THE MAYORAL ELECTION.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XIV, Issue 713, 23 February 1881, Page 2

THE MAYORAL ELECTION.

THE CANDIDATES' ADDRESSES.

Mr Tolcher (one of the candidates for the Mayoralty) addressed a large number of ratepayers, in the Town Hall, Lawrence, on Monday evening. Mr J. N". Storry waa called upon to preside. Mr Tolcher, who spoke for fully three-quarters of an hour, with ease and fluency, referred to the fact that he had occupied the position of Councillor for a large number of years ; that he had always exercised a free and independent vote ; that he had endeavored on all occasions to further the best interests of the town, and that he was not prompted by mercenary or other similar motives, in the performance of his public dutieB — that he had acted with the beat intentions, having a clear conscience, and the desire uppermost in his mind was to prosecute those works that would be of the greatest possible bene&t to the ratepayers. During his term of office, many important works had been undertaken. He referred to the great improvement that had been effected to the street channel on the south side of Rosa Place — a work, he considered, that would com.nend itself to the citizens. He was strongly in favor of the channel on the north side of the same street being improved in a similar manner, but tha Council would not consent to the work being done. As to the water supply of the town, he (Mr Tolcher) considered that a town without a good supply of pure, wholesome water was unfit for habitation. The initiatory steps had been taken by the Council to secure the right to a good and permanent supply of water, and he had no doubt ere long it would be an accomplished fact. He was favorable to borrowing a sum of money to complete the water scheme, but before taking action, he would submit the matter to a meeting of the ratepayers. The speaker then touched upon the financial position of the Borough — to the fact that one loan of £2000 had been satisfactorily placed, and that other loans falling due would likewise be arranged on most advantageous terms. The Council had, at last meeting, a balance of £174 to their credit. Their income in future could be estimated at £1500 ; their expenditure at £1000 (that included salaries and charges for interest), leaving a balance of £500 for the prosecution of public works. That sum was not large, but he would endeavor (if elected Mayor) to have it administered in a judicious manner. Speaking of the injury Ross Place would suffer by the flow of tailings from Blue Spur and the backing of the Wetherstones water, Mr Tolcher referred to the steps that the Council had taken with the view of cutting a channel through the saddle at the mouth of Gabriels Gully to divert the tailings and give greater fall to the flow of drainage water. If the Council were successful in their demands, they would be enabled to reclaim a large piece of ground which would become valuable in course of time for the establishment of local industries in their midst. The speaker expressed himself strongly in favor of a proper system of drainage for the town. If a channel were cut from the boundary of the town at the foot of Ar-drossan-street, and continued along to the back of the Railway Hotel, he believed that would answer all requirements. However, he regarded the water scheme as of primary importance, and the drainage system could afterwards be proceeded with. For some time past, he bad been collecting data in favor of the establishment of gas-works within the Borough. He was acquainted with a gentleman who would undertake the initiation of the scheme, provided that the Council would render all necessary assistance. Before committing himself to the project, he (the speaker) would call a meeting of ratepayers and lay before them a well-digested scheme. In concluding, Mr Tolcher expressed the hope that the election would be conducted on fair and generous principles, and that all bitterness and petty feeling would be dispensed with, if the ratepayers elected him as Mayor, he would undertake to discharge the duties of office to the best of his ability and in a manner that would reflect credit alike to the citizens and himself. — Several questions were put to the candidate and answered satisfactorily. On the motion of Mr Fraer a vote of thanks to Mr Tolcher for his address was carried.

Mr George Walker (also a candidate for the Mayoralty) addressed the ratepayers present at the close of Mr Tolcher'a meeting. Mr Storry was requested to occupy the chair, a request that met with his compliance. Mr Walker prefaced his remarks by saying that he had been connep£ed with the Council and the Hospital off and qa for several years past. He had always striven in hfs public capacity to study the interests of the ratepayers, and to see that their money was expen&ed judiciously. As to the Council's position at present (seeing that they had been sh.orn of their subsidy) he did not think they youU} be justified in entertaining any giganlfc water gphenje or drainage scheme. It was alf fpvy good racing such questions at election times, but when they looked at the matter calmly, he was convinced that the Borough could not deal with them until there was more money at command. A Borough having an fagome of some £3400 or £1500, and payjng something like $1000 for salaries and interest on loans, woj*ld not be justified in ''piling" cm the ago»y too much

in the shape of, increased taxation. He was favorable to the outskirts of ithe town receiving their fair share of revenue. It was 1 highly improper to collect rates and then not give the ratepayers something in return— even if it be only a decent foot, path or a load or two of gravel in low* lying and dirty spots on the streets. Ever sinoe he had been oonnected with the Council he had been adverse to the unnecessary expenditure of the ratepayers' money. To undertake more than they were able was foolishness. Better confine their attention to the wants of the ratepayers than talk so "tall" about extending the water supply and raising mora money, and then the whole affair to end in " bosh." His opponent bad a great deal to Bay about the advisability of getting gasworks erected within the Borough, but it was his (Mr Walker's) opinion that they had quite enough "gas" within the Borough, without the erection of works. —(Laughter.) It was nothing short of foolishness to entertain such a project when their revenue was small, and when the people had taxation enough at present to bear without having any additional burdens. He would put his foot on such a scheme as that, because he regarded it as nothing less than a " white elephant." All along he had disapproved of a Borough like this holding big notions. When the erection of the Town Hall was first mooted, he and Mr Herbert stood out against the expenditure of more than £2000 on the building, instead of that some £4000 was incurred. When the water scheme, was first initiated, he also stood out against that scheme being carried into effect, before ways and means were fully devised. He succeeded in getting the matter delayed for twelve months, but the Council, denpite his protest, carried the work into execution, and what benefit did they gain? Why, at the present time, the water was unfit for domestic use, and there was talk of the Counoii going, in for another scheme in order that a purer and more wholesome supply might be obtained. He referred to these matters to show the ratepayers that he would not squander their money foolishly; that he would strive in the capacity of Mayor (were he elected to that position) to do all he could for the benefit of the town, but he would avoid plunging the Borough into debt. He was not partial to speech-making, he preferred to be judged by his actions rather than by his words. If the ratepayers saw fit to elect him as their Mayor, he would undertake to apply the break carefully, and steer dear of Bhoals and quicksands. — Several questions were put to the candidate, which he answered in a straightforward manner.—Mr Fraer proposed — "That this meeting has the utmost confidence in Mr Walker, and regards Kirn. as a most •nitable person to fill the Mayoral chair."— Seconded by Mr F. H. M'Coy.— As an amendment. Mr James Chalmers moved —"That Mr Tolcher ia a more fit and proper person to act as Mayor of the Borough of Lawrence." Mr Monaghau seconded. — The Chairman declared Mr Fraer's motion carried ; only eleven hands being held up in favor of the amendment. — The proceedings closed with a vote of thanks to the Chairman.