MELROSE BOROUGH ELECTIONS

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4319, 30 March 1901, Page 7

MELROSE BOROUGH ELECTIONS

•MEETING AT KILBIKNIE. Messrs T. Highot, - H. I). Crawford and J Mead—Ht ho opposition trio”—addressed a meeting of burgesses in the Kilbirnie Schoolroom last night. Mr H, E. Shepherd Took the chair, and briefly introduced the candidates.' He then called on Mr Mead to lead off “the triple alliance.” Mr Mead pointed out that the combination which hist follow candidates and himself were, opposing was n. combination swayed by one: idea—the development of a. certain private estate under the idea that such action would bo for the benefit of Kilbirnie. There had been a. lot;of talk (about benefits to be conferred)., 'which was of a nebulous nature. The building up of hope of ' Kilbirnie’s development upon the progress of. that estate had been the stumbling block, tp the. township’s prospcrity._ Mr Jorgensen!(said MrJ Mead) had said no good had been done by the late Council. The speaker disagreed with that. The .legalising of the streets of Brooklyn was an act which alone reflected credit on the Council, and the installation of electric lighting by it had been another desirable . act. In the matter of road repair., the body had done vorr well with the inadequate funds at its disposal. Mr Mead considered that a loan for the borough was imperative. It should, he thought, be for water and sanitation in the first place, and he■ would like 'to sec it earmarked for, that purpose., Dir Crawford, he would pcirit dub,:had done a great service for Kilbirnie by securing the township the right to drain into the city, main, sewer free of charge. If elected, ho (Mr Mead) would make tfie carrying' out of this matter oue pf his principal'aims. ■ He gave the present Council great credit for having reduced the*. overdraft considerably. ~ He had questioned the Council’s usefulness in past time, bub he now admitted lie had been mistaken. He would ask the electors to giro his party a trial in the Council, and thenHidy, could judge as to the party's ability and vote for them or against them at next election, according to their judgment. - Mr Crawford told the electors that,lie thought the proposition to make a tunnel through Kilbirnie Hill would be a good one ; but ho -.was-of -opinion that (ho proposal to make it at the public expense was most, unbusinesslike, seeing that'it would mainly be for the benefit of a syndicate. Mr Highef said' he had mainly come forward for re-election because schemers had laid themselves .out! to, foist a scheme of their own upon the ratepayers, in the matter of tunnel communication with the> city. Spealdng as a resident of Roseueath, ho voiced the opinion, that the .proposed tunnels would he a positive detriment to Sqseneatb. The tunnel would be mainly for tl;c benefit of a syndicate, and bo thought that body should bear the. main cost. It had been said that he had never looked after the interest of Kilbirnia proper, but his "action in the matter of the £IOO vote for BroohlynIsland Bay tramway investigation proved different.—he had .secured the exemption of Brilbimiq from liability for that amount. The racfrgaiusatioai of the

Council staff was a matter which be considered imperative. The present clerk and engineer was conridcrablv overvke-d, and he (Hie speaker) thought the Council might with advantage appoint a road overseer who would bo able to make Air Forster-, work lighter, r.ncl . c s enable him to attend more thoroughly to his other duties. Air Maxwell asked Air Aicad why ho had made a misstatement in regard to tho tur.uel. , Mr Alead was not awara that no had. . /'! answer to Air Chegwin, Air Higncc said bo was of opinion that tho Jenkin:; Trust Estate Syndicate should be left to work out its own destiny—it was not for the ratepayers to tax themselves for the benefit of the syndicate. Air Alead similarly expressed himself in regard to the tunnel. Ho voii.u give tfic syndicate his moral support— • but no money. Air Lamberg asked Air Highot whether ho would be willing to take ove" Crawford’s new road if be were reelected to the Council ? Air Highet said ho certainly would. A former Council, laid made certain conditions, which Air Crawford bad. carried out, and . .it was tho present Councu’s bounden duty to- take the roai. over. Air i’errin asked the . candidate..’ opinion of the Greater AVelliugton scheme. Air Alead. for himself and icllowcandid.rtes, answered that they.- worn all iu favour of the .scheme, provided the district received a quid pro quo. Mr Jorgensen asked Sir Crawford it, should he be elected, 1,0 would bo pro pared to indemnify the Council againm any damage caused by cutting away hr; property when the road to bo taken over from him might require widening.. Mr Crawford replied that the property thereabouts bad ceased to orhis. ” , Mr Lauronson moved, and Atr C/anseconded, a vote of thanks and confi--deuce iu Messrs’ Crawford, Higbct tinMead as representatives pf the ourgc.sse°. This was carried by a fair majority. A vote of thanks to the chairman concluded the proceedings.