THE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 26 April 1907, Page 1

THE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

THE MOTUEKA BOARD.

(From Our Special Correspondent.) MOTUEKA, Thursday. The municipal contest here was on party lines, really between what may be termed the town and country party, 1 each getting in three men. Messrs Satherley, Ryder, and Simpson may be said to represent the country party, and polled heavily as against the tbwil or progressive party, as they termed themselves. This ticket ran Messrs Canavan, Knapp, Moffatt, and Grooby, the last-named being a farmer running on the town ticket; Tile election wa§ vitalised by the fact of the Mayor, Mr V. W. Thorp, who was returned unopposed, addressing the electors after his return, on the financial state of the borough, and recommending ail increase of tihe rates 50 per cent to pay off the overdraft indebtedness, and have no public debt. The overdraft stands at £378. The total revenue from all sources last year was about £1027. This had the support of the three first men. The other ticket was a 25 per cent increase, and a small loan in preference to overdraft at 6 per cent. They favoured the establishment of a municipal library, there being no library in the town, the old one being shut down for some years owing to the dread of cancer, several who had been closely associated with it having died from that dread disease. A further proposition was to vest the assets of the brass band in the Corporation and subsidise the band in exchange for free music, owing to the limited number of remunerative public engagements the oahd gets throughout the year. Then the daring suggestion to rate on unimproved values came also from the same party, in support of which reform Messrs Canavan and Moffatt spoke to a large gathering at the Post Office corner last Saturday evening. A large crowd assembled in the town last night to hear the result of the poll, the Brass Baud enlivening matters with music. The successful candidates addressed the assemblage in the order they were returned, as did three of the other candidates, Messrs Gropby, King, and Fry, ail of them thanking their supporters. After which tho Mayor reviewed the speeches, particularly of the progressive party, and combatted the proposal to rate on unimproved values. He was subjected to many interjections. When he had finished the crowd called for Mr A. Manoy, who immediately responded, but on commencing to speak in reply was prevented by the band striking up some little distance away. Therefore, what promised to be a highly interesting debate, was deferred for another occasion. The election was one to bo remembered, and it will be interesting to watch developments with the present constitution of our Council. It may be mentioned that with the single exception of Mr Canavatl, aii thoSe returr.od have at different times been Councillors. Messrs Grooby, Fry, and Jordan were member's of the late Council, their places being taken by Messrs Simpson, Canavan, and Moffatt.