The Nelson Evening Mail. MONDAY, MARCH 4, 1867. THE SUPERINTENDENCY. NOMINATION OF CANDIDATES.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume II, Issue 52, 4 March 1867, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. MONDAY, MARCH 4, 1867. THE SUPERINTENDENCY. NOMINATION OF CANDIDATES.

The nomination of candidates for the office of Superintendent took place today at the Provincial Hall. Precisely at 12 o'clock, Mr. Sharp, the Returning Officer, appeared, and said he need not inform the electors of the purpose for which they had met ; but, for form's sake, he would slate that the object of the meeting was to elect a gentleman to fill the office ot Superintendent, recently vacated by Mr. Saunders. The Returning Officer then read the writ authorising him to call the electors together. It was dated the 15th February, and he had convened the electors on the earliest possible occasion. A longer time would iutervene between the nomination aud the election in order to allow of facilities being afforded to Returning Officers at a distance to make the necessary arrangements, and prevent the inconveniences, which had, for want of sufficient time being allowed, occurred on a former occasion. It was now the duty of the electors present to nominate the various gentlemen who were candidates for the office of Superintendent. Mr. Blackett then stepped upon the platform aud addressed the meeting. Previously to doing so he was received with cheering mingled with signs of disapprobation, but the cheers predominated. He Said the only object he had in attending that meetiug, was to aunounce his intention of retiring from the candidature for the office of Superintendent. He hid been led to that determination by a consideration of the position he should be placed in were he elected to the office. He found that his duties as Superintendent would, if elected, occupy the whole of his time and attention (hear hear), especially during the next session of the Provincial Council. To this was to be added that, if he succeeded iv the election, the responsibilities and duties of his own office as Provincial Engineer would claim the whole of his attention, there being no extraneous assistance he could rely upon, and even the appointment of au assistant Engineer would not place him in so good a position as he formerly enjoyed. He had great doubts of the propriety of accepting the double responsibility which would rest upon him, from a fear that the duties required might be imperfectly fulfilled He was apprehensive that some department might suffer, aud that the result would be neither satisfactory to himself nor advantageous to the province. To avoid this he thought it preferable to resign, although it might cause disappointment to his friends, and prevent any inefficiency in the working of the dep°rtmeut for which he was now responsible, rather than accept the important trust that was offered to him. In thus tendering his resignation he had to thank the numerous friends who had taken active measures in his favor, for the exertions they had put forth as far as the proceedings had gone, and were making every effort to secure his election. All he could do now was to thank them for their kindness, and apologise for having given them so much unnecessary trouble (cheers). This was all he intended to say to the meeting ; but it had been hinted to him, this morning, that he had been acting in concert wilh another candidate, and had thereby been influenced i" coming to the conclusion he had done. He could only say that the remark was too ridiculous to merit refutation ; he treated it with scorn. He had not acted in coucert with any one, but on purely independent grounds, doing that which he conceived to be best, under the circumstances, for himself and the province (loud applause). Mr. James Mackay ascended the platform amidst roars of laughter, saying he had changed his opinions, had repented of the error of his ways, and was about to propose a candidate who was the right man in the right place. Mr. Oswald Curtis was the gentleman aliuderl to, a man of correct business habits, of indomitable energy and perseverance, who could neither be talked down nor written down, and who was better calculated than any o-'her man to carry out the requirements of the province. He was in favor of the railway, and from his connexions and influence in the old country was more likely to get it carried out than any other man. The speaker caused considerable amusement by flourishing a walking stick,

around which was twisted an empty stocking, which he said was a type of the Provincial Treasury, uuless a railway were carried out. Having eulogised Mr. Curtis to a great extent, the speaker coueluded by proposing him as a fit and proper person to be Superintendent of the province. Mr. John Thornton, seconded. Mr. E. Baigent proposed that Mr. J. W. Baruicoat be Superintendent of ihe province. He showed that the gentleman lie proposed was a settler of 25 years sf.au ding, who as a surveyor had done good service to the province as well as by-fill-ing numerous offices, both of a private and public nature, in the discharge of the duties of which he had given unmingled satisfaction to his fellow colonists. He was in favor of a railway and was by his knowledge of the subject, able to give great assistance in forwarding so important a work. As x Speaker of the Provincial Council he had obtained for himself the greatest credit. Having also a stake in ihe country, he could not fail, if elected Superintendent, to promote the interests of the electoral body (cheers). Mr. W. Wastney seconded the nomination of Mr. Barnicoat. J Mr, Thornton, the publican, ascended the platform, amid confusion, which was so great that, except a reference to cheap drinks, it was not possible to hear what he said. The Returning Officer having requested the candidates to address the electors, in the orde in which they had been nominated. Mr. Curtis and Mr. Barnicoat made speeches of great length, a report of which, we are obliged to postpone till tomorrow. On a show of hands being taken, 84 were held up for Mr. Curtis, and 27 for Mr. Barnicoat. A poll was demanded, and the election appointed to take place at the various polling places in the province, on tho 28th of March. The Hall was crowded at the early part of the proceedings, but. the number fell off at 3 o'clock, at which time they terminated.