Page 1 Advertisements Column 3

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume II, Issue 18, 22 January 1867, Page 1

TO THE ELECTORS OE TEE PROVINCE OF NELSON. GENTLEMEN— In announcing to you that it is my inteniion to offer myself as a candidate for the position of Superintendent Avhen that office shall have iiecome vacant by the retirement of Air Saunders, I should perhaps apologise for doing so in the absence of any formal requisition to that effect, signed by a number of the constituency. But my experience of political affairs leads me to attach but a moderate value to such documents, and I prefer to place myself unreservedly in your hands, asking only for your unpledged and unfettered support if, after carefully Aveigliing the qualifications of the various candidates who may present themselves, you are satisfied that you would best serve the interests of tbe community by giving it to me. The gold-fields of the West Coast, to which we are indebted, directly or indirectly, for so considerable a portion of our revenue, will continue to call for unremitting attention on the part of the Provincial Government. The prompt, energetic, and prudent management of these goldfields by Mr Saunders has, as you are probably aware received my constant support as a member of the Provincial Council; and, as regards this part of the duties of the Superintendent, I should endeavor to carry out the policy whicii has been so ably initiated. I am however firmly convinced that the resources of the Arestern district of the province can never be fully developed, nor the full benefit of those resources be experienced by the community, until the projected railway from Nelson to Cobden and Westport has been constructed. The power to give land in payment for this most important Avork has been granted to the Superintendent by an Act of the General Assembly, but it remains to find contractors willing to undertake its execution upon these terms. To effect this object I should, in the event of my election, devote myself heart and mind; believing as I do, that its accomplishment is the one thing needed to relieve the province from the comparative stagnation which has so long prevailed, and to bring greatly increased prosperity to all classes of its inhabitants. I am Avell aware of the difficulties Avhich have to be faced, and of the energy, determination, and perseverance Avhich are required to surmount them; but I should set to Avork animated by the hope and belief that those difficulties can be overcome, and that the contractors, as Avell as the province, Avould be largely benefitted by the undertaking. While looking upon the West Coast Railway as the public Avork which, affecting as it does so greatly the welfare of the province as a whole, claims the largest share of the attention of your Superintendent, there are others in whicii I have long felt deep interest, and Avhich I should do my utmost to carry into execution. Amongst them are the construction of a Dry Dock or Patent Slip in Nelson Harbor; the introduction of Pure Water for the supply of the inhabitants of the City of Nelson, and the shipping of the Port, as Avell as for the prevention of calamitous fires ; and tbe erection of Bridges over the Waimea and Hurunui rivers. The active part Avhich I have taken for many years past in pressing tlie value and importance of the Coal-fields in various parts of the province upon tbe attention of the Provincial Government and Council, makes it, I think, almost superfluous for me to assure you that the subject would meet Avith no neglect or indifference at my hands. My general political opinions must be so Avell knowivto most of you, that I think it unnecessary to enter upon any expression of them in this address; but when the resignation of Mr Saunders has been officially announced, I shall lose no time in visiting the various electoral districts, so as to give the whole constituency of the province the opportunity of learning my vieAvs upon all subjects in Avhich they feel an interest respecting them. I have the honor to be, Gentlemen, Your most obedient servant, OSWALD CURTIS. TO THF, ELECTORS OF THE PROVINCE OE NELSON. Gl ENTLEMEN, — It is my intention to become T a candidate for the Superintendentship of the Province at the approaching vacancy, iam encouraged to take this step, not only from general considerations of the very large support accorded to me at the last general election for that office, but by the direct invitation of a large body of my then friends and supporters, as well as by numerous requ_sts on the part of those avlio did not on that occasion give me their support. Having so recently given my views on those questions of provincial interest on which it is necessary that a candidate should declare himself, I do not noAv feel myself called on to repeat them. The only important question of this character whicii has since arisen, is that of the railway from Nelson to the West Coast; and here I Avill merely say that no efforts of mine shall ever be Avanting to the furtherance of a measure tending so incalculably in every Avay to the development of the various resources of the province and the increase of its prosperity. , AAvaiting those opportunities that AA'ill soon occur for the fuller expression" of my vieAvs. I have the honor to be, Gentlemen, Your obedient servant, 1624 J. W. BARNICOAT.