THE SUPERINTENDENCY.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 152, 5 January 1871, Page 6

THE SUPERINTENDENCY.

A deputation of gentlemen favourable to the return of Mr. Donald Eeid to the Superintendency, consisting of Messrs. Bathgate, Sievwright, Jago, Prosser, Hawkins, Calder, H. S. Fish, jun., Isaac, Dobbie, and several others, waited upon that gentleman at the office of the Secretary for Land and "Works, on Saturday, and presented a requisition asking him to allow himself to be put in nomination for Superintendent at the forthcoming election.

Mr. Bathgate, in handing the requisition, stated that the Committee had not yet received the returns from the country districts, but had not thought it prudent on that account to delay the invitation farther. They gave him (Mr. Eeid) the assurance that upwards of 1000 signatures to the requisition had been already obtained in Dunedin alone. In common with their fellow citizens, the requisitionists had been much disappointed in the nonfulfilment of the pledges made at the last election, in 1867 ; and they looked to Mr. Eeid, in the event of his election, which they had reason to believe is certain, to inaugurate a better state of things, by the immediate promotion of reproductive works on a sure footing ; and by assisting in obtaining facilities for the settlement of population on the waste lands on liberal terms. Above all, they looked to his resolute determination and integrity to help the electors in resisting to the uttermost any attempt to add to the taxation in this province, where it was already well nigh intolerable. Mr. Eeid, in reply, thanked the

deputation for the flattering requisition which had been placed in his hands. He would not be candid if he said that he was not in some measure prepared for it ; indeed, he felt that the way in which the requisition to Mr. Macandrew had been worded was a challenge to the party with whom he (Mr. Reid) had acted, and to those who held similar views, to test the question at the elections. For himself, he had much rather that some other gentlemen holding views similar to those held by the party with whom he had acted had been brought forward ; but as the choice had fallen on him, he should not shrink from submitting the questions which have been in dispute to the impartial decision of the electors. At the same time he felt that in responding to their request, and aspiring to the high and honourable position of Superintendent of the province, he was undertaking an arduouo and onerous task. He felt it to be his duty, however, as evincing the sincerity of his opinions, to respond to the very influential requisition which had been placed in his hands, and he had also the assurance from many friends throughout the province, who were perfect strangers to him, of hearty sympathy and support. Emboldened by these assurances, as well as by this requisition, and the support of the gentlerpen whom he saw around him, he would enter upon the election with a determination that nothing should be wanting on his part to merit success ; and that the contest should be so conducted that if the decision of the electors should be against him, there would be no cause to be ashamed of it. He quite reciprocated tho views expressed by Mr. Bathgate in respect to public works and the settlement of tho population on the land. He looked upon the immediate construction of railways and other public works — such as water reservoirs on the goldfields, and others which might be enumerated — as an absolute necessity, without which it was impossible to hold our own. It was futile 'to expect any industrial pursuits to be carried on so as to compete with the surrounding countries, unless the most economical means of transit were placed within j our reach ; but at the same time he did not agree to this being done in such a way, that by getting a little ourselves we should agree to construct largo works for others, in places where they were not likely to be reproductive. He should make it his chief aim to see that the land revenue at least was locally applied. On the land question he thought ifc was not necessary that he should detain them, as he believed his views were well known. He was, as he always had been, in favour of liberal land laws with grazing rights attached, a? was so admirably provided for under the Hundreds — or, as it might be more properly called — Commonage system. "What he desired was ts see the lands profitably occupied with thriving homesteads, and every other consideration in regard to them should be secondary to that. He thanked the deputation for the requisition, and he was assured that they, in common with other friends, would enter on this contest in the same spirit that he did himself, so that he had no misgivings as to tho result. — " Daily Times."