THE COMING MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11625, 12 April 1901, Page 6

THE COMING MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

With regard to the approaching municipal elections the following nominations' have been, received to date r —

For the Mayoralty of Auckland: Dr. J. Logan Campbell, .nominated by Messrs. David Goldie and GeorgeFowlds, M.H.R.; Mr. Daniel Arkell, nominated by Messrs. J. Shields and W. Craig.

South Ward: Mr. Albert Edward Glover, nominated by Messrs. Joseph Raynes, W. B. Montgomery, Robert Duthie, D. Seagar, and M. J. Sheahan; Mr. Robert Farrell, nominated by Messrs. D. Goldie and J. M. Lennox; John Thomas Julian, nominated by Messrs. G. B. Proude, ; J. Drinkwater, M. Bennett, and T. Mason.

East Ward: Mr. Chas. Daniel Grey, nominated by Messrs. J. Gee, J. J. Craig, G. C. Gariick, and- Rkhard Hobbs; Mr. Alfred Kidd, nominated by Messrs. Jonathan Winks and A. Wright; Mr. Frederick EfareHfried Bourne, nominated by Messrs. W. Binney and H. Miller.

Ponscdby Ward: Mr. James Stichbury, nominated .by Messrs. R. Hobbs and Patrick Darby.

Grafton Ward: Mr. Maurice Casey, nominated by Messrs. Michael Brown' and J. Piatt.

No nominations are yet to hand for the North Ward. s Nominations close on April 16, and the election takes place on April 24.

It may be interesting to know that the total number of persons on the city rolls entitled to vote is 10,095, as against 8881, of last year. This number is mode up as follows : —East Ward, 1284; South Ward, 2971; North Ward, 1746; Ponsonby' Ward, 2017; Grafton Ward, 2083. This shows an increase of 1211 votes, but it must be remembered that each elector has now only one vote, no matter how many wards hemay have an interest in, and thus the increase in the number of electors is greater than the figures show.

Yesterday Mr. Hugh Campbell was nominated for the Mayoralty of Parnell by Mr. John McCabe, J.P., and Captain Prater. LIVELY MEETING AT ONEHUNGA. A meeting was held last night in the Public Hall at Onehunga to select suitable candidates for nomination at the forthcoming municipal election. Mr. W. Morton, president of the Ratepayers' Association, presided. There was a fair attendance, including several ladies. The Chairman said he had no doubt they were all satisfied that Mr. Donald A. Sutherland should be elected as Mayor, and he expected that gentleman would go in Unopposed. Whoever was elected to the Council would find a difficulty in adjusting the finances of the borough, and placing them on a satisfactory basis. The new Council would also have to deal with the water question, and to watch events in connection with the Manukau Harbour. In his opinion, if a canal were made between Auckland and the Manukau it would isolate Onehunga. He regretted the apparent apathy of the leading citizens of Onehunga in municipal affairs generally. Mr. J. D. Jackson said he did not think a canal would be made within the next two years. He considered that if the old members of the Council sought re-election several of them ought to be rejected, for the following reasons:—First, because the borough's finance is in an unsatisfy state. For many years the affairs of the town were carried on with a ninepenny rate. The present Council had increased the rate to Is in the £, which brought in about £600. The Council was also overdrawn about £600 at the bank, which was equal to a rate of 2s in the £. He did not think the " Progressive party" had made any progress. Another important subject was the water question. He did not think the agreement made with the Manukau Water Supply Board by the present Council was at all beneficial to Onehunga, and if he should be returned as a new member he would endeavour to make better terms on this question for Onehunga. He also objected to the way in which the business of the Council had been transacted. He was satisfied Mr. Sutherland would give better satisfaction in this matter. Mr. Jackson intimated his intention to go to the poll. Mrs. Yates said the public at large were not supposed to know the financial position of the town. She did not belong to any party, but served the whole town to the best of her ability. Mrs. Yates read a report from the Herald in reference to the recent statutory meeting of the Council, and claimed that the meeting was not legally constituted, as she had not received notice to attend the same. Why was she not allowed to attend the meeting? A Councillor: " You speak the truth and you will be listened to." Mrs. Yates: " You keep your mouth shut, and then pe&ple won't know how ignorant you are." (Roars of laughter.) A Councillor: "If you had been at the meeting you could not have understood it." Mrs. Yates: "I am better qualified, both by education and business ability, to represent the ratepayers than you are." (Laughter.) Mrs. Yates said she was surprised that the present councillors should think they were to be a continuous Ministry in Onehunga. She strongly advocated a change in the personnel of the Council, because if they could not do better, they certainly could not do -worse. Mr. Nixon said the Council had been paying 6 per cent, on the waterworks loan for two years, when they might have had the money at 4 per cent. The Council had also caused a great hardship to the poor people by not allowing the cattle to graze on the side streets.

A Voice: "Speak up, please." Mr. Nixon: " I'd give you a ' lick' in the ear if I was near you." (Loud laughter.)

Mr. Nixon went on to say that the Council was ruling the town and ruining it at the same time.

At this stage of the proceedings the meeting was extremely lively. There behig no other speakers to address the meeting, the chairman asked if anyone wished to propose any person for nomination.

Mr. Nixon proposed that Mr. Peter McKenzie be selected as a suitable candidate. Mr. McKenzie was understood to say that he declined. :

There being no other proposals- the meeting suddenly terminated, with a vote of thanks to the chairman for presiding.

[by telegbaph.— association.]

Dtjnedin, Thursday. Mr. C. R. Chapman is announced as a candidate for the city Mayoralty.

Nelson, Thursday. For the Mayoralty of Nelson Mr. H. Baigent and Mr. F. Trask have so far been nominated.