City East Election.

Auckland Star, Volume IV, Issue 1197, 24 November 1873, Page 2

City East Election.

NOMINATION. -THIS DAY,

The nomination of three members to serve in the Provincial Council for the electoral district of City East took place to-day at the Mechanics' Institute. Precisely at noou Colonel Balneavis (the Returning Officer), with his customary punctuality read the writ and election notice, and called upon any qualified electors to name their candidates. There was a large attendance in the hall, and amongst those present were several of the leading electors of this large and important constituency. Before opening the meeting Colonel Balneavis suggested that to save time the proposers aad seconders of the candidates should not make speeches, but merely pro- ■> pose and second, and then leave the candi-;C dates to address the electors. This was agreed to, and no doubt effected a considerable saving of time. Mr Holdship proposed Mr. P. A. Philips , as a candidate. Mr Wayte seconded the nomination. Mr Rattray proposed MrJH ugh Hart Lusk, Mr MacMillan seconded the nomination. ■ Mr T. L. White proposed Mr Henry Ellis. Mr George secunded. Mr Allan O'Neill proposed Ralph Keesing, Esq. Mr Howden seconded. Mr Stanuus Jones proposed Mr J. M. Dargaville. Mr Aicken seconded. Mr J. Wrigley proposed W. J. Hurst, (hisses.) Mr Allan O'Neill seconded. Mr Philips, who was well received, then addressed the electors, saying that in seeking re-election he would not make a long speech, but could refer to what he had already done for the city in the Provincial Council. The repeal of the City Loan Act and Harbour Debt, the Grant in aid. of Libraries, Police Assistance, Supreme Court Bill, Public Recreation Ground, Removal of Cemetery Site and Waterworks had* had his serious attention. In reference to . the Waterworks he hoped the necessary . powers would be granted. He had assisted to pass the Education Act, but time had proved that it was not workable, and it would have to be amended. The expenditure for schools in the city was not fair compared with the grant to the Thames, and he hoped members would be returned who would sco that the city got its fair share of expenditure. S© long as he represented the city he would act independently for its best interest. He would not shirk his duties, and when he found he could not act independently he would resign the trust reposed in his hands. (Cheers.)

Mr Lusk said liis opinions had been already fully expressed on all leading topics. The views he had expressed in reference to the Superintendency contest he would endeavour to carry out if elected. It .was now very necessary that men should be elected in whom they had confidence, and on whoso, characters they could vely. If elected he. should regard the interests of the cor : stituency and province without fear, favov» i or affection, and all matters in reference'o the late Superintendency election would a°t in any way interfere with him. He had taken an active part in the education<juestion, and if what he had done in tR Pas * met "with their approval, and \& waselected to-morrow, he would stead^stly jcfcend to the best interests of the and province. Mr Ellis referred to t B depressed state. of the province, which** was apprehended was getting to a dead a*t 1 but he believed Auckland was sounc^t bottom, and if all ■-*' put their shoulders ' the vheel, and shook «ff political apathy,' more satisfactory state of things would s° n ai'^e than existed at present. An Am lean }**$. said to him that in Auckland pp^ k"* uo confidence in themselves, and'wa yp P rophesied disaster, » which was just 116 re/erse of Yankee enter- . - prise and lo' of country. He believed v Auckland w ld S()On get ou* of the dark .J^ clouds and 08 sSain in the sunshine i' A. ' a proper urs© were adopted to restc^e—^ confidenc More la. nd brought under setfJe- ' v ment, w e P°Pplation, and more means of ■ ' commu Jation in tne interior were required. ■ But p/ ou 9ann°ttake the " brselcs" off a ' jj igh --ider,.so you cannot act in politics upon nothS- A* intelligent Provincial Council,

