MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12639, 17 April 1903, Page 2

MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

THE CITY. | Yesterday, at noon, Mr Fairbairn, town, clerk, announced the nominations for the mayoralty of the city. There were about 100 persons in front of the Town Hall at tho timo. The nominations were two in number—viz.: Thos. Alfred Maitland, proposed by Jas. D. Wilson and Horace E. Stephen. l'ho3. Scott, proposed by Simcin M'Donald and John Hi Carter. A poll will be taken on the 29th inst. Cr Maitland said that two years ago it was J'j' privilege to stand there and introduce himself to the electors as a candidate for Leith Ward. Ho was successful at that election, and now he had to introduce himself na a candidate for the mayoralty. It was not his intention to make a speech on municipal matters. It would suffice to say that it had been suggested to him that at the nomination it would be a good tiling if he apologised for coming forward as a candidate for the mayoralty, but lie wanted the electors to clearly understand that he was not going to apologise, nor did he tliin'k niny apology was necessary.—(Hear, hear.) He had bcon told that on account of Cr Scott having 17 months' more service he (Cr Maitland) should have waived his right as a citizen to come forward as,a candidate for mayoral honours.—(Hear, near.) But whilo it was perfectly true that Cr Scott had had 17 months' more service, ho wished to cay that during that time there was a contract let by the council to Messrs. Noyes Bros, which he considered wae a standing disgrace to the City of Dunedim.—(Hear, hear.)_ Further, ho said that if the present council had been in office at the time that contract would never have been let. Therefore he did not apologise for coming forward to introduce himself as a candidate for the mayoralty. Ono illustration he would givo which would show that he thought that apology was unnecessary. Some of those before him were working men, and they l.mew pcrfcctly well that one man might be for 10 years a carpenter, or a painter, or other tradesman, and be a fair workman, and that another man, with only three years' service, would bo a much bettor workman, and that was his point in conncotion with the mayoral election. Although he had had only two years' servioe, he maintained that the position should be his.—(Hear, hear. A Yoicc: "You think yourself the superior man?") Yos, be did. He would say no more on that occasion. He trusted that on the day of the poll ho would be honoured with first place.—(Hear, hear.) Cr Scott had no intention of making an apology for appearing before the electors. Tho first time he appeared before them was some four years ago. On that occasion he was mot successful in opposing the late Mr A. Solomon, but three years and five months ago he camo forward as a candidate for High Ward and was successful by a large majority, and he trusted he would have a similar expedience on this occasion.—(A Voice: "So you will.") Hiu opponent had referred to a matter that occurred during tho 17 months provious to his occupying a seat in the oouncil, and stated that a contract was let. The fact was that no contract was let-.—(Hear, hear. A Voice: "That's tho way to go ; for him.") Ono of tho exmayors— (A. Voice: " Chisholm")—lie would not mention names—gave a certain firm in this town plans and specifications to draw for the contract. That was totally different from giving the contract. He (Or Scott) was not in favour of that, and was not aware of it until after it had been clone. -Therefore it was no use saddling him with that matter. The gentleman who now said it was one of the biggest jots ever perpetrated actually proposed to tho council to make it legal because it was illegal.—(Laughter. A Voice: " Give it to him.") He (Cr Scott) intended to fight the election fairly and squarely, and if belittling his opponent or his follow councillors would put him in lie did not want to go in. A candidate should

tako up a more dignified position, and no personalities should bo indulged in. Ho would, fight the issue straight out on its merits. He had not spared himself or his time in trying to brimg the tramway scheme to a successful issue, and he sincerely trusted tho oleetors would do him the honour and justice of putting him in the chair to be Mayor of tho city when the first electric car was run in Dunedin—a position he considered ho wns entitled to. He trusted the electors would return him by a large majority.—(Hear, hear.) SOCTH WARD. The following nominations were announced by Mr Youngman for South Ward:— John Carroll, proposed by Wm. ' Thos. Gilmour and Geo. Lyon Denniston. Henry Crust, proposed by Frederick Carter and Jas. Anning Kirby. James Gore, proposed by James Boyd Gilmour and Alfred Hcllyer. Robert Gordon Macdonald, proposed by James Hnzletfc and James H. Nimmo. Cr, Carroll said -there, were so. many important works before the council that it was very necessary a, few of the old councillors, who had a detailed knowledge of municipal affairs, should bo returned, and ho claimed to be one of these, and also one who had servod the city well and honestly. He might say further that he had lots of spare timo on his hands, and had some «xporience, and was therefore ablo to attend to the business of tho city, a thing that had always afforded him pleasure. If returned he would do as -he had dono hitherto—give all possible attention to the interests of -tho ratepayers. Cr Gore said he had no apologies to offer for being again beforo the ratepayers. Ho had represented South Ward for upwards of 20 years, and that showed tho confidence the ratepayers reposed in him. At cnyrate he had done his best to earn their confidence, and nobody could accuse him of bias or looking aftor his own interests. Ho was not going into questions of policy. Time was too limited for that. He would impress upon them how important it was for. them to put into the council men of sterling worth and integrity, seeing that large sums would 1)0 expondod within tho nest few years. They should not ask councillors to do too much for their respcctivo wards. That meant increased expenditure, and if tho expenditure wont on for another two years ■as it had been' going on, there was nothing for it but an increase of rates. That would mean not only an increase to propertyholders, but also to tenants:. It should be remombered that out of ©very 10s paid in rentß 2s went to tho municipal bodios. Cr Goro, at the conclusion of his remarks concorning his own candidature, added that In had been asked to apologise for the absence of Cr Crust, who was unable to bo present. Although Cr Crust was not a ialkcr. ho was one of tho best men in tho council, and was most attentive to his duties. Ho was a shrewd and level-headed man.

