MAJOR RICHARDSON FOR TARANAKI.

Otago Witness, Issue 747, 24 March 1866, Page 1

MAJOR RICHARDSON FOR TARANAKI.

(Frora the Daily Times, March 21.)

We have been inclined to regard the report that Major Richardson was a candidate for one ot the Taranaki seats as a canard. But it turns out to be true. A local paper mentions having seen the letter in which the gallant aspirant for a seat in the Assembly consented to come forward. To all who know anything of Mnjor Richardson's past political career, however much they disapprove of it, this step will be looked upon with regret. The opponents of a public man may, equally with his supporters, be sorry to see him swerve from '• the path of duty," to borrow from our subject one of his favorite phrases. In other words, one may respect an opponent if he shows himself consistent in maintaining his opinions. Now the great cry of Major Richardson has always been^that Otago interests were his fir3fcare. However much he mixed himself up with General Government affairs, he always gave it out that his Provincial position was that to which he attached the larger weight. He would not accept the Postmaster Generalship unless he was permitted to retain the Speakership of the Provincial Council. This, at least, wa3 the often-told tale. There was something so plausible in the sentiment, in thi3 version of his retention ot both offices, that people were inclined to overlook the obvious impropriety of a member of the Colonial Government occupying a'so the position of Provincial Speaker. The contingency which peemed remote absolutely came to pass. In virtue of his office, the opportunity of becoming Superintendent fell to him. It need scarcely be said that it is opposed to the whole spirit of the Constitution that a member of the General Government should preside over a Provincial Government. But people were silent, they liked the idea of the veteran's affection for the place which had introduced him to public life. There was something pretty in the notion that Otago should be the grave, as it was the cra r lle, of the political career of one whose silvery voice and happy tact gained him for a time the reputation for statesmanlike qualities.

But what becomes of all the Major's Provincial love when he has not the courage to face the electors whose approbation he has often said he valued so highly. When the Otago members taunted him in the Assembly with abandoning Otago, he replied that it was he, not they, who understood Otago's wants. Does he understand that one of the reasons of his not appearing before an Otago constituency, and of his seeking a remote pocket scat elsewhere, is the tacit admission that the wealthiest and most important Province of New Zealand will have nothing to aay to the Government of which he was a member ? There is no denying the interpretation. This representative of the

"Weld Government is alraid to bring lefore the bar of public opinion himself and his colleagues. He can write an uncirculated pamphlet, but he will not stake that position in the Assembly, which it has often been his boast he valued because of those whom he represented. *' Unlit to vanquish, shall I meanly fly ? i The last of all my band who would not die." Such, quoting from memory, were the ■words of Conrad to Gulnare, when she implored bim to fly from the danger he lad courted to a 6afer haven. Such should have been the answer of Major Uichardson to the Tararaki people, who asked him to abandon his ovn Province in the hour when he was in danger of having to answer fcr his acts. Does not Jtfajor Richardson understand he would be more respected as the defeated candidate ior an Otago constituency he was net ashamed to face, after misrepresenting it, than as the successful of Taranaki ?

But besides abandoning bis Province, Tof declining to submit his conduct to the test of the opinions of the most important Province in the Colony, Major Richardson admits as humbug all the fine sentiments about retaining the Speakcrehip. He proclaims that it was the efnee, not the associations, to f.hich he was wedded. It is evident that one who makes the Otago Province his first consideration could not represent Taranaki. The interests ef the two more or less conflict. The one has to depend upon Colonial funds supplied, the other to supply trem. What wretched nonsense, then, it was for Major Bichard«m to pi etend that the Provincial Speakership possessed to him a sentimental value, when he throws himself into the arms oi another Province as scon as the temptation is offered — when he is ready tacitly to aelmit ty failing to test it, that he was a member of a Goverrmentopposcdto Otago interests.

"Whatever political reputation the Major possesses is due to his Provincial connection. In the General Goverrment he ■was admittedly a failure. He could rot argue in the House, and he could only drudge in his cfh'ce. His Provincial card -ivas the cne trump he held. Faithfulness, if not usefulness, at least it was thought, was inscribed on if. The last tiump is sacrificed to Taranaki.

But Taranaki itself calls for a few words. It enjoys a larger proportionate representation than any Province in the Colony, and it uses its electoral privileges with a shameless disregard of its reer onsibilities. It constitutes itself into a pocket borough, open to any one who wants to use it ss a steppingstone. Last session, it may be remembered Mr J C. Richmond v as rev* areled ior giving up his seat to Mr Sewell, the AttorneyGeceral, by a seat in the Upper House and in the Government. That bargain at an end, he has resumed his constituency; and Mr Sewell goes home in disgust at his defeat at Lyttelton. The other two members, iv the last Assembly for Taranaki, both withdraw. One — the representative in the Government of the Colonial Defence department— finds that by retiring into piivate life he can better prouele for the forces. Instead of speeding them on missions of death, he is now goirg to preserve them in life; In other wore! 0 , he lias contracted to supply them with meat; and his late colleague — the third member, Mr Glee) hill — has contracted for the groceries'. The War Minister is to open a butcher's shop, which in the words of his manager, " will astonish the people of " Tarauaki." It is be hoped it will, but they mußt not be astonished if the Assembly narrowly sdutinises the number of memhers to which they are entitled, and takes action accordingly.

" Soapt Sam." — A good story, w.hich we fancy is new, is being told in clerical ■circles, about the Bishop of Oxford. It is said that, when the Bishop was travelling eastwards to attend the Church Cougress at Norwich, a lady who was sitting opposite to him commented in flattering terms on the eloquence and ability of the great Anglican divine, quite unconscious that she was addressing him. "But why, sir," she added, "do people call him Soapy Sam?" "Well, madam," replied the Bishop, "I suppose it is because he has always been in a gcod deal of hot water, and always manages to come out with clean hands."— Pall Mall Gazette.

A " Smart" Delusion. — Of all the "amart" instances of Yankee ingenuity, perhaps the smartest is the trick played ■upon the authorities of New Brunswick after their recent offer of a bounty of three dollars for the snout of evey bear killed within the Colony. A large number of snouts were brought in, chiefly by Indians; but in course of time it was discovered that most of the trophies were imitations only, cunningly manufactured of Indiarubber and gutta-percha, by clever manipulators in the State of Maine, who sold them to the Indians at half a dollar each. The profit of the trick was handsome, but as the Blue Noses (New Brunswickers) have long boasted they could not be outwitted, the snout-manufacturers are perhaps enjoying a satisfaction beyond that of mere pecuniary gain. — " Athenseam."