POLITICAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 138, 2 December 1911, Page 7

POLITICAL.

-MR. FORBES AT LEPPERTON. Mr. W. Forbes addressed a large gathering of electors at Lepperton 011 Thursday evening. Mr. J. C.iddv was voted to the eluiir, Mr. Forbes spoke for an hour and got a most attentive hearing. Tie dealt with the leading questions of the (lav. At the close of the address a vote of thanks and confidence, proposed l)v Mr. Openshaw and seconded bv Mr. liarr. >vas carried unanimously.—Contributed. MR. McCLUGOAOE AT TARTKI. Mr. McCluggage addressed a large gathering of electors in the hall on Tuesday last. Mr. W. V. llavkness occupied the chair. Mr. .McCluggage spoke at length, vigorously upholding the Ward Ooveriiincnt and the Administration, quoting the now famous testimonial of Mr. [silt as proof of the baseness of the Opposition Party's charges. Although interjections and queries were numerous, and at times the meeting showed signs of getting beyond the chairman's control. on the whole Mr. McCluggage received an attentive hearing, and even those who could not agree with his laudatory comments on he Liberal Government and severe strictures on the Opposition. admired the good-natured and patient way he stood the heckling. At the conclusion numerous questions were asked. Tie considered it was quite right and proper that the Chief Justice should receive extra remuneration for special services. The chairman asked for a motion and then moved a vote of (banks and confidence in Mr. McCluggage This, however, did not meet with the appro\al of the majority of the meeting. and when the uproar subsided a l.idv moved a similar resolution. The chairman then enquired if there were any amendment. Several were on their f.'el In propose a vole of thanks to Mr. AM 'lujrspigc and of no-confidence in the Ward Government, when the candidate interposed that if the lady would withdraw the '■confidence" from her motion he would be perfectly satisfied. The chairman therefore put the motion that a vote of thanks be accorded Mr. McCluggage for liig address, ivliicii ivsa car-

ried unanimously.' A vote of thanks to the chair and cheers for Mr. Iline and Mr. Massey terminated a fairly lively meeting.—Own correspondent. mr. josf.ph McCluggage SLANDERED. (Stratford Post.) Vanious very spiteful rumors having been set going by some evilly-disposed persons in connection with Mr. McCluggage's business integrity, Mr. Francis Court has handed a statement to the secretary of Mr. McCluggage's committee, of which the following is a copy:— ''Stratford, November 30. "I am informed) by Mr. Joseph Mc- j Cluggage that there are- certain rumors in circulation reflecting ou his integrity in connection with our purchase of his business at Whangamoinona. I wish to take the earliest opportunity of stating, <m behalf of mv partner and myself, that there is not the slightest ground for imputing anything dishonorable: to him in the matter. We only regret that our name has been used in this maunei: FRANCIS W. COURT, (Per Court and Cottier) Whangamomona." MR. TllXn AT DURHAM ROAD. In spite of the very rough weather Mr. Hire, was met by a good gathering of settlers at Durham road school ou Thursday night, it being a thoroughly representative meeting. The had weather prevented many visitors from beyond the immediate neighborhood coming. Mr. J. A. liridgeman was voted to the chair and briefly introduced Mr. Uine. who was greeted with hearty cheers. In substance, the address was the same as Mr. Iline has delivered at his other meetings. After the address the candidate was closely questioned by supporters of the Ward Administration, lint neatly parried all attempts at heckling. A vote of thanks to the speaker, continued confidence in him as their representative, and in the Reform Party, together with lin-conlidence in the present Coveninient. was carried amidst loud applause and a few counter cries, on the proposal of Messrs .Toe Conny, 1 junr.. and J. Dombroski. A hcartv vote of thanks to the chair concluded the meeting, which broke up with three hearty cheers for Mr. Hine and Mr. ilassevj followed by Mood-curdling

i groans for the Government Party.—Contributed. MR. O'DEA AT NORMANBY. AN ENTHUSIASTIC MEETING. Mr. O'Dea had at Norman:by on Thursday night perhaps the most enthusiastic ; meeting he has yet held. Mr. T. Free (member of the Town Board) presided. Mr. O'Dea's speech was punctuated with hearty appl-.iuse all the way through. the conclusion he received a unanimous vote of thaaks and confidence on the motion of Mr. Paine, seconded by Mr. Laurent. The mover, in moving his motion, .said he shoould not be surprised to see Mr. O'Dea some day PrimeMinister of New Zealand, and he hoped that Normanby would do its share in giving him a chance to gain that position. A scene of enthusiasm followed the close of the meeting, the audience rising and cheering the candidate.—Contributed.