The Lyttelton Times. February 12, 1853.

Lyttelton Times, Volume III, Issue 110, 12 February 1853, Page 6

The Lyttelton Times. February 12, 1853.

We- some weeks past called upon the Electors not to promise their votes to the two Gentlemen then in the field for the honor of the Superintendency, as there was a rumour that the gallant Commissioner of Crown Lands intended coming forward. la mentioning the circumstance we were then accused of palming a joke upon the public, but the address in our columns to-day will shew that we were correct, and that Colonel Campbell had deferred his intentionsonly until, in his own words, the " Constitution was proclaimed in New Zealand by his Excellency the Governor, to whose liberal suggestions we are chiefly, if not entirely, indebted for it."

It will be seen that the Commissioner is not coming forward unsupported; for it has been intimated to him that " almost the whole of the land and householders of the Akaroa district and Banks Peninsula in general —also the occupants of sheep and cattle-runs in the extensive districts under his charge—as likewise some CanterburyColonists"—are desirous that he should offer himself as a Candidate; and thus backed up the gallant Colonel fearlessly appeals to the Constituency of Canterbury. • The address is a gem in its way, taken either as a " Curiosity of Literature," or as enunciatory of his opinions; but since- " nothing but itself can be its parallel," we forbear to make any strictures upon it as a literary composition, contenting ourselves with some comments upon its public viewsi

Unlike ordinary mortals, the Colonel is not prepared to state his views like " certain candidates ;" he will not pledge himself to any " particular or prescribed line of policy;" nor "prematurely take any steps to have any part of our untried Constitution at once altered to suit his views or fancies." He simply says—only elect me, and then you will see what I will do. We cannot help thinking that the Constituency will require something more than this, and will hesitate to elect an individual who is prepared to be the obedient, humble, servant of his Excellency the Governor. A few vague and general observations about "frustrating any attempt to diminish our resources," and " urging the adoption of a plan based upon sound and liberal principles for the future disposal of the Waste Lands" —will hardly satisfy the requirements of the Settlement that its Superintendent should be prepared to promote the general principles upon which it was founded, and render it thoroughly independent. To ensure this the Waste Lands of the Province must be placed at' the disposal of the Provincial Council, and not left to the arbitrary adjudication of an ii-responsible Individual who has placed the Akaroa district in a state of almost inextricable confusion.

Colonel Campbell enters at considerable length into the views he entertained and expressed in England, and how they were frustrated. We are unable to enter into this portion of his address, not being aware of what took place; but there are, at present, several gentlemen in the settlement who knew and acted with Colonel Campbell, who can, doubtless, throw a little

light upon the subject, and substantiate his statement that he ceased to be a CanterburyColonist, owing to Lord Lyttelton's " treacherous memory," and Mr. Gibbon Wakefield's " scheme of high priced land and concentration round Christchurch." We are delighted to find that Colonel Campbell—notwithstanding what has been purposely j wilfully, and ignorantly said and written against him-—intends to zealously exert himself to promote the interests of the Colonists. Open to reason and conviction, they will hear both sides of the question, and should they divest their minds of prejudices, the Colonel may rest assured of their placing confidence in him, and helping him to the object of his ambition—the Superintendency. The Colonel throws out a tempting bait in the concluding paragraph of his address about the honorary position of the Superintendent. He is quite willing to be an honorary Superintendent, if the duties of Commissioner are retained to him. We are obliged to him, therefore, for the information he conveys that his present duties are so light, that the additional ones attached to the Superintendency would cause no inconvenience.

By the " Necromancer" we have files of the Otago Witness to the sth instant, but observe nothing of particular interest. The Summer hitherto had been wet and unseasonable, and the harvest would be late ; indeed, fears are entertained that it would be seriously injured unless the weather soon improved. An attempt, similar to that bere, was'made to surprise the Otagonians, and three Vessels with flour, were driven in by distress of weather in the space of twenty four hours. The attempt, however, failed to exact inordinate prices for that commodity, as we find it selling at 255. per lOOlbs. for first quality. The Witness publishes the remarks we made on the subject, when experiencing similar benefits from unseasonable weather. Captain Cargill and Dr. Williams were in the field for the Office of Superintendent, and a warm contest was likely to ensue.

Considerable uneasiness prevails with respect to what is to be done with the Property of the Canterbury Association. There are rumours afloat that it is intended to dispose of the reserved lands round Christchurch. We mention the circumstance in the expectation that those who represent the Interests of the Association may definitely state what is intended to be done.