THE SUPERINTENDENCY.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2481, 28 January 1871, Page 2

THE SUPERINTENDENCY.

To the Editor of the Evening Star. Sfß—As tfye eleqtjoi| tije Sijperinteudenoy is drawing near, I beg tq make a few remarks with regard to tliq candidates for that office, Mr Macandrew, with other intelligent men of the Colony, know full well that something must he done to put a stop to its decadence ; therefore the only remedy at their disposal is men and money "to be introduced, to set it a-going with fresh impulse. In this direction Mr Macandrew has peep w°rl(u>g, nd pnjy jn his capacity of Superintendent, but also m that of k ipeffiber of the General Assembly: wherein he has been thwarted by Mr Reid, the most inconsistent and frivolous politician in Otago. Not long ago be was an ardent supporter °of Mr Stafford when in power | but when he found the cause of that gentleman decaying, be deserted him by resigning his scat in the Assembly—a seat that was no sooner vacated than it was again occupied by a supporter of Mr Fox, Again, by tacit agreement, another member, a staunch supporter of Mr Reid's in the Provincial Council did the same, and Mr Riob took bis place in the Assembly—another supporter of Mr Pox. I suppose Mr' Reid calls this proeeedure honorable. He can call it wbat he likes, but I think the action a gross dcrilectirm of duty in so far as Mr Stafford was concerned. The people of Otago saw and felt that a

change of Ministry was necessary, and Messrs Reid and Mitchell acted accordingly, in an underhand way, very discreditable to both of them, and especially so to the former. This being so, Mr Reid, by his vamlation and inconsistency, is the very man that has in an eminent way assisted m placing his most inveterate enemy in the very exalted position he now occupies. Need I say lam referring to Mr Julius Vogel. Is it not wonderful how truth is sometimes unravelled by the most humble means. Here is a pill rather too hard for Mr Reid’s digestion if you like; nevertheless I have administered the dose, and he must swallow it. Here is honor for you double distilled ; here is integrity with a vengeance ; here is invulnerability like dust that smiteth the face in a storm, when the elements are at war. Oh !do not laugh, houor sits lightly on his frontlet. Is it not a shameful thing to hear him talk of honor, integrity, and so forth, when, by his former actions be cau lay claims to none of these traits of character, therefore a dissembler of this kind ought to be shunned by all honest and respectable people. Mr Reid is a vehement declaimer against that useful body of men cqmmouly called squatters; but what of the blood hs squeezes out of them in the shape of the pastoral rent ? I wonder if he has refused to Huger any of it in shape of salary, because by bis hatred to that class of men, one would suppose that poison would be more agreeable to him than their money. The Laud Laws are another sore with him, that his skill could not cure the last 15 years, and now when the land fit for agricu’ture is all sold, he commences to talk of liberalizing Land Laws, &c., what bunkum ? Does be take the electors to be a lot of stupid dolts, whereon to ride into the Superintendent’s office. Sir, I will here place one very important fact before the readers of your paper, that ought to bear great weight with the electors of Otago, in reference to the Superintendent and the Provincial Council. In the interest of Otago it is necessary that harmony should exist between the General Government, the Superintendent, and the Provincial Council. If lam correct on this point, which I believe. I am, it is but reasonable to suppose that the electors will elect a Superintendent and Council that will work with the head Government. Now, this Mr Reid cannot do, nm- a Council o£ his choice. What then ? Why, it follows that Mr Macandrew is the man to all intents and purposes—nay more, Mr Reid must be aware of this fact, because it is not at all likely •that the Fox ministry will go out for some time to come. lam so very plain in the above statement, that there can be no mistake in its meaning. Otago act accordingly, and you will be right, I am, &c. j Junius. Hawksbury, 2oth January, 1871.