Page 3 Advertisements Column 1

West Coast Times, Issue 235, 23 June 1866, Page 3

Election Notices. .-TO THE ELECTORS OF THE EIiEOTOBAJi DISTBICT OF HOKITIKA. f] ENTLEMEN,— -When you were recently called on, in conjunction with the other electors of tho district of Westland, to chooso a representative to serve you in the General Assembly, I had tho honor to be solicited by a deputation to becomo a candidate for that high position. Circumstances forbidding my compliance with their flattering requost, a promise was sought from mo that I would allow myself to bo put in nomination for ono of the two scuts for this town in the Provincial Council of Canterbury. Relying upon the continuance of the favorable opinion then expressed of my power to do some publio service, I gavo my consent. Within tho last few days I have received, as you are aware, a requisition signed by a large number of electors, addressed to mo jointly with three other gentlomen ; and, in reply, I have intimated my continued willingness to place my services at tho disposal of tho electors of Hokitika, should they deem them worthy of their acceptance. It is now duo to you that I should address you directly, as a candidato for your suffrages, and ask you to determine for yourselves whethor my return to the Provincial Council would be conducivo to tho promotion, of your interests. I must havo pursued my calling in vain, during my residence amongst you, if I have failed to make my general political views fully understood, or left any doubt on the minds of the electors, as to the measures I should advocate for securing to Westland the advantages of an independent local administration. It is my intention, • however, to take an early opportunity before tho day of nomination, of inviting you to meet me, to submit myself to the examination which is the ordeal candidates for political honors havo ordinarily to pass through. I will, thoreforo, for tho present bo content with saying a few frank words. I *do not disguise tho fact that tho position of your representative is one I should be proud to ["fill. Politics have been the study and pursuit of my life for a period of more than twenty years. I have never derived any advantage from them, oxeept in tho shape of wagei honestly earned by work faithfully done. I can say, with a good conscience, that during my long connection with the pross, both at homo and in the colonies, I havo never advocated a p rinciple I did no ' believe to be true ; never misused tho opportunity of anonymous writing to assail private character 5 never attacked a publio man except on public grounds; and, whilst endeavoring to exercise a responsible powor in a spirit of faithfulness to public interests, hav c never, to the best of my belief and hope, mode a political enemy. My election as your representative would not have tho effect of withdrawing me from the profession by which I live, and my arrangements would enable me to devote an unbought and unremitting attention to your interests. I Lave always entortained and expressed the strongest repugnance to tho principlo of the payment of representatives in any direct or indirect form. If you hono r me with your choice, my discharge of tho high and responsible duties devolving upon mo will bo swayed by no considertion or hope of personal advantage. I will add, that I have no desiro 1 to stand a contested election, and am ready to retire from the field in the face of any general expression of opinion, that tho interests of the constituency would bo better served by tho return of some other ' man. I beg to assure you that other foolings than those of disrespect, havo induced me to wait tlruq long after the presentation of tho requisition, before issuing my address. " Hoping soon to meet you in public, I remain, Gentlemen, Youw faithfully, Thos. L. Bbight. Hokitika, Juno 22, 1866. 3174