POLITICAL PROVINCIAL.
As the time for the elections for the Council draws on, our settlers are beginning to manifest a little interest in the matter, but not nearly so much as we should like to see. Everyone admits that our affairs have been grossly, mismanaged, and although part of our difficulties could not havebeenforeseenby the most clear-sighted politicians, there are other points of which the same cannot be said. The probability is, that there will be a large proportion of new members in the Council, a change which is very much wanted, and will, it is thought, effect the election for the Superintendency. Of this last office which becomes vacant on the return of the wiits for the new Council, wg can only say that it is very doubtful who will be called on to fill the post, which is no sinecure and but badly salaried. The present occupant, Dr. Menzies, has, we are informed, expressed' his willingness -to act again should he be called on to do so, but we much question whether the Council, will re-elect him. A very large number of the most influential men in the Province are anxious to secure the services of Mr. Matthew Holmes, of Seaward Downs, a gentleman of great ability, and having a heavy stake in Southland. It is not known for certain whether he would be willing to devote the necessary time, but strong efforts will be made in his favor, and should he consent, we believe his election may be regarded as a certainty. "We publish in another column an article on the subject which lias already appeared in this journal. A few days since a Committee was appointed by a meeting of electors for the purpose of securing the return of suitable candidates for the Provincial Council ; and it has set about its work in an energetic manner. We do not know that it is pledged to any particular line of politics, but is only influenced by a desire to see a change for the better in the class of representatives, some of whom in the late Council were altogether out of their element, and would have been much better occupied in their ordinary avocations. Another body of electors are about to appoint a committee, the duties and objects of which will be more clearly defined, and may eventually lead to the formation of a permanent institution, for promoting reforms in the present unwieldy Provincial system of Government. We believe that its .labors would be cordially seconded by the other Provinces, which have all some grievances to lay- to the charge of existing institutions. In money matters, the Province stands in very nearly the same position which it occupied when we published our last summary. The whole of the original £45,000 advanced by the General Government has been expended on railway works and the payment of the necessary plant from England, and a further sum of £15,000 has been lent on tte same terms, viz., the security of the waste lands of the Province. The Assembly will have to decide as to the time for the repayment of these sums. The New Land Act which was recently assented to by Her Majesty, is to come into operation on the 26th inst. One of its provisions raises the price of the agricultural land to two pounds per acre. We are afraid that this clause will have a very bad effect, by seriously retarding the settlement of the Province. On several occasions, attempts had been made to induce His Excellency Sir George Grey to postpone the proclamation of the Act, but without effect, so we shall have- to bear the burden for at least a year longer. _4»
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Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 47, 17 September 1864, Page 5
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618POLITICAL PROVINCIAL. Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 47, 17 September 1864, Page 5
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