MUNICIPAL ELECTION.

Patea Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 968, 6 December 1882, Page 2

MUNICIPAL ELECTION.

Mr E. Barton, one of the candidates for the vacant seat in the Borough Council, vice Mr Milroy, resigned, addressed a sparsely attended meeting of ratepayers in the Harmonic Hall on Monday evening, Mr Cowern occupying the chair.

Mr Barton said it was somewhat difficult for a person who had to play a subordinate part in our local Parliament to say he had a policy, for so far as it was possible he had one. When any question came before the Council lie would consider it on its merits without deference to individual opinion, as he was not a party man. The other candidate, Mr Mace, was evidently a party man as was shown by his antagonism to Mr Sherwood. In that respect he (MiBarton) claimed to be preferable to his friend Mr Mace. While he did not profess to have any intimate practical knowledge of contractor’s work he claimed to be able to judge when things were conducted in a business-like way. They were paying something like £SOO a year to the Engineer and his staff and he could judge from his report what was being done. The appointing of a member of the Council on (he Harbour Board was an important one. At present Mr Gibson was chairman of the Board and was determined ; on. carrying out a policy 7 opposed to that of Mr Sherwood. He thought it would be folly for tho Council to send a member to the Board who was opposed to what the Board was in favour of. In February the Board was to be re-cast, and if its members were decided upon a scheme —if the Sherwood school of thought became predominant, the Council should send in a man to work in harmony with them. He considered the best policy would be for tho Council not to. send a member until, after the new elections. He ridiculed the idea held by some that it was folly to spend further money on the harbor. There was a great future for Patea and the whole of the Colony. The developing of the frozen meat trade, and exportation of wool would create general prosperity. They wanted unanimity on the Board, and what should be done, ought to he done at once, and the money raised as rapidly as possible. (Hear, bear.) He considered the departmental expenses of Patea Council, upon its officers and general expenditure had been a little too great in .the past for the income that they had. The total expenditure for the last six months was £I2OO, of which the Engineer’s office had taken £231, other expenses £167. The revenue for the last six months was £949 3s 4d, and on enquiry he learnt that the probable income for the next half year would be £350. Our expenditure was quite equal to our income, and with interest on the £IO,OOO loan to pay, we would hava quite enough to do. If it was possible to reduce the present rate of expenditure and carry on the work of the borough, he would be glad to assist in doing it. That was all he had to tell them except answering any questions which might be put to him. In answer to Mr Mace, Mr Barton said he was not aware that gentleman had advocated the £SOOO loan proposed by Mr Sherwood. He had no hostility to Mr Mace, and meant nothing offensive by speaking of him as a party man. In fact he should probably vote for Mr Mace, who had courteously said he would vote for him.

In answer to'Mr Tennent, he would, if it could be legally done, favor the loan by the Borough Council of £5,000 to the Harbor Board for proseoution of protective works.

In answer to Mr Dale, Mr Barton said he was aware that the income of ! the Board was increased by the dues being raised. If the Borough could put in a member who was more in harmony with those at present .on the Board, ho thought it advisable to do so at once. Mr Tennent moved a vote of thanks to Mr Barton for his address.

Mr Dale, in seconding the motion, said it was unusual to have twO'snch good men soliciting their suffrages, and though he could not vote for Mr Barton, having promised Mr Mace, he hoped‘he would get in.

The motion was carried unanimously, and the meeting terminated with the usual compliment to the chairman.