1 S, n A a Superintendent who had not his own j fitness to attend to more than that of the I J %ince were among the things that were * < TJrpri' Affairs had been neglected for T Tears, and lately the Eduction Bill I A raised such a dust that people forgot *1 fact that Auckland was behind hand in 1 !{p race with the other provinces. The xt Council must do more than the last, "ho had enabled a feeble majority just to rrv on the red-tape system. He would t sit another four years to listen to such "widish folly and solemn waste of time as I h a d done, but would rather resign. If the JUt men were put in the right place this mild be amended. It was the fault of JL province that larger quantities of waste lands were not already settled upon. So supinely had the province acted that the General Government itself had stepped in t 0 facilitate settlement on the provincial lands, and it was owing to some difficulties with Dr Featberstone, which were now being overcome, that this had not been as yet fully carried out. Having quoted some statistics (which were listened to rather impatiently L t ke audience) Mr Ellis proceeded to say that under proper management the affairs of Auckland would greatly improve. He thought if proper remunerative work were found for the provincial officers, it were better to have them double than reduced. Mr Keesing said he came forward in no rain spirit. He had been asked by a large number of electors to come forward, and had responded to the call. He was a property holder, andlwould protect the interests of property, as property holders might be called upon to "fork out" before long. He was at a disadvantage, as a new man to politics, but what they required was to have their affairs well looked after, and to elect members who wouldbringtheirbusiness abilities to bear on the business of the province. He was a supporter of Mr Williamson's policy, believing it to be a good one. The Education question, he believed, would be equitably settled next session. He was in favour of secular education, not thinking it right that the teacher should have religious control over his scholars. He was not in favour of opening public-houses on Sunday. He was against opening them for even an hour, which some people advocated. At present the city was kept in an orderly manner. He thought those who wanted beer on Sunday could get it on Saturday night, put it in a bottle, and cork it up for Sunday's use. (Laughter.) He thought the authorities ought at once to set about getting a water supply for the city. He was averse to the larga scheme of expending £150,000, at present at all events. The interest on this would be £10,000. He believed the expenditure of a few hundreds on the Domain ponds would give a good supply. If the ponds were cleaned out the beautiful springs underneath and in the vicinity might be utilised and a temporary if not permanent supply would be obtained. The city had already heavy taxes to pay, and people should be careful not to incur too great an expenditure, or they would find themselves heavily taxed, and in a very bad position. The water question was an important one, and care must be taken that an expenditure was not incurred which they could not pay. He was in favour of the city being divided into wards. Mr Beveridge asked if Mr Keesing would close the public-houses on Sunday or his (Mr Keesing's) Sabbath day? Mr Keesing said Sunday, not Saturday, ] Mr Dargaville said he hoped ill would remember the eloquent speeches which had gone before, but he did remember Mr Keesing's reply to Mr Beveridge. That question was not in good taste, but the answer was an honor to Mr Keesing. He (Mr D.) had already given his views in a |8 leral way on Education as he found it was safer to speak generally than to go into details. One was so apt to be caught tripping, but he had now few enemies, and could speak more fully. The result of the Education tax had fallen greatly short of what was expected of it. It was a failure, only £7000 were realised Tvhereas 20,000 were required. He did not believe the sliding scale would answer, for the expenses of valuations and collection would absorb everything. The sliding scale would be no better than the £1 tax, and he would not vote for it until fresh means had been tried. The province had bona fide claims against the General Government for £30,000. This was admitted, but the province did not press properly for payment. The late Superintendent brought forward the claim so late last session that Mr Yogel said he cold not deal with itthen. He believed Mr Williamson would be more successful in this matter, and he (Mr D) would go in for Impounding the whole of the fund for Educational purposes. That would provide for two years. The poll tax was more equitable than a house tax, for every man had a poll, hut every one had not a house, and people who lived at the Club paid nothing. But without resorting to taxation at all they could provide for two years, and when that was over the land endowments would be productive of revenue which could be devoted to Education. They should seize all the lands they could and. apply them for educational purposes. He was in favour of secular education, and of the Police being under the control of the General Government. There were other minor matters to which he would not now refer as his views were well known". He thanked them for the kind reception they had given him. (Loud cheers.) Mr Hurst said he agreed with the view of the last speaker as to education, but did not see how the amount of the claim spoken of could be obtained until next session, He was in favour of the sliding scale, as oiiginally proposed by the Provincial Council, rather than the uniform tax. He was in favour of the police remaining as it was, as the Superintendent had ample control over them. He had endeavoured to serve the electors to the be3t of his ability in his past, and would do so in the future. He had been one of those who assisted to relieve the city of its debts. One of the most important questions was immigration. They did not want poor people, but farmers of small means who would come out to settle on the lands. In this matter he Would cordially support Mr Williamson. This was the only province that had not an immigration agent at home. Dr Featherstone's interests centred in Wellington. la this matter Mr Gillies had taken an active pwt; and had, with the aid of the General government, been in communication with Mr Parnall on the subject, but in consequence of some difficulty Avith Dr Featherstone, the matter had been delayed. If elected he would do his best for the interests of the Auckland province. He could assure those present that he had gained nothing pecuniarily by taking office in the Provincial government, on the contrary it had been a loss to him ; so much so that he had almost Wade up his mind that under no circumstance would he take the same office again. (Laughter.) , W reply to a question, Mr Philips said he j f be in favour of the Improvement ss*oQers Providing a site for a public for City East. "i!'rjs>» show of hands being called for, 40 **£ held up for Mr Philips, 19 for Mr 16 for Mr Ellis, 8 for Mr Keesing, &1 for Mr Dargaville, and 10 for Mr Hurst. The show of hands was declared in favour of Dargaville, Phillips, and Luak.

I Mr Ellis demanded a poll, which will be , taken to-morrow. | A yote of thanks to the Returning Officer , terminated the proceedings.