dealing whatever. Should you prove your confidence in me by returning me, I will proceed at once to whatever place the Governor may name for the first Assembly: having so arranged my private affairs that I can devote my whole time to the public duties of a Representative. This leads me to lay before yon my personal claims to a part in the first earnest and popular legislation of this country. I arrived in New Zealand in the year 1839, and have since that time taken an active part, whether in the colony or in England, in the foundation and progress, or promotion of the interests, of the Settlements of Wellington, Nelson, New Plymouth, Otago, and Canterbury. I have recently invested a considerable sum of money in the purchase of land in this District. Ido not found on this fact any great claim to represent you, because I think that our Constitution places the poorest householder on a political i equality with the wealthiest owner of land or stock: but it will at least assure you that my interests are identified with those of the Province and District. During the last five months I have been residing at Wellington, in order to learn, at that central place, as much as possible of the manner in which the Constitution is to be inaugurated, and of the opinions of leading men in the other Settlements. I trust, then, that my short absence has not rendered me less worthy of your trust. In conclusion, I feel that five years is too long a terra for your Representatives to have an unconditional tenure of power. Those in whom you have most confidence are as yet untried in public affairs. New men and new circumstances arise more rapidly in a new than in an old country. Opinions are more often and rapidly modified by those circumstances. I feel that, on many subjects, my own opinions might become in advance, or in arrear, of those of the greatest number of you. If once convinced of this, I should be ashamed to seem, while not really being, your Representative. I therefore promise that, if you do me the honour to elect me, I will at the end of every Session lay before a public meeting of the electors an account of the performance of my duties and of my reasons for so performing them : and I also promise that, if I should then receive a requisition signed by a majority o£ the constituency calling upon me to resign, I will at once comply with their request. I have the honour to be, Gentlemen, Your most obedient and faithful servant, Edward Jektsingham Wakefield. Christclmrch, Aug. 15,1853. To the Electors of the Christchurch Country District. Gentlemen, T beg to offer myself as a Candidate for a -*- seat in the Provincial Council, as one of your Representatives; and if you honour me with your confidence and support shall constantly endeavour to promote the welfare and interests of this colony. I am, Gentlemen, Your's obediently, W. B. Bray. To the Electors of the Christclmrcli Country District. Gentlemen, TJpINDING that an impression prevails -*- that my duties as Returning Officer will prevent me from coming forward as a Candidate at the ensuing Election of Members of the Provincial Council, I have the honour to inform you that his Excellency the Governor, acting upon the 37th clause of the Proclamation of the sth March, has deputed to me the power of appointing a Returning Officer in the event of my declining to act personally in that capacity,— which power I propose to act upon. I therefore once more offer myself as a Candidate for the honour of being one of your Representatives in the Provincial Council, assuring you, that should you do me the honour to elect me, it will at all times be my most anxious endeavour to promote your interests to the utmost extent of my power. I have the honour to be, Gentlemen, Your very faithful servant, Charles Simeon.
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Bibliographic details
Lyttelton Times, Volume III, Issue 137, 20 August 1853, Page 4
Word Count
668Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 Lyttelton Times, Volume III, Issue 137, 20 August 1853, Page 4
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