Page 3 Advertisements Column 1

West Coast Times, Issue 241, 30 June 1866, Page 3

TTOKITIKA ELECTION. MR. BRIGHT WILL MEET THE ELECTORS AT THE ' THEATRE ROYAL ON MONDAY EVENING NEXT. 3269 TO THE ELECTORS OF HOKITIKA. f\ ENTLEMEN,— When you wore recently called on, in conjunction with the other electors of the district of Westland, to choose a representative to serve you in the Goneral Assembly, I had tho honor to be solicited by a deputation to become a candidate for that high position. Circumstances forbidding my compliance with their flattering request, a promise was sought from mo that I would allow myself to be put in nomination for one of the two seats for this town in the Provincial Council of Canterbury. Relying upon the continuance of tho favorable opinion then expressed of my power to do some public service, I gave my consent. Within tho last few days I havo received, as you aro aware, a requisition signed by a largo number of electors, addressed to me jointly with three other gentlemen ; and, in reply, I, have intimated my continued willingness to place my services at the disposal of the electors of Hokitika, should they deem them worthy of thoii? acceptance. It is now due to you that I should address you directly, as a candidato for your suffrages, and ask you to determine for yourselves whether my return to the Provincial Council would bo conducive to tho promotion of your interests. I must have pursued my calling in vain, during my residence amongst you, if I have failed to make my general political views fully understood, or left any doubt on the minds of the electors, as to the measures I should advocate for securing to Westland -the advantages of an independent local administration. It is my intention, -however, to take an early opportunity before the day of nomination, of inviting you to meot me, to submit myself to tho examination which is the ordeal candidates for political honors have ordinarily to pass through. I will, therefore, for the present bo content with saying a tow frank words. I do not disguise tho fact that the position of your representative is one I should bo proud to [fill. Politics have been the study and pursuit of my life for a period of more than twenty years. I have never derived any advantage from ►, them, except in the shape of wages honestly earned by work faithfully done. I can say, with, a good conscience, that during my long conncctiotfwith the press, both at homo and in the colonies, I hare never advocated a principle I did no believe to bo 1 true; never misused the opportunity of anonymous writing to assail private character ; never attacked a public man except on public grounds; and, whilst endeavoring to oxerciso a responsible power in a spirit of faithfulness to public interests, liave never, to the best of my, belief and hope, made a political enemy. My election as your representative would not have the effect of withdrawing ■ me from tho profession by which I 1 live, and my arrangements would enablo me to devote an unbought and unremitting attention to your interests. I have always entertained and expressed the strongest repugnance to tho principle of the payment of representatives in any direct or indirect form. If you honor me with your choice, my discharge of the high and responsible duties devolving upon me will be swayed by no considertion or hope of personal advantage. I will add, that I havo no desire

to stand a contested olection, and am ready to retire from the field in the faco of any general expression of opinion, that tho interests of the constituency would be better served by the return of some other man. I beg to assure you that other feelings than those of disrespect, have induced mo to wait thus long after the presentation of the requisition, before issuing my r address. Hoping soon to meot you in public, I remain, Gentlemen, Yours faithfully, \ Thos. L. Bright. Hpkitika, Jun0 % 22, 1866. 3174