MR. IRELAND AT ETTRICK.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VI, Issue 281, 19 June 1873, Page 6

MR. IRELAND AT ETTRICK.

On the evening of Thursday, 12th inst., Mr. George Ireland, one of the candidates for the representation of Mount Benger, prelected in Macleod's Hotel, Ettrick, to a numerous audience. Mr. Kerr, a cookatoo miner, occupied the chair. Mr. Ireland is generally respected throughout the district for integrity and well intentioned zeal. The candidate is evidently an enthusiast on education matters, and gave them an undue pre-eminence, dismissing the land question with a few well worn platitudes, and only snggested a rather visionary scheme of damming the Dismal Swamp as a direct local advantage. After he conoluded his address, Mr. Mackay rose to make some explanations in regard to the report of the j Teviot meeting published in the "Tuapeka Times." This he characterised as grossly improper and untrue. He had never proniised^fiis support to Mr. Beighton, nor in any way promoted that gentleman^ candidature,

Mr. Macleod asked the candidate whether he was in favpr of having roads formed and kept in repair by contract or j by Government labor. Government men, he said, did not work for Government, but for their vouchers, a noticeable instance of which occurred in the formation of the road which ran past his door. Two gangs of men were employed — one lot at the sohoolhouse and the other beyond the Benger Creek, and one old man officiated as gaffer. Whenever this person started from tho school to visit the other gang, a flag was hoisted, and vice vwsa, so that no one was ever caught idling, and yet quarter work was not done. A voice : Inquired how many idle horses and drays Mr. Macleod had. Mr. Ireland said he saw no objection to the maintenance of the roads by contract. In reply to Mr. M'Gavin, the candidate declared his belief in manhood sufferage. Mr. Macleod asked whether Mr. Ireland was in favor of increasing the slaughtering' license, so as to afford some protection to regular butchers. Mr. Macrae wished it were increased a hundred fold. Mr. Ireland declared himself opposed to all monopoly. Mr. Brown askeel whether the candidate thought sand or metal the best material for road making. Tho question was ruled out of order. In reply to tke Chairman, Mr. Ireland stated that he was not in favor of a reduction of the miners' rights, as an aero of ground was always worth £1 per annum. He believed the gold duty should bo abolished. He could not say about the extention of mining areas; the Mining Conference had come to no definite conclusion in regard to the matter. As i-egards the combination of farming and mining, he considered every miner should work at least nine months of the year in his claim. Mr. Macleod moved a vote of confidence in Mr. Ireland. Mr. M'Kinnon seconded. Five hands being held up in support of the motion, and none against,, it was declared carried. The usual vote to the chair wound-up the proceedings.