TO THE ELECTORS OF THE PROVINCE OF NELSON.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume I, Issue 254, 31 December 1866, Page 3

TO THE ELECTORS OF THE PROVINCE OF NELSON.

GA 1 ENTLEME^ — hi announcing to you that it is ■ T niy. iricencion to offer myself as a candidate for the'poucion of. S.ipjrintendent when- tliat offije shall have become vacant by tliereiireinent' of Mr Saunders, I should perhaps apologise fbr doing so in the absence of any form il requisition to that effect, signed by r a number of the constituency. ■ , ; ■. . . lint my experience of political affairs leads. me to attach but a moderate, value to such 'documents; and I prefer to place myself unreservedly in your hands, asking only tor your unpledged and unfettered support if, after carefully, weighing theciualinoatious of the various candidates who may present tlum-ielves, you are satisrie I that you would .best serve, the interests of the community hy giving it to me. Tlie gold-iields of the West Coast, to Avhiuh Ave are indebted, directly or in lirectly, for to considerable a portion of our revenue, will continue to call for uars.nitting attention ou the part of the Provincial Government. The prompt, energetic, and prulent management of these g'okl-uelds by Mr Saunders lias, as you are probably aware, received my constant support as a member of the Provincial Council; and, as regards this part of the duties of the Superintendent, I should endeavor to carry -out the po.ioy Avhich has been so ably initiated. I am however firmly convinced that the resources of the western district of the province can never be fully developed, nor the full benefit of those resources be experierrced by the community, until the projected railway from Nelson to Cobden and Westport has been constructed. The power to give land in payment for this most important work has been granted to the Superintendent by an Ace of the General Assembly, but it ! remains to find contractors willing to undertake its execution upon these terms. . j To efleet this object I should, in the event of my election, devote myself heart and mind; believing as 1 do, lhat its accomplishment is the one thing needed to relieve the province from the comparative stagnation which has so long prevailed, and to bring greatly* increased prosperity to all classes of its inhabitants. lain Avell aware of the difficulties Avhich have to be faced, and of the energy, determination, and perseverance Avliieh are required to surmount them; but I should sec to Avork animated by the hope and belief that those difficulties can be overcome, and that the contractors, as weli as the province, Avould be largely benefitted by the undertaking. While looking upon the West Coast RailAvay as the public work which, affecting as it does so greatly the w<*lfa>*e of the province, as a whole, claims the largest share of the attention of your Superintendent, there are others in Avhich 1 have ioug felt deep interest, and which 1 should do my utmost to carry into execution. Among-t them are the construction of a Dry Dock or Patent Slip in Nelson Harbor ; the introduction of Pure Water fbr the supply of the inhabitants of the City of Nelson, and the sliipping of the Port, as well as for the prevention of calamitous fires ; and the erection of Bridges over the Waimea aud liurunui rivers. The active part whicii I have taken for many years past in pressing the value and importance of the Coal-fields iu various parts of the province upon the attention of the Provincial Government arid Council, makes it, 1 think, almost superfluous for me to assure you that the subject would meet Avith no neglect or indifference at my hands. My general political opinions must be so well known to most of you, that I think it unnecessary to enter upon any expression of them in this address ; but Avhen the, resignation of Mr Saunders has been officially announced, I shall lose no time in visiting the various electoral. districts, so as to give the Avhole constituency of the province the opportunity of, learning my views upon all subjects in Avhich they ' | feel au interest respecting them. I have the honor to be, Gentlemen, Your most obedient servant, .■••■. - OSWALD CURTIS.