IIIGH WAIiD. The Roturninc; Officer '(Mr E. Hogg) announced the following candidates for High Ward;-; Joseph Braithwaito, nominated by Thomas R. Fishor and .Tames Edgar. Henry Echvard Muir, nominated by Geo. Simpson and James MathcEon. John Loudon, nominated by Peter Miller and Thomas Elliott. James Hamlin Walker, nominated by Charles William Rattray and William Taylor. Or Braitluvaite isaid that two year.? ago liQ had boon clectod unopposed. He had then promised to do his best for the whole city, and for High Ward in particular, and ho claimod that he had kept that promise. He would express his views at a. public meeting, and would, among other things, deal with the financial position of the council and tlio proposal to reduce the price of gas. He had to warn citizens against tlio present vicious system of expenditure upon public works. An estimate was presented to tlio council that a work would coct £100, and instead of costing £100, £300 was spent upon it, and the council knew nothing whatever about it. Ho held that before an exceai of expenditure was undertaken the matter should bo brought before tlio council again and the additional expenditure authorised. The cousequonco of that kind of thing was that a great deal of money was spent upon ■particular works and other works suffered.

Ho had suggested a remedy to tho council, And if eleotcd ho would do his best to have liia suggestion carried into effect. If returned, it would be his turn next year to ■occupy a seat on the Works Committee. Mr Loudon said that he sought their suffrages on this occasion at tho request of a large number of ratepayers. Bo did not think it wis© for him as a new candidate to dommence discussing "the policy of the old council, and he would content himself with promising that if ho was elected for High Ward he would use his best efforts and what commercial., knowledge he possessed to carry out his duties in the best interests ■of tho city generally. There never was a time in the history of tho city of Dunedin when careful and pradent administration of tho affairs' of the corporation was more necessary, because, as they kuew, thero wero a great many largo undertakings in hand at the present time. Ho would probably take an ooportunity between then and election day of laying before them his views on municipal matters. • JIELt. WAiiD. The Returning Officer (Mr Bulterfield) announced the following candidates for Bell Thomas Reid Christie, nominated by Geo. Ritciiio and Charles Henry Hayward. Patrick Hnlly, nominated by Robert Collier and Walter G. Rossiter. 'Edwin Alfred Tapper, nominated by Saul Solomon cmd David I'inkcrton. Stewart Allison Scott, nominated by Chas. William Wilkinson and William Woodland. Cr Christie said that the electors had twice returned him to tho honourable position of councillor for Bell Ward, and during his term of offioe there had been a number of large and important' undertakings. entered upon by the council. It was his wish to see those schemes carried to a successful isfiuo before ho retired from the council, and should the ratepayers re-eleot him he would do his best to conserve the interests of the city in overy respect. As a number of those present were awaro die had been chairman of the Works Committee for tho past year. A largo amount of work) had been done during that time, but he. was satisfied that the city had paid too much for it. They wero still paying too much for what thoy received, and if it was his good fortune to be re-elected ho would endeavour to see that the city got full value for tho money that was expended.—(Hear, hear.) • Cr Hally did not think it necessary ,to delay the oleotors very long with a speech at that stage, for the very simple reason that it was only 11 short months since he had the pleasure of thanking them for the honour of returning him as cine of tho representatives of Bell Ward. Since that time he did not know that he had been guilty of any indiscretion that should prevent him from coming forward and again asking tho electors for their suffrages. The state of the ward he had tho honour of representing spoke for itself. Ho did not claim that tips was entirely duo to his personal efforts, for thero wore associated with him two councillors regarding whom ho felt it would be a loss to the city if they were not returned— Cr Christie and Cr Tapper. Prior to taking a seat on tho council lie had tho idea that it would bo possible by agitating and talking in the council to bring about various reforms in the oity. Ho had to confess that his mind had become disabused of that idea, for the very simple reason that all the talk and eloquence in tho world would not create pounds shillings and pence. He did not think he was far wrong in saying that the city was approaching a very critical period iu its history. Within the next few years many largo works would be carried out, and it deponded on the men returned by the electors whether' tho money these works would cost would bo wisely spent or not. If lie w?s returned ho would endeavour to see that theSe works wore carried out economically and in the interests of vhe citizens.

