TUAPEKA NOMINATION FOR THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 157, 9 February 1871, Page 5

TUAPEKA NOMINATION FOR THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

The nomination of candidates for the representation of the Tuapeka district in the General Assembly took place in the Courthouse, Lawrence, on Tuesday last. By a few minutes past 12 o'clock a large number of persons had assembled in the Courthouse.

Mr Dewe, the Returning Officer, said they were met to-day to elect a candidate to represent- the district of Tuapeka in the House of Representatives. He then read the writ In accordance with the Act, several days notice was necessary ; such notice had been given by advertisement in the Tuapeka Times, which he would read. (Here Mr Dewe read the advertisement.) Before proceeding to the election he would go a little out of his way, as a misapprehension had gone abroad as to the qualification required for the election of candidates, and he would be sorry that any person should lose a day's work, and be put to inconvenience, and after all find that he had not the necessary qualification to vote. Mr Dewe read the following clause in the Act, which states the qualification necessary : — " Every man of full age, who is duly registered on the Electoral Roll of the District, or who is the owner of a miners' right or business license taken out within the Province or County in which the electoral district is situated, and which has had a currency of not less than six months is entitled to vote. In all cases miners' rights or business licenses marked renewed will qualify a vote." This clause only applies to the election for members of the House of Representatives and Provincial Council. Mr Dewe remarked that there were two Acts, one with regard to the regulations and conduct of elections, and another giving the qualification of voters, and the one he had read was the only one where the qualification was mentioned. He would now ask any electors present to nominate a candidate.

Here a silence of ten minutes duration ensued, after which

Mr Henry Clayton proposed Mr James Clark Brown as a fit and proper person to represent the district in the House of Representatives. Mr M : Swiney said he had great pleasure in seconding the nomination of Mr Brown.

Mr Donovan rose to propose Mr Henry Cutten, a gentleman who was well acquainted with the land laws of the colony.

Mr James M'Kinlay had much pleasure in seconding Mr Cutten's nomination, lie would like to see a man returned for the district who would be able to do something towards carrying the country through its present crisis. They had a great battle to fight. They had a railway and a water supply to obtain, and if they returned a muff to the Assembly, they need not expect to have their true interests represented.

No other candidate having been proposed, the Returning Officer called for a show of hands with the following result : — Brown ... ... ... 21 Cutten 6 Mr Donovan and Mr James M'Kinlay demanded a poll on behalf of Mr Cutten.

The Returning Officer stated that he would be glad to furnish electors present with any information within his power with regard to the election .

Mr Donovan moved a vote of thanks to the Returning Officer, after which the assembly dispersed.