THE MAYORALTY.

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 74, 17 July 1876, Page 2

THE MAYORALTY.

The nomination of candidates for«, Mayoralty of Oamaru for the ensuiuo * e took place to-day, at noon, at the Coiwi Chambers. There was a large attendance The members of the Council present wer*. His Worship the Mayor (in the Chaitl* Councillors Falconer, ,Scott, Galbraifl' Mainland, Sinclair, Morton, Headland and the Town Clerk.

The following gentlemen were duly*,.' posed as candidates for the Mayoral CU for the ensuing year :—Mr. W. J. Stew proposed by Mr. J. Mainland, jS seconded by Mr. S. Gibbs. Mr.'j 0 L Falconer, proposed by Mr. Frank Da lop, and seconded by Mr. George Gre& FIELD.

His Worship the Mayor here calej upon Mr. Steward to address the meetiin Mr. Steward said : Mr. Mayor anaV tlemen, —It was not until within the !•» two or three days, at the request of sevetf citizens, that I consented to come forwsrj to contest the forthcoming Mayoral tion. I feel considerable diffidence in senting to be nominated to a posi% which has been so ably filled by yon present Mayor during the past year; k if elected. I shall do my utmost to sem your interests. There are one or ft, matters to which I should like to dr» your attention. The first is, the presgj high rate of charge for the gas. It is my opinion that the Cpnnd should not charge a higher price fortf, use of gas than is sufficient -to cover % expenses of its production j in otlig words, that no profit should be derfre therefrom. I also think" that thema| of water supply is one of paramount b portance to the ratepayers, and that! would have conduced more to the interal of the citizens had some recognised schgm been carried out, in preference to the ei penditure which has been incurred in wj nection with certain public works in ti borough. Gentlemen,- it is not my info tion to detain you with a lengthy and I shall be most happy to answer bj questions. Mr. O'Meag-her : Are you in favori a reduction in the price of gas 1 Mr. Steward : Decidedly so. Mi*. O'Meagher : Will you advooi an establishment of.a Board of Health!. Mr. Steward : I consider that malt of vital importance to the public interest; One or two other questions were la put to the candidate ; -after which, Mr. Falconer spoke as follows:—& Mayor and Gentlemen, —By many, I hat no doubt, it will be considered presuuj tious on my part to come here to-day a solicit your support in the election abs to take place. I have resided in ys midst during the past six years, andii public actions are, I think, pretty n known to most of you. It would h afforded me very great pleasure to k found Councillor Mainland nominatedi the Mayoral chair, not out of any m regard for the other candidate,.™ because I consider the office of Maji should be filled by one or other i the .Councillors for the time tieii I hope you will not expect from me a vi elaborate speech, but, I may say, i whichever candidate may be successful, trust he will endeavour to follow in i footsteps of our present worthy May With regard to the gas question, I tli the Council have acted wisely in not firi the price too low at the commencema but it is my opinion that the time is if far distant when it will be reduced. 1 regard to public works generally, I will' my utmost to promote their advancema but shall vote against any unnecesS expenditure of the revenue of the Cons I look upon the Breakwater scheme as grand local work, and one calculi greatly to promote the advancement of tl town and district.

As there were no questions put to t candidate, the Mayor declared the ram adjourned till Friday, the 21st July. On the motion of Mr. J. FalcoS seconded by Mr. W. J. Steward, a vote; thanks was passed, to His Worship' Mayor for presiding.