feeling expressed recently towards himself, he had scarcely thought his requisitionists serious in urging him to stand. In -courtesy to them, he had placed himself at their disposal, and the result was far more gratifying than he had anticipated. He was rather glad than otherwise that he came fifth, and not higher, as his failing health rendered him unfit for the strife of politics. Mr Pratt stood exactly in the position he had expected, and was quite satisfied with the result. Mr Ross also expressed himself equally well pleased, and Mr Wood, on behalf of Mr Macdonald, followed suit. A vote of thanks to the returning officer terminated the proceedings. It is only fair to state that, notwithstanding the keenness of the struggle — the numbers polled are much higher than ever before — the utmost decorum and genuine good humor prevailed throughout.