THE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

Evening Star, Volume VII, Issue 1943, 28 July 1869, Page 2

THE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

The nomination of candidates for the offices of con-ici lors and auditors for the ensuing year, too'.' place on the terrace of the Go vernment Buildings to-day, at noon. There were about g()() persons present, and the Mayor presided. The Town Clerk read the nomination papers, which had been received in the following order;— Councillors, south ward. Mr H. 8. Fish, jnn., proposed by Mr E. B. Cargill, seconded by Mr Andrew Bcott Mr 8. Hutehi-on, propo ed by Mr F. T Roberts, seconded by Mr 1). axter. Mr J. T. Roberts, proposed by Mr M. Fianing, seconded by Mr Alf. Hellyer. HIGH WARD. Mr A. Mercer, proposed by Mr J. Griffon, seconded by Mr Alexander Davidson. Mr C. Reeves, proposed by Mr John Hay, seconded by Mr E. K. M‘Liskey. Mr H. J. Walter, pr posed by Mr G. E. Dermer, seconded by Nit* L. Hay man. BELL WARD. Mr L. Then email, proposed by Mr B. Bagley, seconded by Mr George Proctor. Mr Woodland, proposed by Mr R. W. Sheppard, seconded by Mr D. M‘Donald. LEITH WARD. Mr E. M'Glasban, proposed by Mr J. H* Harris, seconded by Mr W. Gregg. Mr B. Willoughby, proposed by Mr G. Folkes, seconded by Mr G. Dumb. AUDITORS. Mr F. H, Evans proposed by Mr G. Dimcan, seconded by .Or F. Russ-11. MrM. W. Hawkins, proposal by Mr H. S. Fish, seconded by Mr Alex. M‘Gregor Mr Sydney James, proposed by Mr R. B. Martin, seconded by Mr K. do Carle. Mr John Millar proposed by Mr John Hay, seconded by Mr W. Hepburn. Mr Fish, having been called to the char, said it was not his intention to make any lengthy remarks, as his views on the principal matters interesting to file citizens were pretty well known The electors of South Ward were able to judge whether, in his capacity as councillor, he had done his duty. He at one time intended to have protested against the nomination of one gentleman, a candidate, being received, but, on tiie advice of his friends, he had concluded to allow him to go the poll, and let the citizens decide the matter for themselves. A manifesto had been issued, through the medium of the Ecmiwj Star, w. ieli he hoped everyone had seen, as they would be able to judge for themselves whether or not the statements made by him were refuted He was certain with regard to the gas question that, with n twelve or ciuhte n months, the citizens wmld conclude that what he enunciated in resp-etto it had been attempted to be set aside by specious soplxis vies. lusted of argument. they amounted to senrr lons abuse of himself (Mr Fish), and an attempt to 'brow dust in the eyes of the ' lectors. He asked to he judged by his public acts, and f the citizens thought he had d ne well, the electors would show their appreciation of his conduct by placing him at the head of the poll, and, if elected, should continue in the same course as he had lathe' to pursued. (Loud cheering). Mi* Hutchison was received with cheers and bootings. He said the gentleman who preceded him had made a promise that lie had not fulfilled. (Hooting and cheers.) He said he was not going to trouble them with any lengthy remarks, and fie hail made a lengthy speech. Ho intended to make a promise and keep it; he would make only a short speech. He asked to be allowed to make use of another man’s brains, and that man was an American. He, like me, was addressing a cumber of electors, and he said, “ Gentlemen, I breathe the same air as you do ; I eat the same pork and beans and you do ; and if yon don’t elect mo you will make an infernal mistake ” (Immense laughter and cheering.)

Mr Keunard : Did you over make the remark that it eo-t yon 1,500 to buy up the Economic Gas Company, or to buy off the directors '1 I never did. Mr Kennard ; Did you say you paid LSOO to secure the votes of the directors I never did.

Mr Mercer said ho bad come forward in consequence of a requisition to him to offer himscif as a candidate for the representation of Bell Ward, so numerously and respectably signed, that he did not feel at libert to refuse. Should he be returned, he would promise faithfully to fulfil the duties of the office, and to maka rocular inspection of his own Ward. He was for cheap gas, and for having it speedily. Mr Reeves said, in presenting himscif a candidate f r election as councillor, lie had done so in full view of the responsibilities connected with the office. These resp nsibilities he was wil ing to undertake. I here were many subjects worthy the consideration

• f tbe citizens and ratepayers, and they should weigh well the way in which they are to be brought about. He would not detain them, as he proposed holding two meetings—one at the Bull and Mouth, ami the other at th - Masonic Hall. He Avas in favor of a s-. stem of drainage of the city, for without, it sauitar retaliatems were impossible ; and should there b • a hot summer dire results would follow, should an epidemic break out. The next que tion was as to the Corporation carrying out the purchase of the water Avorks. The next question Avas tha. of gas. It had been pretty Avell exhausted, and the agitation had been attended with good results The desire for cheap gas Avas unanimous, and it was thought the Corpora tion, being the largest consumers, should he the producers. All the three questions were of great importance, and he Avas in favor of eA’erything (laughter)—everything that AA'onld promote the public Avelfaro. Should they return him to the City Council, ho would do his duty. In answer to questions, lie Avas in favor of a half yearly collection of the rates, as the Corporation funds had to be expended in amounts spread over the AA’hole year. He was in fav*>r of the making of a public market. Markets had proved reproductive investments in Vie'oria, and would be equally so here If a public market had he n built in the Octagon, instead of that abortion, the Car ill Monument, it would haA'o been product v ■, instead, as hoav, of no use. If a case of impersonation Avere brought before the Mayor and Corporation, he w’ould he Avilling to pros cute the impersonator to the tmogt rigor of the law’. There were dreadful nuis nces m t e city that few peop c Avere aAvare of, that it Avas absolutely necessary should be removed Mr Walter said that he had not come prepared Avith a speech on the present ojea-

