THE CITY COUNCIL ELECTIONS.

Evening Star, Issue 3258, 30 July 1873, Page 2

THE CITY COUNCIL ELECTIONS.

MR FISH’S MEETING. Mr H. S. Fish, junr., addressed a crowded meeting of electors of South Ward, on Monday at Martin’s Hotel, Stafford street. Mr James Taylor in the chair. After a few opening remarks, Mr Fish said that he must give a denial to the statement that had been made, to the effect that he only sought office in the City Council again in order to regain the honor and salary of Mayor. His object was this : Having served the ratejiayers faithfully for six years past, both in the capacity of Councillor and Mayor, he considered that it was his duty, having had the latter office conferred upon him in recognition of those services, not, as some would, to retire into private life after reaping the highest benefit in connection with the Council, but to again offer the use of his experience and energies to the City in the position of Councillor. This being premised, it remained for them to decide as to whether, in the past, be had clone his duty to them ; if he had, what reason could be urged against his re-election? Would he not be the more likely man to do them justice again, in preference to a man who was untried, and whose capabilities wore therefore unknown to them? What incentive would there be for a public man to do his duty to his constituents if he were not to be rewarded, as occasion offered, by a renewal of their confidence and consideration ? It would be manifestly most unfair treatment. Another reason for his being returned, was that his position as member of the Provincial Council would enable him to bring greater influence to boar on questions affecting civic matters. In a few (lays that Council would bo dissolved for a twelve-month, so that his services would not be taken away from the City Council, as some might say. As he said before, he did not go in for the honor of Mayor; he had had enough of honor : his election to the Provincial Council was a far greater honor than that of filling the civic chair. Of course, they all knew that in presiding at the Mayor’s Court he must give offence to certain parties, therefore he was not surprised to find the son-in-law of a certain person who had been proved before him to be a disgrace to the neighborhood in which ho lived, going round with a requisition to Mr Prosser—-father-in-law and soh-imlaw, in fact, working hard against him—but he asked the ratepayers to be more active in their support to himself, in order that such men as these should not obtain a triumph by defeating him in this election. He had some forward for South Ward, because it had been his political cradle when a young, unknown man ; he had lived in it about,eleven years, and lie entertained grateful feelings towards its ratepayers for their kindness in returning him to the Council for the first time ; therefore ho should not forsake ms old Ward. Another strong reason for his return was that the question or water supply was not yet settled, and no man in or out of the Council could take up that question where it stood as lie himself was able. It was a matter of the greatest importance, and he trusted to bring it to a successful issue, when, amongst other benefits, lie believed the City rates would be reduced to a minimum. remembered, no doubt, the gas agitation and its results, viz., they got gas now at half its price four years ago, and the City lighting done at also a greatly reduced expense. He took credit to himself for his action in that matter, and credit would yet accrue to him from his action re the waterworks. After giving a sketch of the transactions, or rather ne gotiations with the Waterworks Company, and saying that, as the matter stood, the company refused to act any further in the matter, Mr Fish said that he believed an Act would shortly be passed by the General Assembly to empower the (‘i(,y Council to issue fifty years debentures, in the event of which the bargain would hold good with the Waterworks- Company. Two petitions hail gone up to the As.semby, tin; effect of which, if they were considered, would be to compel the company to fulfil its contract, pr to

