Page 4 Advertisements Column 3

Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 70, 9 November 1864, Page 4

Election Notices. ,j, „ . settled before the election of Superintendent, as it will take the most harmonious working of both Government and Council to try and extricate the Province from its present embarrassed position. I shall have! the pleasure of explaining my ■ views more fully, and answering any questions 1 that "may be put to me, on the day of nomination. ' - ; '/ -" ' " ; " ; ' ;: ■ '" ','■";'■ / ' ''.', ■, 1 . ; ram/ v ■■'■" " ■" '" v '■" '■■'■ '"■' ■ _ . J ; ' Gentlemen, Your obedt. Servant, . 68 tc JABEZHAY. TO MATTHEW HOLMES, ESQ. SIR,— We, the undersigned Electors and In habitants of the Oteramika District, respect fully request that you will become a CANDIDATE for the District at the ensuing Elections for th< 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. JOHN MACGIBBON, F ROBERT M'AWLEY. PETER MILNE. . September, 1864. 54 tc To Messrs. HAMILTON, DAWSON, WOOD ■ apd the other G-eutlenien signing the Requi ! sition. • -i "1 ENTLEMEN, — In answer to the requisitioi ; XjT you have honored me with, I shall be happ] ' to allow myself to be placed in nonu'nation as f • candidate for the representation of the Oteramiki 1 District, at tlie forthcoming Election of Members t of the Provincial Council; and shall, if elected • spare no exertion to advance the interests of nvj constituents and of the Province generally. Although no modifications of the New Zealauc constitution can be at once obtained, I am o opinion that they are required ; and, as the subject may, and probably will, bo discussed anc legislated on, it appears not irrelevant to furnisl , you with my views in this place. The history o: the last few years shows that, under the existing system of Government, the best interests of th( Middle Island are liable to be overridden by thf claims of the North. We have been, and still are, contributing largely towards an expenditure froir which we derive no benefit, and much of the present commercial depression in Southland and the other southern provinces, is to be traced tc this source. I am, therefore, an advocate for the separation of the two Islands, and the establishment of a G-eneral Government for each. I would abolish the Provincial Governments, but alloy.' 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 oi 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, aud would in preference adopt, with certain modifications, the regulations in force in Canterbury. Doubtless much of the prosperity of that Province is owing to superior rules for the management of its lands. Whilst tho 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 proclum ation of liis run into Hundreds, ho 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 Grovermnent to initiate stielx a line, making Grst those portions most urgently required, and gradually extending opei-ations 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 Greneral Government, and that portion of it already completed, viz. — the line between Invercargill and the Bluff — should be at once handed over, the Province, as in the case of the railway, being reimbursed for its outlay. The present Education Ordinance is most unjust in its working. The assessment is altogether on a wrong basis, and individual cases of hardship under it are common. The means of educating his children should be placed within the reach of every man ; but I believe that the necessary funds for a general system of tuition should be apportioned from the ordinary revenue. The Roads Ordinance is defective in its provisions. It appears to me that the Government should, a 9 at present, make and maintain trunk lines of road, and that bye-roais should be made and maintained by the settlers in the districts through which they pass, but roads merely leading to private estates should be made only by the parties directly interested. The present state of the East Road retards the settlement and development of your district, but in consequence of an empty exchequer there is little hope of speedy improvement. I would, however, at the earliest opportune bring the subject under the notice of the Council, and be prepared to see justice done. I am not opposed to the theory of assisted immigration, but under tlie jiresent circumstances of the Province, I should be unwilling to see any public funds appropriated to such an object. I should, if elected, endeavor to keep the Provincial expenditure within the Provincial income. No Pre T.nce should in future be allowed to borrow on its own security. The power of contracting a debt should bo confined to the General Government, which should borrow, and distribute to the Provinces according to the requirements of each, and the security which each was in a position to offer. It is necessary that the Provincial Council should possess control over the Superintendent in his expenditure of Provincial moneys. The Council can place an efficient check on his actions by resolution, to the effect that they will recognise no unauthorised expenditure, thereby making the Superintendent personally responsible. Thanking you for the honor you have done me, I remain, Gentlemen, Your obedient servant, 57-to MATTHEW HOLMES. TO~THE ELECTORS OF INVERCARGILL r\ ENTLEMEN, — In answering the Sixty-three Or electors who recently honored me with a requisition to come forward as a candidate for a seat in the Provincial Council, I. gave a very brief explanation of my views on the moßt prominent questions of the day. It ueoms desirable, however, that I should express myself more fully both to them and the whole constituency of Invercargill. Chief amongst the causes which tend to the prosperity of a young province, is facility for bond jlde settlement on tho waste land. lam entirety • opposed to selling ifc in largo blocks of " thouuandt of acres " to any speculator who may choose so tc invcßt his money. .Froo ((election and deferred i payments appear calculated to effect the objects ; we should have iv view, and w« uld give s to the settler of small moans an Oj port initj ," for 'securing by his industry a hume foi > himself and family. Tho Now Land Act wtl , be »• serious drawback to immigration, anc i any legitimate action which' may bo taken by the • Provfocui/i Council in order to obtain its repeal would mpot with tuy carctial support. A. proportfrtn of fcho proimecU o( th« l»nrl tajer