MR DICK AT OAMARU.

North Otago Times, 3 August 1865, Page 2

MR DICK AT OAMARU.

Mr Thonias Dick, one of the candidates for the Superintendency, met the electors of Oamaru in the Assembly-room of Bakei's Northern Hotel, on the evening of Thursday last, at 7 o'clock. The hall was quite filled on the occasion. Mi Henry France was called to the chair, the proposition being opposed by Mr Shrimski. who insisted that that gentleman was pledged not to vote at the forthcoming election, and that it was therefore inconsistent for him to preside at that meeting. The Chairman rose and said he did not in the least deviate from any of his principles, and maintained that although he had pledged himself not to vote at the ensuing election, that did not preclude him from taking the chair at any meeting. It was true that the late meeting resolved not to record their votes ; still, he thought that when a candidate for the Superintendency came amongst them, it was right that they should entertain, him with that politeness and courtesy which a gentleman has everywhere a right to expect. However, looking to the continued neglect of the Government with lespect to this district, and to the Late enthusiastic meeting, he hoped the electors would act consistently with what they liad then resolved upon. (Cheeis.) They must not forget that the Government have been spending thousands of pounds in useless public woi ks ; that they have over and over again promised toconstiuct the Jetty here, and nothing had come of such promises ; andthatthey have been sell ing oui lands—without enabling the district to reap any benefit— to pa w their debts in Duuedin. He would say it in no disrespect to Mr Dick, the Government had been playing with them, and the last trick was the handing over of debentures to enable them to construct the Jetty. Mr France then made a few remarks on the difficulties attending the shipment of the produce of the district, and concluded by asking the meeting to receive Mr Dick in the most gentlemanlike manner, and grant him a fair hearing. (Cheers.) Mr Dick then addressed the meeting. He said he found lie had arrived in the district under very peculiar circumstances. He was much afraid that, after the energetic speech of the Chairman, there would be little use in his baying anything ; and that, if the cominunity wei e pledged to one course of action, there would be little for him to do but to go away again. As he was here, however, he should be glad to learn more of the wants of the district, and state his view s on the general topics of the day. He regretted the resolution come to at the late meeting — not for his own sake, but because the electors had renounced one of their most precious birthrights. They would find that he would piomise very little, although Mr M'Glashan, when he came amongst them, might promise to do a good many things. He (Mr M'Glashan) had seen little or nothing of political life, and was unacquainted with the trammels attaching to the office to which he aspired. Ho (Mr Dick) did not see what benefits the people of Oamam would gain by disfranchising themselves in the way they propose — by throwing away a birthright which i* ever so highly valued. If they could upset at once, by combined action with all the Provinces of the Middle Island, the system of Provincial Governments, there would be a good reason for their present mode of action. Nothing had been said, however, by Mr Chairman which appeared to justify the intention not to vote at the election. He was assured that silence would not do any good — he would rather propose a shout— (A Voice : " We've tried it.") — or deputations— (Groans, and "No ! no ! We've had too many of them already.") Meeting their members, meeting the Executive, or meeting the Superintendent, was calculated to do much more good than the maintenance of this absolute silence —this absolute abnegation of their rights. He regietted it, but having arrived in Oamaru, he would take the opportunity of explaining his views on a few of the political questions of the day. He considered, however, that the meeting would prefer his referring more especially to local subjects. During the day he had an oppoitunity of enquiring into and learniiig the wants of the district. He had looked at the place where the proposed Jetty is to be. (Applause.) He did not agree with the Chairman that the Government had done absolutely nothing in the matter. Ho was in a. position to state that it will be one of the first public works undertaken. For the last three or four weeks, plans have been prepared in the Marine Engineer's Office, and he might state that Mr Balfour considers that the Jetty as planned can be constructed for L7000. It would be seen, from » paragraph in the local paper, that Mr Holmes had seen him with respect to this matter. That gentleman agreed to take over Debentures to bo taken up by the district, and in that way he did not see any difficulty— there was no fear that the works will not shortly be proceeded with. Mr Shrimski. — Then we have to thank Mr Holmes, and not the Government, for this ? Mr Dick. — Quite so. There are no funds at present at the disposal of the Government. He was fully aware that the finances of the Province have been greatly assisted by the aales of land in this district, and he should have been veryglad to have seen some