Page 1 Advertisements Column 4

Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 57, 11 October 1864, Page 1

Election Notices. until I know who are the candidates ; but should certainly vote for the one whom I considered best fitted to fill the- office and promote the interests of the Province. In conclusion, I beg again to thank tho Electors who have invited me to come forward as a Candidate, and I pledge my sell, if elected, to fulfil the duties of your representative in a conscientious manner, sparing no pains to advance the interests of Invercargill and of Southland generally. On "questions of public works which may be brought under the consicleration of the Provincial Council I should give my vote independently ; but on matters in • which I might be personally interested I should be silent. My conduct as a member would be constantly before you ; and, should you at any thne feel dissatisfied, I would resign my trust on receiving a requisition to that effect from two- thirds of my supporters. I am, Gentlemen, Your Obedient Servant, tc J. K. DAVIES. TO THE ELECTORS OF OEETI DISTEICT. /"•* ENTLEMEN,— I will be glad to MEET you on MONDAY, the 24th instant, at Noon, at Fletchee's Accommodation House, to give to you an account of my conduct as your representative in the late Provincial Council, and to explain to you my views with regard to the forthcoming election. I am, Gentlemen, Your obedient Servant, CUTHBERT COWAN. Okaiteru, 4th October, 1864. 65 { TO MATTHEW HOLMES, ESQ. ' SIR, — We, the undersigned Electors and Inhabitants of the Oteramika District, respectfully request that you will become a CANDIDATE for the District at the ensuing Elections for the PROVINCIAL COUNCIL. ROBERT HAMILTON. WILLIAM DAWSON. GEORGE DAWSON. THOS. A. DAWBON. W. D. G. WOOD. HUGH M'INTOSH. JOHN MORTON. WILLIAM KERR. WILLIAM JOHNSTON. ! ALLAN HALL, i JOHN MACGIBBON. ROBERT M'AWLEY. PETER MILNE. September, 1864 54 tc To Messrs. HAMILTON, DAWSON, WOOD, and the other Gentlemen signing the Requisition. ENTLEMEN, — In answer to the requisition \JT you have honored me with, I shall be happy to allow myself to be placed in nomination as a candidate for the representation of the Oteramika District, at the forthcoming Election of Members of the Provincial Council ; and shall, if elected, spare no exertion to advance the interests of my constituents and of the Province generally. Although no modifications of the New Zealand constitution can be at once obtained, I am of opinion that they are required ; and, as tho subject may, and probably will, be discussed and legislated on, it appears not irrelevant to furnish j you with my views in this place. The history of the last few years shows that, under the existing system of Government, the best interests of the Middle Island are liable to be overridden by the claims of the North. We have been, and still are, contributing lai'gely towards an expenditure from which we derive no benefit, and much of the present commercial depression in Southland and the other southern provinces, 19 to be tvaeed to this source. I am, therefore, an advocate for the separation of the two Islands, and the establishment of a General Government for each. I would abolish the Provincial Governments, but allow each Province to retain and expend its own revenue, merely contributing its quota to the expense of maintaining the General Government. With reference to the questions more particularly attracting public attention at the present moment, I will give a brief exposition of my opinions, although for the settlement of some of these questions the Provincial Council is almost powerless. I am altogether opposed to the present system of dealing with the Waste Lands of the Crown, and would in preference adopt, with certain modifications, the regulations in force in Canterbury. Doubtless much of the prosperity of that Province is owing to sviperior rules for the management of its lands. Whilst the agriculturist can buy land in any part of Canterbury, and obtain a grant without delay, the squatter has the advantage of holding his run until it is actually purchased, whereas in Southland, on the proclamation of his run into Hundreds, he ceases to have any legal interest in it. With regard to railways, it is certain that, ere long, there will be a line connecting this Province with Nelson. It would be judicious for the General Government to initiate such a line, making first those portions most urgently required, and gradually extending operations until the whole was completed. In contemplation of such a scheme being adopted, I should be in favor of handing over to the General Government the Bluff and invercargill Railway, the Province receiving the sums expended on its construction. The whole telegraph system should also be in the hands of the General Government, and that portion of it : already, completed, viz.— the line :W#*«n ikvercargili aid '&« Bluff— should" be at