PUBLIC MEETING OF ELECTORS, CHRISTCHURCH EAST.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 380, 31 August 1875, Page 3

PUBLIC MEETING OF ELECTORS, CHRISTCHURCH EAST.

A public meeting of electors of Chris*" church East was held at the Foresters' Hall last evening,-in pursuance of the following advertisement—"EastChristchurch Electoral District. A meeting of the electors of East Christchurch will be held in the Foresters' Hall, on this (Monday) evening, at 7.30 pm "to take into consideration the conduct of Mr E. J. Wakefield, the representative for the district in the House of Representatives. Those electors who voted for Mr Wakefield are particularly requested to attend." . Mr Henry Thompson (Coates and Co), was voted to the chair, and having read the advertisement convening the meeting, briefly explained the object of the meeting. Mr Wynn Williams, after referring to certain circumstances reported from Wellington by telegram, said he thought it was only right, that the electors should so record their opinion that those outside the province, and particularly members of the House, could see that they held the conduct of their representative in its true light. L Hear > hear -] . Mr Saudstein thought it would be advisable to convene a public meeting in the Music Hall, as the advertisement convening the present one was scarcely understood. Mr John Lee thought they might rest

assured that Mr Wakefield would not come forward again, and if he did there was no chance of his being elected ; therefore he was of opinion that the matter should stand over until the election came on. Mr Budden thought that the East Christchurch electors should express their disgust at the way in which they had been deceived by their representative. [Cheers.] It had been said that Mr Wakefield was coming forward again, and if so it was as well that Christchurch people should know this, and then a large public meeting would eome together to protest against his coming forward. [Oheers.l Mr W. Ness thought that it would be the best thing they could do to let other places see that the electors considered they had been grossly deceived. Mr B.Cass considered the electors of Christchurch Bast had a duty to perform to themselves by making some formal protest against the conduct of the member for Christchurch East. That gentleman had had many chances, and he (Mr Cass), considered that the electors had now a right to express their opinion of his conduct. Mr E. C. J. Stevens on being called for, said he thought it was so exceedingly late now, and Psrliament was so near at an end, that it would be as well to wait. Whatever Mr Wakefield might say, he thought that no one in Wellington would believe that the electors of Christchurch East would return him again. He thought that the best means would be for the electors of Christchurch East to at once pledge themselves to use every means to prevent Mr Wakefield's return, and not to vote again for Mr Wakefield. [Cheers] This would at once show those in Wellington and elsewhere, what was the opinion of the constituency. [Cheerd] Mr Wynn Williams then moved the following resolution —"That this meeting considers it the duty of the electors of East Christchurch to prevent by all legitimate means the constituency being again represented by Mr E. J. Wakefield." Mr W. Ness seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. Mr B. Cass moved —" That a copy of the resolution just passed be forwarded to Mr Wakefield by an early post." Mr D. McGuinness seconded the resolution, which was agreed to. A vote of thanks to the chairman concluded the proceedings.