THE GENERAL ELECTIONS.

Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 60, 18 October 1864, Page 5

THE GENERAL ELECTIONS.

The principal topic which has engaged the minds of the public during the month has been the forthcoming general election of members of the Provincial Council. By the new Representation Ordinance, the Province is divided into thirteen electoral districts, returning in all twenty members, as follows : — lnvercargill, 4 ; Biverton, 2 ; Waihopai, 2 ; Campbelltown, 1 ; Longwood, 1 ; Roslin, 2 ; Oreti, 1 ; Oteramika, 1 ; Aparima, 2 ; Waiau, 1 ; Waianiwa, 1 ; Waikivi, 1 ; New River, 1. The writs not being yet received from Auckland, the day of nomination is not announced, but in some of the districts, more especially Invercargill, there are signs already of a spirited contest for Council honors. We shall here briefly recount the history of the elections since the first meeting of the electors of Invercargill — held about a month sinee — which may be considered as having originated the movement. First, as regards Invereargill The candidate first in the field for the representation of this place was Mr. C. E. Button, solicitor. He has addressed the electors on two separate occasions, on both of which he made a very favorable impression. Closely following him, came Messrs. T. M. Macdonald, solicitor, and J. B. Davies, railway contractor, who have likewise met the electors. Their political views appear to harmonise pretty closely with those of the electors. Then came Messrs. N. Chalmers and "W. F. Tarlton, both old members of Council, and who have each occupied the post of Provincial Treasurer. The latter is at present the only Minister remaining in the Executive, and as his political career appears to be anything but satisfactory to the people, his re-election may be written down as " doubtful." The present Superintendent, Dr. Menzies, at the request of a numerously-signed requisition, consented to become a candidate for a seat in the Council. It has been a very generally expressed wish that the next Superintendent should, if not actually sit in the Council room, seek to be returned by some constituency, as in some degree guaranteeing his fitness prior to his election to a higher office. His re-elec-tion to the Superintendental chair, even if elected a member of Council, however, is by no means certain. "We might mention the names of several other gentlemen who are spoken of as likely to contest the election of members for Invercargill, but do not care to divulge them without their consent. One thing is now certain, however, and that is, that a very spirited and exciting, contest may be looked for. For Biverton, two candidates have announced themselves. These are Dr. Samuel Hodgkinson, J.P., and' Mr. John Crerar, of the firm of Surman and Crerar, auctioneers, &c, Biverton. The present member for the district, Mr. Howell, has not yet announced himself as seeking reelection, but it has been stated to us on undeniable authority, that he is willing to come forward. If he should do so, there is a prospect of a contest here. For the "Waihopai District the late members do not again solicit the suffrages of that constituency, but for the two seats there are two candidates announced, and several others have been spoken of as likely to come forward. The names of the gentlemen presently in the field are Messrs. Poter Dalrymple, settler, and C. S. Button, brewer, Invereargill. The latter has, on two- occasions, addressed the electors, and was received very favorably. Requisitions have been got up and presented to Mr. A. M'JSab, and Mr. J. C Henderson, asking them to become candidates for the representation of the Campbebltown District, Both have acceded to the wishes of their requisitiqaUtg, and a coateat fa therefore pending Here, $£?.

~M i Nabr-who~was---Speaker --Qf-'therisfce^ Council; has the- advantage of experience in Council business orer his opponent. It is not yet known who is most m favor. Mr. E. G-lUow' is in the field for the representation of the Longwood District. No other candidate is yet announced.; Tor the two seats for Boslin, Messrs. "Wilson and Swale, both members of last Council, are named as candidates. : Mr. Cuthbert Cowan has consented to at&nd f 6i? the Oreti District. For Aparima, the names of Messrs. Matthew Scott, and Cuthbertson are mentioned. Their intentions are not made public. ; Tho name of Mr. A. M. Clark has been mentioned in connection with the Waiau District. For Oteramika, Matthew Holmes, Esq., has consented to become a candidate for the representation o f that district. From his well known abilities and influence, it is not anticipated that his return will meet with any opposition, and his presence at the deliberations of the Council is earnestly desired by a large majority of the population of Southland. Mr. Stuart is the only candidate yet in the field for the representation of the Waikivi District. His, return is pretty certain, as there will not probably be any opposition offered, and his former experience as a member of the House is so much more in his favor. Mr. Henry Armstrong, whose career as a member of Council has been but brief, is mentioned as a candidate for the New Eiver District. Mr. J. F. Collins, at the request of a. number of electors of the "Waianiwa District, has announced himself a candidate for the representation of- that place. No opposition is as yet offered to his return, which is looked upon as" pretty certain. "We have now exhausted the districts and the candidates who up to this time are in the field, or who are mentioned as likely to come forward. So far, the great cry for new blood. for the Council has been the means of arousing a more than usually large amount of excitement in the elections. A considerable number of the candidates, presently canvassing for the suffrages of the various constituencies, are new men ; but it does not always follow that, because new, they are necessarily " good men and true." Time will try their merits and demerits. That the new Council, however, will be composed of a lot of mere tyros in political matters is not by thinking persons considered likely, but rather that a due proportion of those old members who have retained untarnished their political fame are certain of re-election; while others who have not been so fortunate in obtaining the confidence of the electors must give way to new members, who, from their position and well-defined political opinions, are deemed to be the best qualified for sitting in judgment on the affairs of the Province.