THE MUNICIPAL ELECTION.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume X, Issue 2025, 14 September 1883, Page 2

THE MUNICIPAL ELECTION.

TIIE contest between the candidates yesterday was conducted with tho bust of qoo<l humour, and above board. The partizans of each party worked zealously, and it will be seen by the numbers accorded the rurespective candidates that own those gentlemen who were unsuccessful may justly feel proud of the support accorded them. The three whom it was generally believed would be returned — Messrs. Kenny, Smith, and Joyce— have the honor i o-day of enjoying the confidences of the burgesses, and, from what is known of the general character of these gentlemen, we do not think there will ha ;my cause to regret the result of the contest. MR, H. E KENNY. Mr. Kenny is a gentleman whoso long experience on the Bunch as a judge, his general lumwlcd/c and the practice of his profession an a banister and solicitor, combined with nis acquaintance with men and the world, eminently fit him to fill such a distinguished position as a membur of tho Borough Council, and his influence;, his learning, and his gentlemanly demeanour should have their due influence in elevating the tone of Qiir Borough Council from a mere second-rate debating dub to something like a deliberative assembly. We have no wish to cast tho slightest reflection on tltg gentlemen Avho constitute our Borough Council. We give them credit for doing their best. B. u t there has been too great a tendency to talk ovor trivial matters, whilst subjects requiring mature consideration have been too hastily disposed of. Then, we fca,yj Mr. Kenny's general knowledge will be of very great service to the Borough. MR. CARLAW SMITH. In Mr. Carlaw Smith we have an old and tried Councillor. Ho is not, therefore, iu;w to the work that will claim his attention

during tho next throe years. Mr. Smith is a thoroughly good worker. In debate lie speaks well, and to the point. He is endowed with the special gift of the organ of disc rnm'ent, and does not hesitate to give expression to his opinions upon any subject brought under discussion. His aim in the past has been to study economy, and save the pockets of tiie ratepayers, at the same time doing his best to carry out necessary improvements in the Borough. Mr. Carlaw Smith if no drone. He is a shrewd, clever man of the world, and as such will not fail to pay due attention to tin-, business for transaction by tho Municipal Council. We a^ain congratulate him on once more having been entrusted with the confidence of the ratepayers. MR. R P. JOYCE. This gentleman, the worthy Boniface of the British Empire Hotel, has hitherto been untried. Everybody knows JoyceJoyce knows everybody. This is not the first time he has aspired to municipal honors. He has twice previously been a candidate, but, like the unsuccessful candidates yesterday, had for a time to remain out in the cold. Mr. Joyce is not a citizen who endeavors to thrust himself on the community, but would prefer standing back, and allowing others to lead the van. If invited to step to the front, he will do so, and having once taken a matter in hand, is not likely to throw down his sword until he has conquered or is conquerei. In his commercial dealings, he is known as a man who goes "straight." He is of a particularly good-natured turn of mind, and would not refuse any poor fellow a dinner if he happened to bo hungry, or a pewter of Crawford's best brow, if he were thirsty, sober, and had no money. Mr. Joyce, as a resident of longstanding and good repute in Gisborne, has the interests of the place at heart, and in him the ratepayers will find a representative who will not be unmindful of their many claims for consideration, and thu carrying out of those duties devolving upon a member of the Borough Council. Many a burgess will presently ro-Joyee ovor his return yesterday, if he will make it one of his special lines to see that the footpaths in the bystreets are made passable. Mr. Joyce's success in this, his third attempt to gain a se;it in the Council, should encourage the defeated ones yesterday to keep their powder dry until the next battle lias to bo fought, remembering the old rhyme : — 'Tis a lesson you should heed : Try try, try again ; ! If at first you don't succed, Try, try, try again ! We congratulate Mr. Joyce on his return. So far, wo have not referred to the dual duties whicli the newly-elected Councillors will bo called upon to perform as members likewise of the Harbor Board. In that capacity there are some very important matters, that will require the exercise of great discrimination. Much ihat will affect the future will depend upon the business to be transacted within the next few months. The foreshore endowment will have to be turned to the best account. Many other important matters will depend for their successful issue or otherwise upon the action of the members of the Harbor Board. The Borough Councillors have now something more than the' question of r.uds, footpaths, and making Borough bylaws to occupy their attention. DECLARATION OF THE POLL. Shortly after six o'clock a crowd began to assemble opposite the polling booth, anxiously waiting to hear the declaration of tho poll, but their curiosity was not gratified until twenty minutes past seven o'clock. During tho interval some littU 1 " chaiT" was indulged in. Those inside Messrs. Ward ami Kenny's office amused themselves by posting in the window several fictitious " returns," which were a source of atnusoment to some, and anuoyauce to others. Had not the " mob '' been a good tempered one, the value of the glass and the heads of those inside would not have been taken into consideration. But nobody caused any mischief, although at one tinia a few pebbles were given an upward tendency, and a few persons in the crowd displayed a little disposition to become " lively." At the time mentioned above, Mr. F. J. Piesse, Returning Olricer, amidst several difficulties, occasioned by the capriciousness of the wind, read out the result of the polling, as follows : — State of the Poll Kenny ... ... ... 199 Smith... 185 Joyce ... ... ... ..'. 136 Wilson 98 Hall 91 Nasmith 91 Thanatt 79 Thompson ... 14 Informal ... ... ... 4 Mr. Kenny was then carried shoulder high to the Albion Club Hotel, where he and Mr. Joyce thanked tho burgesses for the honor conferred upon them, and Mr. M. H;ill also thanked those who h.ul vo^ed for him, promising to have another "buck" at it when the opportunity arose. Mr. Joyce subsequently regaled the crowd at his hotel. Tho three retiring Councillors were Messrs. T. Chrisp, J. Whinray, and Carlaw Smith, the latter being the only one who sought re-election.