CORRESPONDENCE.

Marlborough Press, Volume I, Issue 48, 1 December 1860, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

To the Editor of the Marlborough Presa. Sir—There is a report in circulation, so ridiculously absurd, that although coming from what you editors call a reliable source, it appears impossible to credit it ; it is that there is a move on foot to oppose the re-election of Mr. Weld to the post he has so ably and satisfactorily filled as our representative in the General Assembly. To allude to the qualifications of that gentleman must be entirely unnecessary, as they are patent to every elector of this province, and the only object I have in drawing attention to the subject is to put those electors on their guard who are in the habit of signing the first requistion presented to them ; and before they pledge themselves to any other candidate, I would suggest the consideration of the following questions on reference to the aspirant’sclaims. Has he showm himself superior tn Mr. Weld in zeal for and knowledge of thetrue interests of the province ? Does he possess the requisite ability to render that zeal effective ? Does his standing in the colony or stake in the welfare of this province surpass that of Mr Weld? It being impossible that a conscientious reply in the alternative can be given to these questions, it appears incredible that any opposition to the re-election of such an old friend, too, and tried servant of this province as Mr. Weld has proved himself should be attempted, and more incredible still, that any person should have been, found, however ambitious, whose overweening estimate of himself could inducu him to lead the forlorn hope in such a contest. The subterfuge made use of to procure thesignatures of the unwary among the electors to the requisition to W. H. Eyes is, that. Mr. Weld is coming forward for the Picton District, and there is at present no one in the field for the Wairau District; such a statement the advocates of the pretensions of Mr. Eyes must be well aware is false, as Dr. Monro is in the field for Picton, and the success of both Mr. Weld and Dr. Monro is already placed beyond a doubt. And I would advise Mr. Eyes, before he consents to figure as an opponent to such men to hear in mind the fate of the frog in the fable, whose presumption brought him to such an untimely though deserved end Fortunately the electors of Marlborough are becoming more awake to the onerous duties devolving on them in the choice of* their representatives, and will prove to the person whose vanity or ambition may lead him into such a contest that they are not prepared to exchange the services of a gentleman who has proved himself preeminently qualified for the office for “ Vox ct prmterea nihil." I am, &c., John Godfrey

To the Editor of the Marlborough Press. j Sin —When I first heard that a requisition to Mr. Eyes to offer himself as the representative for the Wairau district in the General Assembly was in course of .signature, my first impression, and I believeothers felt the same, was that Mr. Weld should have been apprised that such a step was in contemplation. But a little reflection convinced me that no time was to be lost, if we wished to secure a representative who would promote what I believe to be the true interests of the province. It would be useless, as it would be invidious, to institute any comparison as to the personal merits of the two gentlemen on whose behalf the suffrages of the electors of the Wairau district arc sought. On that point it will suffice to say of Mr. Weld that I consider him a thorough English gentleman; higher eulogy no man is entitled to; but he appears to me to have been emphatically a member of the administration, and only nominally the representative of the Wairau. I am not seeking a friend nor choosing an associate, but a fitting instrument for the accomplishment of a certain purpose, anti whatever be the merits or demerits of Mr. Eyes in other respects, I believe that as our representative he will be the more useful to the province of the two, and for him, therefore, I shall give my vote. I understand that a requisition to Mr. Weld was signed by many before the division of the province into two electoral districts, and under the impression that there would be only one member for the whole ; some who have thus signed have, 1 believe, since withdrawn their names. Of course they will he heartily abused as renegades. but I think that anyone who sets

under misapprehension or imperfect information, is entitled to the indulgence due to human fallibility) and is at liberty to \»mend. Whatever more subtle casuists may say on this point, I should myself feel less compunction at retracing a false step than in doing, from a mere punctilio, what might entail disastrous consequences on others. Did the result affect myself only, the case would be very different, but in public affairs a man’s vote may affect the welfare of thousands, and this consideration should make him pause before he allows a qualified promise to take precedence of his conscientious convictions. I am, &c., An Elector. ■To the Editor of the Marlborough Press. Sir —ln' your last number you published an extract from an American paper, describing what is stated to be an effectual mode of imparting durability to timber. The efficiency of this particular mode of treatment can only be determined by experiment) which I intend to try, and probably others will be induced to do the same. I wish to caution those who do so not to use an iron vessel, which will decompose the sulphate of copper, and precipitate the copper in its metallic form. I think also that the timber should be thoroughly seasoned before immersion. If the promised result be attained, the advantages would be inestimable, and I think it not improbable it may be. I kpow white pine pegs that hafe remained almost' uninjured in the ground- for ten or twelve years, and may be standing still, owing, no doubt, to some antiseptic property in the soil, and I see no reason that it should not be made equally durable by the appliances of art. I am, &c., W. Budge.