The Inangahua Times, PUBLISHED TRI-WEEKLY, FRIDAY, JANUARY 5, 1883.

Inangahua Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1216, 5 January 1883, Page 2

The Inangahua Times, PUBLISHED TRI- WEEKLY, FRIDAY, JANUARY 5, 1883.

One seat in the New Zealand Parliament is now vacant, through the accidental death of Mr Seaton, the member for the Peninsular (Otago), and a second vacancy will shortly be caused through the resignation of Sir John Hall, the member for Selwyn. There are three or four candidates named for the Peninsular, viz. Messrs Donnelly, Bastings and R. Stout. The latter gentleman is however coy, and: nation to once again seek Parliamentary honors. He nibbles at the bait, but has not yet swallowed it. He knows that to him Parliamentary life means pecuniary loss, and he hesitates to make the sacrifice. The left wing of the radical party look upon Mr Stout as its exponent and leader, and if he finally refuses the seat proffered him, his decision -will be much regretted. For the Selwyn seat, two prominent New Zealand politicians are spoken of who had seats in the last parliament, Messrs E. Wakefield and E. Richardson. The former is a relative of the retiring member, who will doubtless use his best influence to get Mr Wakefield returned. Mr Wakefield, next to Sir George Grey, Is the finest orator in New Zealand, and his presence from the debates during the session of 1882 was greatly missed. On the other haud, Mr Richardson is a gentleman whose abilities command the admiration and respect of all sides of the House. Durnig the period he filled the position of Minister of Public Works in the Yogel Cabinet, his administration of the department under his care drew forth eulogiums from both Minis teralists and Oppositiontsts. He is not an orator like Mr Wakefield, but takes a plain common sense view of matters, expressed in terse terms, which carry conviction home to those who listen to him. He is not an admirer of the present administration, and believes that a reform is necessary in the Public Works Department. The result of the contest for these two seats will be eagerly watched throughout New Zealand.