MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

Evening Star, Issue 2947, 30 July 1872, Page 2

MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

MR BROWN IN SOUTH WARD.

Mr James Brown addressed a numerously attended meeting of ratepayers last evening at Cotton’s Peacock Hotel. Mr James Mollison was called to the chair, and after a few introductory remarks called on the candidate to address the meeting. Mr Brown said before saying anything about municipal affairs, in justice to himself, he felt bound to make a few remarks of a personal nature, because Mr Walters in his address on Friday evening Jhad referred to him very pointedly. He had thus far overlooked it, nor would he have noticed it had he not made such free use of his name in speaking at the Imperial Hotel. In _ his opinion no man gained by using personalities during an election contest. Candidates should stand solely on their merits, and no matter how opposed, they should be polite and friendly. Mr Walter, intending to be facetious, spoke of him as Rip Van Winkle, and made some joke about what he called his long sleep of twenty years. He forgot that when Hip Van Winkle did wake up, after a fifty years sleep as Washington Irving tells ns, he was roused to do justice, to visit the designing with punishment, and to protect the assailed interests of his family. Just in the same way he (Mr Brown) came forward to protect the interests of South Ward. He would have supported any other suitable candidate ; but when so many who were asked refused to ho put in nomination against Mr Walters, he felt the time had come when lie must offer himself a candidate, to save South Ward from open insult. For, would it not be an insult to the intelligence of every ratepayer to lead others to believe there was no one in the Ward able to represent them in the Council, but that they had to go beyond its boundaries to find a person ? Surely if, as Mr Walter says, South Ward is the model ward, of the City ho under-rated the intelligence and discrimination of its voters, ft surely should bo no objection to his (Mr Brown’s) claims for support that he had attended closely and assiduously to his own business for many years. That should be a guarantee to them, that having now no need to give so much attention to his own affairs, lie would be able to work equally assiduously for theirs. Mr Walter, in his address said, the ratepayers very naturally say to him why does he come forward and contest South Ward ? He replies that South Ward would be an easier contest than High Ward. That could he no compliment to himself. If, as Councillor fur High Ward, he fulfilled bis duty faithfully, the ratepayers ought to appreciate those services, and return him without expense. At all events he would go before them with the well founded claims of a tried servant. But he could not put forward an equal claim in Smith Ward, lie says further, he will thank the ratepayers, even if rejected, so if thanks were of any value, they would have the advantage of a double dose : Mr Walter’s for being rejected, his (Mr Brown’s) for being elected. In the course of his speech Mr Walter spoke of him (Mr Brown), as being unknown, excepting through some facetious writing in the colonial papers some years back. He might fairly and openly have stated what it was. His opponent avas fond of the ridiculous, and might have made a good story of it if he alluded to what most must have heard repeated, and which was just as fabulous as the story of Rip Van Winkle, or Jack the Giant Killer, It was said that during the first years of the Gold Fields he was offered an enormous sum for the ground owned by him in Princes street, and that looking at the applicant from hand to foot, he turned away saying, “ Na, na, mon, I wanna sell, for ye caima hae come by your money honestly.” The joke was too ridiculous, and he only laughed at it in common with others. He once had a large offer for the property, but lie knew tbe offerer to be a mere adventurer, and, judging from bis address, of but Hi tie principle ; and no doubt he felt annoyed whoa be discovered that he (Mr Brown) was not so simple as he expected, and bad more business tact and shrewdness than himself. Only one word more with regard to Mr Walter : he reproached him (Mr Brown) for being near the polling-booth at the Mayor’s election, and canvassing the ratepayers on liia behalf; and he says such a course was an insult to intelligent men, for they arc aide to judge for themselves, uninfluenced by the partisans or supporters of any candidate. On that point he agreed with Mr Walter; hut what harm was there in introducing himself to electors previously un-

