HEATHCOTE ROAD BOARD.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 904, 18 May 1877, Page 2

HEATHCOTE ROAD BOARD.

The nomination of candidates for the scat at the Board, rendered vacant by the death of Mr Peter Kerr, took place yesterday, at the Road Board office.

Mr G. L. Lee acted as Returning Officer, and called on those present to nominate candidates.

Mr F. W. Staples Mr AVilliam Hawker, which was seconded by Mr Tiernay. Mr E. H. Oxford proposed Mr E. J. T. Ford, which was seconded by Mr H. Toomer, sen.

Mr Thomas Pepperell proposed Mr John E. Pepperell, which was seconded by Mr E. Gradd.

Mr Elijah Gadd proposed himself, which nomination was seconded by Mr J. E. Pepperell. The various candidates then shortly addressed the. ratepapers, each expressing their intention of doing the best for the district if elected.

A show of hands was called for, with the following results: — Mr W. Hawker 19 Mr Ford ... ... ... ... 5 Mr i’eppcrcll ... ... ... 5 Mr Gadd 8

A poll was demanded by Mr Ford, which was announced by the Returning Officer as taking place this day between 9 a.m and 4 p.m. A vote of thanks to the Returning Officer closed the proceedings. Mr Gradd, at the conclusion of the meet ing, intimated that he had withdrawn his canditure.

A meeting of the ratepayers was then held, Mr Manning, the chairman of the Board, in the chair.

The Chairman said that they had met that day to consider the advisability of taking the election of the members of the Road Board by ballot, under the provisions of the Local Elections Act. It would he very much belter, he thought to have their elections in future conducted under that provision. [Hear, hear.] He would now read the clause referred to. [The chairman read clause 3 of the Regulation of Rogal Elections Act.]

Mr F. Jones rose to move a resolution on the subject. He thought it would be a very good tiling if their elections were Held under the Act. At the beginning of the present year the Board intended to bring the Act into operation, but pressure of business prevented their doing so. He might take this °PP°rtunity of referring to the loss the district had sustained by the sudden death ot Mr ieter Kerr whose honesty and uprightness of propose would make him very much at that Board. It was mainly owing to the sudden death of that gentleman that they had been prevented from making the provisions of the Act applicable to the election of the next day. He would now move the following resolution, viz., “ This public meeting of the ratepayers of the Heathcote Road Board District, duly convened for the purpose of taking into ’ consideration the question of bringing the elections of the district under the provisions of The Regulation 'of Elections Act, 1876, resolve that it is expedient that all future elections following that of:18th May instant be conducted under the provisions of the said Act, and hereby request the Board to take the necessary steps for procuring the proclamation of the Governor to give effect to this resolution.”

Mr Hopkins seconded the resolution. Under the provisions of the Act a man would be able to record his vote with perfect freedom, and therefore he was greatly in favor of Mr Jones resolution. The motion was then put, and carried unanimously. A vote of thanks to the chairman brought the proceedings to a close.