PTCTON.

Colonist, Volume IX, Issue 873, 13 March 1866, Page 2

PTCTON.

Some local interest centres in the Picton election as, very nnjustlv we think, and against all fairness to the Province of Marlborough, there is a polling place in Nelson, where votes are taken for the Picton district. We aay this totally irrespective of any question as between the two candidates, with the principles of neither of whom so far as we have seen andlearned them, and that certainly is not far, we can fully agree. Mr. William Adams is generally an admirer of the Weld policy, which, as we showed yesterday, was, in its wiser and more moderate character, originated by Mr. Stafford and by Dr. Eeatherston; but he professes, as we understand him, to give due support to Mr. Stafford in his economical movements. Mr. Adams informs us that, in his addresses to the electors at Picton he has been grossly misrepresented by the Press, which is understood to be in the hands of his opponent Mr. Beauchamp. What Mr. Eeauchamp's polities are no one can possibly ascertain, for he has so much altered his opinions since he first intimated his intention of standing for the Assembly, and has gone to and fro, and steered so wildly that ifc- is difficult to say what he professes, unless it be gathered from the paper already alluded, which he controls and inspires ; and there we can find nothing but the most rabid hatred of Mr. Stafford, and all he has done or can do. There is a considerable number of Picton voters residing in Nelson, and from what we can learn, the majority of them will poll for Mr. William Adams ; some of them on the principle, no doubt, that one good vote deserves another. The polling place is at Mr. Huddlestone's office, Trafalgar-street, and the polling takes. place to-morrow (Wednesday), and not on Eriday next, as was by some mistake announced the other day. ME.SAUNDERS FOB, THE WESTLAND GOLD DISTRICT. Yesterday was the day of nomination for the district of Westland ; and we observe by the Grey River Argus of last Wednesday that it was the intention of the electors to bring forward his Honor, Mr. Saunders, to represent that district. We quote from the journal named the following observations on the subject:—

" Monday next is tbe day appointed for tbe nomination of Candidates for the representation of Westland in the General Assembly. So far as we are aware no Candidate resident in the district has come forward ; but by one of those lucky accidents which sometimes happen at the very nick of time, there is an opportunity for tbe electors of Westland to elect probably the best man they could have in the House as the representative of the West Coast. Gold-fields. The gentleman we refer to is well acquainted with the necessities of the West Const, and tlie importance of encouraging: by liberal legislation the development of this part of tbe Colony. He is a man of some experience in political life, is of advanced liberal principles, thoroughly practical and business-like. His name is Alfred Saunders, Superintendent of the Province of Nelson, under whose wipe and liberal administration so much bas been done for the South-Western Goldfields of that Province —who thought it not unfitting his position to walk overland from Nelson to the Grey in order to see for himself the nature of the country and what could best be done to forward its development;—who, seeing the necessity of promptitude in dealing with sold-fields requirements, invested the oflieers of bis Government with large discretionary powers to be used for the benefit of the public ; —in fine the head of that Government under which it would be a blessing for Westland to be placed.

Mr. Saunders has recently lost his election for his old district, tbeWaimea 'Nelson) by annrrowminority,and confessedly owing to tbe neglect of sufficient efforts on the part of his friends. He is perfectly eligible for election here, and we are certain he will accept the deserved compliment that we would urgo tbe electors to pay him. Mr. Saunders is an old member of the House of Representatives, and is noted for bis steady practical views, and consistent advocacy of thoso measures ho deems desirable, and he has considerable influence in the House. With Mr. Saunders as our representative, Westland would at once take a stand in tho Colonial Parliament, and any measures affecting its interests would receive much greater consideration at tbe hands of.tho Houso than if some young or inoxperienced man only were thore to ndvoeafo thorn. Wo therefore hope that, lato in the day as it is, an effort will bo made by the electors to secure tho return of a gentleman in evory way the most qualified to represent tho district."

We should be glad to see our contemporary'.-^ expectation verified; for at the present time it is of the greatest importance that men oi ability aiad experience, especially the Superjuttmdent of this Province, should be iv the

Assembly to watch over Provincial interests, which will, we believe, form the subject of important legislative enactments during the new Parliaments existence. These interests have already many foes in the Etouse of Representatives ; for the supporters of the late Ministry were, like that Ministry itself, favorable to a limitation of Provincial powers, and an increase of undue and misused centralism; and some constituencies have forgotten this fact, and have returned men whose whole career is a standing threat against the principle of local self-government. The nomination for Westland took place, as we have said, yesterday, aud the polling is fixed for to-morrow, so that by next; steamer we shall know the result. We observe that a sub-committee in Hokitika had telegraphed, requesting Mr. Moorhouse, the candidate for the Superintendency of Canterbury,.to stand for Westland: and that that gentleman replied—:lst. that he would stand if there were no opposition, and in reply to a second message, that if elected he would serve, and be in Westland in a week. In the meantime, however, Mr. Moorhouse has been returned for Ellesmere, in Canterbury, and we should not think it likely that he will stand for a second constituency.