Or Tapper said that two years ago, when lie asked the eleotors to return him, ho promised that when returned ho would do his very best in the interests of the citizens. Ho could honestly «y that at all times lie had endeavoured to carry out that promise. He had "attended 172 committee meetings and 84 council meetings, and had devoted one-third o[ his time to the benefit of the city. He had saved the' money, and would have saved them more if he had had hie own way. Not only had lie always tried to get tho best value for any money expended, but whenever any materials were wanted that could bi, manufactured or procured in the city ho always gave preference to the local article. Further, when there was amy labour required or any situation to be filled he always stipulated that ratepayers, especially those who had families, should get the preference. So long as howas in the council he would strongly oppose any increase in the rates. With ordinary care no increase was necessary, and he 'belioved that the present generation of ratepayers was doiug quite enough; it was not mecossary that they should pay for all the benefits that would be enjoyed by future generations. Ho regrotted tho council could not adopt some scheme under which the wealthy absentees who derived so much revenue from the city could not contribute more largely towards the coet of administering ifa affaire, It would be a mistake to' make many changes in the council while they were 111 the middle of so many important works. Regarding the present council ho might say this: that during his public life, extending over 25 or 30 years, he had never come across a more honest, hard-working, and painstaking body of men than 'the present council. Possibly they hoc! made mistakes, but these were r.ot serious.,. Ho regrotted that the Waitati supply i-eheme was not further advanced, and that the Woipori water rights had not been secured by the city. As to the staff, the council had an inside staff that, probably could not be improved upon. ■ What they' wanted outside was a strong, able, and vigorous man. He was sorry to say' that fomo of their staff did not get the fairplay they might, and he would dofy any man to be a fluccess unless he got fairplay. If the ©lectors honoured ,him. by returning him,.h® would do his best to give entire satisfaction.

Mr S. A. Scott sa.id ho did not think any respectable ratepayer need apologise for coming forward ami aspiring to tho office of councillor. Unfortunately ho had not been in the council before, but 111 that lins of business ho was not a " new-chum." He had served five years 011 tho South Dunedin Council and fix years {is a school committeeman. Sinoe he had arrived in Dunedin 28 years ago he had endeavoured to take an interest in what was going 011 around him. He was.'satisfied in leaving his election entirely in the hands of tho electors of Bell Ward.' As many of tho citizens knew, he bad speculated a good deal and built a good deal, and' had thus been tho means of giving employment to a number of people. Ho thought he had a. fair knowledge of matters appertaining to their welfare, and he was prepared to show the same energy in the position of councillor that he had shown in his own private business. He would not enter tho council to browbeat any of the employees, but would endeavour to work amicably with them all, from tho engineer to the lamplighter.

I.EITH WAHD. Tho Returning Officci (Mr J, N. Merry) announced the following candidates for Leith Word:— John M'Doimld, nominated by Frank Graham and William A. Judge. ; George Lawrence, nominated by Simon M'Donald and William Wright. Joseph W. Butler, nominated by James H. Wilkinson and George Heighway. John Barnes, nominated by Robert Brownlio and Robert P. Bagley. Mr J. W. Butler said he had consented, after a. great deal of pressure, to allow, himself to 'be nominated as one- of the candidates fcr Leith Ward. The* aifair3 of tlu*3 ward had been a just'cause for dissatisfaction during the last two years, owing to tho lack of unity between the members. On some important questions vitally affeoting the interests of Leith Ward their representatives hod been hopelessly divided. Two of them wero now seeking ro-elcet-ion, and a third was an aspirant for mayoral honours. He quite agreed with Or Carroll that tha present Municipal Corporations Act' was certainly no improvement on the old aot,under which the councillors retired in rotation instead of collectively as at present. It seemed'to him there wore several able men on the council at the present timo,. and some that the ratepayers could ill.afford to lose; but there were those regarding whom it jvould be nn advantage if thero was air infusion'.of now :blood. ;1?or .many:' years he had taken an interest in the r affaire; of Leith Ward, and if elected would do his' vory, best in the' interests of the City, and Leith Ward'in particular. Mr Barnes said that he was well known throughout the city, and in Leith Ward particularly, and had come forward at the request of a largo number of ratepayers. All his little stake was in Leith Ward; and if returned he would be looking after the general interest as well as his own in doing his duty as a councillor.—{Hear, hoar.) Cr Lawrence said that bo had tried to do his duty as' a councillor during the past two years. He had been about tha best abused man in the council. He had been abused both by a few councillors and also by a certain section of the press. But that abuse had had no effect upon him whatever. Tho ratepayers had given him a seat for. certain purposes, and in doing what ho regarded as his duty ho had always spoken his mind, and would continue to do so whilst he was in the, council. Ho had never criticised any vjork unless be saw reason'to

