GISBORNE RIDING CANDIDATES MEETING.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VIII, Issue 1476, 14 November 1881, Page 2

GISBORNE RIDING CANDIDATES MEETING.

[Communicated ] The meeting of candidate* for the Gisborne Riding, convened by Mr. Ttitchcn, was held at the Makaraka Hall on Saturday evening. Six of the nine nominated were present, namely Messrs. M uthewson, Ferris, Westrupp, Tutchen and Weston. About sixty persons were present, of whom forty were ratepayers. Mr. W. S. Greene was called to the chair. Mr. Totchen opened the proceedings with the speech of the evening — trite, to the point, hitting hard where a blow would tell, coveting all the ground of the wants and prospects of the County, leaving little room for adverse criticism, and not much new to be added by the speakers who followed. He alluded to his hearty reception by the electors at Ornv.nd, but regretted that the larrikin element was gaining ground there, and displayed its peculiar manners to the annoyance of the meeting. The electors had a irood number to choose from ; they should do so irrespective of personal rt-gard, and consider only the good of the district, and of the County at large. Certainly they should vote for none but those who had a direot interest in the Riding. He called attention to some instances in the late Counoil, notably to those by whose influence in a great measure £2500, proceeds from Patutahi sain were diverted to the Te Arai bridge and Hue, in which direction all the ratepayers might be counted on the fingers of one hand ; whilst the rating of that portion of the Riding containing the best land in the County was 3d per acre, and all the remainder Is per acre. The payment of £100 for collection of Dog Ux was condemned. The prevention of the nirsance by Native dogs was in no way effected. Shepherds ; householders, and others easily come at, were looked up however. The thing rould be done better and cheaper by Inspector of Slaughter-houses. He held that the present system <-f double taxation, and mixed or divided authority, should cease — one Board, by whatever name it be called, one engineer, who with the salary allowed could well afford to give all his time and attention, and devise Aiich matters as a practical sc'ieme of drainage for the whole flat of Poverty Bay, by which much permanent (eventually less expensive) good would be done, instead of the desultory small jobs, which may not work in with the next one attempted. He spoke in strong terms, also, of the money flung away on Mr. Rosa, for work which the Engineer could do in a f-'W hours, on the completion of Hurrey's contract The £12 10s paid to Allen and McLeod as prospectors lie considered absolute w«»te, as all the information they could possibly supply was known years s?o to many of the Council The tramway, instead of running to Ormond Quarry should be turned to the river at Cain's corner, by which two desirable objects would be effected. viz. : obtaining excellent road metal, and easing the channel of the river whe-e it is eatinif Orraond away. His opinion was that men should get at least 7s per day on road work, and that road maintenance should be let in small contrac'a, to give the small man a chanoe. Mr. Tutchen spoke at length on several other matters. Mr. McKay said he had been a member of the outgoing Council, and had always found the greatest harmony pervading all their meetings. They had been oramped for want of funds ; but still had a deal to show for the money expended. He would advocate the establishment of a permanent tramway to Ormond, and for that purpose, wonld take the land required for it under the Public Works Act, and give to any contractor the present plant and

sulu privilege of the line, but not entail the County funds. He was in favour of a County lo»n f>r the purpose of buying road metal from the tramway contractor. He would support the payment nf a Chairman ; as one who could bully the Government well, would get Urge votes for the district. Mr. Wehtox snid he had nothing to •ay, he would nn»w«?r any questions. After a bit of chaff he started a comic recitation, but was stopped by the Chairman. Mr. Frrkih sail moat of the questions that had boon discussed concerned the General Assembly more than the Council. He looked back with piide to his former membership of the Council, when 1 the road from Waerenga-a hika to Mr. McKentie's gate was mado ; it was the only good piece of road in the Bay. He thought the Ormond quany could be made to produce as good stone as any in the district, and this save the cost of shifting the tramway. He had SMd he would nut accept the office of Chairman unless a salary was attached. He thought the duties of that office would require 4 days per week. Mr. W but an* had no speech prepared. He thought the loads carried by drays should be limited or tolls levied, as the poor roids we have are insufficient for the strain put upon them He would not advocate abolition of Road Boards, but thought the County Enigi neor should be called upon by any Road Board and save the o<*t of professional services, which now eat up their revenue Mr. Matthf.wsok also had nothing prepared to talk about. In reply to Mr. Wright he said if elected he had no connection with Mr. Common that could influence his action in the Council. A vote of thanks to the Chairman concluded a most orderly meeting, for which Mr. White, the spirited landlord of the Makaraka Hotel, gave his fine hall free, and also provided lights and attendance. He received thanks, and compliments for the very creditable conduct of his establishment

Roseland is going ahead, stores increasing and tradesmen in go<>d work. Mr. Hurrey is putting up a fine twostorey house of 13 rooms, for his own use. When finished it will be the best residence outside Gisborne.