BOROUGH COUNCIL ELECTIONS.

Auckland Star, Volume II, Issue 523, 13 September 1871, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL ELECT IONS.

A MEETING- of the ratepayers, convened by the Mayor, whs held last evening at the Mechanics' Institute, for the purpose of giving the various candidates for election to tlie Borough Council an opportunity of expressing their opinion* on municipal mutters generally. There was als rj> ■ attendance of ratepayers, the hall being q^ito full,—His Worship the Mayor having read \,he requisition calling the meeting, was voted to tbo chair, on the motion of Mr. J. Smart, seconded by Mr. Hobbs.—Having briefly explained the object of the meeting, the chairman called upon the candidates to come forward.—Mr. Staines (who was first, on the list) not then being present, Mr. J. Smart snid lie always acted in an open and candid manner, and lie would o.u once tell them that he had not come there to make a long speech, but he was very willing to answer any questions. He had represented the ratepayers for about two years, und if they considered that he had served their interests, why they could again return him to represent them.—ln answer to a question with reference to the supply of the city with water, Mr. Smart said that he believed a private company was forming for that purpose.—Dr. Lee next came forward. He said the advertisement seemed to imply a catechetical examination. Unless certain pointed and practical questions were put to him it was impossible for him to give his opinion on municipal matters.—ln answer to Mr. Ralph Keesing, Dr. Lee said he did not think the sanitary condition of the city could be worse than it was. He believed a market-place was required, but Banitary improvements were wanted still more urgently. An epidemio would certainly overtake the peoplo, unless something were done on tho outskirts of the 'Borough in this respect. In answer to another question, Dr. Lee said he considered that whereever there was a thoroughfare for carts and carriages was not a private street*. The policy; pf the Council should be to condone what are now considered private streets., If the. private water company did not come into operation,. he should certainly advocate a public water; supply.—-Mr. Staines said he did not mean to make a speech, because having been before them for some years they pretty well knew his opinions. (Cheers.) Mr. Staines then went over a good deal of the ground traversed by him on Saturday night, as well as giving a brief sketch of his life, repeating several times that he was an " ignorant man." (Cries of "No ! no!" and " Does jour uncle know you are out'?") He had never sold the Board a single; lia'porth. (" Don't give them any tiek.'^-^The Chairman: Is there anyone who would like to ask Mr. Staines any questions ? ■ A Voice : What about tho Mayor's dinner ?—Mr. Staines, in answer to questions—;" Are you prepared to insist upon the Dog ( NuLanee Act being stringently carried out ?t-A. All I can say to this (holding up the paper)' is that I would band it over to tho bobbies.—Q. Will you, if elected, advocate the wards not being thrown into one, as they now are? A. I certainly will, for I believe in the city being divided into wards.—Mr. Hobbs came forward, amid loud cheers, hisses, and hooting. Order being somewhat restored, Mr. Hobbs Baid he had not coma forward of his own accord. If returned, he should consider it a great honor and would vote for a fair share of money being spent in every part of the city. He belonged to no clique—he did not believe in it. He could not speak of what he had done for them in the past, but ho would endeavour to represent them fairly. If the loan was judiciously expended, great good would result, from it. If they wanted improvements they must get this loan of £20,000. He thought the repayment of the loan should spread over a longer period, and that the rate should have been smaller. He believed a market - place was wanted for country settlers, but he did not agree with it being fitted up with stalls to take the trade away from the shops in town. If returned, he would serve

them faithfully.—Mr. Cater said lie was now to political life, but he should be very glad to answer any questions. No questions -were asked of Mr. Cater, who then sat down.—Mr. Henry Kissling, who was received with loud cheers, said he had come forward at the solicitation of a number of influential gentlemen. He sympathised with people living in back streets and slums. Residents of such (streets should dedicate thoir streets to the public, and they ought, and no doubt would, then roceive assistance. Ho would support, or bring forward, a scheme for water supply, if the private company failed to start. The question of drainage was the most important of all. He would advocate a considerable portion of the loan being devoted to draining the whole place. He agreed that there ought to be a marketplace. If returned, he should go in for tin; citizens generally, and not for any particular portion of them.—Ju reply, to a question as to the closet question, Mr.Kissling siiid he should recommend earth closets. He could not at present answer the question.as to whether it would be advisable to dissooiate tlio positions of collector and assessor of rates. He "was a trustee of the Parnell Highway Boaril.—Mr. Uenry Isaacs said he bad beon in New Zealand'for 22 years, but had never, before come forward in political matters, and would not hare done so now bub he bad b:on solicited to do so. He objected to the system of canvassing, and would, like to see it put a stop to. He was so new to political life that he was hardly prepared to make a Speech, bub he would be very glad to answer any question. If they thought he could be of service to them they would- vote for him ; if not, he hoped they would not do bo. —In answer to questions, Mr. Isaacs said he would strongly oppose the assessor and collector being the same individual. He ■whs in favor of the Borough being divided into wards, but if elected for one ward he would not favor that ward inoro than any otlier. Ho believed a water scheme was grout ly wanted. If the private company did not succeed he thought it was the duty of the Provincial Govoi-nmont to provide a water supply. Ho thought tlie city endowments ou;',ht to be made reproductive.—An individual asked . how it was, if Mr. Isaacs had no canvassers, that ho (the speaker) had been canvassed on' a ticket bearing the names of Istiacs, Smart and Hobbs ?—'Mr. Isaacs said ho had simply stated that he, personally, had not, and would not canvass. (Oh! Oh !) He could not be answerable for what was done by those gentlemen who were supporting him: He would not pay a copper farthing to get every vote in the city. If returned he would advocate that the draiuing and" cleansing of tho town should be one of the first things looted to.—Mr. Kirby next came forward, mid 'went over a good deal of tho ground traversed by him on Saturday night. In answer to questions, Mr. Kirby said lie believed the labouring, men of the Board should be paid on a Saturday. - Q. If elected to the Board, and appointed Mayor, would you do the work for nothing?—A. There is little chance of Kirby becoming Mayor, but if I were elected, I would do the work for nothing.—This concluded the business of the ineetiug, and, after a vote of thanks io tho chairman, the proceedings were about t.O terminate, whon Mr. Staines came forward mid said that the chairman should give tho meeting an opportunity of speaking.its mind, if it ohose. If any gentleman had anything to say against any of the candidates, he

I thought lie was entitled to com« 1 pl.tt.form and say it-Tlie Dr P°n. fll« did not Eeern to be favourably enteiT- 11' 011 and the proceedings then terminated d)