TO THE ELECTORS OF THE DISTRICT OF HAVELOCK.

Hawke's Bay Weekly Times, Volume 1, Issue 12, 25 March 1867, Page 70

TO THE ELECTORS OF THE DISTRICT OF HAVELOCK.

(pSNTtEMEN,—

When y some fouT iOr. five:weeks ago, I consented to be a candidate for the representation of your District in the Provincial Cbiincil, t 'did so, not that 1 ! had any ambUipn to become, a .member, but chiefly because I believed tfiat, wet.e ! returned, I could advance the’ Cause of legitimate colonization by introducing, or at all } events supporting, an Act which shoidd have for. its object ' theprotection of the rising agriculturalinterests against the daily increasing thistle nuisance. - Having so consented, I made no secret of the fact,and supposed it to be generally known. I also imagined that the great object which my supporters.had in view was one in. which - the Government fully sympathised. It was, therefore, with no small astonishment that I found myself opposed at the last moment by a gentleman backed by Government infiu&we, and to secure whose return the most strenuous efforts were being put forth. Those efforts,! am happy to sag, have proved ineffectual ; on public grounds I cun proud, of the remit. . Although■ returned by a nominal majority of one, Ihave, in reality, obtained the'vote of every bona fide settler of the district (with one■ 'exception) who came to the poll j and it is not unworthy of being noted, as a guarantee: that my course of action in the Council is likely:to be an independent oiie, that the eight votes recorded for my late opponent included those of the Provincial Auditor ! the Provincial Solicitor ! !. the Provincial Hanker. J! ! and a”member of the' Provincial Executive ! ! ! !

Gentlemen, —I shall, while sitting as your representative, have the interests"of your.,district carefidly in view. I trust that you, on your part, wilt keep me well informed upon ’Subjects of local importance, and give me that degree of moral support without which no member' can ' attain d high degree of usefidriess. l am, Gentlenien, Your obdient Servant, JAMES WOOD. Napier, March 20, 1867.