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DRAYTON.
THE ELECTION FOR THE PASTORAL
DISTRICTS O ii",.CLARENCE AND DAR-
LING DOWNS.
(From a GorretpondeiU to (lie Moreton Bay Free
' Frets, September'18.) '
' Tlie nomination of a member for tho above
Districts took. piuco at Drayton on Tuesday, 9th
September, at noon, in tho Court House. C. .Rol-
leston, Ksq., R. Ramsay, Esq., W. Leith' Hay, Ksq.,
Dr. Buchanan, . Rev. ll. Glennie, 0. Savage, Esq.,
Frederick Isaac, Esq.j Charles Houghton, Esq.,
nnil several other ..gentlemen connected with:
tim District, and town of Drayton wero present.
' Tho business of tho mooting was opjned by Ar-
thur Hodgson, Esq., Returning Odicor, who, having
read his commission, called upon the gentlemen
present to nominate a member for the ubovo Dis-
tricts.
Robert Runs.iy, Esq., then ross and spoke ns
follows i-Uofore proceeding to tho business of
tho day, tie bogged to congratulate those present
on the occasion of their being met together.
That day, for the first time, tlioy word called
upon to'perform the duties of ïréomen. to exercise
those privileges which every Uri tish subject was
in tho habit of considering its a birth-rigtit, viz. :
n, right to a voioo in his own taxation, and in tho
disposal of tho revenue, ' to which ho; has con-
tributed (cheon). Thia right had been somewhat
tardily conceded to tho residouts beyond tho
boundaries ; but ho trusted that tho result of
tho olections which ara now going on throughout
tli9 pastoral districts, would provo that.it might
have been conceded long sinco-conceded not
only with safety, but with advantage,to tho Com-
munity.. He'trusted that no unworthy motives
would influence electors in the disposal of their
votes-that thoy would put on ono side nil eon
si (orations of à personal , omi party, nature, and
looking1 only to tho important duty they had to
perform, voto for'such mon ns wero capable bf
understanding'.'and advocating thoir interests
(bear, hoar). In this district no choice was af-
forded, as ho understood tliero was not .likely to
be any opposition to tho gentleman whoso name
ho should have tho honour of projipsiiig. ^ IIo,
thought," therefore,! that they were very fortu-
nato in having as a candidate ono in every way HO
(unexceptionable a's the gentleman who had so-'
licitad their votes (cheers). He belioved, if they
WJM to search tho two districts, they . could not
find n man bettor fitted to bo their representativo
than Mr. George Farquhar Lîslie (loud > cheers).
Tba name of Leslie was connected with thu earliest
history of the Downs ; it was owing to the energy
and cnterprisa of Mr. Patrick. Leslie that tins
magnificent district was first thrown open to tho
colonists. If he were preceded in tho actual dis-
covery by the late Mr. Cunningham, he was nt
least the first to render' Mr. .Cunningham's
discoveries available-ho ' was ' tho first
to settle there,' the first to bring stock, aud
since that timo ho and his' family had been
known as influential and public-spirited mem-
bers of the : oommunity. tíuch considerations
as these might porhaps appear to givo Mr.
Leslio some claim upon their suffrages ; but
it was upon .very different grounds that ho
caine forward, lia appeared as tho supporter
of certain opinions, of which, if they approved,
.1_Ur_l._Ul- __ ." "1 .." l.!".
thoir votes. These opinions wero well known
to thom all-they bad been expressed in Mr.
Leslie's publia speeches,- they lind boen
manifested in his public actions-and proba-
bly before they parted to-day they would bo
still more fully explained. The time it was
necessary ho, Mr. llamsny, should allow for
the speakers who wera to follow as well as for
tho other business of tho doy, rendered lt not
advisable, os tho fact of this not being ir
contested election made it unnecessary, that
ho should enter on several important subjects,
on which ho should otherwise liavo liktd to
touch ; but there were two questions which, as
they had. excited considerable interest of late,
and as their dcoision would naturally affect tho
prospects of tlie Northern Districts, ho could
not pass over altogether in silence, 'i'hoy
Would anticipate that he alluded to Transpor-
tation and Separation. These might both bo
considered as questions hardly affecting other
portions of tho colony. Transportation os con
ncctcd with tho Middle District, might bo
looked upon as settled in--'tho negative, sinco
Ofen thoso who had hitherto been its most
staunch supporters lind declared their opinion that
tho late discoveries of gobi have effected so great
» change in tho position of tho colony ns to ren-
der the renewal of the system no longer desir-
able. With them no such discoveries havo as yet
been made, and lt would thereforo bo prematuro
in thoso who havo hitherto advocated tue subject
to make any chango in tho expression of their
epiuioua founded upon tho supposition that euch
they would probably think
ft dit »very would be mode, (Loud cheero.) Mr.
