THE CITY ELECTION.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1004, 13 September 1877, Page 2

THE CITY ELECTION.

♦ PUBLIC MEETING- OF RATEPAYERS. A public meeting of ratepayers of the city, held to hear the opinions of the various candidates for the scats in the City Council, took place last evening at the Oddfellows’ Hall. The meeting was convened by the Mayor in response to the following requisition : —“ To his Worship the Mayor of Christchurch. We, the undersigned ratepayers, hereby request you will convene a public meeting at your earliest convenience for the purpose of hearing the views of the several candidates for scats in the City Council.” Signed by sixty - six ratepayers. There was a very largo attendance, tire hall being filled. His Worship the Mayor occupied the chair, and opened the proceedings by remarking that it was imperative that the business of the evening should be carried' on quietly and quickly, and that those present should listen quietly to those who were about to."address them.' It would he very much better for them to listen quietly now and make up their minds as to their selection, and then go to the poll tomorrow,

[Cheers.] He would now call upon Mr Ick, as one of the senior councillors. He had arranged that a quarter of an hour should be given to each speaker —perhaps many of them would not occupy as much as this. Mr Ick then came forward and said that when he stood before them on a former occasion he had promised them to do bis best for them. He was not a heaven-born financier, nor had he any great schemes, but he was a plain man of business, and had endeavored to serve them as much as possible. There had been some 800 meetings of the Council and ho had only been absent three times. [Cheers.] After he was elected to the Council was placed as chairman of the lighting committee, and during the two years of his office he let the Council have no rest until he had obtained forty-two new lamps for the city. Since then the committee had obtained twenty-four more. He had no doubt made many mistakes, but he claimed for himself that he had done his duty honestly and without fear or favor. He had never been a crawler. He claimed to be the promoter of the use of boulders for the roads instead of the soft metal previously used; and ho had also been the means of importing the brush for sweeping the roads. It was at his instance that the enamelled names of the streets had been placed at the corners, and there was no good measure which had been brought before the Council which had not received his earnest support. He was anxious to see the asphalting of the footpaths carried out throughout the city, and to see a tramway from the railway station to the Papanui station. He was also in favor of more bridges over the Avon, more particualrly at the East town belt, provided the Avon Road;Board would contribute a fair share. It would be unfair to ask the city, which was now very heavily taxed, to contribute wholly for the erection of this bridge. The bridge at Colombo street was in his opinion too narrow, and he should be ,in favor of widening it or entirely rebuilding it. The bridges at the Hospital and Worcester street near the new club also required widening. The Building Act in his opinion required extension, as what did for Christchurch ten years ago would not do now. The bye-law committee had this under their consideration. He would like to see more water tanks than now existed. He would not detain them longer but would say that his services in the past were before them, and if they considered him a fit person he would go back and do his duty as he had done in the past. Mr Atkinson wished to know what were the expenses of the Morton Block question. Mr Ick said he was informed that it was £26, including advertising, &c. Mr Oliver asked whether Mr Ick thought he was doing the best he could for the constituents whose suffrages he now sought when he raised the salary of the surveyor from £3OO to £350, and reduced the working men of the Council from 6s 8d to 5s per day. [Loud and continued cheers.] Mr Ick said that this was a question which was easily answered. He had never reduced the wages ■to „5s per day. On the contrary he was the councillor who had moved in the Council that some of the men working on the Town Belt should receive 6s per day.

Mr Oliver would like to ask whether it was not a fact that on the Belt some men were working for 5s per day who were formerly in the employ of the Council at 6s 8d per day. Mr Ick said that he knew nothing of the facts referred to by Mr Oliver. The surveyor had been instructed to select the best men, to whom the Council should pay 6s per day. It would not do for the Council to interfere with their officers, and if the surveyor could not be trusted to do this, he was not fit to hold the office. [Hear, hear.] The Mayor said that Mr Thomson was the next candidate on the list, but an apology had been received from him stating that he had been suddenly called to Wellington, and therefore was unable to be present. The town clerk would read the letter. The town clerk read the letter.

Mr Bird was the next speaker. He said he had endeavored not to talk at the Council, but to give his vote conscientiously on every occasion. If they returned him as one of the nine he would do his duty as well in the future as he had in the past. He asked the electors to take care and select the best men.

