ELECTION OF MAYOR.

West Coast Times, Issue 646, 19 October 1867, Page 2

ELECTION OF MAYOR.

MR BUTTON'S MEETING.

Mr Button again addressed tho electors last night, at the Prince of Wales Opora House, which was crammed with an audience who received him most enthusiastically. Mr Bartlett occupied tho chair, and in a few wellchosen words introduced the candidate, who commenced his address by alluding to th« part lie had taken in respect to the Literary Society, an institution that he was proud to say was equal to any other of the kind in New Zealand. At the same time he had no deiire to influence the election by referring to past services he may have rendered to the community, as he considered that neither of the candidates in the present election should place his claims for support upon such a basis, for if past services were to be considered above everything else, why every gentleman vrho had served in the late Council, might claim to bo returned as Mayor. An exception might ba taken in the cases of services which were deemed worthy of recognition, but wero the sDrvices of those gentlemen who had been reelected so considered ? He imagined not from the low position their names occupied on the poll. Of the re-olected members he considered that Mr Prosser alono had any claim upon the public, as he really had served the district by representing it in tho Provincial Council, when no one else save one was found willing to sacrifice time and money to do so. And yet Mr Prosser was not by any means a popular man, at least he, Mr Button, believed he ivas not, from remarks he had heard passed out of doors, and hoped that his (Mr Button's) popularity was more assured. As to Mr Sbaw's services, about which that gentleman was so profuse of speech— what did they amount to ? In his (Mr Button's) opinion, nothing except— he might add — that Mr Shaw, after promising to resign his seat in tho Municipal Council if called upon to do 80, refused, when the other members agreed to take that step, excusing himself upon the grounds that such a proceeding was illegal, unless each member paid a fine of L 25. He (Mr Button) believed that so lightly was Mr Shaw held in estimation that the public would have very readily subscribed the sum to have got rid of him. Concerning the Separation movement, about which Mr Shaw so mouthed ; what part did he really play in its iaitiation? why nono whatever, according to the " Evening Star" of that evening, which, in a very elaborate j article, proves that the movement originated from certain parties who had been ousted from their position by the men who afterwards formed the Council of the Separation I icague, and entertained the most ultra views of a question which, if carried in an unmodified form, 'would have entailed absolute ruin upon the district. Ho (Mr Button) advocated Separation from Canterbury, but at the same time was opposed to the construction of a new province, and thought it was fortunate for the public that the General Government had taken Westland under its wing. Mr Button spoke at length against Provincial institutions, Avhich he condemned as costly and cumbrous. He wished to say a few words respecting a charge which had been brought against him at a late meeting of having run away from Invorcargill, on the eve of an election there for tho Provincial Council, for which he had consented to stand, in compliance with a numerously signed requisition. Almost immediately afterwards pressing business called him to Tasmania, but ib was well known he would return again, arid by no ono better than' Mr Shaw. He did return, but by that time tho election was over. He was also twitted for leaving Invercargill; but how many- others were there wko did likewise — somo of them being the very men -who accused him of the desertion! The truth of tho matter was, they merely left a sinking vessel to better themselves elsewhere, it was luvercargill which had deserted them instead of tho reverse. Whilst residing at Invercargill ho (Mr Button) had done nothing calculated to bring diicrodit upon his name, and this was proved by the facs tiiat the names of many gentlemen who had signed his requisition* there appearod on tho requisition that asked him to stand for tho Mayoralty of Hokitika. Whilst upon tho subject, he wished to remark that he was opposed to any salary being attached to the olfi.ee, which, in his opinion, should be puroly honorary. (Applause.) Mr'WnME pioposed Mr Button as a fit and proper person to occupy the civic chair, and was seconded by Mr Mowat, who highly eulogised the candidate, and scouted the idea so industriously promulgated in town of tho unfitness of lawyers to hold office in Municipal Councils. He regretted that so many personalities had been indulged in during tho present election, but believed they would have no weight with tho public, who would rather favor the candidate who disDlayed the most moderation and forbearance. One of the candidate? had very freely indulged in this respect, and by somo people \va3 perhaps considered witty, but ho (Mr Mowat) thought that such wit should be confined to the riug of a circus, and folt sorry that any gentleman who aspired to the high dignity of Mayor should have descended so low. Concerning Soparation, lie admitted that Mr Shaw and others, had pushed the thing forward, but at the same time went altogether too far, and thero ho (Mr Mowat) £hought tho thanks of tho community were duo to those gentlemen who had brought a wholesome pressure to bear upon the so styled Council of the League, and thus compelled tho insertion of the saving clause. Tlie relative position of the General Government and Westland might be likened to a young man starting in life iv j new country and his well to d« and experienced friends at home. He (the young man) being puffed up with self-importance, and wishing to cut a dash in the eyes of his neighbors, sends home for a carriage and pair, but his wise relatives send him a pair of horses and a' cart instead, and also a man to teach Ida how to drive them. So it was with Westlaud, which, instead of the carriage Separation, had received a serviceable form of government, and would bo taught how to use it by an "expert," especially despatched for the purpose. (Ap clauses). Sir Howatt again deprecated the uso of insftlting personal remarks on tho part of either candidate, and resumed his seat amidst a storm of applause.

