OUR REPRESENTATIVES.

Mataura Ensign, Volume 7, Issue 409, 14 November 1884, Page 2

OUR REPRESENTATIVES.

Now that the ■waters of oblivion have swallowed up the second session of Parliament, and that the members have winged, their way to their several domestic arks, let us see what lias been done to redeem the lavish promises always made at- election times. Upon a calm review oE the events of the session we are glad to be able to say that Southland has had little need to be ashamed of. its representatives. It must ever be ( borne in mind that the session has been one of pyrotechnic displays and surprises. Almost every night we went to bed prepared for a change of Ministry before morning. Tlie political pack was shuffled and cut and dealt so many different ways that no man knew his friends, and that the Southland contingent should have steadily played together and scored what points they could in the general turmoil is creditable to them and fortunate for their constituents. Only one false step was made and that was by the member for Invercargill. And when he ventured oiit of his depth to second an address-in reply he received such a chill 'as no [doubt will deter him from similar rashness in future. This is the solitary exception in the conduct of the Southland members. Speaking now oE our own immediate district, it will bo remembered that we did not warmly espouse the cau.se of Mr Cowan, but we must do him the justice to say that he has done better than we were inclined to expect. Sir Julius Yogel paid him the compliment of attributing the proposed measures of relief to the "Waimea Plains settlers to his agitation and exertions. When it is remembered how luke-warm upon the subject Mr Cowan seemed at the outset of his candidature, and how definite lie was in his subsequent promises, we are equally gratified that he lias fulfillecVthose promises, and that to us was largely due the fact that they were obtained from him. Before the Rabbit and Sheep Committee too, Mr Cowan gave valuable evidence, although there were some parts of it which superfine taste might have objected to as likely to lay him open to the charge of being revengeful. In the minor duties of a representative Mr Cowan has been attentive. We now only allude to the Stoney Creek and Waikaia post offices as evidence of this. He is not, and probably does not assume to be, a gladiator in debate, but he has shown diligence in attending to the small wants of his ■ constituents, and has thus probably done more good than if he had indulged in political pyrotechnics. The Mataura representative, Mr Gr. F. Richardson, has fully justified the opinion we pro nounced upon him when he sought election. We should have preferred the return of the old member, and said so, but the constituency has lost nothing by the change. Occasion was given during the session for Mr Richardson to markedly display his professional ability. This was during the dobate on that huge swindle the Central Eailway. In a few words he brought out so many facts and figures as to earn _ the highest encomiums from the political leaders. His minute acquaintance with the relations of County Councils to the Government and to Road Boards has stood and will stand him in good stead, and we should not be surprised if the Government avail themselves of his knowledge in the preparation of their local government measures j during the recess. Upon the whole, - then, we repeat, Mataura and Hokonui can reasonably felicitate themselves upon their members. That they should have maintained their dignity during the many trying crises with which the history of the session is studded is matter for congratulation, and we look forward to increased usefulness when they shall have had an opportunity of utilising the experience already gained.