THE Manawatu Times. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 1881. THE LATE ELECTION.

Manawatu Times, Volume V, Issue 148, 8 June 1881, Page 2

THE Manawatu Times.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 1881. THE LATE ELECTION.

•* Words arc things, and a drop of ink falling liks dew upon a' thought, produces that which makes thousands, perhaps millions think."

In another column we give a somewhat detailed account of the result of tlie .Borough election, from which it %v ill be seen that not only was it most keenly contested, but a most unusual amount of interest-' -Was taken m the proceedings. We candidly confess tlie result has- not been what we expected, but as Jl^Jr. Laary pointed out at the declaration of the poll, he haci for an opponent a gentleman who had been for a long time prominently before the public. "But Mr Leary might have gone further, and stated that while MJr. Snelson's calling brought him into daily contact- with the working man., m his case the contrary was the fact, and consequently his merits, and claim to the position would be' comparatively unknown to a large mass of the elector*". That may account for tiro' somewhat ! large majority obtained -by Mr Snelson, but at the same time we^ heartily agree with Mr' Leary tliat tlie ' opposition was a formidable one ; that the defeat was by no means an inglorious que ; and we will add, that pitted against any other candidate, Mr Leary ; wpukl.,be at the top of the poll ; and m saying so, we pay MrSnelson the highest compliment which could be paid him. We freely admit that it is scarcely en regie to criticise the speeches of candidates after a:i election, when the result has been decided boyond recall ; yet we think we will be able to prove that m this particular case we can bring forward a sufficiently good

reason for overriding the usual custom. It is this : The very irregular manner m which his meeting on JFriday night was conducted, m declining to allow legitimate electors, to ask and receive questions and" answers upon statements made iv the speech. We entirely acquit Mr Snelson of all blame m thiß matter ; but we certainly cannot acquit - the • chairman. It is undoubtedly true he performed one part of his duty, m inviting interrogations ; but that was a mere farce, when he did not make the slightest effort to obtain a hearing for a questioner. The proceedings could certainly not be called fair, and i*emiuds us forcibly of the campaigning days of Mr Laurence B,m*ke,,of Kilmore notoriety. That gentleman hal just finished a brilliant election address of five minute's duration, when his chairman, one of Celtic persuasion, put the usual formula, " Iz" there any giutloman would like'to ax the candidate a question ?" Therje was dead silence for about five minutes, when one individual, who up to that time, had wisely taken up his position at the extreme rear of the building, was beguiled from his discretion, and incautiously answered, " Tis, I would." The Celtic chairman politely invited him to " Sthep forrid, Sir ; sttiep forrid, sir ;'' and like a lamb to the slaughter the gentleman with a thirst .for knowledge wa* led to the platform, underneath which he gracefully posed, and commenced, " Misthur Burke, I wish to know why it was that : ." History was not allowed to record upon what point MJr Burke was to be ; impeached, for at that moment a shillelagh m the hands of a powerful wielder descended on the uncovered head, he dropped, aud " the subsequent proceedings troubled bim no more." After bestowing one look at the prostrate- would-be interrogator, to ascertain that bis thirst for knowledge was not likely to be resumed for sometime, the assailant went th bough the preliminary of spitting on his band, giving bis shillelagh an admiriug look and an artistic twirl, and then turning to the audience with. a countenance beaming with good nature, he blandly inquired, " JU there any othkk gintleman would like to ax the candidate a question." Need \ye say the invitation was " declined with thanks." The very great similarity of the Friday night's proceedings — though certainly m a milder form — must plead our apology for digression. Certain portions of Mr Snelson's speech were of a nature calculated to do the present Council an injustice, and therefore we bold it to be our duty to refer to tbem m order to place the matter m its proper light. In opening bis address he touched upon the tfery important matter of endowments, spoke of the Conference of Local Bodies, suggested, that much good could be done m that direction by the Conference, and promised that if elected he would do his best toward tbat end. Now, as a gentleman who always bas taken a lively interest m Municipal matters, he must assuredly bave known tbat the Council had already done all that it was possible for them to do ; and that bis Worship tbe Mayor was tbat veiry day at the Conference at Wellington as a delegate on behalf of Palmerston. The resolution to send a delegate bad been carried by tbe unanimous voice of tbe Council, not a single member dissenting, consequently tbe most JMr Snelson could do — supposing be could be elected m time, — would be to act m unison with the Council. When candidates unfold tbeir political or municipal programmes it is to refer to some reform which tbey will strive to effect, or measure of benefit which tbey will introduce ; and consequently Mr Snelson's utterances with regard to the Conference appear to have been by a side-wind to ingratiate himself, with the electors at the expense of tbe Council. We do not wish to accuse him of having tbat intention, but it will bear that construction. We were also very considerably surprised, that, when speaking of the starting of a fire brigade, so much stress should be made about the necessity of making application to tho insurance compauies. Most of the electors present must have known tlnjr between two and three years ago the town possessed a most efficient fire brigade ; tbat that body disbanded m sheer disgu>t,. aud that the appurtences purchased by contributions were sold for a song ; but although some m the room might not be aware of this fact, Mr Snelson certainly must bave known, that before tbat extreme course was resorted to, repeated aud the most strenuous applications were made tp the companies for' assistance. He was the head of the Council at tbe time, and m suggesting tbat application should be made, he threw a stone at bis own head, which he certainly did not deservo. Applications' were made by the captain of the brigade, by • Mr Snelson himself as Mayor, and we believe as local insurance agent, but all to no effect, the result being tbat, as we have stated, the company collapsed. Mr Snelson left the Council when bis term of office as Mayor expired, and although repeated vacancies bave since, occurred, he has never sought to return to it ; on tbe contrary he most positively refused to be placed m nomination, when interviewed for that purpose. We bave now honestly oriti- ; cised Mr Snelson's address, and turn to a more pleasing task. During his term of office as Mayor, from tbeir relative positions, the writer of

this article was brought into contact with him, and can honestly bear testimony to bis unceasing watchfulness over the interests of tbe town. This we bave written publicly, spoken privately, and .declared from a-plitform when^an occasion arose that we sdioujd do" so ;T but. at that time hehimsfelf assured usTthat. he felt convinced that shouldjwe eyer consider/he deserved: censure.Ait would bebestbwed. lii our "opinion that time has arrived, it has been given, but we are pleased to say- it required censure of a very mild na-; ture.- . Certain reports had. been spread about regarding his intended action should he be elected to the Council ; Mr Snelson has denied them, the public should believe him, as we certainly do. In the late contest WC were on the side of his opponent ; the votes of the burgesses have declared that they consider Mr Snelson to be the more fitting ; representative ; and we bow to tJbe decision of the majority ; and we will add, that if his actions as a councillor equal his watchfulness ' as Mayor, the ratepayers will have nb need to regret hi*s return. , ,