lose its powers of compulsory rating and of declaring dividends up to the rate of twenty per cent., privileges which were unparalleled in any part of the world. If the action against the company failed, they must consider if it would he advisable to erect new works, and compete with the former. The Council had received a report from Mr Barr as to the cost of new works calculated to supply Dunedin, with a population of 25,000, which he computed at L 15,770, or, including Roslynajid Caversham, about J. 75.000, beingsome 1.215,000 loss than theirofferto the present company. This he preferred to buying the latter’s works, for Mr Smith, one of the largest shareholders, had stated that the embankment was liable to be swept away at any moment. Tire great difficulty, however, in el ecting new works would be that the present company would still he able to enforce a payment of a two-thirds rate, even though the ratepayers were not using its water ; but if the Assembly took away its power of compulsory rating, the City works could compete successfully with it. Mr Fish then read a statement of the amount of the loan just raised by the Council which was to be spent in South Ward, amounting to L2,54-I—principally for kerhing, channelling, and asphalting the different streets —which he considered was a- fair share for them. Before concluding, he would refer to the satisfactory difference in tire market price of City debentures between the present time and a tew years ago. At one time their seven per cent, debentures stood at L 75, or twentylive per cent, discount; while now their six per cent, debentures fetched a premium of one and a-half per cent. He did not take the entire credit for this to himself, but thought that it spoke well for the business ability of the Council of late. He could congratulate himself, however, on being the cause of getting the rates reduced threepence in the pound this year. Another pleasing fact was the increased revenue derived from City property, the receipts formerly being about Li,SOO per annum, while this year they amounted to L 4,600, and next would probably reach L 5,000. During the past year, out of LO,OOO, City expenditure, L 2,200 had been laid out in South Ward. By the arrangement made, which was entirely owing to him, for the Corporations to receive the amount of licenses on condition of keeping the main roach through the respective towns in repair, the City had made a protit of L 1,200, the receipts from licenses being 1.3,200, while the cost of maintaining the main road had been L 2,000. Some apprehension had arisen with regard to the closing of the Southern Cemetery. This it was not proposed to do yet, but to let those who had purchased ground there have the use of it. The closing simply referred to a piece of ground adjoining, which the Corporation had added to the Cemetery. Ho would now repeat that he would not like to lie beaten for South Ward, and turned over for a new man, however good he might be. Mr Prosser might have the virtues of an archangel, but that was no reason why lie (Mr Fish) should be ousted, and said archangel take his place. When in the Council he had often asked Mr Prosser to stand for the Ward, but he refused. The only reason for his coming forward now must he that he liked to fight a good man, and could take a beating from such with greater comfort than from anyone else. No one desiring to ask the candidate any question, Mr George Nichols proposed and Mr Elsen, son., seconded a proposition that Mr Fisli was the more fit and proper person to represent South Ward in the City Council, which was carried unanimously. Several names were added to Mr Fish’s Committee during the evening.

MR PROSSER’S MEETING.

Mr Prosser met a large body of the electors of South Ward, at Martin’s Hotel, Stafford street, last evening ; Mr James Godso in the chair. The candidate said he came forward to contest the election in answer to a requisition signed by some sixty of the ratepayers that he should do so. He had been loth to do so before receiving that compliment, because he had several times refused to stand ; but on finding out that his services were really desired by them, and that he would have ample time to carry them out properly, he could no longer decline. He hoped the ratepayers would show their approval of his decision by placing him at the top of the poll. He did not come forward, as had been said, from personal animosity to Mr Fish ; if it had been so, he would have taken care