THE OTAGO WITNESS. Dunedin, Saturday, November 10, 1355.

Otago Witness, Issue 207, 10 November 1855, Page 3

THE OTAGO WITNESS. Dunedin, Saturday, November 10, 1355.

It is our intention to follow the rule which we laid down at the last elections, not to take any decided part in the elections, or to say one word in favour of any individual or party. On the present occasion, indeed, with so large a number as 19 members to be elected, we feel quite at a loss to make up our mind as to who are the fit and proper persons to represent the community. We almost doubt of the number being found, not from there being any lack of such persons, but from the apparent listlessnoss of many who ought to take an active part on such occasion. Out of the whole number we have but six gentlemen who have announced themselves as candidates. Others seem to think it necessary to wait uncil they are asked : they will not come forward xmtil they receive a numerously signed requisition. We consider this, under present circumstances, an impossibility. A person who signs a requisition thereby pledges himself to vote for and use all his influence to secure the re rum of the person whom he requests to stand. This is the understood rule, though we believe many believe that they do not pledge themselves by such a course ; but the individual rccchiug ;i requisition would invariably put the interpretation upon it that the signatures were pledges. Now, v»ith 19 members to be elected for the Provincial Council, and 3 ir embers to be found for the General Assembly, it follows that if requisitions are to he got up in every direction, that the electors v. ill become perfectly bewildered, and the time allowed for the elections is so short that the thing could scarcely be accomplished ; besides, to give a pledge of support, the elector should know the candidate's principles, a thing impossible with so many new men. We have no objection to requisitions in certain ca-cs, such as the election of Superintendent, where there would be a likelihood of a contest. In our circumstances there is no chance of a contest, and a requisition is unnecessary. There may also be some reason for presenting a requisition to a candidate for a seat in the House of Representatives, an office all are unwilling to take, and a pressing invitation might possibly have an effect ; but to cumber the elections of the Provincial Council with such laborious proceedings appears to us unnecessary. But we trust that the elections are not to be allowed to pass over as a matter of indifference. We do not desire to see the bitterness or violent proceedings of some of the Provinces enacted here, but we should like to see something more of life and activity about the elections than has been hitherto exhibited.

The " Gazelle," from Sydney arrived in port on the 3rd inst., bringing a cargo consisting of sheep, cattle, and horses. Mr. McClymont has again been very fortunate, having lost but few of his stock, and landed the rest in excellent condition. We understand that he has found a ready market, and that a few sheep alone remain to be disposed of. They are stated by the Inspector to be of first-rate quality. We have been obligingly furnished with a few numbers of the latest Australian papers, from which we give the principle items of intelligence. As usual, the mail has been forwarded to another port : there is, however, a prospect of its reaching us at no distant date. The " Coila," which left Sydney on the 22nd, with a general cargo, for Port Cooper and Otago, is hourly expected. Since the above was in type we have to notice the arrival of the " Camilla," from Twofold Bay with stock, and the " Spray," from Sydney, via Nelson and Port Cooper. They bring no later home news than that

we have received "by the " Gazette." Mr. Valpy has, with much kindness, placed at oxir disposal his files of the colonial' papers, but we have, for the present, no space to extract the intelligence contained in them. Tiie following document has been handed to us for publication :—: — To His Honor the Superintendent. Your Honor, — I beg to inform you that 806 Ewes were landed this day from the "Gazelle," Downie, master, from Sydney, belonging to G. McClymont, Esq., all free from disease, and I can recommend them as being a superior lot of sheep. I have the honor to remain, Your obedient servant, JOHN ANDERSON, Inspector of Sheep. Port Chalmers, Otago, Nov. 6, 1855.