of the money expended here. The districts furthest off from Dunedin, however, suffer the most. The Molyneux District (about which Major Richardson is incessantly complaining in every session of the Council) if situated in exactly the same position as Oamaru. He regretted it, and the only consolation he could offer was, that they were not alone in their sufferings. He wished to speak candidly what he knew and what he thought on thesa matters. If they were to give him the office of Superintendent to-morrow, he could not do more for the district than a. member of the Provincial Council, for the Council votes the money, and there the great battle has to be fought. He aspired to the highest position in the Province to which they could elect him. The Superintendent, however, was not in the powerful position which many believed him to be. He asked their suffrages as having been so long connected with the affairs of the Province, and as it was an honor hitherto looked to as the highest in the Province- a position which, he considered, should

always be aspired to by our leading political men. Hd thought it very desirable that such a high position should be conferred on one acquainted with the affairs of the Province. It was not for him to boast of what he had done. They all knew that he had been for some years a public political chavacter. They had had an opportunity of judging of his qualifications to some' extent. He had often been blamed for many things in which he had had no hand— but more especially bv°th8 public Press. They all knew that editors and writers ai a not behind the scenes, and that they may make mistakes as well as others. He hardly thought it necessary to enter into a general statement of his views, but ha would just refer to one or two matters. (Applause ) First, on the subject of the Land Regulations recently passed by the Council After this Act comes into operation, there will be District Land Offices established— and most likely one at Ounaru— (Oh! gammon !)— for the purpose of receiving applications, &c, here, in place of involving a journey into town. This lias been a difficulty hitherto, and it is proposed to get over it by the formation of these district offices. With regard to the Land Resolutions, the only point on which he differed from Mr M'Glashan was on the subject of free selection. He (Mr Uick) held, in opposition to him. that there should not be free selection. He did not think it right to sell land till declared into Hundreds. Some— and Mr M'Glashan amongst them— held that land should be sold anywheie. But this plan would act very injuriously. A runholder, for instance, in the inteiior, could pick out (from his knowledge of the country) the veiy best pieces of land, and thus prevent the rest being taken up, while he could retain his run undistuibed for an indefinite period. It would be picking out the very eyes of the country, and that lie thought very wrong. It was much better to declare the lands into Hundreds. Whilst a man, too, was bieaking up his land, he could run his cattle on the Hundied, which he thought a very great advantage. He knew mnny who were in a very respectable position through being enabled to run their cattle in this manner, whilst attending to the land they bought. He was in favor of the 2s. an acre tax, or something of that soi t. Ho was in favor of no special tax, but he approved of the system. He considered that selling the land at 20s. an acre, and subject to a tax of 2s. an acre until improved to the value of 40s. per acre, encouiaged bona fide settlement, and obstructed speculative purchases. These latter he much objected to. It had been said that fhe land in Otago was very high in price, but he held that we sold land cheaper than either Canterbury or Southland. These Provinces sold at L2 an acre ; we sell at 20s., with the 2s. per acie tax. We also sell at L2 without the tax, but the former method is almost invariably preferred. He was ghid to have an oppoitunity thus of explaining his views, as Mr AI 'Glashan was also to be amongst them, and a comparison could be made of them. On the Educational question, he also differed fiom Mr M'Glashan. Mr M'Glashan held that the educational expenditure should be entirely defrayed out of the general revenue of the Province. That used to be the way— the Government providing schools and schoolmasters— but it was a most expensive system. It was aftei wards considered advisible that the districts should pay a part ; and now the Government gmnts L^O a-year for the teacher's salary, and the rest is made up by school fees, and by voluntary contributions, or bv a tax The tax is most costly, and, added to the expense of collection, is felt severely. He should be glad to see some plan adopted to reduce this system of collecting — or having it done away with altogether. In this respect, the present Education Ordinance works badly. He next alluded to the subject of Railways, and said he did not know if they wanted a railway in the district. (A Voice : " We want the Jetty first.") He thought a railway fiom Oamaru to Dunedin would act vt-ry beneficially. (Bunkum !) There was not a sufficiency of funds at command at present, but he hoped in his time to see such a system of railways carried out. (A Voice : " Not in your time !") Well, if I live to the ordinary length of human life, I do