THE CANDIDATES FOR THE SUPERINTENDENCY.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 566, 12 October 1869, Page 3

THE CANDIDATES FOR THE SUPERINTENDENCY.

(From the Nelson Mail.*) Mr Akersten is a gentleman for whom we entertain a great respect, as being an energetic and useful member of the community, but there all favorable criticism must cease. For some years he was in the Provincial Council, but we are not aware of his having, at any time, proved himself superior to the average run of the members of that body, or that he ever did or said anything that would justify his being , elected to the high office to which he ! doit aspires. Of Mr Gibbs's view*; little is known as yet. He has been for some time a member of the Council, where he has rendered himself notorious as a blind and undiscerning opponent of the Government ; the leading feature, indeed, of his political character may be said to be a faculty for opposition. It mattered not what were the measures introduced, what the propositions that were made, it was sufficient for Mr Gibbs to know that they emanated from the Superintendent to ensure his most determined opposition. He is a nan of abuudant energy, and unlimited self-assurance, and it is entirely owing to the possession of these qualities and not from any extraordinary ability or intelligence that he has made himself known in the political world. Such is Mr Gibbs. It may be worth while to revert to his proceedings in the last session of the Council, in order to show what are his opinions with regard to the separation of the West Coast. It will be remembered that the Superintendent in his opening speech declared his intention to oppose in his place in the Assembly any dismemberment of the province. This became the subject of discussion, and a division took place upon it, when Mr Gibbs was one of those who disapproved of the Superintendent's intention to oppose separation, and in giving his reason for doing so, he stated that he " considered that both geographically rnd socially the inhabitants of the "West Coast were an entirely separate people, and were, much better able to manage their own affairs." It is. true that on being taken to task for his vote he attempted to explain it away by saying that it was merely because he thought the Superintendent's language unnecessarily strong that he had voted with the Opposition, but how are the words spoken before the division and the explanation tendered afterwards to be reconciled ? Taking the speech and the vote together we cannot arrive at any other conclusion than that Mr Gibbs looks upon the dismemberment of the Province with a favorable eye ; this may perhaps make him popular on the West Coast, hut what will the electors on this side the ranges say to placing a man who | holds such opinions in the Superinj tendent's chair ?