THE CHANCES FOR THE SUPERINTENDENCE

West Coast Times, Issue 206, 17 May 1866, Page 2

THE CHANCES FOR THE SUPERINTENDENCE

From tho " Canterbury Times." At last the long talked-of writs have arrived, and the province will soon be plunged into the bustle and excitement of a general election. Owing to an unavoidable postal delay caused by the Returning Officer not residing at Christchurch — where the writs have to be addressed — the notices of eleotion were not published yesterday, but it is probable that the election of the new Superintendent will be over in the course of the next thiee weeks. The supporters of eaoh of the three candidates profess to be perfectly certain of success. We believe the issue of the contest is certain on one condition, and that is, that the numerous friends of Mr Moorhouse really exert themselves. If all those who are favorable to that gentleman come to the poll, ho cannot fail to be elected by a large majority. But he has to contend against a very strong, compact, aud well-organised minority,— one whigh has the command

of t^je logger number of the newspapers of thb province, and which has spared no labor or expense in tho endeavor to carry the eleotion. Another event may possibly occur to endanger Mr Moorhouse's chance, and tkat is, a coalition < at the last moment between the supporters of Mr Lance and Mr Travers. Knowing the bitter hostility which exists on the part of Mr Lance's chief supporters against Mr Moorhouse, we should not be in the least surprised if, when Mr Lance's chance is found desperate, an effort might be" made to combine the strength of both parties in order to exclude Mr Moorhouse. We have never made any secret of our opinion ; we believe Mr, Moorhouse to be far the best man of the three ; we believe him to be honeßt, experienced, intelligent, far-seeing, and energetic in action; we know that, when last in office, he helped to raise the province to the highest pitch of prosperity it ever attained, from whioh, under the government of Mr. Bealey, it has steadily retrograded ; and we are confident that he will do his best to restore that state of prosperity, and, in all probability, succeed in so doing. In spite of the reiterated and continued showers of calumnious abuse whioh have been heaped upon Mr Moorhouse"^by the " Press," and which have been more bitter as it became evident they failed in effect, we believe that Mr Moorhouso deservedly retains a, large hold upon the esteem and affection of a majority of all classes in the oolony. To these we would address a word of friendly advice. Take nothing for granted, but work. Let every man go to the poll, and record his vote at whatever inconvenience to himself, and let each see that his neighbor docs the same. On the istue of this election depends in a great measure the state of the province for the next four years. If wisely and vigorously governed, a vast growth of improvement must be developed] but if the reins fall into the hands 01 those who are unfitted to hold them, there is not a man in Canterbury who will not have cause to rue it. Immediately after the election of the Superintendent will follow those for the Provincial Council. No new feature in y connection with this subject has been ) developed during the past week.

There aro two distinctly opposite reasons 1 why a man sometimes cannot get credit — one is, because ho is not known ; and the other, because he is. Afc Roohdalo, on Christmas-day, William , Murphy, a fish-dealer, diod from mortification, causod by Blight ly pricking hia thumb with a ' fish-bone on the previous Saturday. 1 At Astley, near Pontefracfc, two youths, i named Jeffrey and Wright, aged about fifteen, . . quarrelled and fought, when Wright struolc , Jeffrey on the head with » hammer, causing ' instant death. It 11 . 11