THE BULLER ELECTION.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 775, 11 February 1871, Page 2

THE BULLER ELECTION.

DECLARATION OF THE POLL. The result of the polling for the election of a representative to the General Assembly for the Buller District was officially made known by the Returning Officer, at the Court House, Westport, onThursday. In spite of the unfavorable weather, the rain falling in torrents, about forty persons had assembled. At noon, the hour appointed for the declaration of the Poll, Dr Giles took his seat, aud said that he had a duty to perform which was mainly of a formal character, and that was to give the result of the polling at the election of a member for the Buller District. He should read the returns from the various polling districts, which gave the following totals: O'Conor, 532; Donne, 468; Yardley, 28. In conformity with these returns lie had to declare E. J. O'Conor duly returned as representative of the Buller District in the General Assembly. He had also to state that an application had been lodged with him, addressed to his Excellency the Governor, asking for a scrutiny into the election. He simply mentioned the fact, because he had been requested to do so, but it of course did not in any way affect the duties he was called upon to fulfil. It would, doubtless, strike some present that there was a discrepancy between the numbers, as given by the public press, and the figures furnished that day. As would be seen, tht re was a difference of two, caused by the fact of one, who exercised the franchise under the electoral roll, having recorded his vote at Charleston and also at Brighton for Mr O'Conor. Both the votes had been rejected, reducing Mr O'Conor's majority to 61. He might also mention, and it would be of interest to the electors, to be made acquainted with the working of the ballot as ir came into general operation in the Colony for the first time during the presen* elections, that there had not been a large' number of votes thrown out in consequence of informality. In the Westport District there had only been four disallowed, but it was strange what care there appeared to have been taken by those to invalidate their votes. One paper was objected to because none of the names was struck out; a second that two of the names were marked against, but not erased according to the instructions issued to voters ; in a third case, two of the names were struck out by a straight line, and the third name had been erased by the voter writing a name, probably his own, across the candidate's. He had only to add that it was not unusual for the candidates on such an occasion to address the electors, and an opportunily would be afforded them then to do so.

Mr O'Couor, said: Mr Keturning Officer and gentlemen. In conformity with cu torn, I take advantage of this opportunity to tender my thanks for the confidence you have been pleased to repose in me, I thank my supporters for the warm and disinterested suppott I received from them,but.in consequence of its being promised to me, L never for one moment doubted the result of this election. If I have succeeded in gaining your confidence 1 know that I deserved it. In my representative capacity in the Provincial Council my sole aim has been to advance the interest of my constituency, and to promote ihe general welfare of the Province—(applause)—and now that you have determined that I shall also represent this important district in the New Zealand Parliament, 1 shall carry with me the same object, and J shail work in your behalf with vigour renewed by the token you have now given me of your approval. There are very many who were not my bupportera, their opinions it is my duty to respect, and I hope that before long they will find reason to rejoice in what at present may be to them a disappointment. As I now represent the minority as well as the majority, I can know no distinction ; my duty is to the district and the Colony. I feel the weight of the responsibility, and I hope to acquit mjself in a manner satisfactory to yourselves and to me. I have, as on the occasion of the last election, to complain of the weapons which my opponrnts used against me. Some of Mr Donne's supporters have malignantly slandered and misrepresented ine. I feel the utmost detestation for persons who can stoop to means so base to gain their end. And I am the more proud and satisfied with my victory from the consciousness

that on my part the fight was openly and honestly contested throughout. I would be glady to hear Mr Donne do as my former opponent did—that is, disconnect himself from supporters who dishonored his cause. I have carefully avoided, during the election, any personal reflections upon my opponents; any political charges that I may have made against Mr Donne, have, I am sorry to say, neither been contradicted nor refuted. Ail the influence the local paper could use, to my detriment, has beeu freely exercised during the election j some have even travelled a great distance in order to revile my character, but I am the more proud that you should have returned me as your representative notwithstanding. As regards the voting by ballot I do not think it has been found to answer so perfectly as was expected, but by certain modifications it may be so improved as to meet all requirements. The Returning Officer has referred to a duplicate roll-number having appeared on the Charles; on and Brighton poll-lists, but I think it is just as likely, or, even more so, that the Returning Officer himself made the error in nuinberiug the papers as that there was double voting. I know one instance in which a Westport elector, who exercised his franchise under the electoral roll, took a note of the number on his ballot paper, and, on comparing it with the number on the roll, found that they differed. Mr Donne has given notice that he intends to apply that the election be scrutinised ; and I myself think that an investigation is highly desirable. I know that very improper influences have been brought to bear upon this election against myself. I know that miners' rights have been issued and marked "renewed" wheu the old right and the new right were not consecutive. And that, in one instance, a committee-man of Mr Donne's obtained the renewal of a right, although an interval of three mouths had elapsed since the old right bad expired. However, being satisfied with the result, I have only to observo that I have no objection to an investigation, and, were there to be a new election, I believe it would result more favorably to myself than the present one. While thanking you, gentlemen, for the honor you have done me in returning me as your representative, I have to assure you that I will carefully and vigilantly watch your interests, and lose no opportunity of aiding any measure that will conduce to your moral, social, or material advancement.— (Applause). Mr Donne, said: Mr Returning Officer and gantlemen, I was quite aware wheu I lodged Miy application, with the Returuiuj Officer for an investigation into this election, that that officer had not the power to call the validity of the election in question. But I desire to bring before you my formal demand for a scrutiny, and I intend to leave nothing undone to secure a rigid and searching investigation into the circumstances attending this election. I assure jou that the money, time, and brain-energy, to secure a proper scrutiny, will be forthcoming in t'h« interests of the 468 who voted for me; and it is due, iu justice to them, to myself, aud society at large, l hat this enquiry should be faithfully and thoroughly carried through, i speak by the card when I say that recourse has been had in this election to an organised system of demoralisation, personation, and false voting. I attended here to-day from Charleston to show that it is ocy intention to have this matter followed up. 1 have no comment to make upon what Mr O'Conor has stated. I have, however, to thank you, gentlemen, for the support extended to me, and I cannot but think that there is a moral effect will arise out of this election which will benefit the community at large. That there will be a scrutiny, gentlemen, I scarcely have any doubt, nor do 1 doubt that it will be manifested that the application will be justified by the result, but, time will show. Mr Yaudley then came forward. He said that he had not contested the election out of any feeling of dislike to any of the candidates, but he had come forward as a politician. He must say that he had not been fairly treated by the local paper, and he believed, by its hue of conduct it had been instrumental in defeating itself and its candidate. He did not, however, regret having come forward, nor the time, trouble, aud expense the election had cost him. Excepting in Westport, where he did not make a very good start, he bad beeu received well, and, wherever he had gone, he had readily obtained chairmen, aud movers and seconders of votes of confidence. He should ever bear the election in mind with pleasure. He hoped the best m <n had been returned, aud that Mr O'Conor would succeed in effecting seme good. If clever statesmen were at the helm, they would advance New Zealand in the scale of nations. He concluded by stating that if, at any future occasion, his fellow-citizens should entertain a belief that he could fill a public position with advantage to the community, he would be willing to devote his best energies to their cause.—(Applause). Mr Donne moved a vote of thanks to the Returning Officer, which was seconded by Mr Tardley, and the proceedings closed.