MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXX, Issue 14976, 23 April 1909, Page 8

MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

Messrs A. D. Hart and H. Hunter, Labour candidates for tho Sydenham ward, addressed a. meeting at Beckenham last evening. Mr F. J. Boarne presided. There was a fair attendance, and the candidates were accorded a patient hearing. Mr Hart stated that he and Mr Hunter were bona fide Labour candidates, and he made a very strong appeal to the workers to study their own interests by returning them as their representatives. He also spoke strongly in favour of the canal scheme. Mr Hunter spoke at some length concerning the expenditure of tho City Council on salaries. He said that there had been a considerable increase since Greater Clixistchurch became established. Tho last balancesheets issued before amalgamation took place were dated March 31, 19OIL and they showed the following payments:— Christchurch City : Mayor’s honorarium £2OO, salaries of staff £1791 3s 4d; Sydenham: Mayor’s honorarium £75, salaries of staff £518; St Albans: Mayor’s honorarium £SO, salaries of staff £267 15s; Linwood : Mayor’s honorarium £25, salaries of staff i £351 3s 8d; total £3278 2s. ,In 1904 the City Council paid under these headings £3558 12s sd, an increase over the total cost of the city and boroughs of £2BO 10s sd. Ho thought that the cost of the Council’s administration was excessive. Mr P. J. Flanagan moved a vote of thanks and confidence in Messrs Hart and Hunter, and the motion was seconded by Mr F. Robson, and carried unanimously.

Last evening Mr J. Wilson, a Labour candidate for the Linwood Ward, addressed a meeting at, the corner of Stanmore Road and Worcester Street. There was a good attendance and Mr A. Paterson presided. Mr Wilson spoke on the lines of his previous speech and pledged himself to support the canal scheme. He said that the unearned increment tax should be applied in connection with the construction of the canal. He took a metropolitan view of the question and not a parochial one.

Mr F. N. Bartram, a Labour candidate for the Central Ward, addressed a large meeting at the corner of Bavbadoes Street and Oxford Terrace last evening. Mr J. Flood presided. Mr Bartram spoke on tho planks of the Labour platform. With regard to the canal scheme, he stated that he was in favour of the scheme on condition that a special tax should be levied on tho increased value of land created by the construction of the canal. Where canals already existed the condition of tho workers was no better than in other centres where there was no canal communication with tho seaboard. He felt justified in pointing out to the workers that all commercial undertakings under the present capitalistic, competitive system were pregnant with “ infinite possibilities” for evil, and that the workers generally got the worst of it. On the motion of Mr J. Graham, seconded by Mr Lumsden, the candidate was accorded a hearty vote of thanks and confidence.

Mr R. J. Ecroyd, a Labour candidate for the representation of tho St Albans ward in tho City Council, addressed a meeting in Crescent Road last evening. Mr Ecroyd spoke on the lines of previous addresses, explaining tho planks of the Labour platform, and urging the workers to use their best efforts to secure representation in municipal government.

