POLITICAL—PROVINCIAL.

Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 83, 16 December 1864, Page 3

POLITICAL— PROVINCIAL.

■ The elections of members of the -Provincial Council of Southland ' resulted in the return of a small majority of the opponents of Dr." Menzies. The Council met on tlie Ist December, and elected Mr. Wilson, one of the members for the Waihopai, as, Speaker. The election of a Superintendent was then proceeded with. Mr. M'Nab proposed Dr. Menzies for re-election. The motion was seconded by' Mr/ Johnstone, and when put, there were — ayes, 7 ; and noes, 9 — the Council thereby recording an opinion that Dr JMenzies should not again be entrusted with the duties and responsibilities of the office. It may at first sight appear strange that a gentleman who was returned as a member' of Council, at the head of the poll, for the Invercargill election, should have failed to secure the support of a majority in that Council; but it must be remembered that the same constituency which elected him; elected others who were known to be antagonistic to him in politics. The fact is that the people were willing to admit that Dr. Meuzies would<inake a good member of Council, though an objectionable Superintendent; and they were, moreover, not unmindful that he had for several years worked conscientiously in the piiblic serI vice, certainly to the r detriment, rather i than otherwise, of his individual interests. After the Council had passed their vote on Dr Menzies, Mr. Macdonald proposed, and Mr. CaMec seconuea tne motion that/ Mr. Heale be elected to the post. On a division the numbers - stood — ayes, 9 ; noes, 8. A question now arose as to whether Mr. Heale "nvas legally elected. The Act which regulates the election of a Superintendent in the New Provinces provides that an "'absolute majority" must vote in Ms 'favor ; and whether those words signify a majority of the whole 'Council, or merely a majority of those present, is doubtful. If the former be meant, the absolute 'majority would be ten or more, there being twenty members in the Council, and the Speaker having only a easting vote. The Speaker refused to rule, saying, the matter was one for the decision of the ' Supreme Court. Outside, opinions "are pretty evenly .balanced, both as to the desirability of having Mr. Heale as Superintendent, and as 'to tHe legality of the election. The Cotmcil subsequently passed, a resolution that the result 'of the division be forwarded to Mr. Heale. Steps have been taken to have the case decided by the Supreme Court. 'At an adjourned sitting a select committee was appointed to inquire into and report on the iinancial state of the Province, when ii appeared that the " total debt of Southland, on the 21st November, 1864, amounted to £388,896 2s. lid. To finish tho railway works and existing road contracts, would require a further sum of about £60,000,

viuce to nearly exclusive; of our 1 ■proportion of the New Zealand Company's debt, amounting to £18,000. To meet tlie interest and sinking fund upon loans to the former amount would necessitate provision being made for no less a ium than 2S36,pGq : a year." y, The Qo.inimittee.were^unanimous in their opinion that the Colonial guarantee was necessary. - :for proyincial loans, and it was .suggested ; thai the G-ener&l Government; should he :l immediately applied to for that purpose, : and that " some memßers of the House, : ; or other individual thoroughly acquainted with the aiFairs of - the ; Province, should ?pr6cee'd- : forthwith :^fco l land, and*? personally -the claims lof ■ :this ; Provmce rto the; cou-^ sideration of |he- (general (Joyernment. The choice v£ the "Council fell on . Mr. Pearson,^; the; ; phief V Oommissipner of I/ands, and lie haa since proceeded to Aucldand .' with ; the necessary ' ;creden-: , tials to treat on behalf of the Province. * What .the •result majr be it is 'difficult; at present to determine. It is not : Tinlilcel j that a tethporary advance may be mad© |otvde over the difficulty^ until ; the : Assembly can deal with the whole question ■ •pf. Colonial finance. ; J^anwhile thfe Proivince ; labors ;un cler very j great depression, fall public works; being stopped, and the :Provmciai;(xoVernment not in- a position: ' to meet the demands of a host of creditors, some of whose claims are.fpr very; paltry amounts^. :There;is a ; feeling that the. resources of the,^Province- will eventually carry it safely through all its difficulties, /and;ensure its ultimate prosperity. Such . isr pur-pwn ppiaion, aspoften expressed in this jbdrnal.- Nor do iwerthinle the day far distant when the present- embarrassmeßt "of : Southland will; : be altogether „a f.thiag' of ; : th<3 " past. ', We are warranted in '.fthi's belief by a knowledge -of the immense tract of .agricultural laud lof the finest ..quality which r is comprised in the; Prbrince, ; "waiting 1 only the p]ongh b'ecbme a. sburce of untold wealth. The large tra6to^.aurifer6iis country, in the south of the Province of Qtago- at, draws . jio . , small portion of its supplies _.fr,om ; - Southland, anipn'the-com-pletfqn of .1;ne; railways, she will •vtirtiially, 1 have a mdnnpolj' of the iraffie. There are afew who hold .different - opinions - this matter to ourselves, .but ( they are not to be found amongst those who have roost deeply studied the subject., ■