Chap. XI. LIST OP ALDERMEN. 269 
which suggested a list of Aldermen for election, held 
meetings, and canvassed voters. The canvassing began 
even l^efore the registry of voters ; for the two parties 
paid the registry-fee for many of the electors. The 
meetings were most stormy ; and at one of them Dr. 
Evans was pulled off the table upon which he had 
climbed in order to address the populace, by a rough 
stock-keeper from South Australia who was on a visit 
to the settlement. 
Placards, advertisements, electioneering cards and 
squibs, were in as great profusion as on the occasion 
of a contested election for a borough in England. 
On the day of poll, flags and a band of music 
paraded the beach with some of the popular candidates ; 
distinctive cockades were worn ; and the straw hut 
inside the pa, generally used as a Police-office, but now 
as the booth of the returning officer, was surrounded by 
agents of both parties, eager to force cards with their 
own list into the hands of each voter as he arrived. 
All the usual tricks and intrigues were resorted to ; 
and bribery, in the shape of glasses of grog, was largely 
at work. Mr. Macdonnell, the laird of Kai JJ^ara 
Pf^ara, who had received 25/. wherewith to register 
the votes of some of his Highland following, from 
the Gentry's Committee, betrayed them at the last mo- 
ment. He was exceedingly fond of his glass ; and 
Johnny Wade, the " popular candidate," hob-and- 
nobbed with him after breakfast till he had won his 
heart, and then formed a procession with his clan 
to the poll in rather a discreditable state, with 
drums beating and colours flying. The Highlanders 
of course did whatever was done by the " laird." 
But notwithstanding many such tricks, the " Gentry " 
secured a very good Council, and the Aldermen might 
be held to represent the community very fairly. 
