MAYORAL ELECTION.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2389, 29 November 1881, Page 3

MAYORAL ELECTION.

A public mooting was held last evening at the Gaiety Theatre, to hear the views of the two candidates for the mayoralty—Messrs J. G. Ruddenklau and O. B. Taylor. There was a large attendance, and the chair was occupied 1 by his Worship the Mayor. The Chairman explained that he had convened the meeting in compliance with a requisition signed by ninety-four ratepayers. He would call upon Mr Taylor, who was nominated first, to address the meeting. Mr Taylor in coming forward was received with cheers. Ho said that never before was the colony so stirred to its depths, or was there so much political excitement as at present, and Christchurch had not escaped from the vortex. Exception had been taken to the course adopted in holding the present meeting, but it must bo remembered that the position of Mayor was the highest civic office in the hands of the ratepayers. It had been urged that he was unfit for this position because he was a foreigner. He would tell them that his great grandparents were part of the small band who otter the War of Independence in America remained loyal to the British Crown. Ho considered that the Mayor of such a city as Christchurch should bo one whose social standing was such “as to demand the respect of the citizens and enable him to receive distinguished guests in a fitting manner. The Mayor should also possess executive and administrative ability derived from experience in municipal affairs. Another important consideration was the special interests of the different wards to be represented. It was not right to impose upon the residents of those wards a gentleman who was not acceptable to them. While he did not argue that the Mayor should have anything to do with the practical working of the official part of the Corporation, he should have sufficient knowledge to enable him (o exorcise the necessary control over the staff. With regard to the question of the water supply, that had already been decided. He would not be a party to incurring a burden of taxation upon the people of Ohriatohurch. They were not at present in a position to indulge in extravagance, and should not undertake anything which was not within their moans. The next question he would refer to was that of the market reserve. When the present reserve was utilised, oven to the small extent to whioh it had been, it was with the object of attracting there permanently a class of traders and others who would utilise the preserve, and this he thought had been done to a certain extent. Some time ago certain persons were willing to lease the reserve for the purpose of erecting buildings upon it and deriving a revenue therefrom. If that could be done by private individuals, and they were willing to pay the city a fair price, and terms were agreed upon, it could not be said that the reserves could not be utilised, and if he wore placed in office he would endeavor to the utmost of his ability to derive the greatest possible benefit from these reserves. With regard to his personal claims upon the ratepayers, ho had represented them already in the Council, and amongst other things which, if ho chose, he could point out to them, he might mention that he was a member of the sanitary committee who propounded a scheme for economising the system of scavenging the city, [which had been carried into effect with the most satisfactory results, in a sanitary as well as a financial sense. He had nothing more to say. They had heard his views and knew his qualifications, and if they thought he was a better man than his opponent he would aek them to return him as their Mayor. [Cheers.] Mrßuddanklau then came forward, and was received with loud chera. Ho said he hud already, through the newspapers and by circular, taken stops to explain his viewa to the ratepayers. Ha had not anticipated that he would bo called upon to make a speech, as he thought it had been understood that meetings of this kind did more barm than good._ Ho was not a public speaker, though ho wished he was able to entertain them with an interestspeech for an hour or two. He was not prompted by ambition, self interest, or other personal considerations to aspire to this office. