MR. NICHOLSON AT HORSESHOE BEND

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

MR. NICHOLSON AT HORSESHOE BEND

A crowded meeting of electors was held at the Horseshoe Bend on the evening of Saturday, June 7th, in order to hear Mr. Charles Nicholson, one of the candidates for the representation of the district in the Council, explain his views. The Honorable Mr. Pery was called upon to occupy the chair. Mr. Nicholson, who was received in a most enthusiastic manner, dilated, in an eloquent and able address, on all the leading questions of the day, his views eliciting signs of cordial approval from his audience. Mi*. Nicholson ssiid there was a personal question involved in this election, namely, the real party to blame in connection with the sale of the Island Block. He (Mr. Nicholson) held in his hand the report of the Commission of Inquiry, which he characterised as incomplete and grossly unfair. The fact of the matter was this : A prominent party in the district, in conjunction with several others, applied to purchase the whole of the sections. Then he (Mr. Nicholson) made his appearance on the scene, and by applying for the boring rods, endeavored to prevent the sale. But the Government needed money, and in a meeting of the Executive, Mr. Reid moved that the application should be thus far granted, namely, that the land should be put to auction for sale. This motion was carried against an amendment from Mr. Gillies, that the whole should be sold in one block ; but, thanks to the presence of several persons interested iv the application being on the committee, all this was suppressed in the report. He had submitted +0 unmerited obloquy long enough. The time had come to speak out, and he intended to do so in such tones as would reestablish his character and reputation. Long enough had he been the butt of all the mud-throwers in the district,' but in the future he, intended to assert himself. (Cheers.) A. vote of confidence in the candidate concluded the proceedings,