WELLINGTON.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 13, Issue 686, 27 May 1869, Page 4

WELLINGTON.

ELECTION OF SUPERINTENDENT.—DR, EEATHERSTON RE-ELECTED.

(Abridged from the Independent, 18th May.) The election for the Superintendency of the Province of Wellington took place in front of the Supreme Court House yesterday at noon, when a considerable number of our leading citizens were present. J. C. Crawford, Esq., Eeturning Officer, having read the writ, Mr J Dransfield begged to propose Isaac Earl Featherston, Esq., as a fit and proper person to be their Superintendent ; and in doing so he could do no better than follow the example set by his Honor in the address which he had issued and that was to refer them to his past career. His Honor had told them in that address that he had been sixteen years Superintendent; and he thought they could say this muc li —however they might differ with some of his political opiuions—they must all admit this, that a more honorable and trustworthy party man had never been elected in any province in New Zealand.

Mr C. B. Borlase said he came forward most willingly to second the nomination of Dr Featherston as Superintendent. In times of such serious depression and hardship, the only question for them was not how to extricate the country from its difficulties—there was also another important thing to be looked after —how was the island to be governed in the future. This was not the time to quarrel amongst themselves as to who should fill this high and responsible position; they should all pull together and show the whole of New Zealand by their unanimity that they had no doubt about their choice. It was not in the Provincial Council that the great question would have to be decided—it would be in the General Assembly. Two great antagonistic principles would have to be fought out in the General Assembly next session, namely—Centralisation and Local-self-government. These were the principles which would have to be fought for, either for the benefit or ruin of New Zealand. He had always been a supporter of Dr Featherston, in recognising in him the chain pion of local self-government, and ever hoped to remain so. Centralisation had no greater or more powerful an tagonist than Dr. Featherston; nor was there any man whose personal opinions carried more weight in the General Assembly; and that influence jnust be increased by electing him as Superintendent. It was not merely his personal qualities to which he was going to allude —as Mr Dransfield had Ba id —but if they put his Honor there they would be putting the right man in the right place. He was very happy in seconding Mr Dransfield's proposition. No other candidate being proposed, the Returning Officer declared Isaac Earl Featherston duly elected Su perintendent of the Province of Wellington. Dr Featherston then addressed the electors as follows:—Mr Returning Officer, and Fellow electors, —You will readily believe that I find it difficult, nay utterly impossible, to convey to you my deep sense of the honor you have conferred upon me by electing me for the sixth time to the chief executive office of the province. It is undoubtedly at all times consoling and cheering to a public man to receive the approval of his fellow citizens ; to find that his efforts, however feeble, however humble, to promote their interests are not wholly unappreciated —that any services he may have rendered are neither forgotten or unrecognised. Still there are circumstances connected with the present election which cannot but enhance the gratification which I feel in being once more the recipient of your kindness, of your confidence, of your trust. It is not unfrequently; made a charge against such democratic institutions as those we enjoy that they are incompatible with a strong and efficient government; that under them there never can'be any permanency, any stability, any firmness in the administration of public affairs; that they lead to sudden and frequent changes; that under them no man, no leader can hope or expect to enjoy for any length of time the support and confidence of his fellow men; that there is under them a constant craving

desire for a change both of men and principles; that however popular a man may be to-day he may find on the morrow a very different opinion entertained of him.—a wholly different estimate of his character, his abilities and services; that under democratic institutions the people are fickle, unstable, and ungrateful; that their tendency is to disgust and drive the best men out of public life. Now without for one moment admitting that such a charge against democratic institutions is as a general rule well founded, it certainly cannot be urged, cannot be maintained as far as the people of this province are concerned; for, with a suffrage all but universal, with supreme power in tbeir hands, none of those who have taken any part in public affairs can justly complain of any fickleness, any unstableness, changeableness, any ingratitude on the part of their constituents. During the sixteen years we have lived under our present constitution I think it must be admitted that, whether we regard the Executive Government or the Legislature, there have been fewer changes in their composition than in any other community ; that the people have manifested a very remarkable loyalty to their public men; have manfully stuck to them; have ever afforded a fair, generous and intelligent support. And, my friends, need I say, that this is the highest, the proudest reward that a public man can look for, can hope to earn and receive. Such is the reward you have this day conferred upon me. I am fully n»y painfully, conscious that during the long time I have held office I have committed gross mistakes —serious blunders; that I have on many occasions been weighed and found wanting, and therefore, I appreciate all the more warmly the compliment you have just paid me. I am equally well aware, that in the dis charge of my duties —in the heat of party contests —in the conflict of opinion—l must have given offence, have trodden upon the toes of many of you ; that I have both said and done things which I have afterwards unfeignedly regretted, and yet to-day you generously forget andforgive all my offences, condone all my sins, whether of commission or omission. [Loud cheers.] It is indeed a source of the highest gratification to me, to find that to day we are saved the turmoil, the vexation, the rankling irritation which is ever engendered and left behind, b) a contested election; that in spite ol passages at arms in days gone by, many who formerly opposed me, have come forward to support me; and I cannot but express my thanks to mv friend Mr Borlase, who was formerly a candidate for the Superintendency, for the kind readiness with which he agreed to second my nomination. We shall of course all continue to have our differences of opinion—and indeed it would be a most unhealthy state oi affairs if we had not. We may for in stance continue to differ, as you and I have hitherto done, as to the best means of extricating this Island from the disastrons struggle in which it is is engaged, and the eod of which apappears as far off as ever; but this need not, I trust, will not, prevent us making common cause, and all pulling together, or from carrying out by our united efforts that policy best adapted to meet the emergencies of our position. What that policy should be this is scarcely the time or place to state; especially as my views are too well known —have been too frequently stated to require reiteration; but this I must say, that if there be such a reaction in the public mind against the course of action hitherto pursued as I imagine, I believe that no long time will elapse before the Imperial Government will put forth her strength, and will speedily and effectually and for ever stamp out this wretched native insurrection. Nay, I hesitate not to avow my conviction that the Imperial Government would long before this have come to our assistance, had it not been for the meddling interference of certain indiscreet friends at home. And now friends, allow me to inform you that it is not without a deep sense of the responsibilities —without a keen appreciation of the difficulties of our present position—or without grave misgivings of my own power and ability to steer and guide the province through the dangers which threaten it, that I venture to enter upon a fresh

term of my present office. I do so only in the hope and belief that I may under all circumstances rely upon your assistance —upon your hearty and cordial cooperation. I have simply now to beg you to accept the assurance of my deep gratitude for this renewod proof of your trust and confidence in roe. [Loud and prolonged cheering.] His Honor then proposed a vote of thanks to the Returning Officer. The Returning Officer having re turned thanks the proceedings closed.