MR. STEWARD'S CLAIMS ON THE ELECTORS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1053, 4 September 1879, Page 2

MR. STEWARD'S CLAIMS ON THE ELECTORS.

(TO THE EDITOE OF THE OAMAIIU MAIL.) Sir, —I think, in anticipation of such times as the present, it would be a great assistance to electors if some sort of record (reliable record, of course) were kept of the actions, votes, &c., of our representatives. There are so many squibs and rumors circulated—the only object of their authors being, apparently, to damage the cause of their opponents or the party opposed to them. For instance, it is now said that Mr. Steward is brought forward by runholders and landowners, to give his support to an effort in anticipation by that part of the community to get the Land Tax removed, or, failing this, to vote against its increase ; and this has a considerable colour of truth about it, judging by the kind of support he gets at the various centres of population, the names of some of his requisitionists, and his silence on that subject in his addresses. For instance, he was quite silent with respect to his views on the Land Tax at Livingstone on Monday last, though lie expressed his dissent from the removal of the partial relief afforded to the working classes in the reduction of the duties on tea and sugar. Again, I hear on the authority of a highly-respected gentleman, well known in the district and in a position know what has taken place both in Parliament and in the district, that to Mr. Steward is due the credit not only of claiming to have secured the ratification of the Hospital endowment, but also of having afterwards let it, or, I might say more correctly, locked it up for twenty years by leasing it to his particular friend at the Ofcekaike .at the nominal rental of Is per acre. If this is untrue, it should be denied, as it is—so far as the funds of the institution are concerned—a serious loss, and, through it, to the district. I notice that, though in his letter which appeared in your issue of the 23rd, a forcible excuse is given for his action re the additional member for Waitaki (which, by the bye, is made to bear a very different construction by the various correspondents on that subject), the explanation he gave the electors at Pukeuri is a new version, and differs materially from his previous statements both in his letter and in his address, as reported by your correspondent, "An Elector from the Country." I certainly could not, unless the above matters are satisfactorily explained or refuted, think of voting for him, though I would otherwise be inclined to do so, seeing he promises so prodigally.—l am, &c., Country Electoe.