The Tuapeka Times. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1869. "Measures, not Men" LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

Tuapeka Times, Volume II, Issue 85, 25 September 1869, Page 2

The Tuapeka Times. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1869. "Measures, not Men" LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

ME. MACANDEEW AT THE CLUTHA.

THE PEOMISED EXPLANATION.

ADDEESS TO THE ELECTOES;

EECEPTION OF THE SUPEEINTENDENT.

THE HUNDEEDS ACT AND THE ASSEMBLY.

(BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.)

(From our Special Correspondent.)

Clutha. Ferry, Friday, 8.40 p.m.

Mr Macandrew arrived here about six p.m. Barr's Hall was crowded with persons from all the adjacent districts. <3ti Mr. Macandrew's entrance, he was received with hisses and applause, but the tokens of disapprobation largely predominated. J. W. Thompson, Esq., M.P.C.y was called upon to occupy the chair. Mr. Macandrew desired, before proceeding, with his address, to state that he appeared before them not as Superintendent of Otago, but as Member for the Clutha District. He had been blamed by many, and much abused by a portion of the Ofcagan press, because it had fallen to his lofc to administer a law which he had strenuously opposed. He reviewed the history of the Hundreds Regulation Bill up to its second reading at Wellington, when, in order to prevent the disgraceful exhibition of a free fight on the question in the House, the Otago Members in caucus agreed that if any difference of opinion existed between them, the minority would give way 'to the majority. As to the much-vexed question of compensation, sums of ls'6d to 7s 6d per acre had been strongly advocated j and finally, in order to settle the differences of opinion, a medium sum was fixed upon. In reference to this decision, his own belief was that many, cases would arise where 2s. 6d. per acre would prove insufficient. [This statement elicited loud expressions of dissent.] He complained that the "Bruce Standard " had made him the only Pilgarlic to be hauled over the coals. Why not call upon Mr.- Gargill ? unless, as he firmly believed, the agitation was all for a special purpose. He asserted that the mere fact of the member for Clutha being specially singled out for opprobrium was £ Eufficient proof that next election for the' office of Superintendent was held in view by those who were at the bottom of thef agitation. He proceeded to state that by the new Bill the General Government had laid down an iron' fule^ the practical effect of which would-be to free the lands so unfortunately locked up by the legisla-' tion of 1866. He could not but feel if hard lines to be knocked down because land had been looked up in 1866, and again knocked down because he, in 1869/ assisted id unlocking it. Such treatment was far from beneficial to his health.- Her

" Vras sorry to find from newspaper correBpondence, and by the public platform 1 , that young men in that community were endeavouring to' set class against class. He knew as well as any one that the best Way to obtain popularity was by going in '^fenst the bloated squatter ; but because he failed to see the wisdom or policy of such a course, he was in consequence exposed to virulent abuse. Of other matters brought forward during the late session of Assembly, no other matter rivalled in importance the overthrow of the Stafford Ministry. Under the Fox Ministry, j concessions had been made to the provinces which could never have been extorted from their predecessors in office. He believed that were the past session to

"be gone over again, the votes of members would not be altered in the slightest de* gree, notwithstanding the industrious schooling of the two local papers. If his constituents held the same opinions as the editors of these journals, he -was prepared to submit to his fate, as many a better man had done before ; but as yet lie saw no reason to think the majority of the electors were tired of him. The questions put were very numerous, but Mr. Macandrew answered and evaded them with, his usual tact. Mr. J. H. Jenkinson moved a vote of thanks and confidence in Air. Macandrew as their representative. Mr. Bobson moved as an amendment — "That in consequence of Mr. Macandrew's laction in connection with, the Hundreds Bill, this meeting is of opinion that he should withdraw from bis position as representative for the Clutha. The original motion was declared carried by a majority of only 12 votes — a result equivalent to a defeat in a meeting so numerously packed with Mr. Macandrew's friends. The proceedings were orderly throughout. [We have to return our most cordial thanks to Messrs. Chapman, Little, and Smith, telegraphists at Lawrence, Tokomairiro and Clutha Ferry, for their courtesy in transmitting the above message after the usual hours for closing their offices. All our readers who are cognizant of the arduous duties of these gentlemen will know how to value their kindness at its proper worth. —Ed "T.T."