MR. REEVES’S MEETING.

Evening Star, Issue 3689, 19 July 1875, Page 3

MR. REEVES’S MEETING.

Mr C. S. Reaves, the other candidate for the office of Mayor, addressed the ratepayers at White’s Hotel, Albany st eet, on Friday evening. There was a large number of ratepayers present, and Mr Grant was voted to the chair. Mr Reeves said that soon after he was elected to represent Leith Ward in the City Council he was elected to the Provincial Council, and he considered he would have been deficient in gratitude if he had not come before them first and explained bis conduct in the Council, and what his views were on the various subjects affecting the citizens. During the past ten years L 240,000 had been ■pent on improving the City, Their streets extended over a larger extent than probably any other town in New Zealand, for they had thirty miles of streets and sixty miles of footpaths, twenty miles of which latter were metalled, twenty miles kerbed, and twenty miles gravelled. To carry on the Corporation work entailed a large expenditure; for day labor alone amounted to L 5,000 per annum, while gravel and metal requiied an outlay of L 6,000. One matter which he might mention he had endeavored to attain for Leith Ward was an increase in the number of street lamps. That Ward covered a larger area than (probably any other _ two Wards, consequently when the Council allotted six extra lamps to each Ward he endeavored to get the number ot Leith Ward increased to twelve, but did not succeed. The whole Income for the year was L 12,740, and they had a suipius of L 4.340, so that instead of being a bad purchase to the citizens it had been a source of a small profit. The gas question was one which had also engaged the attention of the Council, and in February last he moved that the Council should take action in the matter. The Council had decided to buy the gasworks if they were suitable and could be had at a reasonable price, or.else build works for themselves. The sanitary improvement of the City was a subject of great importance, and also one of great cost. In 1872 Mr Mirams drew up a report on underground sewerage, and set down the amount necessary to carry out such a scheme at L 104.580. Opinions differed as to the mode of disposing of the sewage, Mr Miller wanting a sewer taken through the City to empty itself into the sea at Lawyer’s Head. To make such a sewer would cost L 60,000, not taking into consideration what might now have to be pair) for compensation. Mr Reeves concluded by explaining the action he had taken in the Princes street widening question, which was a repetition of his lengthy statement at his recent meeting at Cottar’s Hotel. Mr Anderson moved and Mr F. Meenan seconded that Mr C. S. Reeves was the most fit and proper person to fill tho office of Mayor, which was heartily carried. Mr Reeves then proceeded to Cotter’s Hotel and addressed another large meeting of ratepayers, receiving another cordial vote of confidence.

On Saturday evening Mr Reeves addressed a meeting at Cotter’s Hotel, at which a unanimous vote of confidence in him was carried on the motion of Mr Livingston, seconded by Mr Thomas. An adjournment was then made to Baxter’s Hotel, Maitland street, where Mr A. Cairns was called to the chair.

Mr Reeves said ho found he had a great many well-wishers in the ward, and therefore he came to explain his views to them. He said the action which led to a high price being paid for the Waterworks was “ a bungle.” Arrangements had been made during the past week on behalf of the Corporation and the Government, by which the Governme it was to cut down Maitland street to the permanent grade. Government would get the earth for the purpose of reclamation, and it suited the Corporation to have the street brought to the proper level without cost to the citizens. It had been insinuated by his opponent that he (Mr Reeves) had given up his business for the purpose of going in for the Mayoralty, but such was not the ease, for he had had some idea of giving up business for the last couple of years. If elected, he trusted that the citizen;’at the expiration of his term would be satisfied with him.

Mr Woodifiell) proposed, and Mr Johnston seconded Mr Keeves as “the more fit and PJ°P cr person to fill the civic chair of the City of Dunedin,” which was carried unanimously.