The Globe. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 1875.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 383, 3 September 1875, Page 2

The Globe. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 1875.

Of the speakers who addressed the meeting ot ratepayers last night only Messrs Bird and Turner spoke in favour of the Drainage Bill. If, however, the opinions of those assembled in the Oddfellows' Hall are those of the majority of the ratepayers then the Bill before the House finds general favour. Messrs M. B. Hart, Banks, Hancock, and Lee all spoke against the Bill. It was only to be expected that Mr Hart should do so, as he has been consistent in his opposition to the proposed scheme. Mr Banks started with a mild blast on his own trumpet, and then proceeded to make a violent attack on the Mayor, but finding that the meeting refused to hear him he subsided. Mr Hancock spoke more to the point than those who had preceded him, and was listened to with more attention ; but his arguments against the Bill have been disposed of before this. As for Mr Leo, who " stood on his own merits," he stated that he had " taken a very " active part as regarded drainage," a statement which excited the risibb faculties of the audience. Mr Turner disposed of Mr Hancock's objections to the Bill, and we trust to see him returned at the head of the poll at the forthcoming election, but he will have a hard task before him to satisfy the elector who wished to know if he " was M prepared to reform the morality of

" the Council." It is to be regretted that Messrs "Wood and Thomson were prevented from attending the meeting, but as their absence was satisfactorily accounted for, and as they will have other opportunities of addressing the ratepayers, we shall hope to learn their views on municipal matters shortly. As it is, the ratepayers have an opportunity of making their selectiou from the most eligible number of candidates that have presented themselves for election to the City Council for a long time.