SELWYN COUNTY COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1236, 20 February 1878, Page 3

SELWYN COUNTY COUNCIL.

Election fob Ellesmere Riding

The nomination of candidates to represent the riding of Ellesmere, in the Selwyn County Council, in place of Mr Pitzroy, resigned, was held at the Koad Board office, Lees ton, on Tuesday, 19th inst. No great interest having been taken in the nomination there was not a large attendance of electors. Mr G. Leslie Lee, returning officer, declared the object of the meeting, and stated that he had duly received the following nominations: —Mr E. J- Lee, nominated by Mr H. J. Hall and Mr J. J. Loo ; and Mr John Rennie, nominated by Mr W. J. G. Bluett and Mr McLachlan.

Mr E. J. Leo, addressing those present, said; —I think that the electors would wash to know my sentiments as to the question of the Counties Act. Last year, when the Act came into force, I was strongly of opinion that it was undesirable to bring it wholly into operation, and urged Mr Pitzroy, our representative in the Council, not to vote for bringing it fully into action. 1 expressed the same feeling at the annual ratepayers’ mooting, and so far as the Amendment Act of last melon goes, I think wo are pretty

much in the same position as at first. During this year, however, I have seen, good reason to alter my opinion, and I should now go into the Council with the object of bringing the Act fully into force, and should do ray best to assist in such modifications and improvements before the next session as may render it_ useful to us all, and workable without infringing .any of the rights and privileges of the Koad Boards. My reasons for this change of opinion are as follows :—I have found, by experience, that it is next to impossible to get things done by communication with Wellington, and that it is absolutely necessary to have some local body in authority to stand between ns and the General Government. For nearly two months I have been writing to the Minister of Works upon subjects connected with the Rakaia river, and at the end of that time I am just where I was. The matters I speak of have been referred to the Engineer in Chief, and there remain. I ennnot but contrast this state of things with what took place when we had a local Government to refer to. It was easy then to follow up a matter personally, and anything in reason referred to the late Superintendent always met with prompt attention. I conceive that tile County Council will stand in exactly the same position to the Road Boards and other local bodies as tbe late Provincial Government, and therefore I think it desirable to bring the full Act into force. Another reason which also largely commends itself to me is that, if the Council is not in full operation, then there may be dangers and difficulties with regard to funds to be received from the General Government. As regards the interests of Road Boards and local bodies, I was doubtful last year whether they would not be found in working the Act to clash with those of the county, and there may still be a difficulty to be apprehended on this point; but if elected, I would do my best to protect an institution which we have all learned to appreciate. From my long acquaintance with Road Board matters, I venture to think that I am not the worst man you could elect for the County Council. I shall be happy to answer any questions to the best of my ability, but as tbe Act is a rather voluminous one, and I have only lightly studied it, my opinion will not be worth much ; but I will promise that I will, as I have ever done, give time and such capacity as I have to the office I seek, and will do my best not to disappoint my friends in the Ellesmere district. Mr Rennie, the other candidate, was not present. The election will take place on Monday, 4th March, between the hours of 9 a.m. and (5 p.m. Tbe polling booths appointed arc the schoolhouse, Brookside, the Town Hall, Southbridge, and tbe Road Board office, Leeston.