MR. STERICKER AT SALTWATER CREEK.

Timaru Herald, Volume V, Issue 110, 16 June 1866, Page 2

MR. STERICKER AT SALTWATER CREEK.

On Thursday evening last, Mr Stericker, the candidate for Seadown, met the electors of that district at Fitch's Hotel, Saltwater Creek. Very few of the electors were present Mr Belfield was moved into the chair. Mr Stericker on rising said, that on the 28th of this month the electors of the new district of Seadown would be called upon to return a member for the Provincial Council. He, as an old settler amongst them, and as an old colonist, thought himself justified m claiming their suffrages ; and he begged to assure them, that if they did him the honor of sending him to the Council as their member, he would do his utmost m serving them. He did not believe m half measures. Whatever a man undertook, he ought to do it with all his might ; and that was his present feeling. As he had come forward as a candidate, he trusted he would never shirk his work. He was sorry there was but a very small attendance ; but as he intended again meeting the electors at Mr Double's house on Saturday evening next, he trusted thea there would be j

a larger gathering, when he should be able more fully to explain his political views thau at the present time. There were two or three matters, howeror, he wished to touch upon. He considered, m the first place, that the building of a small boat harbour and jetty were essential to the well-being of the town of Timaru ; and not only the town, but of the entire district, and would be the soul of this part of the province. He was aware that Mrßalfour, the marine engineer, had reported fully on the subject ; but he (Mr Stericker) was not well up m the details of that report In this first report he believed that, for carrying out the work iv its entirety, the expense was put down as something very large indeed ; but Mr Balfour had furnished the Government with a second report, shewing that a certain portion of the work — and that most needed — could be done at a comparatively small cost ; he believed, not over £5000. If returned to theCouncil, one of his first steps would be to have this second report printed aud published, for he had every reason to believe the report had been shelved by the Government He would like to say a few words on the relations now existing between the Government and the Road Boards m these southern districts. He had travelled all over the province, and he had been struck with this difference, — that whereas north, and immediately around Christchurch, the roads were formed and metalled, and were m capital order, the roads m these districts were just the reverse. He should like to ask the reasou of this difference, especially as such large revenues were derived from the south. It appeared to him that a large jK>rtion of our revenues had gone to make those roads. This he considered as most unjust The treatment the southern Road Boards had received at the hands of the Government for the last six or nine months required thorough investigation by the Council, and an immediate remedy applied. He begged to make one exception as regards the northern roads ; this was m the Lake Ellesmere district. In that district very large sums had been received for the sale of land, but, proportionately, very little indeed had been spent m road making. He considered that long before this, if the Government had but acted fairly, the roads ought to have been made and metalled as far as Geraldine, and the Opihi river bridged. He understood that a special loan was raised for bridges and harbour works ; and iv the harbour works, those for Timaru were put down ; but neither for bridges nor harbour works had ono sixpence of the loan yet been speut m this district As regarded the Land Regulations he should regret exceedingly any change being made m the existing system, for hithmto that 3ystem had worked moat advantageously for the Province, and any change, particularly Mr Travers' scheme, he thought would be must prejudicial. If that scheme were adopted, the first part of the Province that would be sacrificed would be the Hurunui country ; that at least was his opinion. He knew of large blocks of country not worth seven shillings and sixpence per acre, and that being the case there would be little advantage gained from selling that country when a good round sum of money, as rent, wan annually derived from it Some people argued that 25 per cent, was a liberal allowance to outlying districts. For his own part he could see* no reason why outlying districts should nut have the eutiru balance of the revenue derived from land sales, pasturage rents, and every other source, after, of course, deducting their share m governmental expenses,' immigration, charges on loans, &c. He had heard it said that 75 per cent was now swallowed up for governmental charges, including every other item of expenditure. If this was the case it was perfectly monstrous, and the sooner provincial institutions were swept away the better for the country. Of course they would like to hear his opinion of the proposed railway to Timaru— he was dead against it. When roads were made, the country more prosperous, and traffic demanded it, then they might talk of a railway, but not until then. The preemptive right question was one which would be sure to occupy a good deal of attention at the next session of the Council. There was no doubt that some alteration was required. He thought that a pre-emptive right of 250 acres over a homestead was fair and just to the squatter, hue he thought that country should not be virtually shut out of the market, but that every man should have a right to purchase wherever ho pleased, and if laud was selected on which therer was a fence, the purchaser should be made to pay for that fence. There had been some talk lately of the separation of the Islands ; although of course a question which could not come before the Provincial Council, they might still like to hear his opinion on that subject. He was decidedly iv favour of it, for ho bslieved the Southern Island would be far more prosperous if severed from the North. He would say a few words on the representation of the southern districts. Ho considered they were not fairly represented ; as .contrasting the representation of the north to the south, he thought the latter were entitled to two more members. The south had but six representatives m the Council, truly but a small body, but if they all pulled together, great good might be effected. Ha would conclude by alluding to one other matter, not of very great importance, but he should wiah the electors to be satisfied on the poiut. It had been said that he would be easily talked over by Mr Moorhouse and his party. He begged to assure the electors that he was not easily talked over, and although he was a supporter of Mr Moorhouse's, he would only support that gentleman as long as his policy was fair and equitable to the southern districts— if the reverse, he should oppose him. [Applause.] The Chairman asked whether any gentleman wished to question Mr Stericker. Mr Williamson : As Seadown and Timaru were m close proximity, and with interests nearly identical, what system would ilr Stericker support to grant money, or other assistance, as an endowment to the Timaru Municipality ; as at present that Municipality was not m the position of Christchurch or Lyttelton, tho^e towns having special endowments. Mr Stekicker : He had not gone into that question, but would make himself acquainted with all the particulars respecting the endowments of Christchurch and Lyttelton, and he saw no reason why Timaru should not have similar advantages. Mr Ralfii Simpsos asked whether if a chal-

lenge was made of 20 acres out of a pre-emptive right of 250, the hoMer of the pre-emptive right ought not to be compelled to buy the whole 250 acres ; and whether all pre-emptive rights were defined, and marked off. Mr Stericker thought that every facility nlould be given to squatters to hold their preemptive rights, and he thought the squatter should not be obliged to purchase his entire preemptive right of 250 acres for a challenge of 20 acres. Owing to the squatter the country was prosperous, for wool, and wool only, was the representative of the country's wealth ; there ! being comparatively but little else exported. No doubt pre-emptive rights were often absurd. He had himself seen a case m point near Christchurch where the holder of a pre-emptive right was cultivating it and selling his produce, while his next door neighbor was working on land for which he had paid £2 an acre ; or more if second hand. He had also heard of the abuse of a pre-emptive right m the Peninsula, where & holder of a right, when challenged, offered to forego his right for a consideration of £10. As regarded Mr. Simpson's second question, he (Mr Stericker) could only say that as far as he knew ' pre-emptive rights were also defined, and marked off as soon as possible after application. Mr Williamson then moved, seconded by Mr Massey, " That m the opinion of this meeting Mr Stericker is a fit and proper person to represent the district of Seadown, m the Provincial Council, and will use its best endeavours to return him as such." The motion was put to the meeting, and carried. The meeting then separated after the usual Vote of thanks to the Chairman.