BELL WARD ELECTION.

Evening Star, Issue 3826, 29 May 1875, Page 2

BELL WARD ELECTION.

MR LEARY’S MEETING,

Mr R, H. Leary addressed a meeting of residents in Bell Ward at the Oddfellows’ Hall last night; Mr W. Asher being called to the chair.

Mr Least said he looked upon the expenditure involved in the proposed widening of Princes street as beyond their means, and as also being not in the slightest degree reproductive. The total amount of the loan already obtained for ordinary purposes, exclusive of the Waterworks Loan, was L 101,200. L 76,200 had been arranged for some time since, and information had been received that bonds to the extent of L 25,000 had been placed that day. The estimated revenue for this year was L 22,600, viz., rents, L 7.60 0; rates, L 10,000; license fees, &c., L 3,000; from sundry sources, L 2,000; while the ordinary expenditure, irrespective of new works, amounted to very nearly L 20,000. Would they, therefore be justified in going to the expense of L 30,000, and perhaps L 40,000, in widening Princes street ? The latter sum meant fid additional taxation in the pound; and it was for the citizens to say whether they were not sufficiently taxed already. Some said that the Corporation were bound in honor to widen the street; but he considered a man was not bound to carry out anything that bore on the face of it evidence of fraud. Had not Mr Fish had a seat in the Council the deed of submission would not have been agreed to, arbitration would not have followed, and the question now agitated would not have been raised. It was improper and illegal for Mr Fisk to have voted; and on that ground alone the Council was relieved of its obligation to proceed with the work. He also considered that the Corporation had no power to enter into a contract for an unknown sum, and if elected, he should not think himself bonnd to assist in carrying out the transaction.—

Applause.) Th* candidate than spoke of several other matters, including drainage, kerb- &. channelling, and other necessary works. He said He would be in favor of purchasing the present gasworks and improving them, if they • ” e °k*' a ' ne( i at a reasonable sum, and that it would bo necessary to construct another reservoir for tlm storage of water. If elected, he would make it his business to go round the ward and ascertain what was required to be done, and he would always he glad to attend any grievance or want which anv ratepayer might have. c In reply to a question, Mr Leary said he was not connected with Mr Fish in the matter of the Bnnces street widening, or in any other On the motion of Mr Kbdll, seconded by Mr Duthie, it was carried unanimously, “That Mr Leary is a fit and proper person to represent the ratepayers of Bell Ward in the City Council.” J MR STEWART’S MEETING. Mr W. D. Stewart addressed a meeting of the ratepayers at the Athenseum lost evening, Mr W. H. Neale being iu the chair. Mr Stewart said that in round numbers the annual revenue of the City was L22.60G, which was made up as follows; -Bates, Li 0,00 0; receipts from reserves, L 7.000; hotel L 3,000; and the remainder from other sources. Out 'Of this, L 5,000 was paid for salaries; lighting, L 2,600; interest on borrowed money, L7,0I8; making a total of L 14,618, leaving only a surplus of LB,OOO for necessary Oity works. The sanitarv condition of the City was a matter which had been overlooked by some members of the City Council A Health Officer bad been appointed some time ago, but his duties appeared to be more ornamental than useful, that gentleman not having received justice at the hands of the Council, He (Mr Stewart) said Dr Cole’s proposal to discharge the drainage of the City at the Ocean Beach was entitled to some consideration, and he would be in favor of it if it could be carried out at a reasonable cost. The question of the widening of Princes street was an important one from two points of view: first, on account of the amount of the award, and secondly from the principle involved. It was the citizens’ duty to resist the imposition which was being laid on them. As the Council had, instead of being guided by the judgment of its solicitors, assumed the responsibility, it must now stand any blame that may be attached to it. He considered it most unfair that Mr Fish, one of the parties interested in the award, should have taken part in the appointment of arbitrators both on the side of the city and also on that of the Ourch tenants, and such a step was totally indefensible. Under the circumstances he considered that it would not be too much to ask the tenants to voluntarily surrender their position, on the Corporation paying whatever expenses they may have incurred. Then the matter could be investigated in a fair way if the Council still determined that the street should be widened. Cargill street was, for ordinary purposes, almost i inaccessible, and if, at a little expense, and without damage to adjoining properties, the gradient could be corrected, he thought that it should be done. He did not think that the present gasworks would be suitable to the requirements of the city without a considerable sum of money being spent on them ; and unless they could be purchased for a much lower sum than L 70.000, he did not think than it would be desirable for the Corporation to have anything to do with them. On the motion of Mr B. Eaglet, seconded by Mr J. S. Grant, a resolution was unanimously carried expressing confidence in Mr Stewart.