COUNTY COUNCIL ELECTION.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 1081, 23 October 1883, Page 2

COUNTY COUNCIL ELECTION.

Mr Hugo Friedlander addressed the electors of the Upper Ashburton riding at ; the Town Hall last evening. His Worship the Mayor occupied the chair, and | said that the meeting had been called for the purpose of giving Mr Friedlander an opportunity of addressing the electors previous to the election. Ha thought that both candidates were good men, and very little so far to choose between themMr Piiedlander said he thought that if the ratepayers intended to choose the best man they would have himself. (Applause and laughter). He had to assure them that he intended to try hard and get elected. He had bean an old resident and had soon the district from its infancy grow to a place of importance. He thought that it was unnecessary for him to relate the works and doings ,of - the County Council, as that body had done its duty in such a way that his criticism was out iof place. He could not help mentioning the loss the County Council had incurred in losing Mr Wright’s services. Mr Wright was the star of that Council, and the two candidates who were contesting the vacancy caused by his retirement were inferior in every way. (Hear, hear). He hoped that the ratepayers would some day jeeogniao the services of the Council in a substantial manner. At present the County Council wis not in a flourishing condition as regards its finance as their overdraft was L 2,800, which, of course, would be covered by the amount due by the Oeraldine County Council on the Rangitata bridge. This would leave a balance of L6OO or L7OO only to their credit. It was imperative that rates should be levied for the purpose of carrying out the works in future, and he thought they were already rated too high. Now, he was of ooinion that the work of all the Road Boards could be carried out by the County Council, and a great saving of expenditure would bo effected in the way of clerks, advertising, etc. The work could be carried out by the Boards in the same way as at present, but the working expenses could be lessened considerably. The Roads and Bridges 0 instruction Act would enable the Council to undertake works of any magnitude, such as making new roads and bridges. The next great question was ths irrigating of the plains, and any promise made by any candidate to have this carried into effect was a very serious one It wou'd take years and years to accomplish. Would it be feasible to take

sufficient water for irrigation purposes from the rivers! He thought not. In his opinion he considered that a very large quantity of water would be required, and a very great deal of money also. He was in favor of the water supply being carried out in the future the same as it had been done in the past, slowly and surely. (Hear, hear). If it can be proved that he Council would receive in return more than it had to pay (but the ratepayers would not agree to any scheme if heavy taxation was the result), he would support a scheme of irrigation. (Hear, hear). He thought tree planting quite as important as irrigating, and he would support a judicious system of planting reserves every year if elected. He differed from his opponent in reference to the Mount Somers railway route. If, as had been said by Mr Harper, that LIO,OOO had been voted by the Provincial Council for the railway to go up the Ashburton Forks, surely it was illegal to have it made in a different direction altogether. Whatever was to be done now, he would give his earnest attention to, and he would favor the line being made in the direction in which it will do the greatest benefit to the greatest number, and give the best return on its outlay. The people of Mount Somers had certainly a right to the railway if it was originally intended to take it up the Forks, but he was not prepared to say which route was the best, or whether the Hinds and Rangitata districts were not as equally interested in the matter as Mount Somers was. He referred to the Road through Private Lands Bill, as introduced by Mr Ivess last session. It returned to the County Council he would do his utmost to get support for that Bill, as he considered it a very important one and should become law as soon as possible. (Applause.) With regard to the Ashburton traffic bridge, he was glad to state that the L 5,000 voted by the Government had not lapsed, but was still available. He would gladly favor any scheme for building this bridge if the ratepayers so desired. (Hear, hear.) Although not a resident in the riding of Upper Ashburton he had a large stake in it, and if elected he would assure them that he would give every question affecting their district, as well as other parts of the county, his utmost consideration. Ho was not at all frightened as to the result of the poll, although his stronghold had been attacked first by his opponent. Ho thanked them for the patient hearing. After one or two questions had been put to Mr Friedlander, the folio wing resolution was proposed by Mr R. Bird, seconded by Mr Poyntz, and carried unanimously—" That the meeting tender its best thanks to Mr Friedlander for his address.

Mr Harper came forward and said that he had hardly expected again to address them before the election, but he could not let this opportunity pass without reminding the electors that ha was doing his best to get returned at the head of the poll; but if it should charce that he was defeated he would take the beating cheerfully. ( \pplause.) As regards his oppo. nent, he was surprised that he had thought fit to address the electors from the remarks that fell from him a few nights ago. Evidently he had become frightened and changed his mind. (Laughter.) At all events to-morrow was the day, and he hoped that they would place him (Mr Harper) at the head of the poll. After a vote of thanks to th j chairman the meeting terminated.