MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11162, 7 September 1899, Page 5

MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

MR. PARR AT PONSONBY HALL. The electors of Pon9onby Ward wore addressed at tho Ponsonby Public Hall last evening by Mi. C. J. Parr, one of the candidates for that ward at the City Council elections. Mr. W. J. Rccs presided. There was a splendid attendance of electors, who gave the candidate an excellent hearing. After referring to the requisition ho had received from 500 ratepayers asking him to stand, Mr. Parr went on to speak of the most urgent necessities of the city, namely, a water supply, and proper drainage system. The first thing to bo dona was to got a pure water supply; and in Ponsonby Ward especially a complete system of drainage was absolutely necessary, as it was at present practically without drainage, although all the other wards were drained. Then tho fire brigade wanted attending to. The system of alarms, the Albert-street station, and tho plant were antiquated and inadequate. Ho also thought it was a good suggestion to expend some money in blocking Queen-street. With regard to tlio question ot olectrio tramways, he remarked that tho whole trend of municipal politics was in favoiu of munieipalisation, and he personally favoured such a system. There was only one way to get the wherewithal, and that was by borrowing just so much as and no more than the estimated cost of the works. Tho Empowering Bill now before Parliament proposed to borrow £100,000, and he thought that would be ample. Ho wished to correct the idea that the rates were to bo increased by tho Bill. As a matter of fact' tho Bill providod that the rates should not bo increased. Mr. Parr urged that Freeman's Bay should bo secured as a rocreation reserve for the ward, which at present had not a single acre in the shape of a recreation ground. He thought the Harboui Board should be approached, and requested to rent it for 19 years, with a purchasing clause. Ho did not take a gloomy viow of tho city finances, because he realised that the endowments were increasing in value, and tho income and ratable values wero also increasing. If they favoured him with their confidence ho ventured to say that they would have a man who would vote straight, and endeavoui to do his duty. On the motion of Mr. D. B. McDonald seconded by Mr. Butler, Mr. Parr was accorded a hearty vote of thanks. The friends and supporters of Mr. Parr will meet in the Ponsonby Hall this evening at half-past sevon. MR. H. T. GARRATT AT WESf-EY HALL. There was a good attendance at the Wesley Hall, Pitt-street, last evening, when Mr. H. T. Garratt, a candidate for the Karangahape Ward seat on the City Council, addressed the electors upon matters of municipal importance. Ho said that in offering himself as a candidate ho was influenced by the facts that a largely-signed requisition had been forwarded to him, and at the election held three years ago he had only been defeated by the casting vote of the returning officer. He denied the report that he was standing in the interests of the brewers, nor was he the nominoe of the Prohibitionists. Mr. Garratt pointed out the anomalies of the present system of municipal reform, and said that it was a great injustice to a ratepayer who might own the whole of Karangahape Road that he held only the same voting power as a tenant paying a weekly rental of 4s. He deprecated too much committee work in the Council, and gave instances to show the anomalies of the building regulations. He considered that although Mr. Bingham's scheme of eleotrio tramways was the best in the field, it would be more in the interests of the city if the tramways and lighting wore worked by the City Council. He was not in favour of a oity loan, and said that in the present loan scheme there was no provision made for a sinking fund. The overdraft on Sep tember 6 of last year was £24,195 10s Bd, and had now increased to £33,458 19s. Mr. Garratt was opposed to the paving of Queen-street as proposed, on the ground that too mush money would be diverted, and would result in every other street in the city being starved. If elected, he stated that he would support no party for its own sake, and would not offer a factious opposition to just measures. At tho conclusion of the address a vote of thanks and confidence was oarricd unanimously.

A large and influential meeting of Mr. Julian's committee was held last evening in the committee room, Pitt-street. Good progress was made in the examination of the rolls,

THAMES BOROUGH ELECTION. [BY telegraph,— correspondent.] - 'Thames, Wednesday. Messrs. Wm. Davey and W. H, Lucas were ot-day returned unopposed as members of the Borough Council for, the North and Middle Wards respectively. For the South Ward Messrs. J. M. Fay and "J. H. Norman •were nominated, and an election will there-: fore be necessary, which will take place on the 14th inst. Mr. M. D. O'Kffife purposed being a candidate for the North Ward, but his nomination paper proved to be informal, as he inadvertency omitted to sign his sur- [ name.