CROMWELL.

Dunstan Times, Issue 280, 6 September 1867, Page 2

CROMWELL.

[FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDEXT.] 4th. ?ept. 1807 Tlic nominations of Candidates for the office of Mayor took place to day at the School-house in presence of a large number of ratepayers. In July last, Mr W. J. Harry was elected by a large majority for the second timt as Mayor, but in consequence of liis not signing a declaration connected with his election within the prescribed time, Mr Harry was disqualified to hold office. 51 r It. F. Badger acted as lleturning Officer. Patrick Kelly proposed and Michael Conlin seconded Mr W. J. Barry. Robert Edwards proposed, and William Goodall seconded Mr G. W. Good"er. The Returning Officer then called upon the partisans of the Candidates to address the electors, Mr Kelly came forward and explained the reasons why an extraordinary election had to be gone throiHi since an election for the same office had only taken place a few weeks past. He said that the men of Cromwell scorned to be playing at nine pins. Individuals were elected to offices, and were put up only to be knocked down again. The factious members of the Council had managed to disqualify Mr Barry, but although accepting a contest, he still was legally Mayor of Cromwell, according to the onin ion of the Crown Solicitor, Mr Ha"<ntt. The speaker then read the clauses bearing upon the disputed election, and also the opinion, or rather advice of Mr Haggitt recommending the Town Clerk to serve notice of the election upon Mr Barry and the latter then to sign thedec'aration Mr Barry had been told by the Town Clerk (Mr Badger) that it was not necessary for him to sign a declaration as he never had left office, because lie was Mayor until the Ist August by virtue of his election last year : Mr Barry depending upon what the Town Clerk had stated deemed his election consummated, and therefore took no further action until he became informed that some members of the Council had discovered that he was disqualified to act as Mayor owing to his neglect in not signing the declaration required ; other members of the Council had solicited the opinion ot Mr Jns. Smith (Parrister) and according to his opinion

Mr Barry had lost his title to the Civic Chair, and in consequence of this opinion, the said Councillors from some unaccountable motive exerted themselves to bring about the present election. When the opinion of Mr Smith was received, Mr Barry did not receive any notice of it. Un til the Council or a number of its members had determined that the election was void. However two Councillors, Messrs Smitham and Kidd expressed themselves willing to waive all technical informalities and accept Mr Barry's signature to the required declaration, although Mr Jas. Smith thought the election void. He, Mr Kelly thought that the motives of those, in bringing about a second election were not honorable, and hoped that Mr. Barry would have the satisfaction of finding, on Saturday next, that he still is held in the opinion of the electors as worthy of being Mayor of Cromwell. Mr. Barry then addressed the meeting in an earnest speech. He said that, if elected, he would serve the municipality to the best of his ability. He was well convinced that all who had supported him at the last two elections would support him at the one approaching, despite the factious feelings existing among the people of Cromwell. He would challenge his bitterest enemies to prove that he had done anything during his official career except it tended towards the benefit of the district. He had spent a considerable amount of money out of his own purse in the cause of the municipality. The sudden opposition to his holding the office of Mayor was not in any sense owing to a reversion of feeling on the part of the ratepayers generally, but only sprung out of the ungenerous minds of a few individual, who could not, if challenged, adduce any reasons whatever for causing the present municipal disturbance. He wished to thank his supporters for their goodwill 1 but, at the same time, if they could elect a man who would devote more of his time and energies to the interest of the municipality, let them elect that man, •and he (Mr. Barry) would be much pleased ■at the result. Mr. Robert Edwards, in a very sensible manner, stated his objection to Mr.Barry's late election being hekl valid. lie said that his reason was that, according to the Municipal Ordinance, Mr. Barry should have signed a declaration within five days sifter his election. This Mr. Barry neglected to da, thereby rendering all proceedings in municipal matters illegal. He ((Mr. Edwards) felt it his duty to propose one whom lie considered a fit and proper ,person to fill the office of Mayor, and that person was Mr. George Wellington Goodger. He had known Mr. Goodger for the space •of three years, and never found in him 'but manly straightforwardness and energy Mr. Goodger brief!}' gave his reasons for opposing Mr. Barry. 1 e said lie should not have come forward of his own -.accord ; but in consequence of the many solicitations lie had received, he, after long consideration, consented to become a -candidate He entertained no hostile feelings whatever towards Mr. Barry, but as it appeared that gentleman could not work harmoniously with the Council, lie (Mr. Goodger) thought if. desirable some ■one else should be elected Mayor. No feeling of ambition prompted him to come forward, and trusted the reason he had given would suffice. I n .answer to Mr. Barry, Mr. Goodger ■acknowledged that lie had been requested by Mr. Barry to stand for the Mayoralty iit the last election, and that he (Mr. Barry) had promised him every support Mr. Barry intimated that he would not have come forward on this occasion but from the fact of his having been so recently elected, and in order to prove that the majority-of the citizens thought well <of him. Mr. Badger, the Town Clerk, explained to the meeting that the reason he had not given notiee ; to Mr. Barry to sign the declaration was that he had no official instructions to do so. The Returning Officer then called for a show of hands, which he declared in favor •of Mr. Barry. The poll will be taken on Saturday.