known to him ? It only proved ho was in earnest in the election, and that he was determined to use every fair means to be returned. It was quite as fair as for Mr Walter to go round personally, and fairer than publishing a requisition got up under his own supervision and at his own instigation. At present there were but few matters on which !o speak, it was his desire that the Gas and Water 'Works should become City .prop r ! . v, but purchases should not bo made hurriedly or rashly. He would support no proposal to purchase them if the Council had to pay largely in excess of their real value. The great grievance the ward bad to complain of was the want of a public market. After much agitation the Council agreed to spend a certain amount of money in forming one, .and so far as he could see, it had been expended foolishly. A large building bad been erected and approaches made, but nothing more had been done. INow that the money had been spent, some means should be adopted to utilize the building. As to the South Dunedin Recreation Ground, he considered the Council should spare no expense in its improvement. It should be laid down in grass and planted with trees, so as to become an ornament to the town, a peasure walk, and place for healthful exercise. With regard to the Corporation leases which would shortly terminate, in his opinion they should be submitted to public competition, and the highest bidder should become the purchaser. From that source the Corporation would receive a largo sum of money, which he considered should bo so appropriated as to reduce the City taxation to Is 8d or Is in the pound. In answer to questions, the candidate replied he would, if elected, pledge himself to visit regularly all parts of the Ward, and to agitate in the Council all necessary improvements He would see that all monies belonging to the Cemetery fund should be appropriated in improving and adorning the burial-ground, and in gravelling the walks. He would be favorable to kern ing and asphalting the footpaths round the southern market and south side of manor place. There being no further questions, Mr William M‘Donald proposed, and Mr Emery seconded, Mr Brown as a fit and proper gentleman to represent South Ward, which was carried unanimously. After a vote of thanks to the chairman, the meeting separated.

MR LIVINGSTON IN.BELL WARD. Mr Livingston met the electors of Bell Ward at the Royal George Hotel last evening. Mr Munro was elected Chairman, Mr Livingston said :—With regard to the con !i----tion of the Ward, no doubt it was in an unsatisfactory state, hut he concluded that it was better than when he entered the Council. He hoped that he would get credit for what he had attempted as well as for what he had actually done. He instanced his efforts to put St. Andrew street, Athol Place, and Castle street in repair. With regard to the latter street he had lost no opportunity in effecting improvements there, and had at last been successful as the works were now being commenced. He had redeemed his promises in regard to the removal of the Cargill monument; and the holding of the meetings of Council at an hour which would allow the attendance of the public. He was in favor of increasing the number of councillors, and relieving the Mayor of part of his duties, so that he might be in a better position to hold together the contending elements in • the Council. With regard to Hanover street, he had already explained that the work was not selected by him but by Mr Mansfield, and had been sanctioned by the Council before he represented Bell Ward. He had invariably made it his business to attend to the wants of the ward, and denied that in any single instance had he refused to listen to complaints from whatever quarter they came, He had brought before the Council resolutions in connection with tbe Corporation leases, which were in favour of putting them up to auction say six months before expiring of lease, and in building allotments to prevent speculators buying in large frontages, and afterwards re-letting at advanced rents. A unanimous vote in favor of supporting Mr Livingston was proposed by Mr M‘Leod, seconded by Mr Bunny, and carried unanimously.

AIR WALTER IN SOUTH WARD. Mr Walter addressed a meeting of the electors of South Waid last evening at Alartin’s Hotel, Stafford street. Mr J. Drumm was called to the chair. The candidate stated his views in reference to municipal matters, and referred in strong terms to the means his opponents were adopting in trying to injure his canvass. As an instance of this, he mentioned that he had received a letter that day, which was to the effect that ho was in favor of having the use of the cricket ground withdrawn from the cricketers. He emphatically denied that he had any such intention, hut he was decidedly opposed to granting a vested interest in City property to any body of men, although at the same time lie was a great admirer of all athletic sports. At the termination of the address, several questions were put to Mr Walter, and were answered satisfactorily. Mr George Davidson proposed, and Air John Howie seconded, the following resolution, which was carried unanimously “ That Mr Walter is a fit and proper person to represent South Ward in the City Council.” The proceedings, which were orderly throughout, terminated by a vote of thanks to the chairman