that gentleman should not have had the few days’ start which he obtained. With reference to municipal matters, the drainage of the City was the chief question which would occupy the attention of the Council on its re-assembling, and it was one of most vital importance. A very good plan had been submitted by which the City would be divided into live districts, with one main sewer connecting the whole. This would discharge into the Bay, and at the outlet a channel would be dredged, so as to keep the sewage under water. The main plan was estimated to cost L71,fi90, and there was a modified plan, at a much lower figure, which it might be advisable to adopt. If returned, he should give the subject earnest consideration, and act as he found for the general benefit. In any case he thought such a work far more beneficial and necessary than “ tittivating” up the Town Belt. The Waterworks question was now in a very awkward position, the Company and the Council having fallen out. It had been proposed to erect new works, at a cost of L 71,880, and compete with the present ones, but lie it more desirable to come, if possible, to an amicable arrangement for the purchase of the Company’s works, as competition would be most injurious 1® the ratepayers. Some gentlemen had taken a groat deal of credit to themselves with regard to the late gas agitation, but, as perhaps some present might remember, he was one of the first to move in the matter, having, at Mr Isaac’s meeting, brought forward a resolution to the effect that it was desirable that the Corporation should purchase the gasworks. He took up the question, carried it through, and the present was the result. Gas was now tolerably cheap, if only the quality were better; and, as regarded the latter, the engineer was making every effort to improve it. Mr Prosser went very minutely into the condition of all the streets in the Ward, mentioning places that he would see to getting improved, and that lie would endeavor to get the metal, when laid down in the Ward, rolled with the Corporation roller, which would save a large amount of wear and tear to traffic, and also make better roads. The Southern Market Reserve, he considered, should have been leased and utilised. It would be better for the neighborhood, which seemed to be behind the times, instad of going a-hcad. The building there had cost them L.'iOO, and the fence Ll3O, and it seemed very doubtful if there woidd ever be a return from either. The cattle yard was another instance of the folly of the Council going into a plan without first ascertaining if a good result would be attained. This cost LBOO, and all the return had been, he believed, some Ll2 a year from a livery stable keeper, who turned Ids horses out there for a short time. The Council had at one time voted L 2,000 for the construction of Public Baths, but though the refusal of the Waterworks Company to supply them with water gratis, the scheme had fallen through. He would support the project, even if they had to pay for the water. The sum of L 2.000 had been borrowed to lay out upon the Town Belt, but this he thought should be left till after the drainage and street improvements had been effected. It might bo very nice for such as had a carriage to have a four-mile drive round the City, but would not benefit the smaller ratepayer much. He did not think the Bill for disqualifying holders of publicans’ licenses from acting as Justices of the Peace at all necessary, as the Government had the power of refusing to grant the position to anyone who was feundundeserving of it. It was an attempt at class legislation, of whjch he did not approve, and seemed aimed at one individual in particular, to prevent his aspiring to the office of Mayor. He should deal liberally with tliat useful body, the Fire Brigade, through whose efforts insurance rates had been considerably lowered. He considered that school teachers should be placed on the roll, as used to be the case. With reference to the office of Mayor, he thought that one person should not occupy it year after year. His opponent had received some LI, 10(1 while in that position, and with tliat salary it was no especial credit to him to have done his duty zealously, while he (Mr Prosser) on the West Coast and at Queenstown had been in offices to which no remuneration was attached, and yet had never heard one word of disparagement or complaint regarding his conduct. Unrewarded efforts, lie thought, were more worthy of commendation

