Page 2 Advertisements Column 5

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume XII, Issue 1289, 9 December 1857, Page 2

To Henry Sc. Hill, Ssq., &c , &c. t &c., Wellington. Wellington, December 8, 1557. Sin, —W c the undersigned Electors, being earnestly desirous that the s\stem of Responsible Government in the administration of the affairs of this Province should be faithfully carried out, beg to state our reasons for asking you to give ns the most valuable assistance in the attainment of that high public object. On the 2nd of November, Dr. Featherston, on being declared to he the duly elected Superintendent. stated that he considered himself pledged to carry out a particular policy: and that if a majority adverse to that policy should be returned as members of the Provincial Council, he stood pledged to the Province to refuse his assent to measures adverse to his own policy which might he adopted by such a Council. Ile stated the certain consequences to be, a collision between the Exccuth e and the Council —and possibly a stoppage of the supplies. But he added that in such case he should not resign his post, but “should be more than ever bound to justify the confidence of the electors in himself by saving the Province from the reckless proceedings of a party whose sole object seemed to be to ruin it.” He also said that “the advent, to power of a parly avowing such principles, would not merely be the death blow tn the present prospolity—to the future progress of the Province—but would bring about a stale of anarchy, confusion, and bankruptcy, which it would take years to recover from.” And he concluded by distinctly implying that, “ among the candidates opposed to bispolicy, the only’ men wiping and eager to accept office were men whose dishonesty was notorious, who had proved themselves utterly untrustworthy in private affairs; that they were deeply in debt, reckless gamblers, plunderers of dead men’s estates, defrauders of the widow and orphan; that he would therefore not be justified in calling such men to his Council, in accepting such men as his advisers; and that he could not be held harmless or blameless for the conse.inences if he trusted rhe large funds at present in the Provincial chest to the keeping of such men.” We quote these words from a report of his deliberate speech in the Government newspaper. The result of the elections has been, that, out of the thirty members that compose the Provincial Council, at least twenty have been elected who are opposed to Dr. Featherston’s policy, including all those to whom the above reflections on their private" and public untrustworlhiness could be intended to apply. The collision, therefore, in which the Superintendent threatened to engage with such a Council, appears to be inevitable if Dr. Featherston should continue to hold the office. We are aware that the Constitution Act provides ample means by which such a collision must eventually end in disabling the Superintendent from carrying out his threats. But we also feel that the period during which the conflict might last would he one of serious injury to the progress and prosperity <»f the Province, by producing a feeling of insecurity as to legislation and as to public expenditure, and. indeed, by obstructing the most important operations of Government. Me therefore feel it our duty to ascertain, at the earliest possible momeiV, whether the inhabitants of the Province can relv on finding, in case of any vacancy occurring, a new candidate for the office of Superintendent, who will engage to govern the Province in harmony with the, majority of the Provincial Council, and whose established character for impartiality and integrity will assure us that he will faithfully fulfil any engagement to that eliect into which he may enter. A our long, zealous, able, and impartial perform - ance of numerous public duties, while holding various .offices eminently’ requiring the possession of such qualities, and especially the excellent manner in which you have, to the satisfaction of all parties, discharged the duties of Chief Returning Officer during the first four years of the establishment of representative institutions, together with the acknowledged integrity and public spiiit of your character, convince us not only that you are able tn appreciate the true principle of Responsible Government in the dis charge of the office of Superinte’ident. but also that we can confidently’ rely on yi*ur faithful fulfilment of any declaration which yon may make on the subject. We therefore earnestly urge upon you as a duty to the puh'ic under existing ciremnstaricos. nnd with a.view to averting the threatened evils of a collision, that you will declare yourself prepared to become a candidate for the office of Superintendent, in case any vacancy shoiud occur therein. U e hope and believe that, should you accede to our request, you will declare your determination, if elected, to be guided in the performance of its duties by’ the opinions of a majority of the Provincial Council.

Being anxious that no time should 'ne lost in obtaining such a declaration from an eligible candidate, we send you this request without waiting for the signatures of large numbers of electors who would, doubtless, be ready and anxious to sign it: and we beg to assure you that, should your reply’ be favourable, we will use our utmost exertions to secure your election on the occurrence of any vacancy. V. e remain, Sir, Your obedient servants, E. Jerningham Wakefield,Edward Miller M.P.C, Thos. H. Rooke George Hunter, M.P.C. Thomas Stevenson Wilham Allen, M.P.C. Charles Connell John McLaggan, M.P C. Joseph Carter John Varnham, M.P.C. F. K. Allen William Bowler, M P.C. Robert Reid Richard Barry, M.P.C. Edward Storah Thos.K.Warburton, M.P.C.Henry Michell Edward Toomath, MP.C. Robert Edwards Robt. Holt Carpenter, M.PC.Alexander Wilson Wallace, M.P.C, William Aitken r. D McManaway, M.P.C.W. P. Picktring Robert Stoke«, M P.C. William Hutchinson John Kiuir, ,M. U .C. Charles Howard WilliamWillcock,M.P.C. Nathaniel Valentine William Corbett, MP.C. James Walker W. Phillips, M.P.C. J o h n Smith A. Ludlam, M.P.C. Walter Jackson Robert Porter Welch G. Alfred Berry Abraham liort, sen. J.P. Thomas Bevan V. M. Bannatyne, J.l’. T. W. Davidson George Moore, J.P. William Watson liedenck Atchison P. .1. E Mouritz Alexander Mackay R. W. Patten James J. Taine Jdmes Hillman John Hughes George W. Maoe •I. E. Bannister Alfred Herbert N. Sutherland w. Ilanneke John 8. Smith John Pridham Harding Clrarles I). Barraud James E. Matkin Cl.arles S,ent " '“ton Edwin Bannister Henry R. Kane R, Ferrers John M l nlos h j,. T. Coolly I eter Lamg Stallord ,p ,„ cv ,y , William M.srm •l Eades George Wall James Swinbournc Samuel Crowther M ilham Johnston Patrick- Bro-an G. II Lnxtord p. m. p,,| John 11. Horner Nathaniel Vincent ■ "!"! 11 °. , Jo«eph Snmnlers !‘" n !°P Martin Milham Miller J. Holmes ■ rcrleriek Bolton M illia,,, T „ llks ugh <) ( n„, lur William Watts M.ll.am Brigham Ilenry .Sargent M. Lowlands Richard 5t,,.-,rt " H"'';ana te |-„ni Jai „ ( , s ~„n )(!S J - 11. Clnpham \\ . ci,,,,]. Wini'n'trai,, •I 11. M illiams I \v i, , , ’• " "' lg e wo, 11, 16 b-.t Lucas S. M„ r .|,. v Alfred John Connor M’. Dowms Y"-'" 1 Tl ll'Lhlwell AV ’ Thomas l•|• ( •|||..y * why: „ M’i11i,,,,, Hughey Robert deAlley J. A, , J. Jacks,',,, l iomns Avery p„ t| . i( .k Donnelly Charles Payton Charles M'hite