Page 2 Advertisements Column 3

West Coast Times, Issue 125, 10 February 1866, Page 2 (Supplement)

TO THE ELECTORS OP THB PROVINCE OP CANTERBURY. p ENTLEMEN,— Since I had the honor to receive a requisition inviting mo to stand for the office of Superintendent, other gentlemen have offered themselves as candidates ; and, as somo of the friends of those gentlemen are apparently determined to misunderstand mo, it is necessary that, though an old public sorvant, I should hasten to publish in plain terms my opinions upon matters of interest to the Province. Of course I should desire to see a careful and steady prosecution of Railways, Harbor Works, and other Public Works, and should earnestly endeavor to avoid financial embarrassment of the Province. I trust that, if eleoted, I shall be enabled by the Provincial Council to deal with the claims of Timaru, of Westland, andindeed of all the outlying districts of the Province, in such a spirit of liberality as will tend to remove those difficulties and misunderstandings which at present exist. Gentlemen, I shall not eithqr directlyor indirectly interfere with any of the elections of membors of the Provincial Council. - This declaration should bo sufficiently indicative of my desire that the publio should havo the protection and advantage of a Council composed ,of entirely independent men, . I shall not promise that I will not en- . doavour to influence the Council, ' because I deem it to bo the duty of a Superintendent, by fair and constitutional means, to inspire ,the Council with confidence in his administration. It would be to me a matter of great anxiety that my Executive Council should be composod of the best men in the country ; they would always be treated by me with franknoss and cordiality - < •' I am asked what are my opinions /on tho subject of Separation P Although this is not a provincial question, I am not unprepared to express my opinion upon it. Gontlemon, I assure .you I very much dislike tho sound of the word, and should regard the separation of the two islands with tho greatest regrot. I shall, however, bo willing to listen to and respoct tho rational opinions of men of all parties, reserving my final judgment until every pains has been taken to exhaust the question. Believe me,, that nothing short of the most urgent necessity would induco me to affirm the wisdom of Separation. The self reliant policy has all my sympathy. Nothing could bo more, consonant with my views and .wishes, than thai the colony should rely entirely upon itself in all tliLigs. Gentlemen, I trust I have spoken out plainly. If you do mo tho honor to elect mo, I will servo you with all my .heart,, If,on tho contrary, you declino my services I shall still in some less exalted position -endeavor to bo useful. "'■ i Many opportunities of fully explaining my opinions will occur boforo tho oleotion. It will be my businoss, if possible, to see evory doctor. In tho meanwhile X ?©' main, ' ' ' Gentlomon, Yours truly, 117 W.^QOftHOySB,