MR MOORHOUSE. (FROM THE GREY RIVER ARGUS.)

West Coast Times, Issue 640, 12 October 1867, Page 4

MR MOORHOUSE. (FROM THE GREY RIVER ARGUS.)

Seldom does it fall to the lot of public men to have such, splendid opportunities of achieving popularity, and of linking their name ,with the history of the progress of their country, as those which Mr Moorhouse has misused and thrown away. When he was, for the second time, elected Superintendent of Canterbury he was greeted by the sanguine hopes of the people that he would remedy the defects of the previous Administration, and by his practical genius and business-like character restore the falling fortunes of the Province. On the Eastern side of the Province he was the idol of the industrial and trading classes. He addressed himself chiefly to their sympathies, and they had an envious remembrance of the era of prosperity that marked his previous term of office. They did not take much pains to enquire into the real causes of that prosperous time, it was sufficient for them that whilst the Province of Canterbury in '61 and '62 was rich and flourishing, it was no longer so, but appeared to be travelling fast in the opposite direction. The prestige of his former administration won Mr Moorhouse's election on the other side, and it was. a reflection of this prestige, aided by a plentiful supply of promises, which secured for him the support of the inhabitants of Westland, both as Superintendent and Representative. As Superintendent he assumed office in the possession of a larger extent of public confidence than any of his predecessors ever enjoyed. The people looked to him not* only to amend the past, but to construct a future. He had himself clearly and intelligently sketched out the means he intended to employ, and they were such as recommended themselves to the sense of the people. He was already elected to represent the most populous and rich portion -of the Province in the General Assembly, and he ascended the petty throne amidst a poean of rejoicing. His very faults of character were in his favor. He was supposed to be impatient of control, and apt to constitute himself practically the entire Government. His ministers would be his tools — they would simply do the work, but the Superintendent would be the " Peus ex Machina." He had told the country what his views for the future were, and it was blindly believed that for him to say was for the Government to do. Have the people of Westland forgotten what he promised to do for them? Did he not lead them to believe that he regarded the development of this part of the Province as the grand work by which, he hoped to signalise his four years' reign ? And well might they accept this belief, for surely there was nev< r a more glorious opportunity for any ruler to distinguish himself. The opinions he expressed were those of the people — all the defects of the past Administration were to be devoted to the grand purpose of opening up the vast forests and mountain solitudes of this goldeu region ; roads were to intersect the country — rivers to be bridged — public enterprise was to be encouraged and assisted — the people were to have a fairer amount of representation — agriculture was to be promoted, and the miners were by the most liberal treatment to be tempted to remain in the country. That is exactly how matters stood when William Sefton Moorhouse took the reins of Government. Nearly two years have passed, and how do matters stand now ? The halo of popularity no longer encircles the Superintendent of Canterbury. ( >n the Eastern side poverty, commercial disasters, depreciation of property , general depression and public discontent, mark the times. One of the richest portions of that side of the Province has virtually seceded from his rule, and its inhabitants have publicly heaped upon him the highest contumely. Theyhavetwiceburnthimin effigy. Onthis side the contrast is even darker! Nearly two years have passed, and how many of Mr Moorhouse's promises have been fulfilled P Where is the network of roads ? Where are the bridges ? Has public enterprise been fostered and assisted ? Has the country advanced in agriculture? Have the miners been encoui'aged ? The last state is worse than the first, for we have no longer the population, the revenue, or the trade which then existed. Westland has been like a giant in bonds, of what use have been its population, its mineral wealth, and the commercial activity of its traders, when all these elements of strength have, been weighed down, fettered and suffocated by bad government P Mr Moorhouse may be unpopular in Eastland, he is not unpopular here — he is execrated. He has deceived and betrayed the people who trusted him ; he has substituted craft and cunning for honesty and integrity ; he has trifled, played with and cajoled them, and finished by inflicting upon them an iniquitous and outrageous injury. He has

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