POLITICAL NEWS.

Cromwell Argus, Volume IV, Issue 187, 10 June 1873, Page 5

POLITICAL NEWS.

THE SUPERINTENDENCY,

The nomination of candidates took place in thmedin at noon on June 5. Some COO people weie present, all of whom waited nntil the two principal speakers addressed them, although there was a considerable downpour of rain during the time. We have already published an “ extra” containing the nominations, which wore as follows

James Macanivrbw, proposed by Mr James Brown, seconded by Mr James Black.

John Lillie Gillies, propose:! by Mr Sligo, seconded by Mr Todd, of East Taieri. John (familiarly known as “ Jock”) Graham, proposed by himself, seconded by Mr Thomas Farrell.

Mr Macandrew and Mr Gillies addressed those present in speeches of some length ; but Mr Graham’s rising was the signal for a general dispersion. The show of hands was as follows : Graham 93 Macandrew 78 Gillies 39 A poll, was demanded, and is to take place on the 18th inst.

We understand that the nomination of Mr J. L. Gillies on Wednesday as a candidate for the Superintendency was a complete surprise both to the Macandrew party and those who coincide with Mr Gillies in the views he holds. It was known that John Graham intended to come forward, and much indignation was expressed that the country should be put to the expense and trouble of a contested election by the senseless freak of this mountebank. It was even suggested that he should he arrested as a suspected lunatic, and remanded for medical examination until the nomination should be over. Mr Gillies’s candidature, however, saved Graham from any personal inconvenience which might otherwise have resulted from his idiotic proceedings. Mr Gillies and his friends will make strenuous endeavours to contest the election successfully. The Macandrew party are also working hard, and a strong Committee in Dunedin are taking energetic measures for the return of their candidate. But there can be little doubt that the election will result iu favour of Mr Macandrew.

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

By the retirement of Mr Hasdett, the list of declared candidates for the representation of Kawarau District has been reduced to three—viz., Mr MacKellar, Mr Marsh, and Mr Colclough. It is stated, upon undoubted authority, that Mr Shepherd— whose chance of re-election for the Dunstan is considered to be almost annihilated by Mr Hazlett’s candidature—would be glas, to contest the Kawarau election if he saw the remotest chanca of success, or was even offered the smallest encouragement to stand. If he does not wish to be ignominiously defeated, Mr Shepherd will act wisely in not coming forward.

We learn that a requisition bearing 120 signatures has been presented to Mr James Haidett, asking him to stand for the Dunstan DistrictNo other local man has yet definitely announced himself; but in any case we believe Mr Hazlett’s election is certain. There have been sixteen candidates nominated for the representation of Dunedin in the Provincial Council, out of which number seven have to be selected. The electors of Dunedin will thus have some difficulty in making up their minds as to whom they will pick out of this large number of would-be Councillors. “ Progression !” seems to be the great cry of the candidates; and the progressive ticket will doubtless “go down” with the great majority of the electors. But the cry is a need'ess one to make, for we should hope we are all progressionists—that every person who has even the most trivial stake in the Province is quite ahve to the necessity of doing everything in his power for the common wel are of its inhabitants without making a hue-and-cry about it, as if the idea was something quite new. Let the Dunedin electors choose sound, sensible men from the numerous batch of political aspirants be f ore them, and they may rest assured that the interests of the Province will not suffer, even if those men have not raised this great “ progresrive” cry which has sprang into such loud-mouthed existence.

Mr Donald Reid is to have strong “ Macandrew” opposition at the Taieri in the person of Mr J. S. Webb, who seems to have intended to come forward as one of the Dunedin batch, but was prevailed upon by his friends not to stand for the city, in consequence of their holding the impression that he had no chance of being elected. Mr Webb, after the nomination, seems to have regretted drawing back, and subsequently stated that he had ascei tamed that his friends were mistaken, and that “ a flattering position on the poll was secure for him.” How Mr Webb ascertained this we are at a loss to imagine ; but if he succeeds in defeating Mr Reid at the Taieri, he will doub; less be much prouder of his victory. After hesitating which district he would be most likely to contest successfully, Mr Vincent Pyke has at last decided in favour of Tuapeka, in preference to Mount Ida or the Dunstan, from bolh of which places, it is said, he received requisitions. We should think Mr Pyke’s election may he reckoned upon as almost certain in his own district.

Messrs Armstrong and Mervyn seem to have had some rather rough handling by their Mount Ida constituents, who have treated those gentlemen to groans and hisses of a peculiarly hearty character in token of their appreciation of the

conduct of their representatives. The editor of the Mount Ida Chronicle (Mr De Lautour) is now in the field for the representation of the district, and will doubtless be able to “ blow his own trumpet” to his heart’s content. We shall be very glad to see the honourable and gallant Major Richardson in harness again as member for Waitahuna, for the representation of which district he is coming forward. A shrewd, sensible man, an able legislator, and a thorough gentleman, wo sincerely trust, no matter what opposition may be brought forward, that the Waitahuna electors will secure the Major as their representative. Messrs John Mouat and G. K, C. Browne .the late member) will also contest the seat.