A cry being raised for Mr James Browne, who occupied a seat upon tho stage, that gentleman stepped forward and said he really had nothing to address the meeting about, but at tho snnio time fully endorsed Mr Mowat's favorable opinion of Mr Button. Ho had known that gentleman from his childhood, and felt assured that if tho electors placed him in the civic chair they would prove him to bo an honest, ablo and thoroughly conscientious man. He (Mr Browne) was one of the candidates who had beon rejected at the late Municipal election .' From tho bottom of his heart ho rejoiced that it was bo aB ho felt that his position as a public man was improved thereby, inasmuch that ho would bo ablo to watch and comment upon the action of the new Council. As ho was before the meeting, he would take tho opportunity of proposing a vote of thanks to their worthy chairman, Mr Bartlett, whom ho (Mr Browne) extolled for his liberality, in being evor ready to lend the the theatre gratuitously, and oven light it upon the Eanio terms.

This motion was not seconded, co sudden and hearly was tho burst of applause that waited upon Mr Browne's resolution. In reply, Mr Bartlett declared that Mr Browne had " made a mess of it " (applause and laughter), as- tho original motion respecting Mr Button's fitness had not been put to tho meeting. It was not, however, too late to rectify the mistake, and he therefore had much pleasure in calling for a show of hands. Tho result was a unanimous expression in Mr Button's favor.

Mr Button came forward to roturn thanks. He was unable to express the gratification ho

experienced at the cordial reception accorded him that evening, which induced the hope that he would stand at the head of the poll on Monday night. He was very" sorry that any misunderstanding should have arisen between himself and Mr Shaw about certain remarks that fell from the latter at a late meeting, and which he (Mr Button) could not help considering as rather too personal. Mr Shaw had, however, disclaimed any intention to wound his (Mr Button's) feelings, and had apoligised most amply and honorably in the West Coast Times of that morning.' It was a graceful acknowledgment on the part of Mr Shaw, and be (Mr Button) accepted it with the most cordial satisfaction. Ho was aware that it was considered quite legitimate during elections to make uso of personalities as a weapon of offence in tho form of squibs and lampoons, of which several were then circulating in town. Oue was rather a witty production, directed at him (Mr Button) and his friend Mr Mowat. With the permission of the meeting he would read it.

Leave was granted, and Mr Button was on tlie point of enlightening his hearers when Mr Mowat playfully interposed, and attempted to dispossess Mr Button of the piece of paper he wa3 about to read from. An interesting friendly scuffle ensued between the gentlemen, amidst thunders of applause from the delighted audience, whose delight knew no bounds when Mr Button, disengaging himself from his adversary, skipped nimbly to the other side of the stage, and — first apologising for assuming so undignified aposition — knelt down at the foot-h'ghts, and read as follows :—: — A Model Lawi^b's Biil. BILL OF COST 3TO ME SHOEE. 1. Meeting you at Mr G-. W. BurNey's Sale Eooms, when Mr Binney offered to bet you a new hat that I would be returned Mayor, and you consulted me as to the legality of betting on elections. Whereon I de- j sired you would state the ease in writing, and I would look into the authorities and give you a written opinion on tho point ; and on your enquiry if I would make any charge, I stated that, in consideration of your being a brother Councillor, I would only charge you five pounds, although my proper fee would be ten pounds — which offer you declined to accept 2 2 0 3." Meeting you at Mr Ben. Osborne's, when you consulted me as to the probability of tho sort of men that would be brought forwai'd for the Westland County Couucil, and I suggested a conference with Mr Andrew Mowat, as the Commissary of Elections in Westland, which step you approved of ... ... ... 1 1 0 3. Conference with Mr Mowat, and discussing and advising thereon, when Mr Mowafc led us to the conI elusion that he only knew of one person in Westland that had any real capacity for public business, but would not mention his name lest he might be charged with egotism ; and he further stated that he had some idea of bringing forward Moorhouse, and perhaps other Christchurch talent. Very long conference ... 22 0 4. Meeting you at M'Ghiire and Lynch 's, when I offered to bet you a new hat that Mr Sale would be appoinlod Chairman of the Westland County Council ; aud you declined, on the ground that your present hat was almost new, and you did not care for another, as the fashion might change on the introduction of the new Local Council 2 2 0 5. Meeting you at Mr Solomon's Cafe de Paris, when you asked me what 6um I paid tho " Evening Star" for inserting my piled-up ngony letter in connection with Tasmanian Municipal Worthies, and I stated that tho "Evouing Star" made no ohargo - . whatever, as they kept- an open column for attacks on Councillor Shore, and intimated to you thnt if you became Mayor, they intended to have two open columns in place of one during the year of your Mayoralty 0 13 4 Drawing bill of costs and copying for you ... 1 3 0 £9 14 This is my bill. Signed, See-ye Put on. Tho shrieks of laughter and cheers that followed wero perfectly deafening, and when the noise had somewhat subsided, Mr Button was heard to say that, considering the amount of work set forth in the bill, he thought tlie charges were most moderate. He remembered that there was another lampoon of considerable merit (evidently a production of the opposite parly), which he should ba most happy to read ; but again Mr Mowat interposed, declaring that it only alluded to a lawyer, a doctor, and a pi inter's devil, aud was not worth listening to. (Loud laughter and cheers.)

And so terminated the mcrricsb meeting of tho election.