TOWN BOARD TRUSTEES.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume I, Issue 92, 19 July 1873, Page 3

TOWN BOARD TRUSTEES.

PUBLIC MEETING-.

In accordance with announcement, a public meeting waa held on Tuesday evening last, at the Masonic Hotel, to take into consideration general Town Board matters previous to the annual election of Trustees. There was a largo attendance, and Mr Remington occupied the chair. The ChalEMan briefly referred to the objects for which the meeting had been called, and expressed his regret that four of the present Trustees of the Board were not present. It was, to say the least, not courteous to the electors, who had just cause to complain at such neglect. Mr McDonald, as one of the conveners of the meeting, thought it was highly desirable that, as the annual election of Trustees would shortly take place, the public should have an opportunity afforded them of discussing matters appertaning to the Board. That bad been bis object in convening the meeting. He was glad to see so large an attendance, and trusted those present would consider well the importance of the occasion. Mr Samuels, in replying to the remarks of the chairman, regretted his colleagues were absent. He himself bad considered it hia duty to attend. He would be happy to answer any questions that might be put to him at the present time and at the annual meeting—(choore).

Mr Samuels then answered scr - Questions in a most satisfactory manner. v Mr SoMEUvitijß then - Jied the audience, He had y vstrumental in calling the me 4 .ause be had heard so much ds* -j expressed at the manner in which Town Board matters were at present carried on. There was no decent road m and out of town ; such was urgently required, it appeared to him that all the money had been expended upon the Devon port Road, and it was high time the ratepayers looked into this most unnecessary expenditure. He would not directly charge too Trustees with using public money for private good, but Ctossr’a wife should be above suspicion i and, to say the least, the conduct of the 1r us tees was to be suspected as regarded that road. It must be remembered that three of the 1 rustees held property, extending nearly half a mile, in that locality. He was not surprised at the absence of four of the five Trustees. They did not care for public meetings of this nature, or perhaps were rather ashamed to show their faces. Their feeling was. “We don't care for your wishes ; we can fill the box with proxies, and go in in spite of you.” He (Mr Somerville) thought the use of proxies unfair—(hoar, hear)—-and he trusted that on the night of election ratepayers would itumkHakeaMy denounce those using them. It was a contemptible thing for a man to put himself in when he must know In his heart be had not the confidence of the public—(applause). Mr Bradley said an erroneous impression had gone abroad that a certain gentleman had voted hi in self in at the last election by means of proxies: This was not so, however, Mr Rkdhond thought it would have been much more creditable for the person referred to, to have , there to answer for himself—(hoar, hear). There was no use mincing matters, proxies had been used at the last election in a moat disgraceful manner— (bear). Mr McDonald thought the least said on so sore a subject the better. If the electors worked unanimously,proxies would have to give way to the voice of the people. [Mr E. GK Norris her© passed the passage, and being perceived by some gentlemen present ,he was offered a chair; but Mr Morris did not appear desirous to enter the r00m .3 Mr Redmond thought the management of public matters in Tauranga would shortly go by entail. Fresh blood was greatly needed. He had no objection to present members of the Board, but a change in the ministry was required ; and, if the electors worked well together, they would be enabled to elect the men of their choice. So fat aa proxies were ponce rued, he saw them “shovelled in” at last election by one individual. Mr who was well received, said he was again a candidate. He spoke of the services he had rendered in the past, and referred to the records of the Board in proof thereof. Ho spoke of certain improvements he desired to see carried out, and co .eluded a short, but sensible and matter-of-fact speech, by stating that, if re-elected, he would do " hi*, level best” for the interests of the public-—(applause). Mr Rbminqxon stated his intention of coining forward, an announcement that was received with, evident satisfaction. He had sot sought office, but it had been represented to him that he could be of service to his fellow settlers 1 and, if go, he was very much at their service—(cheers). Mr Conway, another candidate, said, if elected, the public might depend upon his working honestly and zealously for the public good—(applause). Mr McDonald said be would also bo in the field' If elected, he would serve the ratepayers to the best of his ability, and see fair play to all—(cheers). After the usual vote of thanks to the chairman, the meeting terminated.