Mr J. R. Webb, who is a candidate for the mayoralty of Lyttelton, addressed a- meeting of the electors last evening in the Lyttelton Oddfellows’ Hall. Mr J. Garrard presided over an attendance of about fifty. _ Mr Webb confined himself to outlining tho quality and progress of tho present Council’s work, anti said that ho was in favour of continuing along tho lines which had been already laid down. The meeting concluded with a- hearty vote of thanks to the candidate. MAYORAL NOMINATIONS. Sumner.—Mr E. Denham (present Mayor) returned unopposed. New Brighton.—Messrs J. Glanville (present Mayor) and A. W. Owles. Rangiora.—Mr C. W. Bell (present Mayor) returned unopposed. Napier.—-Mr J. Vigor Brown (present Mayor) returned unopposed. Hastings.—Messrs M. Y. Dennett, J. A. Miller, L. W. Fowler and A. A. George. Blenheim.—Messrs Archibald M’Callum (present Mayor) and J. Conolly. Nelson.—Messrs J. Piper (present Mayor) and W. S. Hampson. Richmond. Mr Slieat (present Mayor) returned unopposed. Motucka.—Mr F. W. Thorpe, returned unopposed. Gore.—Mr A. A. M’Gibbon (present Mayor) returned unopposed. Miramar.—Mr C. J. Crawford (present Mayor) returned unopposed. Onslow.—Messrs J. G. Harkness and C. Mainwaring. Marton.—Messrs J. M’Eldowney (present Mayor) and R. E. Beckett. Petono—Mr J. W. M’Ewen (present Mayor) returned unopposed. Temuka.—Mr T. Buxton, M.P. (present Mayor), unopposed. Geraldine. —Mr F. R. Flatman, unopposed. NOMINATIONS OF COUNCILLORS. Sumner.—Messrs F. H. Andrews, T. B. Boulton, G. Bouer, A. W. Gilchrist, W. Higham, J. D. Lawrence. W. J. Lawson, J. W. Lile, J. M’Grath, J. Maft'ey and W. S. Mitchell. Eight councillors are to bo elected. New Brighton.—Messrs W. H. Bellamy, Edwin Blake, Samuel Bruce, J. A. Cooke, Thomas Falkinder, G. E. Goodwin, Christian Israelson, William Marriott, James Mason, J. B. Scoble, G. W. Sellars and G. W. Staniland. Nine councillors are to he elected. Rangiora..—Councillors W. Bridget, J. Carmichael, J. W. Foster, F. Gulliver, C. I. Jennings, J. Sansom, W. T. Wilson, and Messrs A. B. Blackett, W. D. Johnston and R. IT. Walker, The nominations exceed the number required by one, and an election will be necessary. Geraldine.—Messrs J. Kennedy, E. H. Logan, T. Serratt, W. A. Sherratt, .1. M. Sutherland and R. Taylor and Dr Fergus Patterson. Six members are to bo elected. Temuka.—Messrs A. Caldor, Thomas Edwards, W. F. Evans, Alexander Frew, A. Gibson, John Holwell, jun., C. J. Mahan, D. M’lnnes, James M’Loan, F. W. Salmon and A. C. Watson. Nine councillors are to he elected. A public meeting will be held this evening at St Saviour's. Schoolroom, under the auspices of the Sydenham Burgesses’ Association, to hear the views of candidates for seats on the City Council for the Sydenham Ward. Councillor Ivier, who has been a member of the. Rangiora Borough Council for a considerable number of years, ha-s decided not to seek re-elec-tion, and Councillor Ayers’s nominal tion did not reach the returningofiicer, although it was understood that ho intended to ho a candidate. Tho following candidates for seats in the City Council will address meetings this evening:— Mr James Wilson, corner St Asaph and Phillip Streets, Litiwood, at 7.40. Mi- A. D. Tlart and Mr H. Hunter,

corner Harman Street and .Lincoln Road, Sydenham, 7. Mr N. Bartram, corner Durham and Walker Streets, 7.45. Mr A. H. Anderson, Dover Street Library, St Albans, 8 o’clock.

LYTTELTON MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS. TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —Now that the Dreadnought controversy is lagging somewhat, and the citizens of Lyttelton have obovvn their patriotism and loyalty, let us turn our thoughts for the next week to matters of vital importance to our own little town. The municipal elections are at hand. Men of energy and strong character are needed to conduct the affairs of, not only Lyttelton, but the' whole of the boroughs in our dominion. Thirteen candidates have been nominated to fill the places of nine councillors, men of varied talents and opinions. Let the electors be on the alert that they are not deceived by some of these plausible gentlemen, and elect men who will carry out their duties honourably, and not make their position a. steppingstone; to further their own interests. It is very gratifying to see such an old and well respected gentleman as Mr J. R. Webb contesting the mayoralty. _ I believe Mr Webb has been a citizen of Lyttelton for the last fifty years. He has always been in the fore to further any movement for the benefit, of the town, and the moral and spiritual uplifting of the people. lam sure, if Mr Webb is elected he will fill the position with honour and credit, not only to himself but to Lyttelton. I hope the electors will all record their votes, and then I have no doubt that Mr Webb will be Mayor of this important little town when his son wins back the championship of tho world.—l am, etc., RATEPAYER. Lyttelton, April 21.