OTAGO.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXII, Issue 2675, 12 February 1866, Page 5

OTAGO.

Mr. John Bathgate retires from his candidature for Port Chalmers, the electors of which, it will be remembered, had assured him of hia unopposed return. Mr. Bathgate, in his address at the pnblic meeting, explicitly stated that his candidature depended on the decision of the directors of the Bank of Otaeo; and his retirement is the consequence of information by the last mail, that the Court of Directors, after maturely considering the question of his entering the Assembly, had come to the conclusion that it was not advisable he should do so. Mr. Bathgate fully explains hia position in an address published in another column. No doubt the electors off Port Chalmers will be much disappointed. The electors of the Taieri district are to meet on Wednesday evening, "to consider what steps are necessary to have the district properly represented." Mr. A. J. Burns, who, with Mr. Macan<irew, sat last session for the Bruce district, is the only one yet named as a candidate. For the Mamiherikia district, our Dunstan correspondent informs us that Captain Baldwin is being brought forward, as well as Mr. J. B. Bradshaw. We understand that endeavours are being made to avoid a contest for the representation of the Waikouaiti district, mainly with a view to ensure that both Mr. Dick and Mr. Vogel shall have spats in the new Assembly. We believe that Mr. Dick would have gladly stood for the Caversham district, and would have been certain of election, had he not consented to bo brought forward for Waikouaiti. In consequence of this, some of the most active politicians in Caversham district have suggested that the two bodies of requisition ists at Waikouaiti should endeavour to come to an agreement as to which candidate really has the less chance of election ; aud that, if that can be done, the gentleman indicated would be at once invited to stand for Caversham. At present, a reply from Waikouaiti is being waited for. — Otago Daily Times.