THE WAIKIVI ELECTIONS.

Southland Times, Issue 704, 2 August 1867, Page 2

THE WAIKIVI ELECTIONS.

(to the editob oe the southland times.) Sib, — I am somewhat astonished at the boldness of Mr Andrew Toshack in again offering himself as a candidate for the representation of the Waikivi District in the Provincial Council. He has had a trial, and failed to satisfy even his best friends that he possesses even the least, capacity for legislation. I have watched his short political term, and with all due respect to him as a worthy private acquaintance with many estimable qualities, I can arrive at no other conclusion than that his return to the Council again would be the greatest blow to the progress of this district that even a bitter enemy would desire to strike. All his ideas are anti-deluvial. He did by continued allusions to his Germanic experience, and travels in America, when he first came amongst us simple folk, create a sort of uppercrust prestege, but I am sure that not one out of twenty who know what he did in the Council, but will join with me in saying that his attempt at politics has been a failure — that he proved that it was impossible for his ideas to move at even a snail's pace. He evidently practiced the primitive simplicity of the ancient German village in which he for a time sojourned ; a village I have no doubt where shoes and boots such as we use have never been seen, and the people so wedded to ancient custom as .to oppose any change, in fact to brand it as sacrilege to even suggest improvements of any kind. iSueh, Sir, I think you will acknowledge is a fair conclusion to arrive at from what is known. In every question that has been brought forward of a beneficial character he whines forth a puny opposition, which few can hear or understand, and if it was not for the injury that his vote may do for the province, in consideration of other, qualities he possesses, I would willingly endure the infliction of allowing him to rest in the vain belief, that he was born to govern. In this case I cannot, he has proved himself the most consistant obstructionist in the Council, for he is always going backwards, and appears to shiver as though with the ague if he is asked to take one step forward. Other candidates must be found — a railway advocate ; — "he is not the man for Galway." I am, yours &c. MjLBLE. . Waikivi, 31st July, 1867. ♦