criticise, andwhere lie saw waste and negligence; and if ho wero returned again ana saw these things going 011 they would hear from him again.—(Hear, hear.) He was not going to bo a dumb dog. At tho same time he would bo fair to everyone in their employ, and fair to the council too. He was sorry that there wero not moro able men coming forward, but considering the amount of unfair criticism and abuso to which men who tried to do their duty and to do the ratepayers scrvico ho was not surprised. There was a certain section of the press in Dunedin really above that sort of thing, but there was another section that 1 continued to give those councillors who were fearless and prepared to speak out their minds criticism of an unfair and unmanly kind. Ho believed the ratepayers would return him at the head of the poll, but whether at the head or the tail he would do his duty irrespective of tho papors or anybody else, and when he ceased to do that thoy would only need to ask him to retire, and he would do so without a word.— (Applause.) Cr J. M'Donald said that he would accept it as a favour if again returned. He had not to complain of abuse or lack of support from the papers or his fellow_ councillors. On the contrary, they had given him every assistance, and thus helped him to do his work as a councillor. His platform was amalgamation of the boroughs, a progressive policy with caution, a. pure water supply, stable finance, and tho beautifying of the city reserves.—(Applause.) A vote of thanks to tho returning officers was proposed by Cr H'Donald and seconded by Cr Maitland.

ST. 'HILDA. The nominations for the position of Mayor of St. Kilda, together with thoso for tho positions of councillors for the two wards, closed yesterday at nocm. The number required to represent Park and Musselburgh Wards was five each, and the nominations being in .oxocss of that number in oach case there will be a poll of ratepayers on April 29. . Tho only nomination for tho mayoralty was that of Charles James Gore, proposed by. Marshall Miller and John Farrell. The town clerk accordingly declared Mr Gore elected to the position of Mayor of St. Kilda. Mr Gore sent an apology for his not-attend-anco. Tho nominations for councillors wero a 9 follow:— Park Ward.—Wiliam'Allan, proposed by Annie Maria Daly and Kate Duiistan; Thomas Ashton, proposed by Jamos Parrell, jun., and Heary Berwick; Patrick John Bcllett, proposed by John Fan-ell and James Farrell; William Bragg, proposed by James Ballantyne and James Farrell; William John Burk, proposed by James Jack and Robert Fox; Millon Coughtrey, proposed by Alico Caddie and Carl Ruhen. Musselburgh Ward.—Gabriel Hodges, proposed by Eugene C. Murphy and James G. Robertson; James John Marlow, proposed by George Parker and Frank Mnoe; Thomas Shepherd Culling, proposed by David Swimton and Robert .Dickson; Richard Sandilands, proposed by David Caddie and David Swinton, jun.; William Thomas M'Farlane, proposed by David Swinton and Robert Mitchell; Robert Mitchell, proposed by W. T. M'Farlane and Alexander Hardie; Alexander Hardie, proposed by Robert Mitchell and William Mickie. Thero was mo gathering of ratepayers to receive tho announcement, and only one or two of tho candidate were present. Tho new. Mayor sent an apology for his absence. The small assembly, however, passed a vote of thanks to the rsturning'officer, Mr Dick. GREEN ISLAND. Mr .Tames Millor was yesterday elected Mayor of Green Island without opposition. Tho following have been clected members of the Green Island Borough Council without opposition:—North Ward —Messrs Andrew Falconer, James Jenkins, James M'Mullan,. and George Russell. South Ward—Messrs William Geddes, William Highet, Andrew Kane, and Archibald M'Kinlay. PALMERSTON. Tha nomination for the position of Mayor for the Borough of Palmerston was held yesterday, but as only one nomination was received—that of the present occupant ol the mayoral chair, Mr J. C. Gow—he was declared duly elected Mayor for tho fifth timo unopposed. The nominations for councillors talco place to-day. Our correspondent writes that he cannot hear of any fresh aspirants for the honour, so presumably the old councillors will be' re-eleoted.

Mr James Kelman has been.elected unopposed to the mayoral chair of the Borough of Alexandra for the ensuing term.