BOROUGH ELECTIONS.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1735, 11 September 1879, Page 3

BOROUGH ELECTIONS.

RANGIORA.. A public meeting of burgesses of this Borough was held in the hall of the Literary Institute, on Wednesday. There was a good attendance. The Mayor, Mr H. Blackett, occupied the chair. The Mayor stated the meeting was called by him on receipt of a requisition, signed by twenty-seven persons, asking for a meeting to hear the views of the candidates for mnnicipal honors. All the candidates were present except Mr Robinson, who had sent a letter stating he was too ill to attend. Ho called on Mr White, as an old member of the Council, to speak first. Mr W. White thanked the ratepayers for their confidence shown in him at last election. He had endeavored to do his duty in the past. It was not true that he had been led at all. In respect to a piece of work from Mr Thorne to Mr Grimwood which he was supposed to have been led in, he was glad to say, he had not been influenced at all, and the work was likely to be one of great benefit to the borough. It was always his wish to do his best for all parts of the borough, and he had never opposed works even in High street. When the question of the unemployed came up he advocatod employing the men out of work in the town before others were brought in. [Cheers ] He got his living by his muscles and not by politics, and it was natural ho Bhould try to assist them. [Hear, hear.] With reference to the drainage of the gully, he had acted to the best of his judgment. There was another question he had to mention, as he might not ever have a chance of addressing such a large "ordinance"— [loud laughter] largo "ordinance" again. [Roars of laughter.] That was charitable aid, which he was opposed to on the present local administration system. Ho had been asked why he allowed a shilling rate to be struck. Well, he did it to get the " subsides " —[a voice: "subsidy"]—and the money they got in this way was a benefit to the place, and money which they would not get in any other way. All their money was spent in the place, except what thoy paid on advertisements, and they must support the papers. [Cheers.] With regard to opening the extension of George street, he was favorable to it. He had been charged with asking for votes, which was nothing more than any other had done, but he asked them all to vote for him in the second race as they had done in the first. He had no enemies. [Laughter.] He would be glad to have all their support spiritually [laughter], not mentally. [Renewed laughter ] He would lay himself in the hands of the burgesses. [Laughter.] He did not often work without pay, but this last fifteen months he had worked without money and without, price [cheers], and trusted they would elect him again. Mr J. Lilly, received with applause, said he had only beon a Councillor for a few months, and his actions ought to be a guarantee to them whether he ought to go in again or not. The Council had done its utmost to promote the improvement of the borough, and so far as possible would in the future proceed to make such improvements as would make the town attractive. He had done his best, and would do so again if elected. He would be happy to answer any questions. Mr S. Stephens said for the second time he was a candidate, and if elected this time would do his utmost to serve the ratepayers. If returned he should advocate the expending of the rates wherever raised and expended equally. [Cheers.] In reference to the main gully through the borough, he thought that the work of drainage should be commenced at the proper—the lower end. [Hear, hear.] It was his opinion what had been done would have to be done over again. He wished to see the drainage carried out on a proper system, and followed up as a permanent work. It was a wrong step to do the "tapping" of the gully in the way it was now being effected. He objected to any system of patchwork which would always keep the expenditure lip. He as one intended to vote for the proper drainage of the gully which was the receiver of the water from Ashley and Fernside. A suggestion had been proposed to fill the gully, but he asserted they would find it impossible to do that. With regard to the unemployed, it was his opinion that the Road Board as woll as the Council should give the men employment. If elected, he was, aB he said before, favorable to giving every one a share of the rates, and thanked them for their patient hearing. Mr B.|Ellis explained that he came forward last time as he thought no one else was coming forward, but this time he had been asked to contest the election, and to go to the poll now that he was forward. With regard to the rates, he stated that before the borough was formed ho asked the present mayor if the rate would be more than under the Road Board and that gentleman said no, but what was the fact, why that at the present they had a shilling rate instead of a sixpenny one. THear, hear] It was also expected the borough should get 2000 acres endowment, which had not been got. Rangiora was a borough which could be cheaply worked. They had no river or floods to contend against, and, for that reason a rate of sixpence ought to be sufficient to meet all requirements. It was his opinion the drainage question ought to be very carefully gone into. The water question was an important one, and it was a good thing that the water had been analysed, as the report that the water was bad had been contradicted, and now they had good water he did not see wh' t they wanted with a Bchemo for bringing in a supply from the ABhley. Ho desired to remove an impression that he had opposed the interests of the fire brigade, as that body had his warmest sympathy [cheers], but he could not advocate tho purchase of a steam engine, because the present hand engine was equal to their requirements, and tho expense of the steamer would be very great. In reference to the question of nuisances, it was his opinion that the pan system was not yet required in Rangiora, as, except near tho Junction corner, the houses were not very close together. Some time ago, a proposition was made to light the town with gas, and he thought tho Council should encourage the formation of a gas company. He did not intend to canvass for votes', and had doclined the offer of two trapß to assist in the election. It would have been a good thing if Mr Stout's Bill had passed rendering canvassing and carting voters about an act of bribery. Mr R. H. Hanna, who was received with loud cheers, said he came forward expecting that he was only one of three who were to come into the contest, and as ho was now in lhe field he would go through with it. He intended to take an independent course, and did not propose to ask for votes. Though stated to be a bad starter in a local skit, the electors would find him a good goer. [Cheers.] It was his desire to give the best attention to every question which might come before the Council. The corner near his business premises required some notice, and ho trusted that the centre of the borough would not be overlooked in the number of other works to be undertaken. If elected, the ratepayers might rely on his best services being given to their interests. [Cheers]. . , Mr A. Ivory, who was well received, regretted lie could not refer to past services, though, if elected, he should attend to the interests of the town. The drainage matter, to his mind, was a simple one, and could be carried out with economy. In regard to the unemployed, he considered they wanted a good foreman over them. The analysis of the water he looked on as an unnecessary expense, as the water was always good in Rangiora. It was not his intention to advocate for large rates, as it was his feeling that the rates were to be loss under the Council than under the Road Board. While he said this he was not in favor of cheese-paring or anything cheap and nasty. He thought something ought to be done to have the attention at the Post and Telegraph Offioe improved, and either a boy or a girl placed constantly at