Leslie, iw they wera aware, had supported tbs
system on the broadest ground», as being benefi-
cial to tho mother country, to the colony, and to j
tho prisoners themselves, not, as had buen asserted
for ids own aggrandisement, for if Ito looked only
to obtaining cheap labour hu would import Chi-
nese, men who could bo obtained in any number,
and on terms much lower than Europeans ; but
taking tho view which bocumo a man who, wliilo
emigrating to a colony, did not forget that ho
was still a British subject, and who in bis endea-
vours to advuuco tho interests of his adopted
country, remembered also t hose of hisnatural coun-
try. (Loudaudprolongcdcheoriug.) Mr. Leslie was
also a strong advocate for Separation. Ho was
one of the first to tako up thc subject, ho had
been ono of tho most active in supporting it, and
they might expect before long that tho result of
tho labours in which ho took so largo a share,
would bo received iu tho ahupe of an answer to
tho petition signed ou tho 8th of January
last. (Long continued cheers.) That this answer
would bo favourable they could hardly doubt,
provided no chango took placo amongst Her
Majesty's ministers ; but as from tho last ac-
counts such a chango scorned very probable, they
could' nt present do little moro tuan wait with
what patience they could until they were en-
lightened as to tho result. Should tho Colonial
Secretaryship full into tho hands of ono of those
who had been tallied of as likely to succeed Lord
Groy, they might ' probably, see the North
Australian scheme renewed; if into tho hands of
another, transportation.to any part of tho world
would bo likely for a timo ut least to cease.
Either course would probably have tho effect, of
delaying separation, a conclusion which ho be-
lieved they all most earnestly deprecated. Apo-
logising for tho length of timo ho bad occupied
their attention, and thanking them for tho pa-
tient hearing they bad given him, Mr. Hamsay
begged to propose Mr. George Farquhar Leslio as
a fit and proper person to represent their inte-
rests in the approaching Legislative Council.
(Prolonged cheering.)
William Leith Hay, Esq., then roso to second
thc nomination of Mr. Leslie. This was tho first
timo, ho said, they had been called u¡ on to return
a member to the Legislative Council, and be was
quito sure they could not make dioica of a better
person than Slr. G. Leslie. Ile felt convinced ho
would do everything in his power for tho benefit
and interest of these districts. Ho (Mr. Hay)
would not take up their time by stating bis po-
litical opinions; Mr. Leslie would address them
himself ou that subject; ho (Air. Bay) only
hoped, in the event of a contest, that they would
all give him their undivided support, and lie had
much plcasuro thcreforo in seconding . tho
nomination of Mr. George Leslie as a fit and
proper person to represent tho Pastoral Dis-
tricts of Clarence and Darling Bowii3.
(Cheers.) ' .
- , George F. . Leslie, Esq., then rose and-iras
greeted with loud applause. , Ho said ho ap-
peared before them that day according to a pro-
mise given in his answer to a numerously signed
requisition which ho had tho honour to receive,
asking him to allow himself to bo nominated as a
Candidato for tho, representation of tho United
Pastoral Districts of Clarcnco River and Darling
Downs, in tho new Legislative Council.' lio
again, thanked thoso gontlcmen who hud dono him
tho honour of offering him' their support. (Hear,
hear.) Nb .opposition, lind boon offered.for tho re-
presentation of these districts ; but' had thcro
boen such he should'have made a personal can-
vass,) in order to givo uti exposition of ? his prin-
ciples. Should he bc returned and. occupy tho
honourable' position of their representative, it
should be his constant study, to act conscienti-
ously ; and the wishes of'tho constituency, and
wants of these districts moro particularly, ai well
as tho interests of tho colony at large, should
always have tho, greatest, attention which ho
could bestow'or his abilities suggest. (Chcors.)
' As in every constituency there must bo diversity
of opinion on almost every subject, ho could not
expect to disohargo the duties which he took upon
himself, satisfactorily to all, but as.he had before
stated, ho would endeavour to act conscientiously,
and thereby hopo to satisfy tho wishes of tho
greater part of tho Electors. (Cheers.) Ho
should only inuko a few brief allusions to sonic
of the principio questions of interest amongst
thom. Ho would advocato mid support the
squatting and agricultural interests to thoutmost
of his power. Tho squatting interests had .made
tho colony and now supported it. (Cheers.) In
his answer to tho requisition, ho stated that ho
was au uncompromising advocato for transporta-
tion (deafening chcors) ; at thc same time be-
lieving that separation could only be obtained by
a compliance with' tho proposals of tho Imperial
Government. . Ho would always advocato
tho introduction ' of English emigration
labour in preference to any .othor ;
but ho must say that with his exporienco ofr tho
working of tho oxilo system, ho'very much prc-,
forred it to tho.introduction of Chincseor Coolies.
