MUNICIPAL ELECTION.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 999, 24 April 1891, Page 34

MUNICIPAL ELECTION.

Mr Alfred Boardman, a oandidate for the representation of Thorndon Ward in the City Council, addressed a meeting of ratepayers in the Schoolroom, Sydney street, on Friday. There was a small attendance, and Mr H. Beauchamp occupied the chair. The oandidate said that he had no private interest to serve, and he was simply standing in the interests of Thorndon. He expressed himself in favour of the drainage proposals, and he believed they would have been carried if there had been proper organisation. There was one stumbling block, and that was the want of confidence on the part of the ratepayers in those who would have the handling of the money. He was very glad that the City Council were moving in the direction of extending the water supply. People who lived in elevated places complained that they did not get a supply of water all day long. This, he believed, was oaueed through such a large quantity of water being used for manufacturing purposes. He held that it was the first duty of the city to supply water for bonsehoid purposes, and nob until they had done that should the Corporation try to make money out of the water. He was in favour of the Mayor being elected by the City Councillors, and he expressed the opinion that the system of electing the city auditors should be altered. He suggested that the Corporation should select the names of four persons, and submit them to the Colonial Secretary, who could appoint two of them as auditors. He would do all in his power to have the cemeteries in town closed. As to the new piece of land lately fenced in, in which 20 or 30 bodies had been buried, he thought there could be no harm if the bodies were removed to the new Karori Cemetery as soon as it was open. He announced himself a thorough supporter of the movement for a recreation ground for Thorndon. Ho intended to do his best with Councillor Anderson, the originator of the movement to procure a recreation ground for that end of the city. He would like to see another site than that proposed selected, and he believed another could be obtained. The Premier had promised to introduce an Act by which they could take the cemetery ground, but the present Government, it was admitted, was not very strong in the Upper House, and he fancied that the direct and indirect influence of the Governors of the New Zealand Institute, who were interested, would be fairly strong. His opinion was that whatever they did in the matter, they should work amicably with the Governors. On the motion of Mr Murdoch, seconded by Mr Anderson, a vote of thanks was awarded to Mr Boardman, and the meeting then terminated.