OCCASIONAL NOTES FROM THE METROPOLIS.—(No. V.)

Cromwell Argus, Volume I, Issue 39, 10 August 1870, Page 5

OCCASIONAL NOTES FROM THE METROPOLIS.—(No. V.)

—o— With tho exception of the election of a member of the City Council, for South Ward, in tho room of Councillor Fish (now his Worship the Mayor), the City elections are over. The Council, as reconstructed, is, 1 think, a body which will on the whole command tho confidence and respect of tho ratepayers. The Mayor is a very intelligent and promising young man ; and tho C nmcillors are gentlemen of standing, intelligence, and ability—with perhaps one rather unhappy exception. "There izzn't noa use 'issin' and groanin', for I will speak !" So said Mr John Barnes, in his loudest tone of voice, and with his most ferocious aspect, on bc'ng greeted with a perfect storm of hisses and groans, when he made h'i3 appearance to return thanks after his election as member for Leith Ward. And certainly it vjas no use hissing and groaning, for Mr Barnes seemed determined to have his say, notwithstanding the hootmg of the crowd of electors assembled, and have it he did, in his choicest language. What on earth the 166 electors of Leith Ward who placed Mr Barnes at the head of the poll could have been think'ng of, goodness knows. He has been harping on the clap-trap cry of be'iig a "practical man," and looking after the interests of the " working man," and so on ; and this no doubt had the desired effect \v Ith a considerable number who imag'ne that the Corporation funds have not been spent to the best advantage hitherio. But, even granting that Mr Barnes is a practical man, surely that fact alone is not sufficient to quab'fy him for the position to which he. has been elected. Members of City Councils in most large places are expected to be men of some little education and position iu society, and who can lay claim to beuig civilised beiugs, capable of addressing their fcllowmeu with chiKty when spoken to, of argaiug matters connected with the welfare of the citizens in an intelligent manner while in their places iu the Council. I hardly think that tha chosen of the electors of Leith Ward can lay claim to any of these qualities. The leading journal of the city characterises the return of Mr Barnes as a "practical joke perpetrated by the electors of Leith Ward ;" and the majority of the citizens express their dissatisfaction at the result of the election in no measured terms. Mr John Hyde Harris—who formerly held the high position of Superintendent of the prov'nee, and was also subsequently elected Mayor—one of Mr Barnes's opponents, bore his defeat with considerable sangfroid, as I should think it must have been excessively galling to sustain defeat at the hands of an antagonist with such small pretensions to education, business acquirements, or legislative ability. However, the mischief is done, and let us hope that Mr Barnes will do his best for the interests of the city in return for the honor conferred upon him— a result which I imagine will be best achieved by him, as a rule, remaining a passive spectator and listener to the Council debates. The result of tho Bell Ward election has given rise to a slight squabble. Mr Benjamin Bagley was declared elected by a majority of one over his opponent, Mr William Woodland ; but tho latter claims two or three votes which were rejected by the return :, ig officer as informal, and consequently asserts that Mr Bagley was not legally elected. Mr Woodland attended the first meeting of tho new Council yesterday, and asserted his right to take his seat as member for Bell Ward on the above ground ; but the Mayor informed Mr Wood'and that Mr Bagley had been declared elected by the returning officer, had signed the usual declaration and taken his seat, and that if ho (the applicant) wished to proceed any further in the matter, he would have to take it to the Supreme Court. Mr E. B. Cargill will most likely come forward for the vacant seat >'i South Ward. The news of tho robbery of the gold Escort and bank notes at Clyde, which was telegraphed to the Government early on Monday, created intense excitement, and was the all-absorbing topic of conversation during the day. Evon the unexpected election of Mr John Barnes was forgotten in discussing the startling news which had flashed along tho telegraph wires, and various were the conjectures as to who the audacious scoundrels could be. Whoever they are, let us hope that they will be speedily captured, and receive the punishment which they richly merit. The police aro keeping a sharp look-out, and will no doubt use their utmost endeavors to effect the ai rest of the depredators. A reward of £SOO, and a free pardon to any acoomplieo who will "split," has been offered by the Government for the recovery of tho stolen treasure, but I am afraid that this will not tompt those who have tho gold in their possession to part with it. Akcanum.