ASHLEY COUNTY.

Press, Volume XXVI, Issue 3519, 15 December 1876, Page 2

ASHLEY COUNTY.

Mandevtllb Biding. The nomination of two Councillors for this ridiDg was held on Thursday, at the Boad Board office, Bangiora; Mr B. Aherne acting as returning officer. There were twenty-six persons present. The returning officer stated that the candidates nominated were Mr Henry Blackett, Mr John Oowell Boys, and Mr John McFarlane. , \ , Mr Blackett addressed those present by stating he had been induced to come forward, having been invited by a great number of persons to do so, but not because he had any wish, to contest the election. As they might wish to hear his opinions, hfe could only give them a comparison between the position of that district under the Provincial Council, and what it might ba expected to be under the county system. .The Provincial grants were about £1100 a year, and but of that the Boad Board had had to pay £800 to keep the main roads in repair, thua leaving only £300 and the Tates raised to war-3a the rhaintenance of the 1 other public works in-the district. Under "the county system the district would receive £1' for £1 on the rates collected, and on a rate of 9din the £ the income would be from £1100 to £1200 per annum ; the County Council would take the-,- management of. -the-main roads, which was equal to a saving of,-;he might say, at least £600 to the Boad Board, and altogether he computed..the Boad Board district of Mandeville and Bangiora would be £900 better off nnder the county system tban under the provincial system. He had not included the large grants made during the last nioe months—-which were equal to the grants for nearly two years previously—in this calculation. In addition to this revenue, the district would also receive the licenses fees, court fees, and dog fees, and altogether he estimated it would receive a total of £2000. The drainage district, also receiving £1 for £1 on its rates, would have a further income of £400, thus making the grand total for the district £2400. There was another large source of revenue to be expected from the land revenne it the sale. , kept up, and all things considered he could not but look with favor on the improved state of affairs. With reference to the question as to whether the Act should be brought into immediate operation, or held over for a time, ; say three months, his opinion was that the matter should be well debated in the Council. If the Act Was accepted, they could not go back from it, but it was quite competent for the Council to take time in deciding, on- its adoption. If he found also that it was not to the interests of his district that it should be brought into-, force he, would probablyvote against putting it into operation, while thetrther hand if hewas of opinion that it should be put ..in-force and the public were against its being adopted, he would be prepared to meet them, and if their Views dia not accord he would be willing to place ! his resignation in the hands of the people, I Hear, hear.]'-- : J Mr Boys said he did not come forward with the object of contesting the election, but with a view to question one of the candidates, and if the answer given was not satisfactory, he might enter the contest. He did not go exactly with Mf Blackett to the extent that the county system alone would produce the good things he had spoken of, lot in the event of the County Council not coming into being, the Boad Boards wonld; still receive the grants and votes of money as if the council had existed. His object, as stated before, in appearing there that day, was to get a pledge from Mr McFarlane, who was not-present at the public meeting of ratepayers, that he would not be prepared to support the immediate introduction of the permissive clauses. Now would Mr McFarlane give the electors a pledge that he would not vote for the introduction of the whole of the Counties Act without giving time for the matter to be generally considered.- He agreed entirely with the leading articles' in the Pbess, that this was a very important time, aud that a definite answer to this question ought to ba elicited from each candidate. His view was to suspend action under the County Act for two years-—[heat] j —and he hoped that Mr McFarlane would give them some idea of his intentions. [Cheers] i r . Mr McFarlane said he had come forward rather against his will, but had so at the earnest wishVof many in the district; Mr Blackett had given a clear statement of the apparent benefits of the county system, and he need hard.y. enlarge thereon. loj reference to Mr Boys* question, be thought that gentleman wanted to tie him with a pledge-; but be must remind the electors that he bad come forward as an independent liberal—todo his best for the district.. He was glad that abolition of the provinces had taken place, as he had always been opposed to the provincial system. In reference to this election he did not wish to be returned, only as an independent member, without being, bound to act in this or that interest. If the County Bill was delayed in its operation, what was the use of it 7 and if tbefelectors give their membersJatitude and freedom to act as they saw. best in.the' interests of the shire, he did not see that they could expect to find pereous to represent'them. : He did not see that any membsr should be bound by an arbitrary pledge to the electors, and if he did not do his duty in the Council he would no doubt be happy to retire, and let Mr Boys take his place. [Cheers.] Mr Boys thought-it was not unreasonable that he should give the same answer as Mr , Blackett. Mr McFarlane considered it was not reasonable. Mr Boys—The electors desire to have an opinion before they have to submit to extra tax'-s. Mr McFarlane Teplied his policy would be retrenchment and economy. Mr Boys—But we should like to know if you will delay bringing the Act into operation. Mr McFarlane said it wohld be better 'to; leave it to the Council to consider the ques-, tion, and if the electors disapproved of his conduct he should certainly resign. : Mr Boys said in that case he was satisfied, and-would withdraw from the contest. The returning officer thereupon declared Mrssrs Blackett and McFarlane duly elected as councillors for the Mandeville Biding of the Ashley County. Both candidates returned thanks, and a vote of thanks being passed to the returning officer, the meeting separated. Cost Biding. The nomination of one candidate for this riding took place at the Cuet Boad Board office on Thursday, Mr J. Ingram acting as returning officer. There was a limited attendance. The returning officer stated he had received two nominations — viz, Mr Hobart Lnke. Biggins, nominated by Messrs A. B\ Dickinsoa and J. Atkinson; and Mr Edmund Tipping, nominated by Messrs John Bowick and Stephen Karly—and announced that the polling would take place on tile 82nd inst.

BBLWTN COUNTY. OOLKBIDGB BIDINO. The noniination of candidates Jor thii : riding took place yesterday at HJfi-forata. The Hon John Hall being the only candidate he waa declared elected. . * ■; ' ——*** •*. ■* * Malvebh Brora©, The nomination of candidates tor this riding took place yesterday, when Mesars D. McMillan and O. CX Parker were proposed. A poll will take place.

I COUBTENAY BIDIKO. Messrs Thomas H. AneoA and Herbert John Mathias were yesterday nominated as candidates for the office of councillors for the Oourtenay riding in the County of Belwyn. Polling places will be appointed at ereend*le,--Goartenay, *od~-West- .MfiKpja.. and the election will take place on Friday, next, 220 d instant It is expected thai tba k enione.. „..