THE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 6189, 22 April 1907, Page 5

THE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS

GRAVEL AT OHIRO BAY. STATEMENT BY~ THE MAYOR. At Mr Hislop's meeting at Island Bay on Friday evening, the question of foreshore rights at Ohiro and' Island Bay cropped up at frequent intervals, and imparted more than usual " life" into the proceedings The first " brush " occurred when Mr P. J. O'Regan asked his Worship if he favoured the purchase of a block cf land for public purposes at the n mouth of Happy Valley? * Mr Hislop said he certainly agreed with the suggestion; in fact, he had visited the place himself. , The trouble was to get rid of speculators, certain of whom had offered .£2OO an acre for the land. "Of course," added his Worship, "we buttoned up our pockets." 1 Subsequently Mr Hindmarsh made lengthy reference to the foreshore question. Several persons inquired by what right Mr Baylis charged toll for carting ©and along the foreshore. Mr Hindmarsh replied that they should have fought the matter' in the. Courts. Replying to questions, both the Mayor and Mr Jlindmarsh stated that they knew-nothing of the fines imposed on working men for taking away' sand. Mr Hindmarsh said they were probably the result of proceeding© instituted by the Marine Department. (A voice: "No, no; the City Solicitor was there.") Mr O’Regan ©aid he was surprised and pleased to hear Mr Hislop disclaim all knowledge of these extraordinary proceedings; but be was present in the Court and could assure Ms Worefliip that fh© proceedings were initiated by the City Council, and that th© City Solicitor (Mr O’Shea) pressed for substantial penalties, that the defendants were fined X 5 and costs, though two of them pleaded guilty. It was ridiculous to allege that any harm was done to anyone by the removal of a few barrowsful of sand which every southerly gale, replaced. If there waff a road it should be protected, but the Council should define it by proper marks, and steps should be taken at once to secure the public rights a strip of land above high-water mark. (Applause). Mr Hislop assured the meeting that that was the first he had heard of the fines. He would say that the fines were excessive, and that he had not authorised the proceedings. He would make full inquiries, and he would £e© that the public interests wer© preserved withouthardship on individuals. Mr W. H. George, of George and Kersler, Limited, Mr G. Shirtcliffe, of A. S. Paterson and Co., ex-pyesident of the Chamber of Commerce, and Mr E. Lindsay, of Lindsay and Co., Ltd., publish a" manifesto this morning setting

out their attitude towards the principal topics demanding the attention of the new Council, and which, if elected, they will endeavour to carry into effect. A requisition received by Mr W. H. Hale?, formerly Hugiueor-in-Chief of the Slate of New Zealand to allow hinv , self to be nominated for a seat on the City Council, appears in another col-* uniii. Mr Hales also announces his candidature. A public meeting will be held in the Methodkt schoolroom, Island Bay, thi<? evening, to discuss several matters ot importance to citizens, particularly the question of cheaper tram fares to Island Bay. and the conservation of public righfe to tho foreshore. _ The meeting should be a most interesting one. On Saturday evening members of tho Hutt Borough Council who arc seeking ro-elcction addressed a public meeting, and gave an account of their stewardship. At the close they were accorded o volo of thanks. . On Saturday evening a public meeting was held in the Oddfellows’ Hall, Pctonc, in support of tho candidature of Mr Mollies. Mr’ Cracroft Wilson presided. There was only * a small attendance. Mr Mothcs, in the course of his address, said ho hud yielded to tho solid* tations of friends to come forward as a-candidate for tho Mayoralty, but it wa? Kgainst his inclination. He replied at some length to criticisms, and pointed out that the finances of the borough were in a more satisfactory state when ho loft oliice than they had been since. Ho asked why tho Council did not publish every month a clear statement of their expenditure.* He did not suggest that members of tho Council pocketed the money, but he thought it was only right that the public should be informed how tho money was spent. (Applause.) In regard to the rates, hq thought they were quite’ high enough, and should not be increased. When lie Mayor the income of the Council was £2800; it was now £7OOO. If councillors could not carry on the town's business on that sum ho thought they oughf not to be there. .(Applause.) A vote of confidence in Mr Motn.es was> adopted.