the window would be a boon, as persons were often kept waiting. He came forward at tho eleventh hour, but, if elected, would do his duty. [Cheers.] In reply to questions, Mr White said the lamps had not been erected as the Council found they were too costive. [Loud laughter.] He was in favor of having gas to improve the fulminating of the roads. [Laughter.] A questioner asked Mr White if a 2ft pipe could go through a 6in. grating. [Laughter.] Mr White thought it might, and it might not. [Roars of laughing.] He was not bigoted on fords. [Laughter.] Mr Lilly was proceeding to answer Mr Busch in reference to a general cemetery for the borough, when a general exodus was made from tte end of the hall in conscqoence of some stinking compound having been put upon tho floor, and as it was impossible to remain with any degree of comfort, a vote of thanks was hurriedly passed to the chairman and the meeting broke up. KAIAPOI. A public meeting was held in the Institute Hall on Wednesday evening to hear the views of the candidates for seats in the Borough Council. There was a fair attendance. Mr Blackwell (Mayor) occupied the chair, and after reading the requisition presented to him called on Mr J. W. Ellen to address the meeting. Mr Ellen said it was not necessary to refer to his past actionß when a councillor, as ho was well known to all present. He commented on the works recently carried out in Akaroa street, which he considered useless. He was in favor of permanent works, such as concrete channelling, &c. Regarding siding from river to railway, he thought it could now be constructed, the consent of the landowners having been obtained. Mr Ellen then gave an account as to the manner in which the Council received the reserve of 2000 acres. This, ho stated, was applied for from the Atkinson Government, the Council selecting the land at a cost of £IOO. The Crown grant was obtained from the present Government, no doubt owing to the importunity of the Council. He- considered the Harbor Board had done well with the limited funds at their disposal. He thought the Harbor Board's powers and property should be transferred to the Council, as the former had little funds, and were not likely to receive a grant or endowment. The Council would be able to borrow money, if necessary, to complete tho clearing and deepening of the river before next grain season. If, however, it was possible that a grant could be got for the Board it should be continued as at present.