hope to see it. The district was a large and important one— espf-eially adapted for wheat— and yielded large crops. Why he thought a railway ■would benefit Oanmru was, that he knew that if farmers caited their produce to the port and shipped it to Dunedin, if would not be much cheaper than the sending it from Austiaiia. and the railway would obviate this. But he was convinced that the first thing wanted for Oamaru is the Jetty. (Great applause.) He had been to and looked at the place proposed for it, and he felt convinced of its being the great— the absolute want of this district. He was quite prepa-ed to say that, whether in the high office of Superintendent or merely a member of Council, he would consider it his duty to give all the support he could towards this object. (Applause ) He did not see what obstacles were in the way, if the works can be completed for the sum voted, or a small sum beyond it. If not, however, they must go back to the Council, as that body put their face strongly ngainst unappropi iated expenditure. Mi Dick, in conclusion, hoped that some of the electors would reconsider the resolution they had passed, and whether they voted tor him or not, he hoped they would exercise their franchise. He would do all in his power for the country — fairly and equally— whethor in the high office to which he now aspired, or whether as a member of the Provincial Council merely. Mr Shrimski.— How long, Mr Dick, may I ask you, have you been in the Kxecutive, or how long in the Government altogether? Mr Dick. — I went in about six years ago, hut I have bnen so often out and in that I* can't exactly say how much of that time I have been in office. Mr Shrimski. — If I am rightly informed, this is your first trip to Oamaru ? Mr Dick. — Yes, it is ; but I have been before as far North as Hampden. (Oh ! oh !) Mr Shrimski.- But you have heard of Oamaru, though ? (Great laughter.) Mr Dick — O yes ! Mr Shrimski. — You have never had any idea of tho capabilities and resources of this district ? Mr Dick. — Yea. I saw a piece of limestone (Oh !) today, which I thought ought to become a Tery valuable export. Mr Shrimski. — Do you know the quantity of wool shipped from this port. Mr Dick.— About 5,000 bales, 1 think. Mr Shrimski — Since you have arrived here, do you think the district an important one 1 Mr Dick.— Yes. I do. Mr Shrimski - Do you recollect what you said when a late deputation waited on you ? Mr Dick.— No. Mr Shrimski. — You said you had had no idoa of it* capabilities. Mr Shrimski. — Were you in the Executive when L15,000 or L16,000 was voted for the Kawarau Junction Road. Mr Dick. — I'm not sure. I know it was voted, but whether alL expended or not I cannot now say. Southland at that time was making great efforts to absorb the golrlfields traffic, and Otago was bound to do the same to retain it. Mr Shrimiki.— Do you know anything of the L14,000 voted for the Wanaka Lake Road ? Mr Dick. — I acknowledge that many roads have been made by mistake. The goldfields populations have be^n so changed that the roads have been useless expenditure, and I regret that so much has been thus spent. Mr Shrimski.— Should Mr M'Glaahan be elected, would you oppose him ? Mr Dick. — Certainly not. Mr Gibbs. — Will Mr Dick inform the meeting when he saw the plans in the Engineer's office ? Mr Dick. — If it be two months since the Deputation waited on him, ii was then he saw them. Mr Gibbs — I saw them three months ago, and they were then all complete. Mr Dick.— That was the first time I saw them. Not being iu my department, I might not have seen them even then, but for (he deputation coming. Mr Gil>bs. — You have said that it was considered advisable to go to great expense in the making of roads. Do vou know what sum has been thus spent ? Mr Dick. -I can't tell. The costliest work was the road to the north, but I find it only goes eight or nine miles beyond Waikouaiti. (Oh !) Mr Gibbs. -Is it half a million ? Mr Dick. — Certainly not. Mr Gibbs. — Is it a quarter of a million T Mr Dick.— No. Mr Gibbs. — Did it ever occur to you that road* should be made out of ordinary revenue ? Mr Dick. — I can't say that. The money from sales of land and ordinary revenue has always been leceived into the Treasury together. It has often occurred to me that the Land Fund should be devoted to Publio Works. Mr Gibbs.— I want to know if you think that the land proceeds should be kept as a general fund ? Mr Dick. — If the expenditure could be so reduced »» to permit it, it has been con&idered desirable that tho Land Fund, in its entirety, should be devoted to Publio Works. Mr Gibbs.— Has the Waitaki Road been surveyed t Mr Dick. —Yes. Mr Gibbs. — And to the goldfields ? Mr Dick.— Yes. By the Lindi» Pass. That road could have been constructed cheaply. Mr Gibbs. — And you have ju»t now told us that great losses have occurred through endeavoring to make road* from Dunedin to the goldfieldj. How much has Southbind expended on roads ? Mr Dick. — I can't say. They have expended too much, to their cost. Mr Gibbs. — Did you not fear ruin coming tipon the Province through carrying on those expensive works ? Mr Dick.— No. Embarrasment perhnps— but not rain — for the Province possesses 14 millions of acres, which, if sold at 5s. an acre, wftfiM bring L3, 000,000, and that would cover all our debts, and much more.

