The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. SATURDAY, JULY 16, 1887. THE RANGITATA ELECTION.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1611, 16 July 1887, Page 2

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. SATURDAY, JULY 16, 1887. THE RANGITATA ELECTION.

We have had several anxious enquiries as to the meaning of an advertisement which has appeared m our cplumns cautioning the electors of Rangitata not to pledge their votes at present. Undoubtedly the inference to be drawn from it is that there is a probability of another candidate coming forward — presumably m the Government interest, but we are as much m need of information as our readers as to who "the dark horse" is. All we know is that the advertisement was sent to us m the ordinary course of business and duly paid for. We have no reason whatever to doubt its hona fides, and conclude from the slender premises before us that negotiations are m progress m some quarter or other suitable candidate 'to try" conclusions with the Hon. Mr Rolleston. There are unquestionably a large number of electors m this part of the district who are disappointed at the non-candidature of Mr Ivess, who, we believe, would have b?en safe aga'nst all comers for the old Wakanui seat, and there is a general feeling amoDgraen of all shades of opinion that it would only be fair that an Oppositionist of such mark as Mr Rolleston should be challenged by some Ministerialist. Nay more, except m very rare instances, constituencies feel somewhat cheated of their privileges when there is a simple walk-over, and are inclined to envy those other electorates m which there is all the excitement of a good fight. The fighting instinct is indeed thoroughly aroused all over the country at a time like the present, and the "free and independent " of those electorates which are only favored with Hobson's choice feel as much cheated of tteir legitimate privileges as the Irishman who is unable to prevail upon anyone to tread upon the tail of his coat, and is consequently deprived of the opportunity of making play " wid a bit of a shtick on an illiganthead" or two. Let's have a fight by all means then, and if the i person or party who inserted the caution to electors before referred to mean business, let him or them trot out their candidate and show his paces.