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New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4366, 18 March 1875, Page 2

We perceive by the telegrams that Mr. John L. Gillies has resigned his seat in the General Assembly for Waikouaiti. It is further announced that Mr. George McLean will stand for the vacant seat, and that he is likely to be returned unopposed. The resignation of Mr. Gillies has been expected for some time past, his official duties in connection with the Dunedin Harbor Board rendering it improbable that he should retain his seat in the House of Representatives. The only wonder is that his resignation had been so long delayed. Mr. George McLean, who is spoken of as his probable successor, sat for Waikouaiti at the beginning of the present Parliament, but resigned in consequence of ill health. Since then he has been to Europe, and he recently made a cruise in the South Sea islands, adding many interesting specimens to the Dunedin Museum on his return. Mr. McLean’s return to public life will be hailed with satisfaction by both sides of the House. He is a sound financier, a painstaking and conscientious man, who will not allow himself to be swayed by faction. In this respect he differs widely from the gentleman who kept his seat warm for him for several sessions. Mr. John Gillies is a more fluent speaker; he is also a more active politician, but he is far from being so impartial a man as Mr. McLean. Mr. Gillies ever leant to faction ; and, as in the case of the abolition resolutions last session, he was ready to abandon the principles of years for the gratification of party feeling. There is no danger whatever of Mr. George McLean pursuing a similar course. He will treat every question on its merits ; and although this is not one of the recommendations of a thorough party man, it is one that should commend him to any constituency. For ourselves, wo shall be glad to see Mr. McLean in his old place in the General Assembly ; meanwhile we congratulate Waikouaiti on the prospect of securing such an admirable representative.