THE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

Evening Star, Issue 3569, 31 July 1874, Page 2

THE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

THE NOMINATION FOR HIGH WARD.

The nomination of candidates for election to the office of Councillor for High Ward, in room of Councillor Keith Ramsay, resigned (elected Mayor), was declared this morning, at the terrace of the Provincial Council Chambers.

His Worship the Mayor (Mr Mercer) and the Town Clerk were in attendance, and the following nominations were read :

William Barron, proposed by J. A. Wallott, seconded by W. Parley. David Hutchison, proposed by Henry Bayliss, seconded by Joseph L. Gregory. The Mayor stated that, there being more than one candidate, further proceedings would be adjourned to Wednesday next, when a poll would be taken.

Mr Barron said he was greatly and not agreeably surprised to find that he would have an opponent, as he had expected to have a walk-over. He was therefore not prepared to address those present, as he did not like to give expression to hasty utterances, but be would hold various meetings in the Ward before polling day. Mr Hutchison said he was as much surprised as Mr Barron to find himself in nomination, as he had no idea of such a thing till last night. He might say he was identified with the City, having resided here over twenty-five years, during which time he had always taken an active part in matters affecting its interests. He had worked, as an outsider, in the Waterworks and Harbor questions, and was sorry, with regard to the latter, that a number of the City Councillors should labor under the idea that having got the Board formed the matter should there rest. Sixteen years ago he had suggested til at a sea-wall should be built, and if carried out, that would have been sufficient for the "hipping up to the present tirns. Councillors should be returned who understood the nature of such works, as two of them and the Mayor would be members of the Harbor Board. He was glad the Waterworks had been purchased, but though it was said to bo a bargain he did not think so, as a large outlay would be required to supply the whole of Dunedin, while the upper reservoir was little better than a cesspool, no attempt having been made to purify it. Ho would take an early opportunity of a’dressing the ratepayers. He and Mr Barron had agreed to go to no expense over the election, so there would be no oabs, placards, etc. The proceedings attracted only about fifty persons, and did not evoke a single exuression from any of these.

2«r Isaac’s meeting, Mr B, Isaac, a candidate for High Ward, addressed a meeting of. ratepayers at the Uanongate Hotel 'last evening, Mr Lowrie in the chair. Mr Isaac said he had always taken a prominent and conscientious part iu all political questions and municipal matters. He had now commenced at the bottom of the ladder, and, if he got in, he believed that he would act in such a manner as to ensuiethe confidence of the ratepayers. Me had taken a prominent part in the gas question, and assisting in bringing about a reduction in the price of gas. He would not be in favor of {the erection of new works, if the company would be .willing to come to reasonable terms. Referring to the water question, he expressed his belief that there would be a loss of from LI,OOO to L 1,500 ayear on ibis purchase for the next year or two ; but, taking everything into considera bion, he thought it desirable that the Corporation should have purchased the works. He was an advocate for the improvement of the harbor, and for inaugurating an efficient system of drainage. After Mr Isaac had touched upon other matters of interest, an unanimous vote of confidence was passed iu him.

MR MERCER’S MEETING

Mr A. Mercer, also a candidate for Hicrh Ward in the City Council, addressed his old constituents at the Mission-house, Russell street, last evening; Mr Ramsay in the chair. Xhe candidate said the Corporation had done well in buying the Waterworks, and that he would not support any gas contract unless the citizens were properly protected. In attending to the interests of the ratepayers he had been constant and true as a plqck, and the preference he thought should be given to him. With regard to the salary the Mayor should have, he had been in favor £3OO ; but experience had told him that if he came out clear he would come off very well, and he would not like to deny to another what he had received himself. If returned, ratepayers might rest assured that he would work well to advance their interests. On the motion of Mr Leslie seconded by Mr D. D. Hutcheson, it was unanimously agreed, “That Mr Mercer is a very fit and proper person to represent the ratepayers of High Ward in the City Council.”

MR HURT’S MEETING. Mr Burt addressed the ratepayers of High Ward at the Mission House last night. Mr Ramsay presided, and said that, without any disrespect to Mr Isaac, he hoped that Mi* Burt and Mr Mercer would be returned. Mr Burt then said the promise which he had made to endeavor to get prepared a permanent plan of the City, of so muoh benefit to the citizens, he had been fortunate in being able to fulfil. Aided by other Councillors, the attempt to get a greater portion of the

revenue spent in the higher portions of High Ward succeeded to a large extent. The present gas contract would expire within twelve mouths, and if the Council could make an arrangement such as now existed, with the representative of the proprietor he would say tj? e y should have nothing to do with ne.v works. The ratepayers should only be called upon to pay the cost price of the kerbing ; a profit out of it ought qot to be made. On the motion of Mr W. M, Gilchrist,' seconded by Mr John Neil, an unanimous vote qf confidence in Mr Burt was passed.

mr. cauroll’s meeting* Mr Carroll met the electors of Bell Ward at the Oddfellow's Hall last night, Mr Bepk in the chair. The candidate said that since he had the honor of occupying a seat in the Council as a representative for this Ward, requisitions had, year after year, been presented to him requesting he would allow himself to be put iu nomination. If elected, he would move for tho appointment of a committee, to report upon • the sanitary state of the City generally, the extent to which sickness prevailed, and tho causes which had contributed to produce it. He would give close attention to the interests of the citizens in the matter of gas supply ; but

would not go in for spending a single shilling on the Town Belt, until such streets as Castle street had been attended to. Kespectiug the widening of Princes street south, his own opinion was that, if it could be done, things should be allowed to remain as they were. H.e thought the Inspector ©f Works last appointed to that efijee was a man fit to look after the works, and was in favor of the Mayor being elected by the citizens, from amongst.men who had served in the Council. Mr Carroll’s address was received with much applause. Mr leary’s meeting. Mr Leary addressed the ratepayers afterMr Carroll had concluded. He said that he was Provisional Assignee in Bankruptcy, which simply meant that he enjoyed sufficient confidence to be recommended by the Governor to them to wind up their estates. He was also a Justice of the Peace, but he had always sufficient- time at his disposal to' devote to public business without interfering lyith his own private arrangements. If

it was at all possible for the Council to retire from the contract for widening Princes street, it would be better to do so than spend a sum of L 20.000 or L 30,000 on the wt,rk. MR WILSON’S MEETING. Mr James Wilson addressed the ratepayers of Leith Ward last night, at Cotter’s Hotel. The candidate went over the various municipal questians, expressing similar views to those given at his previous meetings, and a vote of confidence was heartily passed.