CROMWELL.

Otago Witness, Issue 1341, 11 August 1877, Page 7

CROMWELL.

July 30th, 1877,

THE MAYOBAL ELECTION:

Onr Mayoral election was a very tame affair, and resulted iv the return of Mr Brown, as against Mr Marsh. It wa3 a foregone conclusion, for, as Mr Marsh truly said, the block IX vote was all-powerful, and although the occupants are simply street trespassers, being ratepayers are enabled to carry considerable weight at any election.

THE COUNTY COUNCIL.

The County Council held a special meeting on 24th inst., to deal with the resolutions of the Chairmen's Conference, and notwithstanding the Chairman's ardour in the cause (directed, as is plainly evident, by the peculiar position of his model County in reg»rd to the movement for separation and formation of a new County), the resolutions were seriously mutilated, and many were deleted as aol coming within that body's province to consider. Never did it appear more plainly that the Conference was " much ado about nothing," as stated in the Daily Times at tho time. On the followirg day the ordinary meeting was held and a large amount of public money voted. Th« contract for a bridgo over the Clntha at Bendigo was given to Mr M'Corniick, at £4035 ; a foot bridge was contracted for by Mr Drumtny, for £393, acros3 the Manuherikia River at Alexandra ; and many useful roadworks undertaken. The Council declined to follow the strongly expressed views of the Chairman to give away something like £450 }n two jobs without competition, and he will

hardly venture to attempt such a way of dealing with public money again. On the question of an account for horse hire, jE7, by the Chairman, Councillor Colclough was alone in condemning it, he being under the mistaken belief thai the salary of £400 a year v?as the proper fund from which these expenses should be paid. It appears, therefore, that the Chairman'o salary is intended to be devobed to the payment of the butcher, storekeeper, and washerwoman, and not as a recompense for the extra time and trouble the holder of the office is supposed to devote to official duties.

Councillor Colclough was again alone in protesting against the act of the chairman in opening tenders for Manuherikia Bridgo irregularly — id eat, without the presence of any other member of the Council, and his (the Chairman's) conduct was accordingly whitewashed by a majority, who, by this kind of action, will find a rod before long for their own backs. Nothing appears too bold for the Chairman to do, or the Council to confirm.

The Warden (Mr Simpson) has been appointed a Commissioner to enquire into the bona-fides of the separation petition — a duty which doubtless will receive impartial consideration, although it has been surmised that his long residence and official connection with Clyde might have given the Government an opportunity for selecting another gentleman to conduct the inquiry without offence, and with at least equal satisfaction to the petitioners.

THE "WARDEN'S DDTIES.

Tha duties imposed on our Warden are unreasonably severe. To-day an inquest on two Chinese smothered by a fall of earth ; Wednesday, the enquiry above referred to, and Friday, a fortnight's accumulation of Warden and Magistrate's business — and this is apparently about the ordinary run of his work, causing, I might say, endless travelling. Nevertheless, our effoits to get alooal Warden have been fruitless.

MATTERS MUNICIPAL.

•With, the exception of Macandrew Ward, our Minicipal Councillors have again resumed their old places ; and an election in that Ward will probably restore the seat to the late Councillor, Mr Aitken.

COUNTY ELECTION.

However, Fe look for keen excitement in the matter of the new member for Hawea, vice Mr Mitchinson resigned. We have threa candidates nominated — Messrs Jolly, Harsh, and Loughnan — and already canvassers are eagerly endeavouring to secure pledges. _ Mr Jolly, our late Mayor, has voluntarily relinquished Municipal honours to enter the larger sphere of County buaine»B, and during his term of office (three years) he has shown aptitude for that description of business. Mr Marsh has also many supporters, but the fates*.have invariably been uppropitious towards him when seeking public position, and he would doubl* less give general satisfaction to his constituency. But Mr Loughnan, being an untried man in public affairs, can only ba judged by his private qualities, which eminently entitle him to favourable consideration were he not that "betenoir," a squatter. Already the Council contains three squatters out of eight members, and a fourth would give preponderating influence to that industry. Tho election takes place on the 4th of August, and will probably be known before these remarks see the light.

MR PYKE.

A public meeting was called at Bannockburn, on Thursday last, to rescind a previous resolution to the effect that public business in the House should be done through Mr Stout, and a large assemblag« attended ; but, to the disgust of the distant visitors, it was resolved that only members of the Bannockburn Progress Committee could vote. A. Btormy debate followed, during which .every vile thing that language could utter was hurled against Mr Pyke, and chiefly by those professing to support his name in substitution of Mr Stout's. The argument maintained by his supporters (I must not say "friends ") was that the Bannockburnites should endeavour to " make use of him, as he would not be kicked out," 3nd they professed to believe that in that connection they might get something out of him. " Save me from my friends," he may now fairly scream, for a more severe caatigation no public man ever got.