MR. DRANSFIELD AT THORNDON.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4287, 16 December 1874, Page 2

MR. DRANSFIELD AT THORNDON.

A well-conducted and ordex-ly meeting of ratepayers was addressed by Mr. Dransfield at Magimxity’s Royal Hotel last evening. Mi-. Marks occupied the chan-. Mr. Bbansfield thought the ratepayers present would not expect him to go over the ground he had traversed at previous meetings. Many of them would, no doubt, wonder why he had taken the trouble to address the ratepayers so often. It was not so much his anxiety to become Mayor, as to explain away those base statements against his character which had been made by a local paper for the last few- yeax-s. Many people who, he had no doubt, -would make good public servants, would not risk the chance of election when they wex-e liable to such pex-soual and scurrilous attacks. He was not, however, treated worse than other public men ; and he need not call their attention to the manner in which the Post treated Sir James Bex-gusson in the matter of the opera business. He also x-eferred the meeting to an occasion when a Presbyterian clergyman, who had addx-essed a meeting in the Hall, was made the subject for a most scurrilous and abusive article iu the same paper. But the thiug would work its own cure. These slanders woxxld not, however, always run off one’s back as did water off a duck’s. The person from whom these slanders emanated he need not name—he was well known to all present. He knew these slanders would be hm-led against him, and he had at first, from that cause, hesitated to come forward to contest this election. He could see no reason that because a man might be a public man he should be open to the treatment he had received from the Post. With reference to the letter of Mr. Carpentex-, which appeared in that evening’s paper, he did not blame the writer—he knew no bettex-—hut he blamed the papei-, which stooped to the insertion of such scandal. What he had said of Mr. Carpenter—that he, at one time the greatest opponent to the construction of the waterworks, had ultimately ordered the water to he laid on to his promises—did not merit the remarks it called forth. To the Thomdon foreshore question they shohld give eax-ly and careful thought. One of the blocks which were proposed to be i-eclaimed ought to be set apart as a public square. He would commend the suggestion, to their consideration; there were not at present too many breathing places within the town. It might, perhaps, be well if he explained to them that a statement which was made in a letter in that evening’s Post was entirely without foundation. There was no intention, nor any occasion, to commission anyone to purchase plant for increased waterworks. The only tiling that remained to he done was to construct a reservoir at the Karori end of the tunnel ; the work was a pretty lax-go one, hut quite within the management of the Qouncxl. It was also untrue that the order for the present plant had been sent through a City Ooxmcillor; it was sent home

direct from the Council. He trusted the citizens of Wellington did not place credence • It charge* which had been made againstfhim ; and that they would testify thei r appreciation of his past conduct on the day of election. He invited questions from Mr. Dransfield why the City Council had allowed the time for apto the Resident Magistrate on the rating question to elapse before they came to any de/•lsioii in fclic luattei ? Mr Dransfield stated that the appeals were still unsettled. They were in the hands of the members representing the various wards, and he thought they would be dealt with quite as well in the City Council as in the Resident Magistrates’s Court. The Chairman said it was probable a largo sum would be spent in the city on public improvements. Would Mr. Dransfield, if elected as Mavor, "ivo colonial contractors the same chances as English contractors in the construction of these public works ? Mr. Diiansfield : Yes ; certainly. Mr Hutchison said with regard to the appeals,'he did not think Mr. Dransfield, as one of nine Councillors, was more to blame than the others. The Council had not dealt as satisfactorily-with the matter as they might have done, and they were possessed of power to hear appeals against the assessment The ratepayers, notwithstanding that the tune to hear appeals by the Resident Magistrate had elapsed, still had a chance left.to appeal. It might not be generally known that on the day on which appeals were to have been lodged—the sth of December —tbe City Council Chambers were closed. Rwas a race day. He thought it unfair that Mr. Dransfield should he singled out in this matter. After a few more questions had been put to Mr Dransfield, with regard to the assessment, which he satisfactorily answered, Mr. E. BbaNdon proposed, and Mi. U. Blakeb seconded, —“ That Mr J Dransfield is a fit and proper person to he elected Mayoi of Wellington.” . , . . The motion was earned unanimously. The usual vote of thanks was accorded to the chairman, and the meeting separated.