than those that were paid for. As his opponent had said, the “office of Mayor should be a rolling one ” ; but if that gentleman were now elected to the Council, no doubt they would again hear that “circumstances alter eases,” and find him aspiring to the position he had already held for three years. To use a vulgar expression, Mr Fish had the “gift of the gab,” and was an old electioneering tactician; but he (Mr Prosser) was sin cere in his promises, and did not try to gull the ratepayers with highflown language, but intended to keep to Ins word in every respect. It would be a great mistake to put in the same man time after time —no good candidate would come forward to go through the trouble and expense of an election if such were the case. In conclusion, he trusted that the present Mayor would have more respectful and civil manners than the late one, who after the nomination for the present election said to the speaker, in the street, “ I’ll give you the greatest licking you over had in your life !” That was scarcely the way to treat a gentleman whom a large number of the ratepayers had requested to represent them—it was an insult to them, and they should show by their votes that Mr Fish could not turn them round his thumb, as he appeared to think.

After Mr Prosser had answered a few questions to the satisfaction of those present, a hearty vote of confidence in him was passed unanimously, and several gentlemen added their names to the committee formed to secure his return.

MR BECK’S MEETING.

Mr Beck, one of the candidates for Bell Ward, addressed a large meeting at the Oddfellows’ Hall last evening; Mr Carroll occupying the chair. The candidate said that he opposed Mr Paterson because that gentleman neither resided nor carried on business in the Ward. For himself, he did not intend to make any large pi onuses ; but, if returned, he would do his best to perfoim his duty. With respect to drainage, he would strongly go in for competitive designs, so that the thing might be done properly ami in first class style. Let them get men of high standing to submit designs to the City Council,' and if the Council could not select a good design from those sent in let thorn get the best engineering talent obtainable, so that there might be no botching of the work. Mr Barnes had a scheme of his own, which was no doubt a good one; but he would recommend the Council to get the opinions of scientific men. He did not see why they should not make the sewerage remunerative, as was done iu England, where the fanners purchased it. and after carrying it for miles utilised it on their farms. He had been asked whether he was in favor of the leaseholder paying for kerbing and channelling. He thought the kerbing and channelling should have been formed by the Corporation itself. He believed that they would all have been better satisfied if the rates had been increased a penny or twopence, rather than that they should have to pay so heavily for the present kerbing. He did not object to see a strong kerbing and channelling in the principal streets, but the kerbing and channelling in the bystreets was too large and expensive. If the work had been done on a smaller scale, and paid for out of the city rates, almost the whole of Bell Ward would have been kerbed and channelled. Any stranger coming to Dunedin, and walking down Frederick street from George street down to Athol place, would be almost inclined to believe that there were two towns—one on the right hand side, and another on the left, just across the road. Any person could observe that Leith Ward, on the left hand side, was a perfect garden compared with 801 l Ward, on the right.—(Hear, hear.) Ho must say that in all his travels he had never seen any town in such a state as Bell Ward was at present. What their representatives had been about he did not know ; and he thought they ought to have representatives who would look more after the interests of the working men in the lower end of the Ward than they had hitherto. It was injurious to their own health, while it was a loss to their employers that working men should have to tramp through the mud. No man who had to tramp through so much mud could do a day’s work. If returned, it would be his earnest endeavor to get the footpaths formed, and if they could not get the roads formed to their full width, he would try to have them formed to half their width. With reference to the Waterworks, he would like to see the Corporation and the company settle the question of purchase amicably. If they could purchase the Waterworks for a moderate sum, he would much prefer to have that done, because if the Corporation established new works, the natural consequence would be that the streets would be again torn up, and as one of •the two works would have to go to the wall a large amount of money would be wasted. Dust carts, such as they had in London and other large towns at home, should be introduced into Dunedin, and then the Wards would be cleaner, fewer cases would be brought into the Mayor’s Court, and they would not hear ©f so many deaths as at present. He did not believe in plurality of votes, and would object to any person in the town having more than one vote for the election of the Mayor. Referring to the Town Belt, he observed that an attempt was made to get L 2,000 out of the ratepayers for what some called the beautifying of the Town Belt. But the truth of the matter was this—L2,ooo was wanted to form a road from one end of the Town Belt to the other. Now why should L 2,000 be taken out of the rates to make a road through the Town Belt, where it was not wanted? The Town Belt as it was at present was certainly in its best state. If they wanted to travel on the roads in traps and carriages or on horseback for recreation, had they not roads enough already ? If they found the Corporation was determined to spend the sum of L 2,000, let the ratepayers agitate against it again and again, until they had these roads made in the _ town. It would’then be time enough to beautify the Town Belt.—(Hear, hear.) Why did they wish to beautify the Town Belt while they had fevers in the town for want of necessary works ? Was it necessary that they should get sick in the town, in order that they might get right again by going to the Town Belt ? He saw that LIO,OOO for the City was to be voted for improvements. If he were returned, he would endeavor to see that Bell Ward had its share expended economically. He observed that the question of the dog-tax was brought into notice in these elections. He would endeavor to introduce tho system adopted in Hobart Town, where they charge 5s for one dog, 10s for a second dog, and 15s or LI for a third dog kept by the same person. Under this system, if {>eople wished to keep dogs from fancy they would have to pay for it; while a useful horse or sheep-dog would be charged at a low rate. He thought the present Building Ordinance required to be carefully looked into. He thought it very unjust that a man who had built a house right up to his boundaries could compel his neighbor, who might put up a building subsequently, to leave a space of five or ten feet of his ground vacant. His first effort would be to get the Building Ordinance revised so that it might be fair to all parties. On the motion of Mr Scoble, a vote of confidence in the candidate was carried.

MR PATERSON’S MEETING.

Mr R. Paterson, the other candidate for Bell Ward, addressed a numerously attended meeting at the Royal George Hotel; Mr Wales being in the chair.

The Candidate explained his views on Municipal matters as follows With regard to the election of Mayor, he was pledged to support the present system, that the citizens should elect their own Mayor ; and as to the question of plurality of votes, he thought there should only he one vote for each ratepayer in the whole City for the election of Mayor. Every man should stand on the same footing in respect to that. Independent of his wealth, every man should have only one vote. It was right, however, that property should be represented that was to say, every ratepayer should have a voice in the election of his representative Councillor. He could not sec how they could set that aside, and it was a much greater honor for the Chief Magistrate of the City to bo returned by the whole body of the ratepayers, than merely to be a nominee of seven members of Council. He would go in pledged to support the suffrages of the ratepayers on these two questions. The next question was a serious one to them, namely, that of