Mr Oliver asked Mr Bird whether he was a party to the giving of the Council account to the Bank of New Zealand instead of putting it up to tender. Mr Bird said he was not able to say. [Cheers and uproar.] He believed he was in the minority so far as he recollected. A ratepayer asked how it -was after the decision of the Resident Magistrate, O’Malley was retained in the service of the Council. Mr Bird said the matter was a private one, and it concerned O’Malley alone. It had nothing to to do with the Council or the ratepayers. [Uproar.] Mr Cass, who was received with cries of “ garters,” &c., on coming forward, said he was prepared to make the sacrifice of his personal case and comfort, which it would entail if he was elected. He had no previous career to refer to, but if he did not think he was a fit person to undertake the duties of a councillor he would never present himself before them. He regarded the position of city councillor as one which should be occupied by mercantile men. In spending the ratepayers’ money they wanted men of good common sense, and without making'pretence to much book learning lie yet claimed for himself the possession of good, sound, practical sense. [Cheers.] He had, in Otago, on the goldfields, been the pioneer of municipal local self government, and this was one point which should tell in his favor. This and other points which he would bring before them would convince them that he was a man of go. He was also the suggestor, even to the very details, of the recent Municipal Conference. He had spoken to the Mayor a month before he brought it publicly out in the Council, and should not have, claimed the honor of it had it not been that the gentleman who sat in Wellington allowed himself to he patted on the back for a suggestion which was not his own. If elected, he (Mr Cass) would devote all his energies to the interests of the ratepayers. tie would like to refer to two leaders ■which had appeared in the evening papers of this city, in which he was sought to be defamed. [Uproar.] This was done for political reasons, no doubt. [Uproar and cries of “Time.”] He had four minutes more, and he asked them to allow him a fair hearing. There was one of the candidates on the platform who occupied the position of the manager of one of the local papers who had treated him in a dastardly manner. [Uproar.] That gentleman had sat at the same luncheon table and got him into conversation as to the form of the earth, aiid then like a dastard scoundrel —[Loud uproar and continued hissing here rendered Mr Cuss’s remarks totally inaudible. This continued for some minutes, when comparative silence was obtained Mr Cass was understood to say, so far

