THE MAYORAL ELECTION.

Evening Star, Issue 3689, 19 July 1875, Page 2

THE MAYORAL ELECTION.

MR WALTER’S MEETINGS.

Mr Walter, one of the candidates for the Mayoralty, addressed a meeting of ratepayers in tho Temperance Hall on Friday evening, when about 250 persons w» re present. Mr H. Garrick was called to the chair.

Mr Waltkb said ho was veryg’ad to meet the citizens ou the prose .t oecassion, as it was now twelve months since be had the pleasure of doing bo. The defeat he sustained last year was a creditable defeat—and he hoped that, whether returned or not, he would not be ashamed of the reeult of the present election. He had served five years in the City Council, and during that time works of vast importance bad been undertaken. He would not get rid of his business for the purpose of being Mayor of Dunedin. If he had served them faithfully five years as councillor, when hotel-keeping, surely he could continue to fulfil his duties it elected Mayor. He purposed taking the most disagreeable subject first, and would give tiie reasons why he supported the widening of Princes street. Together with Mr E, B, Cargill, when representing High Ward about six years ago, lie suppotted this proposal. Even Mi Fish was then opposed to it. His reason for supporting the proposal to widen Princes street was that it would prove a great boon to the citizens, but if he had thought it would coal, as much as stated by the arbitrators, he would have consistently opposed it. Anothei reason why he supported the proposal, was that fifty teet of frontage had been given by the"Ohurch people, and that gift would go a considerable way towards paying the interest. He thoucht it was the best way to go to arbitration, because, the representatives could give ritore satisfaction by determining things of tha

bind outside. Now the Award had been made, it would be a gross attempt at repudiation to withdraw from it. As they had been advised, the Council throughout acted legally. It was reported outside that they had accepted Messrs Sievwright and Stout’s deed instead of that of their own solici tors, but the only difference between the deeds was as to the mode of payment. When the Council consisted of eight members, it was carried that the street should be widened, and the present Mayor gave his casting vote in its favor, and he took leave to say that the Mayor did quite right. They thought it a good bargain, They got what they never contemplated, 50fb of frontage, which would realise from L 250 to L3OO per annum. Now, at the time Mr Councillor Reeves opposed this matter, he entered his protest, but that was not worth the paper it was written upon. Mr Reeves said he had set his face against the widening, bnt he should have shown it clearly. There was no doubt in hi* (Mr Walter’s) mind that the Council were bound to widen the street. The committee reported having carefully considered the subject, and that it would probably be more economical to proceed with it now than two years hence ; but he thought it would be far better to widen the street two years hence than at present. He was greatly disappointed at the way the arbitrators had increased their charge, hut they were legally entitled to do so. As soon as the arbitrators were appointed, the whole matter was taken eut of the hands of the Corporation.—(Hear, hear.) Referring to the improvement of the Town Belt, he said he had been the means of getting L 2,000 borrowed for that purpose. He opposed the idea of leasing the Town Bolt, as municipal matters should not be conducted solely with the view of getting revenue. Referring to the gas question, he said they were all aware that the Corporation had for a considerable time intended to get gasworks of their own. For months past there had been a great increase in the gas bills, which had become extortionate. If the Corporation did not get the works, they should supply test machines for the meters. Before the Corporation con'd purchase the gasworks it was necessary that their v due should bo ascertained, and the committee had arranged with a gas engineer in Christchurch to come here, as they thought it better that local prejudices should not influence the valuation in any way. If the report said that the works were inadequate for the supply of Dunedin, and comprised a considerable quantity o v unnecessary plant, then it would be absurd for the Corporation to buy the works. During the last nine months L 29.074 had been expended in public works in Dunedin, which was too largo an expenditure for one year. The rates for the present year were L 11,500, and the income cf the Corporation L 27,538. He would ask the citizens that, if his past efforts in the City Council had been of such a nature as to entitle them t» place him in the Civic chair, they would record th-ir votes in his favor. Mr Walter concluded his address amidst enthusiastic applause. Mr Anderson proposed, and Mr Brenchley seconded—“ That this meeting having heard the excellent address of Mr Walter, and his very satisfactory replies to the questions asked, pledges irself to support Mr Waiter, and assist him by every lawful means to attain the high and important position of Mayor of this City.” which was carried unanimously. Mr Walter returned thanks to the citizens, and proposed a hearty vote of thanks to the Chairman, which was carried.

On Saturday evening Mr Walter addressed meetings at Baxter’s Hotel, where a vote of confidence was heartily carried on the motion of Mr Bowers, seconded by Mr Smyth; at Hardie’s Hotel, where another unanimous vote of confidence was carried; and at White’s Hotel, Albany stree f , where Mr John Brown moved and Mr Bryan seconded a motion that M* Walter was a fit and proper man for Mayor, this being carried nem. con.