THE ELECTIONS.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 470, 17 December 1875, Page 3

THE ELECTIONS.

CHRISTCHURCH NOMINATION.

The nomination of candidates for the city of Christchurch took place to-day at noon, at the Oddfellows’ Hall. There was a good attendance, the hall being fairly filled. The Returning Officer, Mr G. Leslie Lee, having read the writ, called on the electors to nominate candidates.

Mr L. B, Nathan in a brief speech pro* posed, and Mr E. Bishop seconded, the nomination of the Hon B. Richardson.

Mr John Inglis said he had been waiting for some one to propose the ex-representative and present candidate, Mr Wakefield, but as no one had come forward, at present, to diacharge that duty, he would beg to propose Mr E. C. J. Stevens. Mr Inglis addressed the electors present in a short speech, and expressed his confidence that Mr Stevens would be returned at the head of the poll. Mr Inglis was several times interrupted in the course of his address. Mr W. D. Wood seconded the nomination.

Mr Gould rose to support the nomination of Mr Stevens, and expressed a hope that the candidates would give their views on the subject of Government buildings. The returning officer said that they must confine themselves to the business in hand.

Mr Wynn Williams proposed, and Mr Daniel Reese seconded, the nomination of Mr S. P. Andrews.

Mr Fred. Hobbs (Mayor) proposed, and Mr William Wilson seconded, Mr Wm. Sefton Moorhousc.

The nomination was received with great applause.

Mr B. J. Wakefield stated that he was an elector of Christchurch, and therefore ha had a right to propose a candidate. He therefore proposed Mr Edward Jerningham Wakefield, and asked if there was any elector in the room who would second the nomination. Mr J. W. Treadwell seconded the nomination.

Mr J. R. Johnson proposed Mr J. W. Treadwell. There was some difficulty in obtaining a seconder for the nomination, but at length Mr J. 8, Buxton came forward and did so.

No other candidates being proposed, the returning officer called upon the different candidates to address the electors.

The Hoa B. Richardson said that, as he had addressed the electors so frequently on the topics of the day, he would confine himself to saying that he had done his beat in the past, and if elected again would continue to do so in the future. Mr Richardson concluded with a few brief remarks with regard to the criticism of Mr Fitzherbert on one of his late speeches, and with regard to the alleged diversity of opinion between the Ministry.

Mr E. C. J. Stevens next addressed the electors. In reference to what Mr Gould had said with regard to the General Government buildings in Christchurch, he considered them a perfect disgrace to the colony. It would be his first effort to obtain better buildings in which business could be transacted. Mr Stevens then stated his programme, and concluded by saying he would give the best of his time and abilities if elected.

Mr S. P. Andrews then briefly explained that he stood before them as an untried man in the House of Representatives. He left himself entirely in their hands, and would leave his past services to speak for themselves.

Mr W, S. Moorhouse, who was received with applause, said he was not a perfect stranger to many electors, but that he was delighted to find that he was a stranger to a majority of the electors, as it showed that there was a large number of people coming to this country to make it their home. The speaker touched on the principal points before the country, and concluded by asking for the suffrages of the electors.

Mr E. J. Wakefield returned thanks to Mr J. E, Treadwell for seconding his nomination. The candidate explained what he understood to be the intentions of the present Ministry with regard to the question of abolition. He declared that the Abolition Bill would have broken down absolutely in the hands of the present Ministry except for the aid of Mr Stafford. The next thing was far more important than the continuance of provincialism, and that was the question of finance. The coudidate spoke at some fingth on this subject, and reiterated his account of the Murimoto transaction, and Mr ; Moorhouse’s connection with it. At this stage there was a great deal of interruption, and the rest of the speech was continually interrupted, in spite of the appeals of the .chairman. The speaker, however, continued at some length, touching on the charges which had been made against bis conduct in the bouse, and concluded by asking the electors to vote for him. Mr Treadwell said he was driven by his conscience into the position he was now in. He hoped that the electors would not think that this candidature was an impertinence. The speaker continued speaking for some time, but a large number of spectators soon left the hall. The show of hands was declared by the returning officer to be in favour of Messrs Stevens, Richardson, and Moorhouse, and a poll was demanded by one of the other candidates. ELECTION OF MAYOR. At noon to-day Mr E. B. Bishop, returning officer, declared Mr Frederick Hobbs duly elected as Mayor for the year 1876. As previously intimated, Mr Hobbs was not opposed, no nominations having been sent in by the prescribed date. At a later hour his Worship entertained a number of the principal citizens at lunch at Warner’s Hotel.