The Southland Times. FRIDAY, AUGUST 16, 1867.

Southland Times, Issue 710, 16 August 1867, Page 2

The Southland Times. FRIDAY, AUGUST 16, 1867.

If there was anything required to prove the correctness of the opinions that are now generally entertained of the objectionable and suspicious actions of Messrs Lttmsdeh", Clebke and Boss during the last sitting of the Provincial Council on the railway question, Mr Clebke has supplied it. His speech at the Theatre Royal on Tuesday evening was tame and empty to a degree, and as a justification of the acts of himself and colleagues, a Bignal failure: The charge that was brought against them was that irom a greed of office they opposed resolutions in favor of the immediate construction of railways — resolutions which only a few hours before they freely endorsed. Mr Cleeke never refuted thia charge or even advanced one single argument that can be taken in mitigation of punishment for the crime they committed. "What was his plea? He had no confidence in the Blacklock Ministry ; that past blundering, and mysterious doings disqualified them from being permitted to have anything whatever to do with any new undertaking. He did not state that the old Ministry offered to resign. Mr Cleeke designated the finishing of the Bluff Eailway as a bungle, but he failed to show that it was any bungle at all. Nearly all his assertions with regard to the I late railway contract were contradicted by Mr Smyth. That gentleman placed the question in a different light before the meeting, and plainly showed that the then G-overnment obtained terms far more beneficial to the province than the present Ministry with their crude selfopionated dogmatism would ever have gained. Mr Cleeke did not touch upon the Battbay difficulty, or explain that it was a great obstacle in the way of the speedy completion of the line, and entailed considerable unforeseen outlay. The Blacklock Ministry are not answerable for this. Mr Blacklock has publicly defended himself, and that most satisfactorily. Has Mr Clebke done the same ? Most decidedly not.

What is Mr Clerke's defence worth ? He acknowledges he was a party to the construction of the Railway resolutions and in favor of them, but upon consideration changed his mind.. Verily Luarsden and Co. must be patriots indeed, but patriots of the weathercock tribe. Again, what has the new Executive done since they have been in office for the good of the province ? This question was asked, and a definite answer could not be obtained ; in cross-examination it did come out that the immaculate Provincial Treasurer (Mr Clebke) when once in office, "hesitated" about the proposal for a dissolution of the Council, the very thing which he paraded as the great reason for the course he and his party had taken. But he explained afterwards that the quarters of the Treasury were very comfortable, and he did not like to leave them. He knew that a dissolution would very shortly send him about his business. This is the model patriot that wa3 always talking in the Council about " shenanegan." Mr Cleeke states if elected he will return to the original resolutions that Tie beTore refused- to paas. He will fight for the railways, and vote for no man as Superintendent who is not favorable to railways. "We should like to know Mr Clerke's idea of what constitutes a railway advocate.' Is it such a man as Mr John Eoss, who from his own confessions is unstable and undecided, and who is not straightforward upon the railway question j or is it Dr Mestzies, who is a squatter, and is only in favor of constructing railways upon borrowed money, which we can never obtain, but who is willing to adopt the Bailway "ticket" for the time in order to again assume power. Both gentlemen have shown the valueless character of their professions when ambition is aroused, and proved that they cannot be trusted. The electors cannot at this important crisis afford to run the risk of again placing them in a position to do mischief even as members of the Council. If they are returned the railway question will be jeopardised. The selection of a Superintendent is the most important matter that should occupy public attention. Of all the gentlemen that have been named as likely to be nominated for that office, the Hon Mr T.4.TX10& is the onJy one that possesses

the qualifications essential in* Chief Magistrate. Hia credentials hay) borne the crucible teat of time and been p 'onounced legitimate. He has proved hiraelf an able, earnegt, and faithful legislator. To him is due the credit of obtaining the liberal conditions now offered for the- 1 construction of the Railways, and, most of the measures that has extricated the Province out of the slough of despond in which he found it upon being called to office, and so long as he is at the head of the G-overnment the Province will be respected throughout the colony. Ifc is to be hoped that the electors of the Waihopai and Invercargill will reject Messrs Lttmsden, C:lebke & Go. at the forthcoming elections. Should any other gentleman but Mr Taylob be elected Superintendent, the whole question of railways will be indefinitely postponed. Because the pressure that will be brought to beaT upon a new man by the interested clase will crush the public voice, and tha General Government will become so thoroughly disguatod wicli tne " whole transaction that they will refuse to have anything more to do with setting aside the land. If Dr Menzies or Mr Ross should be elected for the town, it will be a great blow to the cause of progress. Let ths electors reserve their votes until the last moment in favor of the four pledged railway candidates.