Page 3 Advertisements Column 1

West Coast Times, Issue 236, 25 June 1866, Page 3

. Eleotion Notices, ifo THE ELECTORS OF THE BLEOTOBAL DIBTBICT OF HOKITIKA. ri ENTLEMEN,— When you were recently called on, in conjunction with the other electors of the distriot of Westland, to choose a representative to serve you in the General Assembly, I had the honor to be solicited by a deputation to become a candidate for that high position. Circumstances forbidding my compliance with their flattering request, b promise j was sought from me that I would allow nryself to be put in nbmination for one of the two seats for this town in the Provincial Counoil of Canterbury. Relying uppn the continuance of the favorable opinion then expressed of my power to do some publio service, I gave my consent. Within the last few days I have received, as you are aware, a requisition signed By a large number of electors, addressed to me jointly with three other gentlemen; and, in reply, I have intinidfad my continued willingness' to place my services at the disposal of the electors of Hokitika, should they deem them worthy of their acceptance. It is now due to you that I should address you directly, as a candidate for your suffrages, find ask you to determine for yourselves whether my retilrri id the Provincial Council would be conducive to the promotion of your interests. >

I must have 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 ftdvoeate for securing to Westland the advantages of an independent local administration. It is my intention, however, to take an early opportunity before the day of nomination, of inviting y6ii to meet me, to submit myself to tne examination which is the ordeal candidates for political honors have ordinarily to pass through. ' I will, therefore, for the present bo content' with saying" a few frank words. I do not disguise the fact that the position of your representative is one I should be proud to [fiU. Politics have been the study and pursuit of my life for » period of more than twenty years. I hare never derived any advantage from them, except in the shape of wages honestly earned by work faithfully done. I can say, with a good conscience, that during my long connection with the press, both at home and in the colonies, I have never advocated a principle I did no believe to be true; never misused the opportunity of anonymous writing to assail privato character ; never attaoked a public man except on public grounds; and, whilst endeavoring to exercise a responsible power in a spirit of faithfulness to publio interests, hav c never, to the best of my belief and hope, made a political enemy. My eleoticn as your representative would not haye v the 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 have always entertained and expressed tho strongest; repugnance to tho principlo pf the payment of representatives in any direct or indirect form. If you honor me with your choice, my disoharge of the high and duties devolving upon me wUI be swayed by no considertion or hope of personal advantage.

I will add, that I have no 'desire to stand a contested election, and am ready to retire from the field in tho face of any general expression of opinion, that tho interests of the constituency would be better served by the return of some other man. I beg to assure you that other feelings than those of disrespect, have induced me to wait thus long after the presentation of the requisition, before issuing' my address. Hoping soon to meet you in publio, I remain, Gentlemen, Yours faithfully, Tnos. L. Bbight. -' Jfokitikft, June 22, 1866. 3174.