drainage, and especially important was it to Bell and Leith Wards, which would benefit most by a system of drainage being carried out. Elaborate drawings and reports had been made by the engineerfor the City. However good they might be, he considered that premiums should be given with a view of getting the opinions of the whole of the professional men in the Colony, as regarded a system of drainage for tho City, and then they should decide which was the , best. A very mild system of drainage might I do for some years to come. For instance, they might take a main sewer from George street to the Water of Leith, with sewers branching off from it to the Bay. That, he thought, was a system that would do, and one which could be done without an elaborate vote being expended for the execution of such works. Until something of that sort was done, they would never have Bell and Leith Wards in a thoroughly sanitary condition. The next thing he would touch upon was the motion passed a short time ago by the City Council that L 2,000 should be expanded upon the Town Belt. He would thoroughly oppose any such amount being spent on the Belt at present. LSOO or LfiOO of that money should be spent upon the streets of that Ward. During the Mayoralty election he listened to an address by one gentleman who stated that the L 2,000 would be profitably expended on the Town Belt, and would be a source of revenue. He (Mr Paterson) proceeded to show that if the Council took away the charges for running cattle, that would be so much taken off the revenue ; and instead of being a profit without expending more, there would be a loss to be made up out of the City revenue to pay the Ranger’s salary. If returned he would table or support a motion in opposition to the spending of this L 2,000. Another thing he wished to touch upon was the borrowing of money for Corporation works. Now that was a question that ought to be gone seriously into. There was at the present time any amount of money available at a small rate of interest. It was not now, as it was years ago, eight, nine, and ten per cent. The Corporation could get any amount of money at six per cent., with the premium of LI lOs for every hundred. With the property this City had got, they would be warranted to increase materially their borrowing powers. He would advocate borrowing the balance of L 30,000, and go on with the streets of the Ward; then, at the next sitting of the Assembly, borrow more money, and finish the streets. If the citizens of Dunedin borrowed money now, and made their streets, leaving a portion of the responsibility to be borne by the next generation, those here at present could enjoy the benefits of good streets. The revenue of the town quite warranted them in proceeding to borrow alarger amount of money. He considered there should be no distinction between the license of the victualler and the bottle holder or wine and spirit merchant. For each license ought to be paid LSO per annum. The man holding a general license kept a number of servants, and sold small a quantity|of liquor compared to tho importer. It was said that a bottle license holder should pay the same as a licensed victualler. There were houses in this town which sold three or four thousand gallons of spirits a month. Why not make them pay as much as the publican, who sold ten or twelve casks a year. There were eighty-five general licenses, forty-four bottle licenses, and twenty wholesale licenses, and if these were each paying LSO per annum, there would be L 50,000 extra, besides the L 2,300 increase of the City revenue. There was nothing to stop the Council borrowing up to LIOO,OOO. That was to say, they could borrow another L 30,000, and have the whole spent upon the City before next winter. It might be urged as an argument against this that the place was too small, there being iu it only 15,000 inhabitants ; but it should be remembered chat the Act lately introduced in the House of Representatives gave power to Municipal Corporations to issue debentures for 50 years, and he would like to ask what the population of the City would be then ? Dunedin would have between 50,000 and 100,000 inhabitants in 50 years time, and instead of the rates being LS,OOO, they would then be nearly L 40,000. Therefore, in every way, the Council was warranted in proceeding to borrow more money, and complete the streets of the City. He was in favor of purchasing the Waterworks, and making another offer, because the Council could not proceed to erect new works in the face of the {lowers the Waterworks Company possessed. The company had at present power to make the citizens pay for the water whether they used it or not. He thought it would be better to open up negotiatiations and make them a fresh offer.—(Cries of “Yes,” and “No.”) If the powers were taken from the company, then he would say “By all means build new works,” for they could build new works for half the money. If those powers could not be taken from the company, then he would advocate making them a fresh offer. Regarding the matter of kerbing, he thought it should be paid for out of borrowed capital. In reference to gas works, he thought that at present we were better off in having nothing to do with the works, in view of the price at which we were now getting gas for the lamps and private consumers, taken in connection also with the advance iu the price of coal, and the probability of a still further increase. He would be in favor of supporting anything on behalf of the Fire Brigade. because it was a most useful body—a body in fact which the City could not do without. He certainly would go in for a revision of the rolL He was against the arrangement whereby a number of votes might be held in respect to one-quarter-acre section. He was also iu favor of the dog-tax, because a great bulk of the dogs were a nuisance to the community, and if they could so arrange the tax whereby there would be' fewer dogs, he thought he should be inclined to agree to it; but he would exempt from the tax, owners of sheep dogs and other useful dogs. Mr Barnett moved, and Mr John Hall seconded—“ That Mr Paterson is a fit and proper person to represent the Ward in the City Council.” The motion was carried unanimously.