WESTLAND ELECTION.

West Coast Times, Issue 244, 4 July 1866, Page 3

WESTLAND ELECTION.

NOMINATION OF REPRESENTA-

TIVES FOR THE TOWN OF HOKITIKA.

The nomination of two candidates to represent Westland in the Provincial Council came off yosterday at the Warden 's Court House in the Supreme Court reserve, and although the occasion was a most important one, very few persons indeed attended. Only two out of the three gentlemen proposed were present, the third, Mr R. Re/jves being absent in Melbourne. He, however, was well supported, the show of hands being (according to the Returning Officer's opinion) first inhis favor. At noon Mr Sale made his appearance in front of the Court House, and addressed the very scant assemblage before him. He stated that they had met there to elect two members for the Town of Hokitika, and then read the writ empowering him to act. In accordance with this writ he had published a notice in the local journals, which he also read. At a previous meeting he had explained to the public what was the requisite qualification of a proposer and seconder, but to prevent misconception would again state that he must hold in m>i name a miner's right or business licer se issued in Hokitika and held for six months previous to the day of election. He then called upon any gentleman to propose the first candidate.

Mr Prosaer felt much pleasure in proposing Mr Thomas Lockyer Bright as a fit and proper person to represent Hokitika in the Council. He considered it needless on his part to eulogise Mr Bright, whose past career in Victoria, and other colonies, was well known, and eminently qualified him to fill the position. During his residence in Hokitika he had taken an able stand in advocating the rights of the great body of the people (hear, hear), and he (the speaker) felt confident that the gentleman he was now proposing would receive hearty support from the great mass of the electors, and be placed first on the poll. Mr O'Loughlin was proud to second Mr Bright. He felt sure that it was quite unnecessary to say much in favor of him, as his talents and ability were universally recognised, and stamped him as the man for their purpose. He felt sure that, if elected, Mr Bright would use his utmost endeavors to promote the -welfare of the town and province generally, and the great talent he possessed would prove most conducive to that end. Men of good practical and theoretical ability were needed in the House, and there was no doubt that Mr Bright was eminently fitted^ to take his seat there, and would be able to assist the executive with much valuable advice. He would do credit to the constituency who

returned him, and therefore he (the speaker) should accord him his hearty support. Mr Hall, without comment, proposed Mr William Robinson as a fit and proper person, and Mr Walker seconded him. Mr Bracken proposed Mr Richard Reeves as eminently qualified to represent the town, He was a man well known in Hokitika as a most useful man. He had resided in Hokitika from the commencement, and had pushed his way up, and if returned with Mr Bright, he (the speaker) felt confident that Hokitika would be well and worthily represented. Mr W. Shaw seconded Mr Reeves, who, was so well known that any commendation from him (the seconder) was almost superfluous. He was a useful and enterprising member of the community, and one moreover who possessed a warm and generous heart. Mr Reeves was eminently a practical man, and would work well for the town and district generally. Finding that no more candidates would be proposed, the Returning Officer called upon Mr Bright to address the meeting. Mr Bright in reply felt much .flattered at the kind expressions of esteem which had fallen from the lips of the two gentlemen who had proposed and seconded him. he should strive to justify the high opinion they entertained of his abilities. As he had given a full exposition of his political vidtos last night, he considered it unnecessary to enter into further details. Some weeks ago he had addressed the public in the columns of the press, and then expressed his intention to withdraw his name if there was any general expression of opinion that the public interests could be better served. He had, however, met with, no such expression, and he therefore was still before them. He was the only one of the four candidates who had publicly expressed his principles—the absence of Mr Reeves preventing that .gentleman from doing likewise— and until last night had no idea that he should meet with any opposition. He'couldnothut help feeling gratified at the expressions of public esteem which had been vouchsafed him on the previous evening, and should, if returned, strive to merit them. (Applause.) Mr Robinson, at the call of the Returning Officer, came forward and addressed the meeting, and stated that he had been induced to offer himself as a candidate for one reason only, and that was that the town ought not to be overridden by nomineeism, but should have a choice of candidates. Mr Bright had said that he was not aware until last night that any opposition would be offered, but he (the Speaker) had some time ago expressed his determination to stand. If returned, he should do his best for the interests of the place, ar.d thought that the electors would have no cause to regret having chosen him.

Mr Eicke, in the absence of Mr Reeves, addressed the meeting in his behalf. He thought some slight misconception existed in the mind of the last speaker, touching nomineeism, and he therefore felt compelled to remove it if possible. He felt the greatest possible interest in the welfare of Hokitika, and much regretted the political apathy which existed amongst the inhabitants, and felt it incumbent on himself to try and stir the people up. He had therefore, brought forward four men, and carried round a requisition, which was numerously and respectably signed. But this action on his part did not prevent others from following the same course, which, however, none did. There is an old proverb, that " the absent are always in error, 1 ' and he, therefore, supported Mr Reeves on that occasion to show his esteem for him. That gentleman's ability and energy demanded support which he (the speaker) felt sure would be given him. The result of the poll would, he believed, shew that the public considered the right man had been brought forward. The Returning Officer then called for a shew of hands in favor of each candidate, the result of which he declared to be 17 for Mr Reeves, 17 for Mr Bright, and 6 for Mr Robinson.

A poll being demanded by Mr Robinson, the Returning Officer decided that it should be held this day, at the place of the present meeting. A vote of thanks to the Returning Officer was proposed and seconded by Messrs. Robinson and Bright, which was cordially awarded, and followed by three cheers. The meeting then separated.

The French papers announce the death of M. Langlais, the Emperor Maximilian's Minister ot Finance. He was Councillor of State at home, and was sent out by the French Government (on M. Fould's recommendation, it is understood) to arrange the financial difficulties of the new empire."