I as he was audible to the reporters, that Mr Briggs had, from behind the screen of a newspaper, made a foul and dastardly attack upon him. The uproar was was again renewed, the hissing and groaning being so loud that it again rendered Mr Cass’s remarks totally inaudible. When lie could be heard at times he was understood to make some remarks as to the Press and the duties of reporters to him if elected. Ultimately he retired amidst hisses and groans.] Mr Briggs was the next speaker. There were about twelve other candidates to address them, and he trusted that they would give him a little time to address them. In the first place he must say he was very much astonished indeed at the very gross attack made upon him by Mr Cass that evening. [Cheers.] He desired to say, and he hoped it would be thoroughly understood, that he had never instigated or written one line in any paper during the election either for himself or detrimental to any other candidate. [Cheers.] His connection with the Christchurch newspapers had been, and now was, simply of a commercial character, and he had no more power over what appeared in the editorial columns than any of the ratepayers before him. [Cheers.] He made no pi’omises, but what he said was this, that if elected lie would bring to bear what little common sense and ability he had to discuss the questions brought before the Council, and would attend regularly at the meetings. These were the only promises he would make. They would have seen by the advertisements and placards issued by him that he was in favor of the division of the city into wards. [Cheers.] This he thought would be of very great benefit to the city at large—[Cheers]—and he should be prepared, if elected, to support any scheme having for its object the division of the city into wards. The Act, however —but he spoke under correction—provided that the division should be into four wards ; but how were they going to divide the nine councillors amongst four wards so as to give all equality of representation ? He had received a letter from a gentleman who had held a high position in Christchurch. [A Voice —“ Cabbage Wilson.”] It was a letter from Mr E. B. Bishop—[Loud cheers] —who had served the ratepayers so well in the past —[cheers] —and with their permission he would read it to them. It was as follows ; Christchurch, 12th September, 1877. Mr Briggs— Dear sir,—l shall not be able to attend the meeting this evening ; nevertheless will you consider that I ask you the following qnestions: — 1. If elected, will you move that as early as possible the north part of Barbadoes street shall be formed and metalled ? It is in a very dangerous state. 2. Will you endeavour to have the land now full of water adjoining the East Christchurch school filled up with the superfluous earth at the disposal of the city surveyor P 3. Valuer of city property.—Will you do your best to select a gentleman for this purpose, more ■competent than the one employed hist year ? Yours truly, E. B. Bishop. In reply to the first question, lie might say lie had made enquiries from some gentlemen who had held seats in the City Council on the subject. There was no doubt that the road from the North belt to the Cemetery urgently required forming and metalling. But it was a question of money, and he coiild only say that if elected he would be in favor of completing not only this part of the city but all others which had been left unformed. [Cheers ] As regarded the second question, anyone who had read the newspapers could see that the East Christchurch School Committee had ordered the section to be filled up. The Local Board of Health had also served a notice on the committee to have the bath, which was the cause of the nuisance, pumped out and repaired. When this was done of course the Local Board would see that the owners of sections would keep all nuisances clear. As regarded the third question, he was of opinion that the 1 putting up of the valuation of the city to tender was a mistake. He was in favor of having a good man to value the city and pay him a fair salary, but they would have to see that they had a good man for their money. [Cheers.] The Mayor said he had received a letter from Mr Johnston, asking certain questions of Mr Briggs. The Town Clerk was proceeding to read it, but was compelled to desist from the storm of “Noes.” Mr Ruddenklau said he would not detain them long, as from the tone of the meeting it was evident that long speeches were not required that evening. He should say but little. He would refer them to the twenty years he had resided amongst them, and tell them that if elected he would do his best for them. [Cheprs.] He had not canvassed, and would not do it, because he believed under the ballot the electors should be allowed to exercise their choice unfettered. All he would ask was this, that when they got the ballot papers they would not run their pencils through his name. If they elected him he , should do his duty, but if not he should go ( home and attend to his business quite con- j tented. [Cheers.] _ ' Mr Earr came forward amid loud uproar, . which prevented him being heard. -i The Mayor appealed to the meeting to hear ! Mr Earr. What they were now doing was simply bringing discredit on the chair and the city. He hoped they would listen quietly to the speaker. Mr Earr, after a little silence had been obtained, said he was quite prepared to serve the ratepayers as he had done before if they did him the honor to elect, him. He would not make them any promises as his past career was before them. Mr Tetley wished to ask the reason of his resignation of his scat in the City Council. Mr Earr said that the circumstances were too painful to bo referred to, and the ratepayers were aware of the reason as well as himself. Mr Toomer next came forward. He said he came before them as an independent candidate. Reduction of rates by economical expenditure was bis motto. He hold that the works of the city could bo curried out as veil for Dd in the £ as tor the is now levied. Ho had seen on the works of the City Council men who had worked with the City Council getting 5s a day, while men who came on as unemployed were given 6s. If he was returned, and any of them had a grievance, he would bring their complaints before the Council. He went in as the working-man’s candidate. [Cheers.] Ho was a workingman himself, and could sympathise with them. He wished to say a few words with regard to the present Mayor. He had watched his career, and lie felt that ho had done Ills duty to the city. He had been very badly treated—[cheers] —and he (Mr I comer) would go in and see that he was not insulted again without retaliation. But while he would do this, if the Mayor brought anything for,fW<i that lie did not approve of lie should be

