THE MUNICIPAL BY-ELECTION.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 5679, 29 August 1905, Page 7

THE MUNICIPAL BY-ELECTION.

Am Q, H. BAYUS AT KIBBIRNIK Mr G. H. Baylis. who is a candidate for the seat on the WeJlinston City Council rendered vacant by the death of Mr G. Wiltshire, addressed a meettiny of ratepayers at Hog'.n hot ham’s Hall, Kilbirnie, last evening. Mr J. J. tiourko occupied tho chair. Mr Baylis said ho bid come forward at this election with a considerable amount of right, inasmuch that he had been well acquainted with tho late Mr Wiltshire, had known him in his private as well asJiis public capacities, and felt that by his untimely death tho ratepayers had lost a faithful and zpalous representative. (Hoar, hear.) One of tho candidates for tho vacynt seat had intimated that, if ©looted,'ho would require at least six months’ leave of absence, as ho proposed to visit tho Old Country. Mr Baylis said if ho was elected he would gladly grivo his entire time to the business of the ©lectors. As to tho proposed tramway service, he favoured tho lino suggested by Mr Morton, the , City Knginoor, which would be carried ; a considerable distance further through Kiibimi© right to Lyell Bay road, thirty chains from Kilbirnio reserve — would cost no more than the route proposed by Mr Wright, and would of necessity prove more remunerative. Ho believed it would pay working expenses almost immediately upon its completion, whilst people travelling to and* from tho city would save six minutes’ \ tirno op the journey. There was a pro- 1 posal before the City Council to bor-1 row an additional £20,000 odd to make ; up for what was rtvoarded as tho pos- | •Bible deficiency on the cost of tramway constructs on. The Council had already | borrowed some £300,000 for tramway construction. Ho thought they should | complete the tramways, and find ont 1 exactly how much money was required j before asking for any loan which might j .pot bo sufficient to carry out tho exteit- j eions proposed. (Hear, hear.)_ These •ind similar matters were questions to which, if lie were elected, he would endeavour to guide tho attention of the Counoil. Now that the various wards -a' pro amalgamated as one united ;borough, the local jealousies which formerly existed should be-heard no more qf, and the “pooling” of the tramway ■ earnings was, in his opinion, a move in the night direction. He was pleased to notice that it was expected these earnings this year would exceed those of last year by something like £14,210. The ratepayers should see to it that they returned representatives who would conserve their interests, and look carefully after the funds of tho city. (Hear, hear.) There had been a good deal too much mismanagement in ■the past. In regard to city leases, he know, at nil events, of two cases where lenses had been acquired at rentals Irhich were so low that the lessees were enabled bo hold back for advantageous •>ff ora. Ho thought every facility should be given to tenants who desired to bui|d: but when the speculative element came in the tenant should not be permitted to take advantage of the oity in tho way ho had indicated. He knew that large sums of .money had been offered and refused for City leasehold sections—new leases had been acquired by tenants, who onto wanted them that mid them back until a high price was offered to ihem; in his view, ‘ lbs city should get all the advantages that were procurable from such leases — not tho speculator- (Applause.) Mr Baylis answered a number of questions to the apparent -satisfaction of those present, and received a hearty vote of thanks at the close of the meeting. MB NOOT AT NEWTOWN. ■ Mr W, C. Noot addressed a fairly large gathering of electors in the Vic. teriu Hall, Newtown. The Hon J. Bigg, IVLL.O., chairman of tho Independent Political Labour "League—whose official representative in the coming contest Mr Noot is—occupied the chair. He said Mr Noot pos- . sessed many qualities which went to ' make a successful public man, ■ and if elected he was, sure he would do his duty well. In the past it appeared, to ;,him (the chairman) that the selection had gone in the direction of getting •business men. They could have too many of a class on a public body: it was very necessary that there should be men on the Council who had a know- „ Sedge of worjt. Mr Noot held that the labour repro--4 aentativo on the Council had no axe to 'grind—there was no honor ar i urn—an cl generally his services were rendered in Vhe best interests, of the community (generally, : Ho was strongly in favour of all municipal works being carried out under tho day-labour system, with municipal supervision. Ho quoted the case of the Fire Brigade tower, the lowest tender for which was about £3OO. The ■Council decided to erect tho structure by day labour, and the cost was eventually made out at £209. The case of the Wainui waterworks wall was another illustration. It was done by contract, and had since cost about £6OO In repairs. He favoured taking over the gasworks by the municipality. The tramway extensions should be pushed on with all possible speed. He opposed any proposed shortening of the existing penny-section lengths. Speaking ®f workmen’s cars, he said he did not think the artisan should be ip the position of availing himself of a benefit that was denied his fellowclerks, shop-assistants, and others. It one class of worker got an advantage in this way, then all workers should . participate in it. (Applause.) Fish and fruit markets should be established in the oity by tho municipality. Dealing with the Wellington City Streets Bill, he said it would be all right if it referred to new streets •only; but what would happen in the case of Belfast street if it was burned out? They- would never be able to build there again. Ho thought the position should be so defined that builduigs could be erected where there was the required air-spaoe. He stood for progress with economy, tor day labour, and for legislation which would be in Ihe beet interests of the people.

The candidate was asked a numker of questions. It he had his way, he tvqnild condemn every house in Tlniqipg street, have the name changed, and Alien erect workers’ dwellings there. Councillor Hiudmarsh moyed a vote of thanks to and confidence in the candidate. Ho and Councillor McLaren were getting rather lonely on the Council, and until there were more labour men there they could do nothing. He complained about the Lack of regard for labduPs just demands, and the “deliberate manner in which Councillor McLaren had been kept off the Tramway Committee, after having previously served on it for two years.” ilr \V. T. Young seconded the motion. Councillor McLaren also addressed the meeting on Mr Noot’s behalf. The motion was carried unanimoustj-

Mr Noot will address a meeting on the wharf at 12.30 to-day.