TAPANUI.

Tuapeka Times, Volume II, Issue 84, 18 September 1869, Page 3

TAPANUI.

(From our Oivn Correspondent. ) September 13th. WAI/LACE ELECTION — ME. WEBSTEIt's MEETING. A public meeting was held at the Hall on Saturday evening, for the purpose of hearing Mr Webster's views. Captain Mackenzie was called to the chair, and stated the object of the meeting, and introduced Mr Webster. Mr Webster said that although, he was comparatively a stranger in New Zealand he had long had a heavy stake in it. Owing to the solicitations of his friends, he had come forward as a candidate for the local vacancy in the House of Representatives. He considered that all matters connected with the Provincial Council, — where all local affairs were settled, — concerned his constituents very nearly. He was a supporter of provincial institutions, but desired to see the expenses considerably reduced, by giving a small salary to the Superintendent, and perhaps reducing the number of Councillors to a dozen or so. The Maori War had attracted most attention during last session of Assembly ; but the land question might be supposed to interest more nearly the settlers of the Middle Island. Mr Webster advocated a wise and liberal system by which, while — as in Southland — free selection on any run was allowed to the settler, a fair compensation should not bo denied to the squatter. The candidate concluded by some remarks on the educational system. In reply to a question by Mr Strean, Mr Webster expressed himself averse to a reunion of Southland and Otago. Mr Neisli proposed Mr Webster as a fit and proper person to represent Wallace in the Assembly. Mr Smith seconded. The motion was carried by a large majority. With the usual vote of thanks the meeting dispersed.

September 15th.

ME. BEOWJST's MEETIKG.

On Tuesday, a public meeting was held in order to give Mr Brown an opportunity of explaining his views to the electors. The attendance was very large. Mr^eish was called to the chair, and briefly explained the object of the meeting. Mr Brown, who was loudly cheered, said that the district of Wallace comprised very hostile elements, and he was there to contest the election on what might be called the Otago side of the question Mr Gillies had, in his report of his tour through the Goldiields, conclusively stated the urgent necessity for land for settlement in the Wallace district ; indeed this demand was hardly denied by the squatters themselves, although their pretended acquiescence in it was only intended to preserve their own interests. A good deal had been said in favour of the small block system, but no opportunity was afforded by it for the depasturage of cattle. A petition against- the declaration of the large Hundred approved by the Provincial Council had been got up in the Tapanni district, but he found that most of the signatures had been given owing to a misconception of the question at issue, and he feared that in some cases improper means had been used. Mr Brown exposed the fallacy of Mr M'Kellar's evidence before the Select Committee, where that gentleman had stated that out of the 30,000 acres included in his run only 1500 acres were suitable for agriculture. He referred to his own evidence, in opposition to the statement. The speaker showed how injuriously the workings of the new Hundreds Kegulation Bill would aftect the progress o£ settlement, and expressed his intention to support any measure which was based on free selection and deferred payments.

Mr Roberta cross-examined the candidate at considerable length, the answers returned appearing highly satisfactory to all present.

Mr Strean asked whether Mr Brown would support a measure for the reunion of Southland and Otago. Mr Brown stated he was opposed to any aucli amalgamation. On the motion of Mr Quin, seconded by Mr Strean, Mr Brown was unanimously declared to be a fit and proper person to represent Wallace in the House of Representatives. With, the usual vote the meoting terminated.