MAYORAL ELECTIONS.

Evening Star, Issue 10793, 30 November 1898, Page 4

MAYORAL ELECTIONS.

the cm. Mr W. Swan addressed about 100 rate* payers in the Albany street Oddfellows’ Hal* last evening, Mr W. Hutchison presiding* The candidate urged that the question of increasing the -City water supply shouldv toeive early attention. The work could be carried out, as there was £IO,OOO standing to the credit of the water account, and this, with the profits accruing, would be sufficient to carry out the work without increasing the rates. The drainage question was also referred to, and figures were quoted to show how the financial position of the City would stand in ten years. Mr Christopher proposed and Mr Wilkins seconded—“ That Mr Swan is the most fit and proper person to occupy the position of mayor during the emuiog year.” The motion was carried. The final meeting of Mr Dennistou’a combined committees, which was held in the rooms, George street, last night, was largely attended, and members were very enthusiastic. The reports submitted by the various members were considered highly satisfactory. The result of the systematic canvass of the four wards of the City which has been carried on during the past fortnight gave general satisfaction. NORTH-EAST VALLEY. Mr J. Campbell, a candidate for the mayoralty of North-east Valley, addressed about forty ratepayers (including three Indin) in the local public hall last evening. Mr D Thomson occupied the chair. Mr Campbell opened his remarks by expbiiiiii g that ho hud occupied a seat in the I Council for dose on seven years. During j that time he could claim to have done his j duiy in a fair and impartial manner, and ! bud not only taken an interest in the ward j lie rt presented, but in the borough as twhole Another point he wished to lay stress on was that he had more time at hit command to look after the municipal affairs than any other councillor. It had been said that there was an agreement between Mr Evans and him-elf concerning the last elec tien, but that was nor. so. Mr Evans knew perfectly well that he (Mr Campbell) had stood aside for him twelve mouths ago ; no> onlv that, hut he had used his influence t< secure Mr Evans’s return. The speaker hat before expressed an opinion that the i flioi of muyor should bo a rolling one, and when Mr M‘Gregor stood for re-election there wai no one more giieved than Mr Evans With regard to his (Mr Campbell) having the support of the members for Hgh Ward, those gentlemen supported Mr Evans at. last election, and i! they thought fit and proper, why shouh they not do the same for him (the speaker) now ?—(Applause ) It had been m'ntionei in a letter to the papers that he was the foilorn hope of the High Ward obstructionists, but this was only said because of the promi ment part High Ward members had taker against the Tramway Company. If Mi Evans had been able to bring up anything he (Mr Campbell) had said in theCounoi' against the tram concessions last Wednesday night he would have done so. There wa no one more anxious than himself to see thi cars running in the Valley.—(Applause.) He had moved in the Council that tin chairman of directors and the manager of the company should beaded to name a tiim to meet the Council with the object of re opening negotiations. A reply was received that they could not see that any good could come of an interview, and he (thspeaker) did not think the Council wattreated in a fair spirit, seeing they wen conferring with other councils on the sam« subject. He hoped that he had made hj clear that he was not agaim-t the tramrunning in the Valley, and if elected hi would do all he could to see that the deed was signed and the conditions carried out He thought there had been unnecessary delay in carrying out this mat'er. If Hi; Worship had hud any respect for his councillors when he received notice that the contract had expired he would have made then acquainted with the circumstance, and take them into his confidence before approaching tho manager of the company or Mr Fenwick in the matter. He was wrong in not calling the Council together, and also in trving U make anangt inenls of his own. He (Mi Campbell) thought that if the matter hao been broached in a business-like manner, by the Councd being called together and thf matter being di>cu-sed and something definite put before Mr Fenwick, an amicable settlement would have been come to, and the trams would never have been stopped.—(Applause.) in that way they would have got better terms than they had now. He had stock out that they shouh i have had a voice in the arranging of th' time-tab’e, and that a car should leave th( Valley every hour and a-quarter. However, he would never be a party to undr anything that he had had a hand ii bringing about, and it was iucoirect when it was raid “ that. Campbell was jus' going in to help the obstructionists.” H* had been asked if hfl was in favor of i> water supply for the lower parta of the Valley, and ho said certainly ; but that then would have to be a vote cf the ratepayer! taken on tho matter, and that if they peli rioned the Council to lake a voto acd it wai cirried he would support the scheme. He would not be in favour of a direct reservoir, as he thought they could get a supply fron the town, which he beli-v>-d would providi water as high as May B-tuk. Wiihregar to a drainage schenv, he did not think any hire would be done during (becoming tern of ( flice, because there wi-uld have to bt legislation in the matter. In any case tin only thing she borough could do would be tc send a cULgHe to attend the Board I ha l would bo incorporated. They were helpless ; n the matter because they could not outvote the City and other suburbs, and if they were for it the Valley’ would have to fal' in whether they liked it or not.—(Applanso.) Referring to the Dairymen’s Association, the speaker said he had nothing •o gain personally hjy T an inspection ;in f'Ct, it W’aa the o'her way about. Those whr gained the advantage were the consumers of the milk, and he eould not see why tie residents of the Valley should not be considered as well as those of the City. What was £5 if it saved •dekness even in only one family? Mr Evans endeavored to make out that h< was the whole of the reform party, but thf speaker claimed to be instrumental in having the reformation brought about, and quoted figures to show the good effect it had had on the borough finances,—(Loud applause.) Those present hav'ng no questions to ask, Mr R. D. Thomson moved, and Mr Hoop seconded—“ That a hearty vote of thanks be passed fo Mr Campbell for his address, and that this meeting has every confident in him as the coming mayor.” The motion was carried, there being only one hand held up against it.