Mr Gibbs. -Do you know why the Otago Debentures did not sell in the London Market ? Mr Dick,- -Well, the credit of the General Government was then low at Jionie, and their debentures did not sell well, which, of course, kept ours back. The newspaper reports also injured the credit of the Province in London ; and the B.xnk of New Zealand put Hie Debentures into the market at a very unfortunate time, and they sold very low. My idea is to get the General Government to take them and dispose of them as General Government Debentures. . Mr Gibbs. —What security do you propose to give to the G-ineral Government? Mr Dick.— Well, if they want security, I suppose we can aive land which might not sell for 50 years, nor be required for 50 years. . Mr Ashcroft.— In the Oamaru District! (Laughter) Mr Dick.— No, that is tod good. Mr Shrimski.— How did the Government Debentures not fetch as much as the Gas Company Debentures, ■which sold at L92 15s. 6d., and the others at L75 ? Mr Dick.— The ono bears 10 or 12 per cent, interest, and the other only 6, which makes a slight difference in their value. Mr Bruce. -Would you be in favor of spending L14.000 on Provincial Government Buildings before the Oamaru Jetty is constructed ? Mr Dick.— I'm not at all in favor of new Government Buildings. I would much prefer the Exhibition building for the purpose. Mr Bruce. — Will the Buildings take precedence of the former vote for the Jetty ? Mr Dick.— They were voted at the same time. (A Voice : " The Jetty was voted at a previous session.") , Mr Bruce. — I wish to ask a question with regard to departmental arrangements. I was a contractor for the Waikouaiti Bridge, and should like to know why I had eight officials to look aft r me? Any man of ordinary intelligence should please two men, but eight is too many, certainly. (Laughter). Mr Dick.— I shall be glad to enquire into the reason why it took so many cooks to look after your broth. Mr Bruce also asked a question respecting the alteration of the Government Conditions of Contract, making the Engineer sole arbiter as to works executed, and the candidate promised to draw the attention of the Secre' tary for Public Works to the matttr. A Voice.— Are you in favor of the Land Kovenue being expended on the districts _from which it ia deMr Dick.— That, is a difficult question. It would not ■nit in cases where the money would be spent on toads leadinsr to nowhere and coming from nowhere, as, for instance, in the interior. I am not prepared to say what proportion should be given, and will not pledge myself to a statement of which I might repent me to-morrow. The question is of great importance, and has often been discussed . At this stage, the Chairman asked if their were auy more questions to put to the candidate. Mr Gibbs said he had a resolution to propose. He said there had been such a decided expression of opinion at the late meeting, that it would be very inconsistent in them not to adhere to it. After making a few comments on Mr Dick's address, he moved— " That in the opinion of this meeting the electors should abstain from voting at the forthcoming election of Supeiintendent." (Great cheering and applause.) _ Mr Shrimski seconded the motion, winch was carried ■with great acclamation. The meeting passed a vote of thanks to the Candidate for tne exposition of his views. „ Mr Dick then moved a vote of thanks to the chairman, which being acknowledged, the proceedings terminated.