In answer to questions, Mr Ellen eaidhe was in favor of making footpaths in Akaroa street if required. He thought it very necessary that the sparrow nuisance should be abated. He would like to see the Harbor Board have power to borrow money, but they could only do so on the foreshores. Mr R. Moore, who was next called on, said he was glad to see competition for the seats in the Council. He had, as far as possible, taken an active and disinterested part in the actions of the Council since he had joined it. He claimed to have made no wilful mistakes, and would, if re-elected, serve the burgesses faithfully again. As the mover of the motion in the Harbor Board, that the Board should be merged in the Council, he explained that the Board hod been slow in their operations, having in four years spent £9OO without any result beyond building a dredge, which the Board were unable to work, having no funds beyond the rent of the foreshores. He considered these rents should be taken over by the Council, as this body was in a position to do something towards clearing out the channel. He would do what he thought best for the town in this matter whether he was elected or not. In answer to questions, Mr Moore was in favor of footpath being made in Akaroa street. He thought the Harbor Board's powers and property could be transferred to the Council without special legislation ; it might probably be done by an Order in Council. He would refer the question of Harbor Board being merged in Council to the ratepayers for decision. He thought that as the ratepayers of Kaiapoi had furnished a great part of the Harbor Board's funds, they Bhould have a voice in spending same. Mr Moore stated that from the first he thought the Harbor Board was unnecessary, and was in favor of the Council taking it over, so that steps could be taken to clean out the river before next grain season. g£Mr G. W. Wearing could not refer to his past career, as previous speakers had done, but would do his utmost to satisfy the burgesses. Regarding the Harbor Board, he could not see what was to be gained by doing away with the Board. He thought that if pressure was brought to bear by their member in the General Assembly, a grant or endowment could be obtained, if not this session cortainly the next. The" opening up of the river trade would be of great benefit to the town and district, and he did not think the Council could-get the necessary powers so easily as Borne persons thought. It would also be necessary to confer with the ratepayers of the Eyreton district before the transfer could bo made, as the Eyreton district had contributed to the Harbor Board. He thought the Council might attend to such necessary works as drainage and roads, and not interfere with the Harbor Board. At present he was opposed to the Council taking over the Board's powers and property. In answer to questions he was in favor of preventing outside districts from sending their surface water into the town. A sufficient fall could be got for draining the borough into the river. He was not in favor of any increase of rates for drainage, but approved of special rates for conorete channelling, &o. Mr Jos. Stanton next addressed the meeting, and stated that he considered the Council did not make the roads and footpaths in a proper manner. If elected he would give great attention to these matters. He was in favor of paying the workmen a fair wage for a fair day's work. Ho did not approve of borrowing money. In answer to questions, he said he would not pay an inspector of nuisances £350 a year. [Laughter.] He would stop outside water from coming into borough drains. For permanent works he would have a small special rate ; thought the Council's reserves were sufficient to carry out the drainage works ; would lot the Harbor Board alone, as it might get a grant somo day. The Harbor Board had, in his opinion, done good work with the funds at command.

Mr Burnip was not present. The Mayor explained the action of the Harbor Board relative to transferring its powers and property to the Council. If the latter had the power it would enter on the work of improving the river at once. The Board had unsuccessfully tried to get a grant or endowment. The railway siding would probably shortly be constructed, the consent of the owners of the property to its passing through their lands having been obtained. A voto of thanks to the Mayor concluded the meeting.