HAWKE'S BAY COUNTY COUNCIL ELECTION.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 4138, 27 October 1884, Page 3

HAWKE'S BAY COUNTY COUNCIL ELECTION.

ADDRESS OF ME RYMER

In accordance with advertisement, Mr Rymcr met the electors of the Meaneo district, at the Oddfellows' Hall, Taradale, on Saturday evening, to explain his views on County matters', the Hall being excessively crowded. The chair was taken by Mr J . Drummond who read the advertisement convening the meeting, and also a requisition signed by upwards of 50 electors, asking Mr Rymer to allow himself to be again nominated as a candidate, to represent this district in the County Council. The ChairmaL remarked that it must be very gratifying to Mr Rymer, to .see that he had, by his past actions, gained the confidence of so many, and that, although perhaps ho had made enemies of a few, he had evidently gained many friends; he then called on the candidato to address the meeting. Mr Rymer on corning , forward was well received, stated that he did not profess to be a great speaker, that working was more in his line, and that often a fluent speaker was not a good worker. lieAvas. very proud to receive the requisition asking him to come forward to contest the election, he knew that he had not pleased everyone; he had never tried, but had endeavored to do his duty to the electors he represented. When a man aspires to a public position, such for instance, as the representation of his district in the County Council, he thought it right and proper, that he should have an oppoi tunity of expressing his views, and also give his constituents an opportunity of judging, whether or not, he is a suitable person to represent them. In his opinion, the meeting should bo a public one, held in a convenient public place, after due notice being given, at a suitable time, so that supporters and opponents alike, might hear what a candidate had to say, for as a rule a man's political friends arc blind to their favorite's faults, and try to persuade others that he has none. He saw I by the Hawkc's Bay Herald the other day, that a meeting of nearly thirty ratepayers had been held at a private house in Taradale a few days ago, to hear a candidate for County • honors give an exposition of his views, that he spoke for nearly an hour, and that those present, tho selected ones for the purpose, called together by the special invitation of tho candidate himself, passed a vote of confidence in the candidate to represent the whole district, while tho next-door neighbors, were not aware that such a meeting was being held. Such a way of doing business, diet not meet with Ids (Mr Kymer's) approval, and he ventured to say, that there were very few ratepayers in Taradalo or this riding who would endorse such a manner of conducting public affairs, it seemed too much like hatching a conspiracy. He thought it right to take a preliminary canter before his opponents, to give them an opportunity of questioning him on matters that might not be to their satisfaction. He had been accused of opposing the opening of a direct lino of road from Taradale to Hastings, when in fact he had been working- for months, gathering information, with the hope, that at no very distant date, of getting a short, direct road from the lledcliffo bridge to the City of tho Plains. Threo months ago, at a meeting of the Road Board, a resolution emanating from himself was agreed to, asking the Hcretavuiga Board for their assistance and cooperation in the matter. He read a reply; from the Chairman of that body stating that they would give the attention due to such an important question. He stated that the Chairman of that Board had since promised him his hearty support. He therefore thought that should be sufficient to show that he was early at work in this much desired project. A direct line from Taradale to Hastings is over seven miles. He would not therefore undertake, as his opponent did, to make it only half the distance via Omahu, viz., six miles ; nor could he understand how Mr Donnelly could achieve such an accomplishment. A direct road from Napier, through Taradale by the Redclift'e bridge to Hastings, would bo a great benefit to the public generally and to himself in particular, and whether he was, returned to the Council or not, he should use every endeavour to get that road opened. Ho pointed out that he had had considerable experience in the matter of shortening , distances from place to place, and referred to the Tannery and Shamrock roads, nnd whilst gaining such knowledge, the electors had not had to pay for it, and if again returned they would have the - benefit of it. He had no doubt ho could get the road opened as soon as anyone, having hitherto been successful with everything he had introduced to tho Council, and by asking only for what is reasonable ho hoped to bo equally fortunate in tho future. In the road from Reddiife to Hastings there would be many engineering difficulties to bo overcome, the best site for bridge and road must be left for the decision of competent engineers.

During the six years he had been in the Council he had attended more regularly than any other member, having been absent from only one meeting, on which occasion he was out of the district. When six years a<'o ho offered himself as a representative, the district had many wants and grievances, amongst the latter, the toll-gates, and the County roads were in very bad condition. Amongst the many improvements during his term of office, ho mentioned the abolition of toll-gates, for which he fought strongly, and, as tho results proved, successfully. The roads in the district were now in good condition, some having been widened, re-made, and otherwise improved. Groat improvements had been made in the road from this township to the foot ot Puketapu hills, and the narrow part of the new road, near the railway crossing, had been widened and fenced,- adding much to the safety of travellers. The Tannery road connecting Meanee with the new road, had been a great boon to the district, not only shortening the distance, but _ greatly _ enhancing the value of property in the neighborhood, as was proved at the Mission sale lately. The road from Meanee to the Shamrock was now nearly a quarter of a mile shorter and less liable to damage irom floods than formerly, consequently is easier to maintain. The Council had assisted the settlers to build a bridge to connect Meanee with Papakura, and had lately taken over the main road in that 1 part of the district, which will shortly be metalled and rendered in good condition for traffic. The Omahu road, before being taken over bytheCouncU, was bad and difficult to travel on as the worst bush road; it is now in excellent condition. RedclifTe bridge was a credit to any county and he felt proud to have been one of the three members of the Council who fought strenuously for, and obtained it. lne Council had devoted considerable attention to County dvains, tho cleaning and straightening of the Taipo creek had reclaimed several acres of land, and had conduced greatly to tho health and comfort of the surrounding settlers. The opening up of the Patea road for dray traffic had always received his hearty support. Largo sums of money amounting to over .-£IO,OOO had been spent in that part of tho County during tho last three and half years, £900 of this sum being a special grant from the General Government, the remaining portion being derived |from rates. Though tho amount seemed large, lie considered it money well spent, having created a great traffic through tho district, absorbihg spare labor and adding materially to tho general prosperity of the whole county. The Patea trade being of geat advantage to Napier and its surroundings, great credit was due to the County authorities, for having secured the trade of such an important locality. Where energy and perseverance were required combined with a thorough practical knowledge of the requirements of the district, he claimed to be the " 80n, ,, and trusted in the coming contest, to leave his opponent, a long way a Ice. Dnring his term of office ho had no reason to com- ( plain of the manner in which the papers had reported his actions, as they had always reported fairfy- and honestly, and he hoped they would have tho opportunity of reporting him as a member of the new Council. Ho intended to stick up for the interest of the district, would stand on his own merits, would not solicit votes or buttonhole electors, but hoped that his actions in the past had given such satisfaction as would secure a bumper vote in his favor. In reply to questions, he considered that paying rates at the office was a considerable saving, and not in any way a hardship on the ratepayers ; that if the ranger did not do his duty the person complainiug should report him to the Council, when an investigation could be made, giving the ranger an opportunity of hearing the charges brought against him ; that the number of miles of county roads was about 220 ; that about 30 men were employed on county roads; would advocate that a ganger be appointed to assist the overseer ; that about 5 per cent, was generally paid for collecting rates. ' •

A vote of thanks to Mr Eymer for his address was carried by acclamation, and the usual compliment to the chairman brought to a close a most orderly and well attended meeting.