THE COUNTY CHAIRMANSHIP.

West Coast Times, Issue 1008, 15 December 1868, Page 2

THE COUNTY CHAIRMANSHIP.

To the Editor of the West Coast Times and Observer. Sir, — The basis of all civii and religious liberty is founded on representative institutions. Vox populi, vox Dei. Give British subjects the power to choose their own representatives, under a liberal constitution (and nothing less will content them), and every minion of autocratic despotism must fall, like the unhallowed Dagonj prostrate before the shrine of public opinion. I have been led, Sir, into this strain of thought by the pprusal of the new County Act, which restricts the right of nominating the Chairman of Council to the nine members who compose that body. Were his duties simply to preside over and guide their deliberations, there could not be the shadow of an objection to such a course : but the subject assumes a very different aspect when he becomes a delegate of -the l Governor,- a semi-vicegerent of Royalty, possessing not only all the responsibilities of a Provincial Superintendent, but the Executive power is centred in him also. He must not only carry out the instructions of the Council, but also he ready to meet auy case of emergency that may arise during the interval betwixt the Sessions. These are large powers, and require great administrative ability. To fulfil these duties, whoever is elected Chairman must be prepared to yield un his whole time to their performance : " he cannot serve two masters," the people whose interests he is bound to guard and respect, and his own self-aggrandisement to the negleut of those

higher duties for which he was elected, This is a question which should be carefully considered by those who aspire to the highest honors of the County. He should be a man who can think wisely, and act judiciously ; possessing an intimate acquaintance with all the details of his government ; a mind that soars above the petty jealousies of any clique; proud in the consciousness of strict integrity, and possessing all the resources of an educated and weu-informed mind, to meet the requirements and wishes of the people. These are duties which no man who has not undergone an officia l training can satistactorily jperfbrm ' he should also be elected by the voice of the whole people, as the Provincial Superintendents are, and whose powers he will greatly exceed. To Ihis ifchas teen objected that the Council " ' shall ' eicct the Chairman;" . Let it be so. When the Council meets let the candidates for the ofHce : be nominated, and ihen adjourn for a short time until the voice of the County has declared in favor pf one of the competitors,. which can then te legalised by the Coiincil confirming the people's choice. This is an ordeal that any candidate who seeks the proud position bught not to shrink from. There is far less honor in being the chosen one of eight men than of eight thousand, and no man is likely, to, win such a proud position unless he lias done some service to the County he aspires to govern. I am, Sir, Yours faithfully, MENTOR. Hokitika, Dec. 12th. 1868.