Hawke's Bay Times. Nullius addictus jarare in verba magistri. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1872. THE APPROACHING ELECTION FOR THE PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 19, Issue 1451, 10 October 1872, Page 2

Hawke's Bay Times. Nullius addictus jarare in verba magistri. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1872. THE APPROACHING ELECTION FOR THE PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

The near approach of the day of nomination for the election of a member of the Provincial Council induces us to examine the respective claims of the two candidates for the suffrages of the town electors. These, as pur readers may be aware, are Mr W. Colenvp, the late occupier of the seat, who, almost without effort on his part, was at the last election, placed at the head of the poll, and Mr T. K Newton, who, on the same occasion, was one of the rejected canJidates. The reason of the vacancy is that Mr Colenso has accepted an appointment under the Provincial Government that of Inspector of Schools, a position for which he is perhaps better qualified than any other person who might be willing to undertake its duties on the stipulated terms. The tact of Mr Colenso's accepting this office has been made by his political opponents ti.e ground of a great patcty against- him, they being apparently too glad to have the semblance of an accusation to his detriment; but not content with stating the truth, or knowing that the holding of such oflice is perfectly compatible with the fullilmeno of his duties as a representative, they accuse him of purchasing the office by his Government suppoit during the past session of the Council—support which would not have he t n given, except as the price of ihe office.

It is strange that, in making such a charge, its promulgators should forget that there must always be two parties to such a bargain, and whatever discredit may attach to the purchaser of any office under a Government- is reflected on to the Government that so disposes of its patronagft. Thus, in the present case, if Mr Colenso is culpable in giving his support to the Government, the Superintendent of Hawke's Bay is as palpably guilty of purchasing support by an abuse of patronage. The fact, however, is, that since the abolition of the Executive in the Government of this Province, there has ceased to be a Government party. In other words, the Superintendent himself is the only embodiment of such a party, and so far from Mr Colenso having gi\en undue support to Government measures, his opposition was most marked to the solitary measure that could be so characterised during the past session. This was the "Special Settlements Act,'' which, as introduced, contained several oppressive clauses, some of which Mr Oolenso, by his energetic opposition, succeeded in removing, and in modifying others, so that the Bill, as passed, had fewer objectionable features than when first brought forward. We hardly think that this can be what is meant by his support of the Government. He is also accused of opposing the other to-vn members. This, however, has been when those gentlemen have shewn themselves in their true colors as the not of Napier, but of class interests, which have been already too powerful both within and without the Council. One of the best illustrations of this fact will be found in his opposition to the "Wholesale Dealer? in Spirituous Liquors Bill," in traduced by one of the town members, but opposed by Mr Colenso as conferring unheard of privileges on that particular cla.ss, to the detiiment of the revenue and the interests of the rest of the constituency. Another case in which Mr Colenso was found in antagonism to some of the other town members was his resistance to the barefaced scheme for closiug the road through Ciive Square. This scheme was in the interests of the same clique, dwellers in another part of the town. In hi* obstinate resistance to this attempt, he was supported by one of his colleagues (Mr Lee), and their united exertions have twice succeeded in bafHing this scheme, to the manifest interest of the town. If, however, Mr Colenso is de feated, the probability is that, in the interests of the opposing clique, Clive Square may be closed next session, and appropriated to the use of the members of a football club, who, we doubt not, wodd prefer to have a public reserve enclosed at the public expense for their purposes to providing such a place for themselves. Still another point on which Mr Colenso has opposed the town members has been the establishment of a municipality, strongly advocated by the party above alluded to—it being evident that such an institution would confirm and consolidate their influence, weaken that of the great body of the electors, increase co«t of government, and produce no adequate benefit in return for its di>a<lvantages, We have, however, fully discussed this question on former occasions, and we, in common with the bulk of our fellowtownsmen, award our full approbation to Mr Colenso for his resolute resistance of the scheme. Yet one more instance of his antagonism to his colleagues, and we have done. He opposed; and successfullv ? &

virtual vote of censure upon the conduct of his Honor the District Judge, which was moved and supported in the Provincial Council by unsuccessful suitors in the District Court, This, was another case of his uniform practice of upholding the true interests of his constituents against those of merely persons or parties, and for which he well merits the support of the electors. The contrast between Mr Colenso and his antagonists appears to be, then, that while they are town members they are not town representative*, but representatives of peculiar interests, more or less personal to themselves; while he is truly a representative of the whole electoral body, and as such is entitled to their confidence and support.