Untitled

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3573, 21 December 1882, Page 2

Stnce bis entrance into public life Cr. Wall, perhaps, never did a more kindly action tban in seconding Cr. Ellison's motion to increase tbe taxation of the already heavy-laden ratepayers of Napier. Cr, Ellison was scarcely prepared for such a kind act at the hands of anyone, least of all Cr. Wall. He did not expect that his motion would have found a seconder; there was tbe usual pause, and then tbe silence began that almost invariably follows Cr. Ellison's motions when His Worship, in smooth accents, asljs whether .any councillor will second it. The councillors in response usually put on an air of abstraction ; some appear busy writing out motions on their own account. A glance over tbe shoulders of the industrious ones will show often enough tbat tbey are bard fit work drawing some humorous caricature. All this time Cr. Ellison wears tho aspect of a martyr to the cause of duty. But last night, out of pure goodness of heart, Cr. Wall intimated that he would fjegoad

the motion pv forma. He doubtless saw that Cr. Ellison had come primed with books and figures, and, knowing how severe the punishment is to one who wants to speak and has not the opportunity, he exercised a benevolence that was not appreciated by tbe majority. When the motion was seconded we thought we detected a " tear of gratitude glistening in the eyes of Cr. Ellison. For a dreary length of time he at once proceeded to weary the Council with what he was pleased to think were facts and figures. His facts, as usual, turned out phantoms, and his figures illusory, the result being that, when his motion was put to ihe vote, it had no other supporter than the unfortunate and much to be pitied mover.