BOROUGH ELECTION.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 1048, 14 September 1883, Page 2

BOROUGH ELECTION.

Declaration of Poll. There was quite a crowd of persons outside the Council Chamber last evening awaiting the result of the election yesterday. In fact, it was the only time daring the election that any real excitement was at all manifest. Punctually at half-past seven Mr C. Braddell, the Returning Officer, declared the following as the result of the poll, which was directly afterwards issued from this office as an extra; Thos. Sealy 161 G. H. St. Hill 156 Thos. Leggett 142 Hugo Friedlander... ... 110 David Thomas 97 R. Murray 56

Mr Sealy said he did not know how to express his thanks for the position in which the ratepayers had placed him. He was certainly proud of the position, more esnecially that he was at the top of the poll. It had been circulated outside that he was the nominee of a clique. To this charge his position that night was a sufficient answer. It was a very strong clique indeed that could in any election place its candidate at the top of ,the poll, and he could point to his position there as being a complete refutation of the charge. At the Council Chamber he would further prove by his actions that he was neither the nominee nor the supporter of any clique for his whole efforts would be directed towards the administration of the Borough’s affairs in such a way as would, in his opinion, best serve the common interest without any regard to personal or party influence. He concluded by again thanking his fellow residents for the honor they had done him, and reiterated his assurance to them of his loyal and unbiassed service. (Loud cheers.) Mr !St Hill was the next speaker. He knew that a very strong influence had been brought to bear on the election with a view to opposing him ; but he felt that his success that day was a strong proof that he possessed the popular vote. He had never been and never would be a party to represent the interests or serve the interests of any clique whatever, (applause.) Mr Leggett said he would not say much and would not be much of a talker even when he took his place in the Council. It had been asserted that ho had gained his election because he was the representative of the •*neglected north.” The northern ratepayers, he believed, hid voted for him ; but if the public believed that he was sent to the Council to look after the north and the north only,'the public would make a great mistake. He would take care as far as he was able to prevent the north or west or any other part of the town being specially favored at the expense of the others. His’aim would be to have as equitable an adjust, ment of the work as possible, so that the interests of the whole town would be cared for. (Applause.) Mr Thom°s said that as Mr Friedlander was not present, and he (Mr Thomas) was fifth on the poll, he would take the libertyof speaking next. Ho thanked them for the position they had given him. It was not every resident of so recent arrival as hims If who could secure 97 votes, and he believed that in another twelve months ho would get 197. Ho had not asked a single vote, and had made up his mind not to do so when he consented to stand. He was not discouraged, and hoped to meet them again another time, when, if they were wise, they would put him at the top of the poll. He was told that no man had any chance here who did not belong to a society. He did not belong to any society, nor even the Salvation Army, though he uid not know if that body gave votes to its members; and he considered that no society whatever had any right to influence a municipal election, and ought no! unless fully assured of the merits or its candidate to give its support to him. He himself had that day got votes from all rank and conditions of ratepayers, and he thanked them for their support. (Applause). A vote of thanks to the Returning Officer, closed the proceedings, and the crowd dispersed.