MR. WAKEFIELD’S MEETING.

Temuka Leader, Issue 170, 16 August 1879, Page 2

MR. WAKEFIELD’S MEETING.

Mr. Wakefield’s meeting last night was well attended, over 200 being present, notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather, Mr. A. Cox being voted to tho ch nr.

The Chairman briefly introduced Mr. Wakefield to the meeting. The lateness of the hour, and the fact that nearly the whole of the speech has been over and over in the public prints, makes it the less needful for ns reporting it in full. Throughout, the speaker exhibited a sl ; 3ne*s ami want-of life unusual with Mr Wakefield. The whole bent of his mind, however, seemed to be to do damage to ihe infiuovme of Sic Georgr Grey. Mr. Sheehan however is again in favor. The r e must be something looming in the distance. A few points of this speech will be touched upon by us in our next issue, particularly the claptrap about TemukaOxfo'd. raiKvay, hi timing the Government for not doing more, while he knows there was only £15,000 for the whole Roe. Why did lie not atoempt to get more, instead of trying to alter the route, so as to make the Zenoni.ua at Arowheuua, and. thus draw it from Temur, ato Timaru. At the close of the address a number of questions were put to him as follows An elector asked If ho would endeavor to improve the system of voting 1 Mr Wakefield replied he' would endeavor to do so.

Mr Badhara, asked if be would be in favor of distributing the loan amongst all the Banks 1

Mr Wakefield replied that he would be so, as the cause of much of the distress was caused by the Government depositing in one Bank. Mr Lee asked if he would support a measure for dealing with bankruptcy cases without calling in the aid of lawyers ? Mr Wakefield replied he would like to a ee lawyers done away with altogether. He did not see what good they did- -hey only loaded them with expenses to cut up the estate.

Mr Leach : What ought the Government to have done with Hiroki ? Mr Wakefield : Send a Constabulary force, and take him. Mr Leach : How many millions would that take %

Mr Wakefield : £25 would have done it once, but it would take thousands now. Mr Wareing asked what he would do for the Temuka.Oxf-.rd railway 1

Mr Wakefield replied he would do all could to get the line formed. Mr Gray asked if he had'made enquiries about Sir J. Goode’s report ? Mr Wakefield said lie had. It might come by the next mail. Mr Gray asked if he would support a bill "iving sclrol comnrttees more power 1 Mr Wakefield said he would give school committees all the power. They were now only a name. Mr Hayhurst asked if ho would support a measure for punishing drunkards 1 Mr Wakefield said ho did not know how it could be dooe.

Mr Loach : Do you think the State loses by drink 1 Mr Wakefield ; Yes, so much money was sent home for it.

Mr Gray proposed, and Mr Harrop seconded, a vote of thanks. Mr Badham, as an amendment, proposed a vote of confidence. The amendment was carried, about 15 hands being held up for it out of over 200 present. Plainly elr. Wakefield’s spell over the people is broken, and ho is not favoto.l by Uio Geraldine electors.