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Hawke's Bay Herald, 2 December 1857, Page 2

OPEN COLUMN.

To the Editor of the Hawke's Bay Herald. Sir, — Before this comes to hand you will doubtless have been apprised of the result of the late contest for the representation of this District. Whoever may be the successful candidates, I would venture to suggest the desirableness of all personal asperities being laid aside, and the good old country maxim fully acted on "that the elected equally represent the interests of the minority as the majority." Upon this principle, I trust our members will base, their parliamentary conduct. Strenuously urging upon the Provincial Government whatever may be requisite for the full development of the resources of this District, but at the same time, carefully avoiding any extreme course, which might tend to strengthen the hands of those who view our prosperity with ill concealed jealousy. It cannot be denied that the Government of our Superintendent, as a whole has been highly successful, and commands the admiration and confidence of our liberal friends in England. We, perhaps, may be allowed humbly to opine that too much has been done to foster the interests of Wellington and neighbourhood, and too little consideration bestowed upon our claims ; yet it should be remembered, that we have only just emerged from obscurity, and have only within the last two years been in a position to justify any considerable outlay being made for our behoof. The ingratitude of the Wellingtonians will doubtless incline the Superintendent to make every exertion to further the interests of those, who, notwithstanding their sense of having been neglected, manfully supported him in his hour cf need. It is all very natural for Messrs. F — ,or S — ,or M — ,or C — ,who have embarked in various speculations in or about the port, to clamour that the Provincial ' Government do not spend thousands in improvements which would so materially benefit themselves, yet they should recollect that other consent is necessary besides that of the Government, and we must be prepared to prove to the Provincial Council that it is not only just to us, but actually profitable to the entire province that we should be succoured and assisted to the greatest possible extent. If the Ahuriri District contained as many thousands as it does hundreds of white population, then there might be some sense in the cry of separation ; but, at present, to demand it appears to be simply farcical. I feel quite assured that the reflecting, intelligent, portion of this community will not support such a cry, unless they perceive, on the part of the people of Wellington, a fixed determination to break public faith, and wantonly to damage their individual interests. Surely to divide the Colony into a number of petty governments, must not only expose us to ridicule at j home, but must utterly preclude that homogeneity without which no country can really be great. In conclusion, I trust that the Settlers' Association, without relaxing their endeavours to draw the attention of the Provincial Government to our special wants, will yet remember the old adage, Ne quid nimis, and also consider that many of their - fellow associates, possibly as patriotic as themselves, do not ' forget that Dr. Featherston's Executive stood gallantly in the breach when the .assault was made upon the most important interests of the District. Rusticus Primus. '. . Nov. 21, 1857. . • .