the first to oppose it. [A Voice :“ Do you wisli to go in on the Mayor’s back ?”] He did not. He stood on his own merits, and he would ask them to-morrow to be careful not to split their votes too much. Mr Oliver asked whether Mr Toomer was in favor of the rates being collected in instalments and in the summer season instead of the worst time of the year. Mr Toomer—l should be in favor of the rates being collected when men arc able to pay them. [Cheers and laughter.] Mr Pratt next came forward and was warmly received. He thought that what was wanted was a careful and economical distribution of the funds and an extension of their lighting, so that not a corner of the city should be left unlighted. He was also in favor of endeavoring so far as possible, by consultation with Mr Superintendent Harris, and the promotion of a good understanding between the men and the Council to retain to the fullest extent the valuable services of their efficient Fire Brigade. [Cheers.] He thought that the ratepayers should return the old Works Committee, as the new Council would require the aid of the experience of the committee to enable them to deal with the works of the city successfully. If returned, he would do his best to serve them, and though not fluent in speech, he would yield to no man in honesty of purpose. [Cheers.] Mr A. Ayers was the next to come forward. On making his appearance the traditional parti-colored emblem of the trade of Figaro rose suddenly from the centre of the gallery bearing a card with the words “Aaron’s Rod.” This caused great laughter. When this subsided, Mr Ayers went on to say that if the citizens thought he was fit for the position of a City Councillor he would be happy to serve them. It had been said that their rates could be lowered and he believed they could. Their roads were in a very bad state, which was the result of their not being properly made. Now the way to do this without putting too great a burden on the ratepayers was—[A Voice — “To shave them.”] His idea was that they should make posterity pay for these roads which it was their duty to make thoroughly well. [Cheers.] Therefore they ought to borrow and put their roads in order. Again they required a water system in the city, because in many places the artesian wells were drying up. If the scheme took them years to bring into work it should be done properly. Then again there was the question of charitable aid. He said that it should be a State charitable aid, provided by the state, which would include the wealthy and not put the burden on the poorer class. [Hear, hear.] If they thought he was a proper person let them elect him and he would endeavour to do his best for them. [Cheers.] Mr Tremayne would not detain them many minutes. Before consenting to stand lie took leisure to consider, and he had made up his mind to devote as much time as he could towards the benefit of the ratepayers. He would like to explain to the ratepayers what he had done. [A Voice —“ In the days of cabbages.”]—Yes. He had gone and seen all the ratepayers he could to let them know what ho was prepared to do for them, and if they thought him fit to represent them in the Council, he would go there and do all he could for all. He knew the requirements of the city, and was desirous that all who lived in the town should have good roads to their houses, and would make the accomplishment of that his main object. They would all agree with him that they were rated too much; but although the rates could not perhaps be altered just at once, he would, if elected, try to make them so low the ratepayers would be able to pay them without cause of complaint. They wanted economy, and he only wished more men like himself would come forward. [Uproar.] He would explain that remark; lie had no doubt there were ratepayers who had more ability than he, but lie went there to improve himself and attend to the city’s interests. [A Voice —“ You go there because you have nothing else to do.”] Decidedly. He had no objection to a bit of fun. If one of the lucky men he would work to the best of bis ability. In replying to a ratepayer, Mr Tremayne said lie was not brought forward by the Good Templars—was brought forward by no class, but, if returned, would represent the ratepayers as a whole. He was not a G-ood Templar. The Town Clerk read an apology from Mr A. C. Bickerton for his unavoidable absence, and saying that if elected lie would do his best. Mr Binstead not being present, Mr Sorensen came forward to address the meeting. He had become a candidate at the request of a number of ratepayers, and if elected, he would do his best for the city, but would ask no votes. Mr Radeliffo arose amidst loud applause and some hisses. They had heard a great deal of what had been done by the past Council, and of what the candidates meant to do if elected. In his opinion, he and his co-candidates were not the men who shoidd have come forward on the occasion to represent the ratepayers, but rather such men as the promoters and directors of a recently-started insurance company, whose prospectus they had all seen. These were the men that should represent ] them. [Cries of “No.”] However, he | thought he saw his way clear to venture on ; certain improvements. * For example, lately £3OOO had been paid into the City Council, but it had first to go through the hands of the General Government, whereas it should be paid directly into the City Treasury. Thus delay, consequent loss, nay, risk of losing entirely, would he avoided. Tie would also have a, market place constituted, after the wretched Rost-ortico buildings were pulled down, and by this moans raise probably about £2OOO a year. He would also endeavour to have the reserves for the city thoroughly secured to the city, and he hoped their representatives in Parliament would succeed in the steps recently taken by them in that direction. He believed in the ward system, and would advocate its adoption in Christchurch. In reply to Mr Oliver, Mr Radelifl'c said lie did not mean to reduce the coat of publicans’ licenses. Mr Banks said Ids reason for coming forward was that it was the duty of every man with ability to do so. Ho also considered that too many of the councillors resided at the north end of Christchurch. He was thoroughly colonial, and deserved the, support of the working man, as amongst oil the machinery at his mills he had never imported any —it had all been made in the province. Ho considered it was the duty of a councillor to find out where faults lay, and bring the matter before the council. would do that. He could not refer to past services, but if elected lie would endeavour to perform all that had | been promised by those who had spoken i before him. The proceedings then ended with a vote of thanks to the Mayor for his duties in the chair.