MR WAKEFIELD AT TEMUKA.

Temuka Leader, Issue 330, 18 December 1880, Page 2

MR WAKEFIELD AT TEMUKA.

On Wednesday evening, the member for Geraldine addressed theelectors of Temufca in the Assembly Room of the Crown Hotel. The room was crowded, and there could not have been less than 250 persons present. Mr Talbot occupied the chair, and requested a patient hearing, for Mr Wakefield. The meeting on the whole, was a very orderly one. Our space being limited, we are- unable to publish the speech. The questions and answers will be found given below. As will be observed a vote of thanks only was given to Mr Wakefield, his friends evidently being afraid to risk a vote of confidence.

Mr Qninn questioned Mr Wakefield regarding his silence in the House during la&t session.

The Hon. Humber had considered that a participation in such a debate as the one which occupied the attention of the House for neaily three weeks last session was only to be deprecated. He thought silence on an occasion when speech-making was both a waste of time and money was a virtue.

Mr Harrop asked bad any stops been taken by Mr Wakefield to obtain a new Court-house for the place. Mr Wakefield replied that he had during last session interviewed the Minister of Justice on t.l e subject ajid the reply bar* been" We have no funds.” However, M r Ollivor had asked how much could they manage with, and he replied that for £IOOO a building to suit the purpose, although inadquate to the requirements of the place, could be erected, and a promise that this sum should lie given had been made to him.

Mr Badham asked the member’s views on the Railway Tariff question.

Mr Wakefield sa'd the uniform rate was oue which he regarded with the greatest disfavor, nothing could be more unfair, and as an instance of the- manner in which the present tariff depressed the Canterbury farmers he mentioned that to his knowledge a farmer in the Timarii-Albury district was saving a sum of 2s per bale on the expenses he would incur by sending his wool by Railway, by carting the same direct into Timaru.

Mr Hayhurst asked Mr Wakefield in what proportion the £408,000 for educational purposes was divided between primary and higher education ?

Mr Wakefield said the whole sum of £408,000 was devoted to primary education the higher system being supported by endowments made years ago iu the shape of grants of land In answer to a further question, lie was opposed to the Bchokrs attending High Schools being permitted to compete for the scholarship of the State Schools,

Mr Lee asked what sum was returnable from the Customs revenue and from direct taxation 1

Mr Wakefield replied that the revenue from the Customs duties amounted to £1,300,008 and from direct taxation £380,000.

Mr Lee complained of the difficulty he had experienced in getting business transacted in the Resident Magistrate’s Court, Mr Wakefield said he considered no lawyer should be permitted to enter the Resident Mages trate’s Gourt It ought to be a Court of Equity in which the public could obtain cheap justice, and in which the magistrates ought to be able to decide without lawyers.

Mr Hayhurst asked why Sir Julius Yogel’s appointment had been terminated so suddenly, and Sir F. Dillon Bell appointed. Mr Wakefield said that Sir Julius Vogels services had been dispensed with consequent on his being mixed up in land speculations. Why Sir Francis Dillon Bell had been appointed he could not say but ho considered this anything but a wise ap, pointment.

Mr Essery asked why had the Honorable member voted for the Property Tax ]

Mr Wakefield replied that he strenuously opposed the passing of the same, but this having been done, and the country requiring it, he had declined to vote for the repeal. There was no doubt the schedules first issued for the collection of the Tax were very inquisitorial but these had been withdrawn.

In reply to. an elector, the Honorable member said he was of opinion that Mr Marshmau the Crown Lands Commissioner should visit Temuka and make satis factory arrangements with the lessees of Government sections to purchase at an upset price of £l2 10s per, Election, and in the event of their being, submitted to auction the occupier should be recompensed for improvements by the, purchaser. r Wright moved a vote of thanks seconded by MrHarrop, to which Mr Leach moved an amendment to the effect that Mr Wakefield had failed to a satisfactory

explan a lion of political matters, wliich the Chairman declined to accept as an amendment, and the original resolution on being

put was carried.

Mr Wakefield briefly responded. He said it would have been somewhat ungrateful of tlie meeting to have declined him a vote of thanks. This was mere courtesy aud after his taking the trouble to address them was the least they could do. He moved a vote of thanks to the Chair-

man. This was. carried and the meeting terminated^