Page 2 Advertisements Column 2

Lyttelton Times, Volume VIII, Issue 492, 22 July 1857, Page 2

regard the/pasklegislation of the provinces, generally, |as eAibiting a decided tendency to exceed the" powjßs conferred upon them by the Constitution Jb, and think it highly desirable that such temraicies should be at once corrected. . One of the principal duties of the Provincial Government is to'provide, funds for the construction and maintenance of public works and local improvements ; and one of the chief sources upon which Government must rely for this purpose is the sale and rental of the Waste Lands. As to the price and general management of the Waste Lands, I wish it to be distinctly understood that I am entirely adverse to any change in the Waste Lands Regulations that shall involve a reduction in the price of the Waste Lands, or the tenure of such portions as are occupied for pastoral purposes. For the simple; reason that I should, in the first place, consider: such changes as inflicting an injustice upon the present occupants, and calculated to retard the advancement of the provinces, by reason of the doubt and uncertainty with which the public would thenceforth learn to regard provincial legislation. Because, also, Ido not appi'ehend that a reduction of price, below the present fixed rate of £2 per ac-re, is at all necessary to secure : such an income for expenditure on' public works ' as will bear a just proportion to our resources in the shape of available labour. With reference to Public Works, I am very desirous that the country should be thoroughly opened out b_y means of sufficient roads and bridges, as fast as the necessary funds can be realized. And. at the same time, I think it of the highest importance that especial care should be taken to ascertain, when appropriating public money, that priority be given to such works only as are most needed and which promise to yield the greatest amount of public profit and convenience. I I trust that for many years we shall not be compelled to resort to the levying of taxes as a means of supplying the Provincial ' Exchequer. Nothing short of an extreme exigency would in my opinion justify compliance with such a measure. In order to avoid such a position, it ap- | pears to me only necessary that the greatest ! economjr should pervade the administration of the Government, and that care should be taken, never to anticipate our revenue, except in cases where such a course would ensure an extraordinary public benefit. It is perfectly needless for me to state that I am in favour of that system of legislation that bears most equally upon all classes of the community. I believe there are few to be found who would be bold enough to propose a scheme of class legislation to a people so thoroughly imbued with a love of fair play, as the public of Canterbury. I hope that this spirit will continue as strong as eve*1, and that the progress of education will foster and increase that love of order and respect to duly constituted authority which is already one of the proudest characteristics of our infant state. Should you, gentlemen, do me the honor to elect me to the office of Superintendent, I have great hope that I shall find myself competent to j a proper discharge of its political functions. I am especially encouraged in this belief, when I consider that, under our present system of Government, I should be associated with and advised by the a,blest men in the province. in conclusion, gentlemen, I promise that, if elected, I will devote myself entirely to the promotion of the social and political welfare of the province; that I will adhere faithfully to j the constitution, and will never be a party to its j infringement or evasion, either directly or indirectly ; f.nd that, in so far as may devolve on me. I will always endeavour to secure to the public the services of the ablest and best men, in all departments of the Provincial Government. Before the day of election I hope to have frequent opportunities of more fully explaining my opinions. In the meantime, gentlemen, I beg to subscribe myself, most respectfully, Tour very Obedient Servant, W, S. MOORHOUSE.

TO THE ELECTORS OF THE PROVINCE OF CANTERBURY. f^ ENTLEMEN. Mr. FitzGebaid \jT having announced his intention of resigning the office of Superintendent of this Province, I have .the honour to state, that I •shall present myself to you as a Candidate for it when the period of Election shall arrive. It may perhaps be thought presumptuous in me to take this step without having had the way prepared by the customary requisition. But the fact that I should be a candidate, in case Mr. FitzGerald did not desire again to be elected, lias been so long and so generally known, that it would have been aifectation in me to have waited for one. I have thought it the less necessary too, because the means by which signatures to such documents are now too often obtained have tended to invest them with almost as much of disrepute as credit. At all events they have deprived them of much of that value in public estimation which such testimonials once possessed. I feel it to be m}- duty, Gentlemen, to state at the outset of this address some of the considerations which have led me to offer myself to your notice and to ask at your hands the highest civil appointment it is in your power to bestow. I have been a resident among you almost from the foundation of the settlement, and have ever taken a more or less active part in the public affairs of the province. It is now two years since I had the honour of obtaining a seat in the Provincial Council. Since then my time has been wholly engaged in the public