Page 5 Advertisements Column 1

Lyttelton Times, Volume II, Issue 100, 4 December 1852, Page 5

They will also do well to ascertain how far the candidates are prepared to insist, by firm, temperate, and incorruptible conduct, on the carrying on of Government by officers who shall be responsible to the majority of the Representatives. The selection is the more difficult, because the journey to, and sojourn at, Wellington, must involve a considerable loss of money to a Member, whether in actual expenses of travelling, and lodging in a strange place, or in the temporary abandonment of his pursuits here. Unless, therefore, the surest reliance can be placed in his honour and firmness, he will be the more liable to accept an official situation from the Governor, by the acceptance of which he may bind himself to maintain the whole power of Government at Wellington, or to abandon the ranks of the majority which could only by union and unflinching resolution compel the Governor to acknowledge the responsibility of his officers to the Representatives of the people. 11. Superintendent. Next in importance to the election of the right men as members to the General Assembly, appears to be that of the best man among you as Superintendent of this province. He is to be chosen by the whole number of electors in the province, before tlie election of members to the Provincial Council takes place. Your choice can be disallowed by the Governor; and the office will become vacant if the Governor signify such disallowance within three months to t!ie Speaker of the Provincial Council. The Governor can also at any time remove the Super, intendent from his office, on receiving an address praying for such removal from a majority of the Provincial Council. In either case there would be a new election. It is appointed by the Act, that the Superintendent shall receive the written resignations of members of the Provincial Council; refer questions of vacancies to the Council; issue writs for new elections on being satisfied that vacancies have occurred ; convene the Council at such time and place as he may choose, and prorogue it from time to time whenever he may deem fit, provided that a session be held once a year; make, with the advice and consent of the Provincial Council, all laws for the peace, order, and good government of the province, excepting on the reserved subjects above mentioned ; approve of the standing rules and orders adopted by the Council for the despatch of business; recommend all money-bills to the Council, and grant warrants for the issue of money; transmit drafts of laws for the consideration of the Council; and give or withhold his assent to bills passed by them: These alone are duties of considerable importance: but it is most likely that the General Assembly will render the Office yet more important, by granting larger powers to the Provincial Councils, and by giving to the Superintendent executive powers, and the appointment of all Provincial Officers,, under responsibility to the Provincial Council. In the negotiation, too, between the Canterbury Association and the Provincial Council to which we shall presently advert, this Officer's duties will probably be to conduct that negotiation on the part of the Council, to suggest to them the most advisable means of carrying it : on, and to confer with them on its final result. In this, as in all other matters of local importance, the Superintendent is pointed out as ; the officer who is to suggest measures to the Provincial Council and ascertain their wishes thereupon; who is to put into shape the expression of their sentiments when dealing with other officers or powers ; who is, in short, to be the head and helm of the settlement; in whom, therefore, the majority of the community is to place the highest confidence as their leader, and the director of their local affairs. The question has already been raised, whether or not it may be advisable that your Superintendent, whoever he may be, should be also a Member of the General Assembly for a short period, say during the first session, in order that there may be a mutual understanding as to the manner in which the Constitution is to be worked, It will be for you to determine whether, in your opinion, the duties al- - ready enumerated are of such a nature that they could only be well done by your leader on the spot, or whether they are so trifling that he - may add the duties of a totally different officer, \a. Member of the House of Representatives, to ;Uhem : Avhether they are so unimportant that he ' may, without mischief, render their due performance impossible by going to Wellington to