PROVINCIAL COUNCIL ELECTION.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 453, 16 January 1869, Page 2

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL ELECTION.

DECLARATION OF THE POLL.

The Returning Officer, Dr Giles, at the Court House on Thursday forenoon, declared the result of the poll for the election of a member of the Nelson Provincial Council for the district of Buller. In doing so he explained that he had appointed an early, unusual, and possibly inconvenient hour, but this had been rendered necessary in consequence of his having to leave Westport for a short time. He would not, however, have even then appointed that hour, had he thought it would be any great public inconvenience, but he knew that one of the candidates was in Nelson, and that the other, who lived in Westport, would not be without opportunities of addressing the electors. The result of the poll was (as has already been reported) 77 votes for Mr M'Dowell, and 27 for Mr Crate. Mr M'Dowell had, accordingly, a majority of 50, and he now declared him to be duly elected. (Applause.) Mr M'Dowell: Gentlemen. I have to thank you for the honor which you have done me by returning me by so large a majority. I observe that in one of the outlying districts there is some dissatisfaction because I had not visited and addressed the electors there. My excuse, however, is the fact of which most of you are aware—that I had no intention of standing as a candidate until the day of nomination. Had it been otherwise, I should certainly have visited the electors in these districts. As it was, it was only when it was ascertained that no local man, or a man of any influence in the district, was prepared to stand as a candidate that I consented to do so. I can only assure you now that I have every reason to be very well satisfied with the result. I am not at the present moment prepared or disposed to make a long speech, but there are one or t\\ o subjects to whioh I may fairly make reference as subjects requiring the consideration and attention of the Nelson Provincial Council, and especially of the Member for Westport. In a district like this, where the principal of the natural resources is gold, it should be our endeavour to develop that resource as much as possible. With that object, it should be the duty of your member to exert himself as far as possible to promote the opening up of the country by the construction of roads and tracks, and by preserving those constructed in a state of proper repiir. These are, indeed, the primary practical works which require attention; and one particular work of the kind in this district is the construction of the road up the Buller. It is especially a matter requiring urgent attention. Of course there are other local requirements almost equally urgent. There is the river protection, and we have no wharf accommodation. How far your members may be able to effect any good in these matters or in others I cannot undertake to say. I fear that the influence thoy can bring to bear in a Council where they are so out-numbered will be very small, unless they can get others to join them and

give justice to the district. Ido not pretend to have the extraordinary powers which were attributed by the local paper to the Other candidate, Mr Crate, who, it was presumed, might resemble Samson in his efforts to bring down the pillars of Provincialism, and at one fell swoop accomplish his own destruction aud that of the whole fabric. But I may assure you that I shall do all in my power to forward the interests of the district, and more than that I cannot promise you. If we are not successful, you have still got a remedy, and the remedy which we will have to adopt if we cannot get our revenue legitimately expended is the remedy of Separation. I beg again to return you my most sincere thanks for the honor you have done me by electing me as your representative; and, the proceedings of the election being now closed, I beg leave to propose a vote of thanks to the Returning Officer. Mr Tyler seconded the proposition of a vote of thanks to the Seturning Officer, and it was carried by acclamation.