page break

Mr J. Aitken Connell (candidate for Eden) delivered in the Choral Hall, Auckland, on July 25th, an address to "Young Colonials," being the second of his series of "Monday Evening Political Addresses." There was an assemblage of fully a thousand persons, of which by far the largest proportion were youths and young men.

MrConnell, on making his appearance upon the platform, was received with cheers. He said: Ladies and Gentlemen,—I am compelled to ask you to-night as usual to choose your own chairman, for I have no chairman to propose.

After an awkward pause Mr Geo. Akers proposed that Mr Wm. Kelly (former member for the East Coast) should take the chair. (Applause.)

Mr Council called for a show of hands in favour of the proposition, and a large number were held up. Another long pause ensued.

Mr Kelly declined the honour on the ground that he was not an elector of the district.

Mr Connell: Well, it is rather an unusual thing in a large meeting of this kind that we cannot get a man to take the chair. If you cannot give me a chairman, I shall be obliged to choose one myself. I am quite in your hands, gentlemen.

Mr Akers was then proposed, but declined.

Mr. J. R. Green next moved that Mr. J. M. Philson should take the chair.

Mr. Philson: I am not an elector in this district.

Mr. Connell: That does not at all matter; you had better take the chair.

Mr. Philson: Much obliged, but I would rather not.

At this stage, loud cries of "Hodge!" were raised, and Mr. Connell said that he would be very glad if Air. Hodge would come forward and take the chair.

Mr. Hodge, however, did not appear to be present, and the proceedings again hung tire.

After a minute or two of hesitation Mr Connell said: There is a gentleman here I would like extremely to take the chair. I will tell you why later on. He is a young colonial (cheers), and I beg, therefore, that this gentleman here [pointing to Mr George Sexton] should take the chair. Mr Sexton, however, preferred to retain his seat, and firmly shook his head to all Mr Connell's inducements for him to mount the platform.

Finally, Mr Connell said: Well, gentlemen, if you cannot give me a chairman, you cannot expect me to give you a speech.

Hereupon Mr Geo. Akers rose from his seat, strode up to the platform and took the chair, amidst loud cheers. In opening the meeting he said: Ladies and gentlemen,—Electors of Auckland city,—On account of being called to the chair, I think I am hero in my right place. (Applause.) Mr Connell told us the other night that he was an old colonial. Well, I am also an old colonial. (Applause.) He told us too that in the year 1859 he stood on the Queen-street Wharf with only sixpence in his pocket. To that I may say that, in the same year, I was for three weeks in Auckland with only sixpence in my pocket. I went up in the world after that, but I have come down again since. Ladies and gentlemen, I trust you will give an impartial hearing to Mr Connell for his address. (Cheers.)