ELECTION OF COMMISSIONERS FOR THE TOWN BOARD.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXIII, Issue 2729, 8 September 1868, Page 5

ELECTION OF COMMISSIONERS FOR THE TOWN BOARD.

In accordance with the Town Board Act, 1865, the annual election of Commissioners (in room of those retiring) for tho respective wards of tho city took place yesterday. The following arc particulars of the proceedings in each Ward : — TIIORNDON WARD. The election for this Ward took place at noon, at tho Church of England Schoolroom, Sydney street, Mr C. B. Borlase being appointed Returning Officer, as required by the act. About 50 persons were present. Mr Pharazyn, tho retiring member, did not seek re-election. Mr H. Yatcs said he had been authorised to propose Mr R. H. Carpenter as a candidate. That gentleman would support the present rate of one penny in the pound, but no more ; he was opposed to the Water Supply .Scheme altogether. Mr Cattell seconded the nomination. There being no other candidate, Mr Carpenter was declared duly elected, and the proceedings I terminated with a vote of thanks to the Ketiirning Officer. TE A.UO WARD. I A considerable number of ratepayers assembled !in the Market Hall at 1 o'clock. Mr Dransfleld, chairman of the Town Board, acted as Returning Officer. Mr Dransfield asked those present to nominate candidates. Mr F. Hyland proposed and Mr Mcllroy seconded Mr W. Petford as a candidate. Mr W. Petford declined to be placed in nomination. Mr G. Crawford proposed and Mr W. B. Rhodes seconded Mr F. Sidey as a fit and proper person. [Mr Sidoy was not present.] Mr H. Milward proposed and Mr Doekerey seconded Mr Henry Anderson as a candidate to represent the ward at the Town Board. Mr 11. Anderson said he must decline the honor, first, because he knew nothing of tho intention to put him forward as a candidate ; and secondly, because ho would not on any account oppose his old friend Mr Michael Quin, who was a candidate for re-election. Mr Kinniburgh proposed Mr J. Smith seconded Mr M. Quin's candidature. Mr Cooper asked whether Mr Quin was in favor of the Water scheme and the Bill for the Incorporation of the City. Mr Drausfiekl : The Waterworks are shelved for the present. Mr Quin replied that ho was opposed to the Water scheme, as many of the poor people in Te Aro Ward would not benefit by it, although thoy would have to pay about two thirds of the cost. He thought the owners of vehicles ought to pay a small fee, which would add materially to the revenue. Ho was in favor of the incorporation of the city. In reply to Mr Schult/e, the candidate said he had no power to prevent the petition in favor of the incorporation being presented. The candidate, in replying to other electors, said he was not in favor of increasing the rate, but would advocate economy, by which £'100 or £300 could be easily saved. He was in favor of a fresh and fair assessment of the whole town. (Hear, hear.) The Returning Officer then called for a show of hands. A large majority being in favor of Mr Quin that gentleman was declared duly elected. (Cheers.) A poll was not demanded by Mr F. Sidcy's friends. The successful candidate briefly returned thanks and promised to do his best to serve the Tc Aro Ward, lie concluded by proposing a vote of thanks to the Returning Officer. Mr Dransfield, in acknowledging the compliment, congratulated tho ward on the selection they had made, as Mr Quin was one of the most diligent of all the commissioners. This terminated the proceedings. LAMBTON AVARD. Yesterday the nomination of a candidate to serve as commissioner for this ward was held at the Athenamin. There was a very large attendance of persons. Owing to a mistake as to time the proceedings had to be gone through twice : several of the electors declaring that the proceedings had commenced several minutes before two. Indeed Mr E. W. Mils was declared to be elected without opposition, when Mr Toomath made his appearance and insisted that the proceedings should be begun de uovo. The Returning Officer (Mr Plimmcr) accordingly called for the names of those who wished to nominate candidates. Mr Carpenter came forward and, amid loud cries of are you a ratepayer, proposed Mr Toomath as a fit and proper person to serve as commissioner in the Town Board. Several voices inquired whether Mr Toomath himself was a ratepayer. Loud cries : Ask liim if he is a ratepayer. The Returning Officer : Are you a ratepayer Mr Toomath ? Mr Toomath : You have no right to ask me the question. The Clerk to the Board (Mr Rigg) : Mr Toomath holds property in the ward, but he is not a ratepayer. A voice : How about the tenant. Mr Toomath said it did not matter whether he or his tenant paid the rates. If the tenant did not pay them he (Mr Toomath) became responsible. The Chairman of the Board said tho matter would bo easily settled by Mr Toomath showing his receipt from the Clerk of the Board for the rates. Mr Toomath insisted that he was a ratepayer ; that ho held the clerk's receipt for rates paid. The, Returning Officer : Then wo must accept Mr Toomath as a candidate. The nomination being duly seconded. Mr Carter proposed Mr E. W. Mills to serve as a commissioner. That gentleman was perfectly well known to the ratepayers. He was a thoroughly practical man. The nomination being duly seconded, Mr E. Bull proposed, amidst vociferous cheering, Mr John Melntosh. Mr Melntosh, however declined to stand. The Returning Officer called for a show of hands for tho respective candidates. For Mr Toomath only two hands held up. For Mr Mills thoro was a considerable lmmber of hands. Mr Toomath demanded a poll, which will take place on Thursday morning at 9 o'clock a.m., closing at 4 p.m.