BELL WARD ELECTION.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2344, 6 October 1870, Page 2

BELL WARD ELECTION.

The nomination of candidates to represent Bell Ward'in the City 'Council, in the room of Mr Bagley, ousted from cilice, took place on the terrace qf the Goyermuont buildings to-day, at noon ; his Worship the Mayor presiding. The following nominations were read : Mr W. Woodland, proposed by Mr S. Clayton, seconded by Mr a, Carroll. Mr F. P. Mansfield, proposed by Mr J. L. Butterworth, seconded by Mr Job Wain. The poll was fixed to be taken on Tuesday next at the usual hours. Mr Woodland observed with reference to the last election, that the day after the declaration of the poll he had asked the Mayor that a fresh scrutiny of the votes might take place, but the request was refused. He and his friends were told that their only redress was through the Supremo Court. That was a groat hardship, but his friends, as Britishers, were -determined to see justice done him. They appealed to the Supreme Court, with a result that was known. Had the scrutiny he had asked for been allowed, all the litigation that had taken place would have been avoided. He saw that it hail been dctcimined that LI 28 should he paid by the ’Corpora 1 ion for the law costs in the action between himself and Mr Bagley. Ho thought that was a great injustice to the ratepayers. (A voice: “Supplied by betting men.”) If he had lost the action, ho was prepared with the money to pay the costs of both sides, without troubling the ratepayers. Anotln r piece of injustice was that this LI2B was set against the sum to be allocated to the ward for improvements. With regard to Ms views on city matters, they were all acquainted with them. He was in favor of most of the things brought before the Council, save the erection of gas works. He was in favor of the improvement of all the streets in the city, by kerbing and channelling them ; of Corporation haths, acquisition much needed; and the establishment of a city du-t cart, to Lake away refuse from premises where there werp m, Spick yards. He was determined to stand, as a-‘Britisher, cm hj«» ground as on his dionitv—ilaughter)— and would reel ap mueji prole "m co Testing the ejection as if returned. In answer to questions, the candidate said be considered it wrong for the Council to pay Mr Begley’s costs ; he got a letter from Mr Begley’s solicitor on the subject of that gentleman resigning his seat sooner than the inatti.r should go into Court, but Ms (Mr Woodland’s) solicitor advised him that Mr Bagley was not empowered to resign an appointment which did not belong to him lie must be ousted from office ; ho admitted •it was q gyi at hardship that Mr Bagley should have been taken to Court over the matter ; he quite felt and sympathised him (oh, oli), but he considered the blajpe vested on the Mayor and the returning

officer. He never stated that Mr Macassey agreed to carry the matter through for L2d, and denied having told Mr Borress so ; what he did say was, that lie had friends enough in the ward to see him through, without the matter costing him a half farthing. He would improve the streets before incurring any expenditure on City baths. Mr Mansfield had received a very influential requisition to come forward, and it gave him very much pleasure to appear before them as a candidate at the ensuing election. They might believe him that he felt very great pride and pleasure in contesting the election with Mr Woodland. (“ Oh, oh,” and a voice, “ But ye’ll never see the- top of the poll ”), He would draw their attention to one fact—viz., that th- present election had nothing to do with the past. With Mr Woodland and Mr Bagley’s differences he had nothing whatever to do, and if any party feeling existed, it “ should ho cut into chaffand thrown before the winds.” (Alaugh). So far as the interests of the ward were concerned he had a great in the ward, hut more especially in the Province. Dunedin was his stronghold, and he would live in it until ousted from office. (Laughter ; and a voice, “You mean until you leave the country.”) Bell Ward had not been represented in the City Council as it should he, or as other wards were—not because previous representatives had not done their duty, as they had no doubt done what they could. But he believed something more could he done, and if there were any stones to turn to do it he would turn them. So far as municipal matters were concerned, he was young and inexperienced (a voice: “You don’t look it”); but “man lived to grow wiser and gain knowledge, and knowledge was the foundation of a man’s position.” He felt deeply grateful to the I Oil persons whose signatures appeared to his requisition, and he assured them, together with any other persons who might wish to vote for him, that if returned he would do his utmost. The candidate answered a few questions, after w'hich the proceedings terminated.