THE LAKES.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 217, 28 March 1872, Page 5

THE LAKES.

(From a Correspondent.)

Qujbenstown, March 20.

This place and district have just recovered from- a hot electioneering campaign, which has resulted in +he election of Air. Bendix Hallenstein, carrj'ing on business as a storekeeper in this town. This election is worthy of note, as it is the first instance of a naturalised foreigner being elected to the House of Representatives. Mr. Hallenstein is a native of Germany, and a member of the Hebrew persuasion. Strong sectarian feelings have been aroused during the contest, under the disguise of the education quea^ tion — Mr. James Macassey, one of the defeated candidates, being held up to the electors as a Roman Catholic in disguise by Mr. Hallenstein and hig friends, which Mr. Macassey publicly denied, explaining that he was a Protestant, and the son of a Protestant clergyman ; but it was of no avail, the Scotch Presbyterians and other Protestant sects voted almost unanimously for Hallenstein, it being circulated by paid canvassers that the election of Macaasey "would endanger the Protestant succession," whatever that means ; 30 they voted in the interests of Christianity for a candidate who did not belong to either of the Christian churches. Mr. | Macassey polled most of the Roman Catholic votes, by reason of his support of the Government bill, which provides for aided schools. Mr. Macassey, in standing for the district, came into a hornet's nest as he had opposed to him the Government officials, the doctor of the hospital, the Presbyterians to a man, and the local thunderer, the editor of which is also "our own correspondent" for the "Evening Star," and who, has in that capacity furnished some telegrams attacking Mr. Macassey and his supporters. We had strong pareonal articles in the local paper, prosecution, for libel in the R.M.s Court, and complaints fur abusive language to newspaper writers — in fact, party feeling has run very high, envj', hatred, and malice being rampant ; but I am glad to say there are signs o€ the irritation being allayed, although it will be some time before things will he resolved to their former condition. Mr. Hallenstein, on the occasion of the declaration of tho poll, stated that he hoped they would not expect to hear much of him, and complained that an elector had said that another "dead-head " had been returned, but that he hoped that he would nnt deserve that appellation. Mr. Hallenstein's style of oratory and pronunciation is likely to astonish tho House, as amongst other peculiarities, such as an excited manner, with eyes roiling in a state of frenzy, he pronounce* the letter w as \the letter v, which has ar^ most ludicrous efi'ect on an audience, and may, "unfortunately, similarly affect hor- - ourable members when the member for the Wakatip speaks, which is sure to bo frequently, as he has urd^rtnkei to r - dress, by hia advocacy, a long list nf grioviroe", in^uding, auo:igst others abolition of the gold fluty, provni'ioti <,f Chinese immigration, reduction of tax- - tion, liberal land laws, &c. in fact, tl:o hon. membpr «dvocate^ the old ' programme of the goldfields' members, which is a compliment to them, as it aeema they left . bim nothing new to start witi aa political cftpiUl,