siou. His views had been enunciated at a public niee: ing ; and they had been fully reported. He WMuld therefore satisfy himself by answering questh'ns. Mr Kesnk y : Mr W Iter, did Mr Hut--1 chison ever tell you that it cost him LSOO to buy up the directors of the Economic Gas Com'"'any, or to upset that company? [ Mr Walter :Mr Hutchison said, in my j hearing, and in the presence of a number of I gentlemen whom I now sec around me, that it cost him LflOO for bribes. —(Cheers. Cries of “Oh, oh,” and a voice, “ That’s the man I that never to’d a lie. ”) Mr Kennedy ; That’s what I wanted to get out. In answer to other questions, Mr Walt mi said that he was in favor of new gas works being erected by the Corporation ; at the same time the matter required''' a little reflection before being carried out, and he would tell the ratepayers why. They must be courteous to the leasee of the gas works, although they had received none from him. If be came forward and offered to simply gas equally as cheap as any new company could supply it, he would say by all , means let him have the benefit, aud save j auy trouble. But on the other hand, j if he used the ratepayers as he had used j Messrs Moss aud MTlroy he (Mr Walter) i would sav that they should not take his gas ! at any price. [A Voice —Take it out of his power to do so again ] He was i.u favor of the water as well as the gas supply bemg in the hands of the Corporation, and he was in favor of the establishment of corporation baths. He had already mentioned the subject to the mayor Mr Tiioneman observed, that after the speeches that had been ma le, he appeared before tiic elect us at a disadvantage, because speaking was not his fort *. If they had watched the proceedings in the City Council during the past IS months, they would have seen - hat he had worked very quietly, without ever s ying much. When he appeared before thorn 18 mouths ago, he promised that be wouhl do all in his power to further the in f erests of Bell Ward; he behoved he bad done so. He had not intended to come forward again, and had auy otln r than his opponent come forward, he would not have been before the electors today. Under the present circumstances, he felt it to be his duty to stand again. He felt very strongly upon certain questions which were agitating the minds of the people of Dunedin just now, and therefore would not retire. If returned, he would again work to the best of his ability in the interests of Bell Ward in particular, and the city in general. in answer to questions, he said he was a naturalised subject, and had been so for about fourteen years. He was in favor of a reduction in the price of gas ; but was not iu favor of a change in the present system of collecting rates, because lie believed that the system in vogue had worked well. He voted in favor of the erection of the market iu th” Octagon ; buthe could only say that the thing looked a great deal different on paper to what it is. It would cost from L/ 0 to LIOO to finish it; but he did not believe it worthy of having any move money spent on it. Mr Woodland said that he appeared before the electors as a candidate for the representation of Bell Ward, in consequence of his having received a requisition from a large number of ratepayers. He considered that every street in the ward had been neglected ; in fact, the ward had not been represented at all during the last 12 or 18 mouths. He did not believe that Mr rhoneniau knew anything about any street iu the ward, except George street. He did not know anything about the many streets iu the ward, in which there were always pools of stagnant water, which if allowed to remain, and a very dry summer was experienced, the effects would lie very serious He wished to sec Bell Ward a model ward ; he wanted to see some one in the Council who would agitate the wants of the ward, until the Council must do something for them. Mr T- onemaii had been in the Council eighteen months, and lie had nev r heard that he had agitated the wants of the ward. He (Mr Won, Hand) bad lived in the ward for about seven years, and had a great interest in it. If elected, he would use his best endeavors to serve the interests of the ward. He would address the electors more fully ou future occasions. Iu answer to questions, he said that he was in favor of the Council being increased to twelve members. As it was, most of the work was done in committee, and usually settled by two members. At Home, each ward returned three members, and he thought it should he the same here. Then the work would be done more satisfacto ily. The Mayor desired to correct a statement made by Mr Woodland. Three members of committee were required to make a quorum

Mr E. M'Glashan, who was received with cheers, said although he did not approve of candidates addressing the electors, it seemed to be expected. He would nut say much. His ideas had been published in the Dai.!;/ Times , so that ho need not repeat them. A few questions were put, which Mr M‘Clash an iv swc. Ed to the satisfaction of the meeting. He said be would not retire at the eleventh Lour in favor of anyone. Mr Willoughby said his views wore before the electors, and he n- ed not therefore re -eat them. If elected, he would concientioudy do his duty. Air Fish in his remarks had said, with regard to the gas question, that ue facts had been brought forward to disprove Ids statements, but that he had been met only with abuse. For his part he had never indulged in it towards any one of the candidates. In answer to Mr Kennedy, be said, if the present lessee ' f the Gas Works could not give gas at a price to -atisfy the citizens he would he prepared to advocate new works. He considered a fair price would he as low as any city in New Zealand. iSeveral questions of a frivolous nature were put to the candidate, who j said he was there ready to any fair question, | but not to be made sport of.

Mr Roberts then addressed the meeting in a feAv Avords.

A vote of thanks to the Mayor, proposed by Mr Beeves, and seconded by Mr Wain, was carr ed; and the Mayor declared all further proceedings adjourned to Monday.