THE EVENING POST. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1865.

Evening Post, Issue 12, 21 February 1865, Page 2

THE EVENING POST. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1865.

Two candidates are now in the field, soliciti g the suffrages of all the good people of the Province whose names are in the Elec-toral-Roll, an r % in the course of another few weeks, these said good people will have to make up their minds under which king they will serve. Without any doubt, the winner will not have too much to epave; it will be a close contest, each party at present feeling hopeful. As well as we are able to judge from the general tone, the present Superintendent has many firm supporters among a particular body of the community, who think it heresy to imagine that he could be deposed ; while, on the other hand, the aspirant's party laugh the idea of defeat to scorn ; they certainly anticipate returning their man easily. Wnnganui will be much divided, ¦we opine, for while the Separation cliejuo •will use all their influence against the present power that is, those interested in the bridge will do their utmost to keep him. The two addresses widely differ ; the one resting on the past administration of the Government of the Province, while the other is replete with large and rather alluring promises for its future management. The former has been tried for the last twelve years, and not found wanting; but, just for the novelty of the thing, there are plenty of people obHviotw of the .oftquoted resemblance between promises and pie-crust, who are strong supporters of the latter. Not being ourselves influenced in the slightest degree, we can perhaps criticise each address more fairly than either of our cotetnporaries. His Honor's strikes us as bearing a greater likeness to a command than aught else. It seems to

say, " You know what I have done for you for long; my abilities have met with some notice." It is not suppliant enough; it takes for .granted that because the Province has made rapid strides during the late administration, it must continue— weie another to hold the reins, there would be a retrogression. Dr. Feather>-tone's firmest friends, and even his political enemies, must allow that his address is an open, manly, but anything but a diplomatic one. Now, his antagonist, on the other hand, has drawn it a little too strong— rather too sweet for colonial palates. One can hardly conceive such an address coming from a clever man of the world ; it reflects, firstly, in an unfair manner on the present mode of administration, by inuendo certainly, but most unmistakeably — for instance, " I have no desire to cut down the salaries of those persons in office who do equivalent duty, yet I think we have no right to throw our funds awaj r , &c." — ergo, insinuating they have been thrown away ; and again, " 1 shall, if elected, not elictate to or domineer over the Council." But the finale is very flimsy, worthy of the blarney stone — " Jf it should happen that I could not agree with an Executive chosen from the Council, in any important matter, 1 should immediately resign and appeal to you." To this we can only pay that it is very fair, honorable, and so forth, but excessivety unlikely. There would be little doubt that, in the event of a general shindy in the Council, Sir. Eorlaee would retire, and without a veto being put on his doing so, but we doubt il a political difference between himself and an executive chosen Irom the Council would make ! him send in his resignation ; he would no more do that than we would believe it. Therefore, inasmuch as we are of opinion that the past administration has been a good one, and fully cognizant of the errors j^the somewhat lengthy address from Mr. 'rtarlnse, as regards Provincial Auditors, &c., were we entitled, our voice would be for the re-election of his Honor Dr. Featherston.

The supporters of the respective candidates for ibe Supcrintendency assembled yesterday evening — Dr. Poatherstoii's, at the office of Waring Taylor, Esq , was very largely attended. The Hon. John Johnston presided. Several gen) lemon addressed the meetin?, pledging themselves to secure the return of their candidate, and highly commending his public and roliiieal conduct for the last twelve years. A managing committee was appointed, who will forthwith enter on business, their first meeting being app >inted for this afternoon. Mr. Borlase's fiijnds also met at Messrs. Hickson's offices, but owing to the inclemency of the night the attendance was thin. The meeting stands adjourned till this evening, when it will be ho.d at Barry's Market Hall. The Committee for the formation of ft Pipe Brigfidc met at Mr. Lewis Moss's last night, when it was resolved to call a general meeting, at the Athenaeum, at eight o'clock, on Monday next, to nominate officers, &c. The reply of the Insurance agents to the request of the committee will be submitted to the meeting. Trade with Dunedin, we are hnppy to observe, is on the increase. The paddle steamer City of Dunedin, Captain Boyd, which arriv<d here on Sunday, brought a large and raluable miscellaneous cargo to this port. The Ahuriri, p.s., was launched yesterday from the company's slip in Evans' Bay. She leaves to-morrow for Wanganui. Independent of that which h«s been ami is' being done by private individuals for the improvement of the town, there are some ncces saiy public works of great utility which require immediate attention. The great want of proper drainage has been muah spoken of lately, and it behoves the parties most concerned to see this is remedied. It would be mere bathos to complain of tho disgust of one's olfactory nerves while -the health of the community is in question. The late epidemic had probably nothing to do with it, 1 but without doubt good sewage, well flushed and kept clear with water, would be an immense health-keeper, infinitely more effective than Parr, Holloway, or the Widow Welch. <jLWe learn from the Lyttelton Times that the telegraph lino from the Bluff to the north of the Waitaki is now complete, and is r -ady for working when the necessary office

accommodation is provided. The great difficulty encountered in the construction of tin line was the stretching the wire across the river Waitaki. This has now been successfully accomplished. The line is at this moment completed nearly to the Orari, and it is believed tiie Rangitata will be reached by the end of this week, and Christchurch in about a month. Tne posts are all deposited cm the route irom Christchurch to Nelson and Picton. The gang which has been employed on the Otago and Southland portions arc now expected here , and will commence with the erection of the line toth? north immediately. The whole of the necessary matei ial is now on the ground, .and the apparatus in hand for the working of the line. Should no unforeseen obstacle present itself, we may hope to be in direct communication with the Bluff in throe months from this. It will be seen by our advertising columns that the time for the reception of tenders for the construction of a new Library and Coin- , mittee Rooms, expires to-morrow WeJnes- ! day, the 22nd instant at noon. On Saturday morning, about 4 o'clock, Mr. Ilislem, of the Upper llutt, discovered that his, mill was on fire. He immediately gave the alarm, aud the neighbours turned out, but in consequence of the shortness of a supply of water, but little could be, done in the wny of stopping the progress of the devouring element. We regret to add that the mill and buildings together with about 17,000 feet sawn timber, and a large quantity of firewood were destroyed. Mr. Haslem estimates his loss to be about £3000. We understand that the property was only insured by two policies for £600. Mr. Haslem will consequently be a great loser. — Independent.