DRAINAGE BOARD ELECTION AT SYDENHAM.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2056, 25 September 1880, Page 3

DRAINAGE BOARD ELECTION AT SYDENHAM.

A meeting of ratepayers was held at the Colombo road School lest evening, for the purpose of electing a member to represent the newly constituted district of Sydenham on the Christchurch District Drainage Board. There was a moderate attendance, the Returning Officer, Mr O. Allison, presiding. The proceedings were opened by the Returning Officer, who explained the object of the meeting, namely the election of a member to represent the district of Sydenham in terms of the Amended Drainage Act passed during lost session of Parliament., He then read the clause of the Act directing the modo of conducting the election, and called for nominations. . . . Mr Andrew nominated Mr William White, junior. He believed that gentleman possessed qualities eminently fitting him to represent the ratepayers on the Board. Ho was also fully acquainted with technicalities which would prove of great assistance to him in dealing with matters likely to come before the Board. IS was a matter for congratulation that they should have an opportunity of returning such a gentleman, as this borough had not been treated fairly by the Drainage Board in the past, and Mr White was likely to sec that their interests were not further neglected. However, the ratepayers were well acquainted with Mr Wbi e, so ho would say no more than to again express the pleasure he had in nominating that gentleman for a scat on the Board. Mr Treadwell seconded the nomination, and referred to certain irregularities ho had noticed in the Drainage Board which he looked to Mr White to remedy. Mr Lockwood, in supporting the nomination, said a chief recommendation possessed by Hr White was that ho did not labor under any Bank influence. He knew the requirements of the district and its “ grievances,” and he (Mr Lockwood) had every confidence in him. There being no other candidate proposed, The Returning Officer declared Mr William White duly elected a member of the Drainage Board for the district of Sydenham. Mr White said he begged to thank the ratepayers most sincerely tor the honor they had conferred upon him, and he could promise them that he would do his very best for the interests of the district without fear or favor. [Hear, hear] It was, ho continued, rather unfortunate that they had not had a representative before, ne certain works had now been undertaken to which the Board stood pledged, and which might conflict with the interests of this district, and their representative would have no chance of having a B ay in reference to such expenditure as would be entailed by carrying them forward. In reference to the rating, be thought it strange that Sydenham should be rated at 91, whilst the city was only called upon to contribute 7d, and he failed to see what commensurate benefit this district derived. With regard to the question of voting, ho thought the principle of the ballot should be introduced, as it prevailed nearly all over the colony, and ho should, it opportunity offered, do bis best to have the Local Elections Act brought into force on the Drainage Board. He thought the Drainage Board accounts should be open to the inspection of the public in tho same way as those of Municipal Councils, as he did not approve of any body keeping their accounts private whilst they had the power of rating the public. The people who contributed the money had a right to see how it was expended. [Hear, hear.] In conclusion, ho remarked that ho should always bo happy to receive suggestions from his constituents, and would try to give effect to them to the best of his power and ability, and when his term of office expired, ho trusted they would have no cause to regret having elected him on tho Board. [Applause] His Worship the Mayor congratulated the meeting on the choice they Lad made. Mi White’s past experience had qualified him for carefully watching tho interests of the borough. He was very glad, for tho sake oi the borough, that no member had been brought forward from outside, as he con' sidered for many reasons that it was desirable their representative on tho Board should b; also a member of the Council. Ho sgiir \ congratulated the ratepayers on their choice. ■ Mr W. W. Charters remarked that th( ■ importation of drain pipes was a msttei , which called for tho attention of their nevrlj I elected member, and ho trusted that M: i White, in the interests of colonial enterprise > would act his face against the importation o ; material which could he (supplied in tin colony. [Applause.]