Ho again, said that in tho absence of an adequate
supply of labour to carryon and develop thc re-
sources of tho colony, his opinions wore un-,
changed, and that ho would advocate tho intro-
duction of exiles to thc Northern'Districts,
accompanied by an equal number .of freo emi-
grants, in preference to a continuation of tho
present system of transportation to Van piemen's
Land, or tho establishment ol' a penal colony to
tho northward of Moreton Day. ' (Loud cheers.)
At tho samo time he (Mr. Leslie) should always
respect tho opinions mid wishes of tho constitu-
ency, and would not advocato this question
contrary to the opinions of tho majority of tho
electors, oven should his own romain unaltered.
(Cheers.) Ho should do all itt his power to ob-
tain a fair share of tho revenue for clturoh and
school purposes, and repairs to roads and bridge.».
Ile had no doubt that all would agree with him
in thinking that they had never rccoivod this,
and that they wero entitled to their surplus as-
sessment funds for local expenditure. He was
.in favour of the national system of education in
country districts, which wore not sufficiently
populous, or tho population, too scattered, to be
ablo to alford tho necessary support to tho dono
minntional system. At tho samo timo ho should
always advocato that a fair slmro should bo
allotted to each system. (Loud cheers.) Ho
should oppose any extension of tho franchise,
although some alteration might bo advisablo
in the detail of tho qualification. : (Chcors.) Ho
should also oppose ; any, reduction in tho price
of Crown lands, on which point ho expected,
many would differ iii opinion with him, and
he'would talco tho liberty of drawing tho atten-
tion of - those who' had : not already perused it,
to a report of tho Colonial Land and Emigration
Commissioners, which appeared in a lato
Si/dnci/ Herald, and1 also to Lord Grey's
Despatch of 14th August; 1850, to tho Go
voruor-Gcnorol, which ¡ accompanied . tho same.
Ila would opposo tho vesting of tho solo con-
trol of tho waste lands of tho Crown in tho
Legislativo Council. With regard to . tho lato
tliscovoryi of ? gold 'in . the colony,.'. luv was of
opinion that it: was most advantageous for tho
interest.and.welfaro of tho, country,; and all
that wits wanted to completo their prosperity,
was tho discovery of gold in tho Northern
Districts, and this ho predicted would tako
placo ero many mouths ¡ elapsed (loud chcors).
Tho i gold dlsoovory might sottlo the exile
question, as their friends of tho Middlo Dis '
tricts so anxiously oxpoctod and desired ; but
it would bo tinto enough to say so when they
saw > this result realised. Ho ¡ considored. that
until ( such timo us they saw n sufficient
influx bf population for their labour wants,
whethor that might ' result from tho gold
discovery, or any other cause, thoy wero
bound to support tito oxilo, question., Ho
incant to support it . on philanthropic, grounds
ns well ns' for selfish interests. At the same
time ho did not wish ' to seo tho wilges of tho
working man reduced below a reasonable rato,
or lie might say thu present antes ; and ns many
of, tho electors wero tradesmen mid working men,
in addressing thom ho would say that ho no ver
would support class legislation, and that ho
would most conscientiously pledgo himself to sup.
port'and'advocate their interests equally with
thoRoof any other class of tho electors. (Mr.
Leslie sat down amidst continuod chenriug.)
At tho conclusion of Mr. .Leslie's address, Mr.
David Harry, shoemaker, of'Dray tqn, came for
ward and gavohis cordial support to Mr. Leslie,
approving as ho did of his principles, and ? moro
especially of. Ida sentiments lu regard to class,,
legislation. . r
Tho Returning Officer then t'ose'(ind enid, that I
ihi "Inly which devolved upon him was a short
but pleuaint ono ; lt was tu doelur.: that George
fat-'jiilmr Leslie, Esq-., ol' fluming Downs, hud
been that day returned «* mouther of tho Legisla*
tivo Council ol' NTuw Houtli VVules, for tho Eloo.
tomi District of. tho United Postural Districts of
Clarence und Darling Downs. It would ill bo.'
como him in his present position to dwell at any
length on this olection, but thus much ho would
say, and s.iy it with pleasure, that ho did .heartily
and sincerely congratúlate Mr. Leslie on tho high
honour which had that day been conferred upon
bim. (Cheers.) Ile entirely ro-echocd tho senti-
ments so well and so ably expressed by tho gen-
tlemen who had proposed and seconded Mr.
Leslie, and whilst indeed he congratulated that
gentleman on tho happy result of tho election, bo
begged to bo allowed also °to congratulate his
brother electors, on having scourod tbs sorvices
of such a valuable member-for ho felt confident
that, hod they searched tho whole colony, they
could not havo placed tho growing iutorests of
this all-important district ia moro able or moro
honest hands. (Loud cheers.)
Three cheers wore then given for tho now
member, and a considerable number of the elec-
tors adjourned to tho Downs Inn, whoro thoy
partook of a champagne luncheon, which Mr.
Leslie had liberally ordered to bo provided.
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