IS THERE A SUPERINTENDENT OF SOUTHLAND?

Taranaki Herald, Volume XIII, Issue 660, 25 March 1865, Page 3

IS THERE A SUPERINTENDENT OF SOUTHLAND?

The following is from the Southland, Times of the Ist instant : —

The mishaps which continually wait on the conduct of public affairs in this province form a telling commentary ou the defects of new legislation. The Acfc providing for so important a matter as the election of Superintendents should have been couched in the plainest language, and the mode of procedure should have been accurately defined. The reality is very different. A short time ha 3 only elapsed 6ince the judges of the Supreme Court of the colony were called on to decide as to the validity of Mr. Heale's election, and when that ques. tion has been definitely set at rest, and the Council have fixed their choice elsewhere, and the business of the country is in a fair way of being carried on in a more creditable manner than has been the case for some time past, a letter from the General Government threatens us once more with a period of uncertainty and confusion. Mr. Weld has written to the Speaker of the Provincial Council, informing him that, in the opinion of the AttorneyGeneral, Mr. Taylor's election is invalid, because it did not tike place within one month after the meeting of the Council. It rests, therefore, with his Excellency whether ho will cancel the election or not. It Boeras probable thafc he will in tin's matter follow the advice of his responsible advisers, and what thut advice will bo may bo judged by the coinmunicatron to tho speakor. Mr. Taylor's election being cancelled, the whole of the legislation of last session falls to the ground, and the Province has to

commence de now. It is not our purpose to queation tho correctness of the opinion advanced by the Attorney-Gonoral, but we would draw 'attention to tho fact that it is altogether at variance with oertain portions of the judgment delivered by the Supremo Court, when Mr. Heale's election was under discussion. But wliolher, the Attorney-General or the judges ore right, the province has very great cause for complaint that much unnecessary delay has been allo'wod in bringing this objection. ' Why, wo aak, were the Council allowed to proceed with tho election, and iflhat could not have been prevented, why lmvo fjvo months been permitted to elapso before any notice wns taken of tho in attar ? Since Southland got into difficulties the GaneMsJ Governraont have shown what wo must consider tha utmost iudiflerenco to our distress.