Page 5 Advertisements Column 3

Lyttelton Times, Volume XII, Issue 734, 19 November 1859, Page 5

TO THE ELECTORS OF THE AVON DISTRICT. rjENTLEMEN,—Since I took the opportunity VJ . .of stating my reasons for opposing Mr. Wyatt's re-election, in reply to those electors who requested me to come forward as a candidate, a change has taken place in the Provincial Executive. As tliero are no longer the same grounds for contesting the seat which existed np to last night, I feel sure that I shall best consult your wishes as well as my own by retiring from the field. It would not bo justifiable without good cause to entail upon a constituency the trouble and annoyance of a contested election. I beg to tender my thanks for the promises of support which I received, and to assure those electors who were prepared to vote for me, that I fully understood the grounds on which they opposed the gentleman who has represented the district for some time back. It is satisfactory to find that strong differences of opinion can exist without degenerating into personal and party warfare. I have the honor to be, gentlemen, Your most obedient servant, CHARLES C. BOWEN. Christchurch, Nov, 16,1859. TO THE ELECTORS OF THE AVON DISTRICT. p ENTLEMEN,—But a few days ago, and I announced to you my intention of going to the poll with Mr. Wyatt. It was not then possible for me to determine how far the success or nonsuccess of requisitional agency would be likely to affect the confidence of the gentleman on whose behalf such vigorous exertions were at that time being carried on, and under so perfect a system of disjointed sub-deputyism. It was not then possible for me to know that on the certainty of a requisition-invoked majority alone depended the coming forward of Mr. Bo wen or not; nor could I in any way from Canterbury retrospection have had any grounds for believing that, even in a session so memorable, so commonplace a matter as expediency would have suggested to the Provincial Treasurer either the good sense or honour of his investing such office with that responsibility so justly a part of it. Nor yet could I, still further, have imagined that from this time out, in identifying himself with his party, he would have made up his mind to stand or fall with them. I have said that I could not possibly have imagined this. And neither did I; but nevertheless it is so, and in its truth and confirmation I have since been certified. That the office of the Provincial Treasurer should necessarily be endued with responsibility, and that its holder should stay in office but for the time of his sitting on the Government benches, I never had but one opinion, and that from first to last, now and ever! Therefore, under this latter circumstance, solely—• namely, that of my wishing to seethe Provincial Treasurer a man of-responsibility—so far as his seat in the Executive be understood—and not a sham without it, so far do I now beg leave to forego my intention of offering myself for your support on the present occasion, and in the stead to solicit its reservation for a period not very distant, when I hope to have the honour of representing you. To all. of you who so frankly volunteered me your votes, I desire to return my most sincere thanks, as equally to those who would have voted for me had you but known my intention of standing before you were pledged. But to every registered elector (as well as to those who should be and will on the next occasion) I would say, as a general rule, fight shy of requisitions. Look at them in a suspicious light, and never at any time so far commit yourself as to blindly sign that that after reflection may make you sorry for. In the system of requisitioning as pursued, I have no belief. Could it in all instances be put forward as the free-will offering of an honest conviction or the prompting of spontaneous unanimity, then could I respect it, but not when it is made to serve the huckstering dodges of electioneering tricks alias kicks. I would even go still further and say, never pledge yourselves to any man, but at the time and place do as you like. The straightforward and independent politician, by whom no fear should be entertained, no more needeth a requisition before determining upon avowing his intention than the weak and ductile man needs the plastic power of the political moulder before showing the impress of his weakness. Gentlemen electors, in again thanking you for your proffered support, and in the reiterating of its future acceptance, I have the honor to remain, gentlemen, Your obedient servant. WESTBY HAWKSHAW PERCIVAL. Christchurch, Nov. 15,1859. p.g.—Since the above was written, report says that Mr. Bowen will not stand; but, should he not, I shall ask the electors to vote for me. ST. ANDREW'S SOCIETY. President : Mark P. Stoddart, Esq. Vice-Peesident : T. S. Duncan, Esq. Chaplain : Rev. C. Eraser. Committee : R. Wilkin, Esq., R. Waitt, Esqi, D. Innes, Esq., W. K. McDonald, Esq., R, D. Thomson, Esq., J. S. Caverhill, Esq., Allen McLean, Esq., James Meldrum, Esq., James.Mcllwraith, Esq., D. McFarlane, Esq., The Members of the Society and their friends will celebrate St. Andrew's Day, (30th Nov.) by a Dinner in the Royal Hotel. Chair to be taken at 5 p.m. Applications to be sent to the subscriber on or before SATURDAY, 26th instant. W. THOMSON, Secretary. Christchurch, 16th November, 1859. POTATOES. ON sale at the Ir«n Store, Canterbury Street, the best Derwents in large or' small quantities. Also About Twelve cords of Manuka firewood. HENRY CHARLES COSIER. BALLAST. NOTICE 1* CAPTAINS AND AGENTS OF VESSELS. f^ EORGE BOOTH, master and owner of VX the ketch Ada, is prepared to supply the best stone ballast in any quantity at the very low price of Four shillings per ton (weight guaranteed). Orders left with the undersigned will receive immediate attention. HENRY CHARLES COSIER, Commission Agent. Lyttelton, November 18^