The Oamaru Mail WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE NEW ZEALAND AGRICULTURIST. SATURDAY, AUGUST 30, 1879.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1049, 30 August 1879, Page 2

The Oamaru Mail WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE NEW ZEALAND AGRICULTURIST. SATURDAY, AUGUST 30, 1879.

Electors congregated from far and near to a very respectable number at the Courthouse at noon to-day, the occasion being the nomination of candidates for the parliamentary representation of thi3 district. The proceedings, carried on outside the building so that all might be pruaenc, were with one tITW trifling exceptions, by the greatest good sense. If there were any in the conconrse that were bursting with a desire to indulge in political party pleasantries—although such have grown to be the rule rather than the exception—they successfully kept their feelings in subjecticn. We are proud of the electors of the Waitaki Electoral District on thi3 account. We have said that there were exceptions. One of these was the allusion to the waterworks. This, we think, would have been better left alone. It is true the works were undertaken during Mr. Sampter's mayoralty, at an estimated cost of LC5.000 only, and it is also true that this was done—and the ratepayers know it—with the concurrence of a largo majority of them. Mr. Sumpter would have acted wrongly had he neglected to act with regard to this matter in accordance with the desire of the Council and the pretty general wish of the townspeople. But what has Mr. Sumpter done that his name should have been dragged into the discussion to-day 1 Let every man answer for his own mistakes, and he will haveplentytodo. But ithasnot yet teen proved that the wateri works scheme that was inaugurated during I Mr. Sumpter's mayoralty will not turn out to be just what Oainant requires. So far as we can see, the only point in dispute is whether the funds that have been borrowed to carry out the works have been as judiciously expended as they might have teen—whether, indeed, the undertaking has not been unnecessarily costly. This is a difficult question—a question that could only at this stage be decided beyond dispute by experienced engineers. As to the public, they will be able to give their verdict when the urorks have been completed ; but, in any case, we cannot see that that verdict could bo unfavorable to Mr. Sumpter, whilst it might yet be complimentary to everyone connected with the undertaking. Again, it was hinted that the Bank of New Zealand was using its inttucnce to affect the election. We do not believe it. Nothing has yet taken place to favor such on idea. Mr. Steward's supporters nro not all customers of that institution, and if they were it would be a libel on their manhood to charge them with being its puppets. We believe that Mr. Steward's candidature is being supported from motives of pure friendliness to Mr. Steward, and, perhaps, some unfriendliness to one at least of the other candidates. A man who has resided in a community for about fourteen years, who has held numerous positions of trust, and who has at all events been energetic in i,ia endeavors to fulfil the duties connected with those positions, must make somo friends. Although we think that Mr. Steward's friends are, politically speaking, fpilrinft a blonder in supporting his candidature, we believe that their intentions

and actions are honorable, and as much above suspicion as those of the supporters of the other candidates. The three candidates spoke well to-day, and, if there was a little bitterness mingled with their remarks, it was the outcome of a laudable desire to set themselves right with the electors.