BOROUGH OF MARKET.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7340, 29 May 1885, Page 6

BOROUGH OF MARKET.

MAYORAL ELECTION. ' Mb. W. J. Soitee, one of the candidate for the Mayoralty of. the new borough of New- \ market, addressed a meeting of the burgesses , at the Newmarket Hall last night. There Was i a very large attendance, the nail being* so crowded that a considerable number had to i stand. Mr. McNeil was oalled to the chair. Mr. Soitkb said he appeared before them i with a great deal of diffidence to ask them to bestow on him the highest honour in their power, and because his opponents were older men than he was, and had been longer amongst them, and longer associated with the Road Board. But he was not there to tell them of their defeats. Their own words showed they were not the men to guide this ship. Hβ had been told by persons from them that although he was an energetic Chairman of the Road Board, now they were converted into a> borough they must have a man able to.drive his carriage and entertain royally. If he was eleoted he would not drive his carriage or entertain ' right royally, but he would discharge the duties of the office to the best of his ability, and with striot impartiality. (Cheers.) He claimed that it was no crime to be poor. The greatest men of the world had been born poor, but others had had their greatness thrust upon them, and some received it by toadyism. They first asked Mr. Buckland, who refused for want of time; then Mr. Jagger was asked, but thought it beneath him ; and Mr. Clayton at first refused, but afterwards stood, and his other opponent thinking there was a chance of running in between the two, also came forward. He referred to a lettei written by Mr. Clayton in last. Monday's Herald, which he considered, sourrillous, and calculated to provoke a breach of the peace, and he regretted Mr. .Edwards had replied to it, as it was unworthy ot notice. In the letter Mr. Clayton said he was not like Mr. Suiter, an adventurer here to-day, and away to-morrow. He (Mr. Suiter) had been here 22 years, and had been member and Chairman of the Mount Albert Board, and he referred to these matters to show his publio action. Eden Terrace was then in its infancy. Hβ referred to his action in the erection of the bridge over Oakley Creek, and the consequent improvement of the property there. He then referred to his action as Chairman of the jlden Terrace Board in getting the lagoon drained, by means of a tunnel 1000 feet lony, which finally he got done without cost w> the ratepayers.. The second point was getting the present route of the Kaipara rail'way, instead of that urged by Dr. Pollen and'others'. He referred to this to show that he 'had 'been persistent and consistent in his exertions in the" interests of the district. ' Referring to his Own affairs he said that, Sihrongh becoming security tor hotolkeepers, and a disastrous fire, he had to assign £7000 worth of property for £2000 worth of debts. He then came to Newmarket, and had now established a business of. his own. His' 22 years' residence, the fact that he had made a fortune and lost it through the dishonesty of others, and that again he had established himself, dissipated the idea that he was " here to-day and away to-morrow." Ha found after coming to the district of Newmarket that it had no drainage or water. He appealed to the Board, and was told to mind his own business. He then urged that they should either join the oity, form a borough or a town Board. He went to the ratepayers against Mr. Walker and Mr. Clayton on these questions, and was elected at the head of the poll, and he assured them that he would continue this progressive course. He had been accused of recklessly expending the ratepayers' money, bat the balance-sheet c< last year showed differently. The Board determined to make the roads during the winter so thnt the metal might solidify, and the result was satisfactory. On the question of making private streets be referred to expenditure of Mr. Sntton on his road and property, and said that when he asked for £6 for metal it was sternly refused by Mr. Clayton. The other members, however, considered tho request just, and granted it, and this was the only publio expenditure on tho road. He then referred to the road through Baokland's paddock. Mr. Clayton should have objected to the narrow road lroiiig laid off, bnt, instead of doing so, he idlowed the allotments to be sold, and then demanded five feet frontage from each purchaser before the road could be made. The result was that a road was not made yet. He then referred to Mr. Clayton's refusal to join the other ratepayers in subscribing fur widening the main road ; but he (Mr. Suitor) gave £3 10s on behalf of Mr. Clayton, itnd the tenants of Mr. Clayton subscribed, and he succeeded in making up £50, which oould not have been obtained had he not himself given that £3 10s for Mr. Clayton. In other matters he contrasted his own action with that, of Mr. Clayton —the latter, he said, refusing to pay a legitimate charge for repairing the asphalt footpath, while he (Mr. Suiter) filled up a ditch in front of his own property without expense to the ratepayers. Referring to Mr. Clayton's claim to have been instrumental in getting the railway workshops, he considered it detrimental to the district for a large number of houses would have been erected there, and residents would have been there to expend their money in Newmarket. He denied that Mr. Clayton was instrumental in the erection of the publio school or the Wesleyau Church. He claimed that he bad spent more money in connection with St. David's Church than Mr. Clayton had done all his life for any church. (Cheers.) After some further reference to Mr, Clayton Mr. Suiter referred! to his own action in regard to the district, alluding to his exertions to procure a crossing to the railway citation and the footpath at Kjbor Pass, and he defended himself from the charge made by Mr. McColl that be had taken too muoh npon himself, and that be did not consult his colleagues. An appointment was made to meet the Minister of Works. Mr. Clayton and Mr. McColl refused to go, and he had to go alone with Mr. Moss to bring the various matters before the Minister of Works, The latter agreed to contribute for a water supply for the workshops, to metal the main road, and give a proportion of the toll money. He ihen referred to the objeotion raised to survey the reserve set apart for the borough. He contended that the reserve wad not ueoessary for recreation, and he was told a revenue of £350 oould be raised on it, add this would meet the interest on the money they would have to borrow for other works, and it would be consequently wise to change this reserve into a market reserve. It would increase the value of property in the district directly and indireotly. Mr. Suiter then went over the twelve reasons put forward by Mr. McColl why he should be elected, and he proceeded to give reasons why nnithor Mr. MoGollnorMr. Clayton should be elected, and why he should. If eleoted he reminded them he would be in office for four months only, but he should perform the duties faithfully, zealously, and unpartiaily ia the future as he had doue in the past, and in asking them to promote him from Chairman of the Board to Mayor he assured them he should not disgrace the office. He thanked them for their patient hearing, and reminded them that the polling would take place on Saturday, the 6th of June. (Cheers.) Mr. Suiter answered some questions asked by Mr. Ball. Mr. Geobge Bishop proposed a vote of thanks to Mr. Suiter for his address and his services during his term of office as Chairman of the Board, and pledging the meeting to support his candidature for the position of Mayor.

Mr. Keetley aeoonded the proposition. Mr. Simpson endeavoured to question the candidate on matters relating to the reserve, &0., but the Chairman ruled that it was too late for questions. Mr. Bali, got up to move an amendment, but could not obtain a hearing for some time. Ue finally, said his amendment was that Mr. Saiter should stand aside, and let Mr. Clay* ton and Mr. MoColl tight the battle between them.

The amendment was not seconded, and the motion waa carried unanimously. Mr. Soitkb returned thanks, and ft vote of thanks to the Chairman concluded the meeting, -~-■.