CITY COUNCIL ELECTIONS.

Evening Star, Issue 3563, 24 July 1874, Page 3

CITY COUNCIL ELECTIONS.

THE NOMINATION. The nomination for City Councillors took place to-dav at noon. Owing to there being eight to be elected this year instead of four as hitherto, an unusual amount of interest appeared to be taken in the p oceedmgs With the exception of Messrs Waller and Fish, who were d. cted unopposed for .•■'outh Ward, there will be a contest for each vacancy The whole of the retiring councillors offer themselves for re-election. Thfollowing nominations were read by t-e Town Clerk:—

SOUTH WARD Henry John Walc-r, proposed by Robert Mercer and seconded by Henry Walden Henry Smith Fish, propo ed by James Winter and seconded by Henry W alden HIGH WARD. Andrew Mercer, proposed by C, H. Street and seconded by Richard Pearson. Alexander Burt, proposed by James Rob:n and seconded by John Neil, bell ward. R. H. Leary, proposed by Alex MacGregor and seconded by William Baiud. William Asher, proposed by A. Lees and seconded by Francis Meenan, William Woodland, proposed by James Jack and seconded by Herman Dohring. John Carroll, proposed by Thomas Fogo and seconded by Benjamin Bagley. leith ward. Peter Gibson, proposed by Alex Allan and seconded by John Collie. Thomas Birch, proposed by Wm. Eoyse and seconded by J. A. S>eadman. James Wilson, proposed by James Finch and seconded by alkx. Bennie. John Grant, proposed by Chas Ptrahuv and seconded by James hj. Ken wick The Mayor then declared Mes»rs H J Walter and H. S. Fish elected for South Ward without opposition.—(t 'beers ) With respect to the other candidates, the proceedings would be adjourned till the Ist August. Mr did not intend to speak on Municipal matters, as the citizens had had ample opportunity of hearing his vie s during the past week. H e must say that he was agre ably disappointed in not being opposed, as he expected opposition up to the eleventh hour. Last year the election cost him L6O j this year it did not cost him any thing. He thanked them for returning him. Mr Fish was also agreeably * disap* pointed at not being opposed. With regard to the gas question, he opposed any renewal. Ho believed that vers soon they would have a new system by which gas could be obtained cheaper. As to the water question, he disbelieved thstatements which had been made, that by the purchase of these works the sum of L3,QQQ or L 3.000 would be saved to the

rates. Ha would endeavor during the time he wag in the Council, not only to look after l£e interests of South Ward, but of all the citizens as well. He again returned thanks to the elector of South Ward for his unopposed return.—(Applause.) Mr Mercer hoped the electors of High Ward would do as hitherto by returning him by a large majority. Whatever he premia- d he would perform. In answer tp Mr Sherwin, who asked a* to the legality of r Burt’s nomination, which was made by proxy, Mr Mkrcer said be was under the im pression till the previous day that such could not be done ; but that, on writing to the Corporation’s solicitor, were informed that it was perfectly fair. Mr Sherwin: Will you get the opinion of the Attorney-General before the day of election ; for if you do not I will enter a pro test ? 1

Mr Mercer : I shall do as I always have done. 1 shall consult my colleagues. Mr Robin, who proposed Mr Burt, said that the latter gautleman had been unavoidably detained in Wellington. He fully expected that the legality or illegality of the nomination would be called iuto question He had consulted two or three lawyers, and In each case had received a favorable answer.

Mr Isaac thought his claims on the eiti zeas of lihgh Ward were sufficient t« entitle them to return him as their representative. Were they to do so they, might be sure their interests would be well looked af er. H* had into the legality of Mr Burts nomination, and had spoken to th<Town Clerk about it, telling him that the Attorney-General’s opinion should be taken. There was no excuse for bringing the nomination forward. He (Mr Isaac) had consulted several attorneys in Dunedin—(laughter) —and he was toldthat it was not worth the paper it was written upo*. If Mr Burt were elected, it would only put the Corporation to expense, as he should not allow the noatter to rest.—(“ Hear, hear”; and a voice : “That a a pill for Burt to swallow.”) Mr Woodland said that when he lint contested Bell Ward he determined to stand till elected, and was at length successful. Whatever promises he had made he had carried OU k IP 16 Ci *y. be could safely say, had not suffered since he was returned as member for Bell Ward, He hoped to be again their representative.

Mr Carroll had come forward in answer to a requisition. H e hoped to be returned to assist in the carrying out of a system of underground drainage whch had been commenced. Bell Ward was exceptionally situated, and this was badly wanted. Mr Leary had come out at the earnest request of a large number of the ratepayers. If returned he would do his best for the inforests of the Ward. He was against embellishing the Town Belt or any other place till proper roads were made. Mr Asher based his claims on the support of the Bell Ward residents through having been a resident there for twelve years. Mr Gibson said it was only a couple of months since he was returned for U ith Ward to the Counbil. He should be happy to m « et electors before the polling day. Mr Birch, who was received with marks of approval and dissent, said that if was now some considerable time since he had the pleasure of standing before them. He now camo before them at the solicitation of a number of the residents. If returned, he was sure the interests of the Ward would not suffer m bis hands.

Mr Grant appeared before them as a candidate for the first time. He would faithfully look after the interests of the Ward if returned. ’

Mr Wilson did not intend to speak, as he was suffering from a cold. He moved a vote of thanks to the Town Clerk, which was seconded by Mr Gibson, and carried.