THE THORNDON ELECTION.

Evening Post, Volume XXI, Issue 143, 21 June 1881, Page 2

THE THORNDON ELECTION.

Last night Mr. George Fisher, who offers himself for re-election for the Thcrndon Ward, addressed a meeting of the ratepayers at the Princess Hotel. He denied the various rumors which were current as to the cause of his resignation, such as, for instance, that there was a compact between the Mayor and himself to roaign, co as to bring pressure on Councillors Young and Brown to do the same. The only reason was that stated in his published explanation. Ho had, for tho first time, been oharged with voting adversely to the wishes of the people, and he was determined that it should not stand one day to his discredit. He admitted that the resignation was a blunder. He admitted that it was rash and hasty, but it was at least honest. He should not have felt grieved on this matter had it not been that the wav in which he had been misrepresented had lost him many voteß. In regard to tho Te Aro Reclamation, Mr. Fisher said he had long been of opinion that it would be one of the most profitable works that the city could undertake. The business transactions of business men must be regulated, however, by their financial position. He believed that the work was, unquestionably, a good one, but the city was not, at the present time, ready to begin it. Ihey had lost the Government subsidies, although they had riot yet felt the full effect of this loss, and they were about to lose the revenues from the wharf. This meant that their revenue altogether would bo diminished by about .£IO,OOO, oqual to the whole amount realised by the general rate of la in the £. The Counoil last year went to the Legislature and got it to pass a Btringent clanse, tying up their monoy so that they could not play ducks and drakes with ib, and he asked whether it was likely that Parliament, especially the Legislative Council— having in it such members as Mr Waterhouse, who knew as well how tho Council stood as the latter did themselves— would allow that clause to be revoked and Councillor Logan's proposals to be carried out. Having mentioned that a gentleman in Wellington had told him that he and some other capitalists would give .£70,000 for tho foreshore, and the right to reclaim, Mr. Fisher said if it wore worth .£70,000 to thoso gentlemen it must be worth .£200,000 to the city. He urged, therefore, that they should wait until they were ready to go on with it, and have nothing to do with speculators. The speaker next wont on to say that he Bhould write out two questions to be submitted to Dr. Newman at his meeting. He wanted to know what was that gentleman's policy? So far as he (Mr. Fieher) knew, there was no question at issue between them. He should therefore ask Dr. Newman whether he considered that ho (Mr. Fisher) did wrong in stopping the diversion of the balance of the loans, or in voting for the reference of tho Te Aro Reclamation question to the people ? He added that ho incurred a good deal of displeasure for having supported Dr. Newman's candidature on a former occasion, and he complained strongly that that gentleman should have taken advantage of the ill-feeling then excited to come forward now and oppose him (Mr. Fisher). In reference to an article in the morning paper eulogising his opponent, Mr. Fisher read an article which appeared in the same paper some two years ago, vigorously denouncing and ridiculing Dr. Newman. In reply to questions, Mr. Fisher said he believed if any ratepayer chose to take the matter into the Supreme Court, tho Council could be compelled to carry out the Glonbervio Terrace and the other works in the schedule of the Street Improvements Loan. It was not tha duty of the Council to provide a new cemetery, but of the General Government. If the Council found a new site, no doubt tho Government would close the old cemetery, but he did not think the Council had the funds to do this. Thorndon Ward certainly had not received its fair share of the Street Improvements Loan. The Cook and Te Aro Ward representatives always voted together, however, and consequently the opposition which Thorndon had to fight with in the Council was as 6 to 3. Mr. Orr moved a vote of confidence in tho candidate. It was more than over necessary, now there was .£BO,OOO to be fought over, that they should elect a man of determination to the Council. Ho did not believe Dr. Newman had tho calibre to protect that £80,000. The anatomy of the man proved he wasn't capable of doing it. (Laughter ) He would stand no show at all ainoug the lot of knaves in the City Council. (Renewed laughter.) Mr. Orr also commented at some length on the fact that Dr. Newman had said that he only wished to use the City Council as a stepping stone to Parliament. Mr. Parsonage seconded the resolution, which was carried without opposition. On the motion of Mr. Salmon, seconded by Mr. Anderson, a vote of thanks was passed to the representatives of th« ward, Councillors Allen and Maginnity, for preventing Councillor Logan's motions, re the reclamation, bsing forced through at tho last meeting of the Courcil. I ho proceedings then terminated.