OTAGO.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume II, Issue 114, 11 May 1863, Page 3

OTAGO.

ELECTION OP SUPERINTENDENT. The lion. Jolm Hyde Harris was yesterday declared duly elected as Superintendent of the Province. The Sheriff, Jolm Gillies, Esq., announced at the hustings that lie would declare the result of the polling on the 16th instant; and he accordingly did so, in the Court House at noon yeslerday. There were about 100 persons present; but at least half of them had been in attendance at the Resident Magistrate’s Court. The Sheriff read tbs formal declaration that Mr. Harris had been elected by a majority of 128 votes —560 votes for Mr. Harris, and 4-32 for Major Richardson, having been recorded at the time of the close of the poll. Major Richardson said ; Mr. Returning Officer and Gentlemen—l appeer before you in what may be considered the rather unenviable position of a defeated candidate ; but, frequently, through the course of my life, I have found that there are defeats which arc more glorious and satisfactory than triumphs. Mine has been a triumphant defeat.—(Applause.) Now, at the close of my political career, in a prominent position, I hold to my principles with as much confidence as I felt at the hour when first I solicited your suffrages ; and I am satisfied that those amongst the electors whose opinion I most value, will not feel that they have had reason reason to regret their former choice.— (Applause.) It is my duty to return thanks to those who have supported me,-for that support — it was generous, hearty, and spontaneous; and I am deeply grateful for it. Defeat has not dimiminished my affection for this Province. I can say with Burke, “ I have an affection for the land of ray birth; but the laud of my adoption is the sphere of my duties.” Whether defeated or victorious, I shall ever bo a free, earnest, outspoken and I hope a manly, opposcr of what I consider to be right, let the holder of the office which I have now quitted be who he may. Though I will never bo guilty of a factious opposition to any one in office, 1 shall ever be free and outspoken in advocating my views. Land for the People—People for the Land—and Responsible Government —these are the most chosen and cherished objects of my intellect.—(Applause.) I will not talk of the past; if the past does not speak for itself, I shall, at least, be silent. I simply ask you to pause in your verdict on ray Government, until the time when the experience of the future shall be added to the experience of the past; and then, perhaps, that verdict will not be so unfavorable as the people of this Province, and the people of other Provinces also, through the instrumentality of the public press, I regret fo say, have been led to believe it should bo. 1 now take leave of the office to which I was called at a time of difficulty. I might almost say of disgrace in the history of the Province. I was called to it by a largo majority of the electors—l may say, by the unanimous suffrages of the people. I was at that time a private citizen, living on my farm ; but I was thoroughly content with my position. I at ynco stepped forward and took office; and now, with equal alacrity, I lay down the arms which I then took up. If, in the retrospect of the past there will he one feeling which is more than another dear to me, it will be, that the principles which I brought into office with me, I have honestly and fearlessly acted on ; and, thank God, I take those principles out of office with me. — (Applause.) I reciprocate all tire kindly feelings which have been expressed by the successful can-

didate. I have no animosity, no unkind feeling towards him or any one; but I do feel keenly some of the shafts—the poisoned shafts—which have been ungenerously levelled at me during tho contest. I thank you, gentlemen, for your support; aud I hope that I shall always be worthy of its co n tinuance.—(Applause.) On the motion of the Superintendent, seconded by Major Richardson, a vote of thanks to the Returning Officer was adopted unanimously ; and this terminated the proceedings.