THE VACANT SEAT.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 8, Issue 394, 16 July 1866, Page 2

THE VACANT SEAT.

fTo the Editor of the Hawke’s Bay Times.] Sir, —I noticed with regret, by your issue of tha 25th ult., that our indefatigable member, Mr J. Buchanan, has resigned his seat in the Provincial Council of Hawke’s Bay; and that he positively refuses to offer himself again as a candidate, or indeed to allow himself to be nominated. This is very much to be regretted, as all who know the gentleman will admit. Seeing, however, that there is no chance of the people of Napier again procuring his services, it behoves the electors at once to shake off the miserable apathy in things political which appears to hang about them, and to look around for another gentleman to fill the vacant seat in our Council. But who can wo find to waste time and energy in that Council Chamher, giving battle to such an unscrupulous and time-serving Q-overnment as that of Hawke’s Bay ? Very few indeed ; or, if there be any such, they will not come prominently before the electors, without being requested first to do so by a few friends. No man with any ability at all will, unasked, offer himself as a candidate; nor is it to be expected, judging from past events. Seeing this, I would suggest to the electors of Napier, of whom I am one, that they immediately set about the task of finding a man on whom they can with confidence rely;—one who will not leave any stone unturned in forwarding the interests of the working man and the agricultural settler;—one who will seize hold of any and every flaw in the acts of the Government, and set them in the right path ; —one who will not offer any “ factious opposition” to the ruling powers, but will not at the same time, if possible, allow the Government to do just as they please. Can we find a man to do all this ? It will be a difficult task I own, but one that is capable of accomplishment. If such is not done, then alas! for the interests of Hawke’s Bay. We are in the hands of the Philistines now, and every man should put his best foot foremost in the endeavour to get out of their clutch. The yoke is upon us, and the sooner we use our best endeavours to shake it off the better. Electors of Napier, remember that “ unity is strength,” and be as one man in the effort to free yourselves and the country from a most disgraceful state of political thraldom. Mr Editor, will you kindly urge this duty upon the electors of Napier ?—for it is a duty, and one which has unfbrtunately been too long delayed; but, as the proverb has it, “ Better late than never.”—l am. Sir, yours truly, AEGUS. Napier, 13th July, 1866.