THE WAIMEA ELECTION.
Sir — The election is over; the man of brass has trepanned the electors, and juggled himself into the General Assembly. Neglected in bis own district, never thought of elsewhere, a flourmill meeting at Spring Grove was the chosen time and place for the applicant for the vacant seat to present himself, to cajole the facile folk of Waimea. He told his oft told tale ; they, easy people, forget his unhappy antecedents, believed him a promising candidate at least, and returned him for their representative, who, by his doings patent to all, exposes himself a myth — a flam — a failure. Beginning with his building scheme, his land scheme, and schemes no end, what, with which he has had to do, has not been a failure, even to the acts he had the questionable taste to thrust, at second hand, before that Provincial Council into which the discriminating constituents of Nelson had decided he should not enter. Yes. there was one affair, in which he took a part, which had at least a majority of signatures — that noted petition, so redolent of crude politics. Yes, he advocated " sending the Governor home," and other oddities now forgotten. We have not forgotten, however, the Nelson Political Union, at the time the election of Superintendent was on the carpet, when the worst feature of Jesuitism was attempted to be imposed upon its members, by the new representative for Waimea, to forward bis liberal views. The Union was a failure of course. Has his Motueka tergiversation, not yet explained, added to his reputation? Yes, for braggart inuendo. But greater changes loom in the distance ; the time when the advocacy of popular democracy can much aid his views has about expired, then prepare for a new move; the difference in the sounds is not great; aristocracy is like democracy, and more euphonical; centralization not unlike localization, and more in fashion. It will avail nothing, the trial has taken place, the verdict is returned; though the front of bronze remain as ever, the fact will be indelible on his mind, that he takes his seat (if ever he take it) as a myth — a flam — a failure. I am, &c, , Not a Waimea Voter. Nelson, Jnne 23, 1854. Sir — To be shown that you possess the esteem of your fellow-citizens, and that they are willing to entrust the management of their public affairs to your judgment and decision, is a compliment which any man may be proud of, and must be flattering to his self-love, whether bis constituency be the wealthy population of one of England's weathiest cities, or the residents in an obscure corner of the world, such as New Zealand. But there may be qualifying circumstances which shall go far to neutralize this satisfaction. If a candidate who courts the popular voices, and boastingly declares that nothing less than a large majority of the entire votes of a constituency shall ever batiofy him that bis deserts have been recognised, whall find himself returned as an M.P. or M.H.R. only through a lucky accident, and without receiving more than a moiety of that support which he bad laid down as necessary to induce him to (ill the office of representative, great must be his mortification. This is what has just occurred in the Waimea districts. The soi-disant " roan of (the people " told the electors of Nelson a few months ago, that he would never, not he indteri, take his seat as a representative, unless assured that he had the confidence of the majority oi the electors, and now we see him content to go to Council after receiving only the support oi onethird of a constituency,, and much of that support given by the electors, not because they loved Travers more, but because they loved Jollie less. How are the mighty fallen ! Verily, pride goeth before a fall. Yuurt. &c. Observer. P.S. I have-heard a curious story of a reason assigned for the support given to the newlyelected member; namely, the liberal electors had determined " not to be represented by a gentleman." Is hot this the "triumph of ignorance over intelligence?" THE STEAMER NELSON. Sir — The " Nelson " steamer was advertised in your issue of the 11th instant to proceed to Wellington, Canterbury, and Otago. Acting under instructions received at Wellington, she did not go beyond Canterbury. Permit me, through your columns, to address a few words of remonstrance against the breach of faith which haß been committed in not allowing her to proceed to her destination. I am well aware that " those in authority " have acted as they believed for the best, but I desire to record that very ■erious inconvenience has ensued to many persons in consequence, and to notify that legal demands for compensation must be looked for against the owners, agents, or charterers, whether they be private persons or officers of the Provincial Government, if such a course be persisted in. It appears clear to me that no steamer can serve two or more provincial chiefs any more than a servant can serve two masters, and that the interests of the general public would be best cared for by a steamer under the single contn., of the General Representative Government. Otherwise the most distant and weakest pro vinces will be sure to " go to the wall," as Otago has done in this instance. I could append very clear proof of the annoyaDce to private parties consequent on the non fulfilment of a public engagement, but refrain ffouo consideration of the late period it which 1 am constrained to ask admissiou for this note. I am, &f., June 23> 185*. E. W. W. Bhllaim.
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Bibliographic details
Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XIII, 24 June 1854, Page 5
Word Count
942Untitled Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XIII, 24 June 1854, Page 5
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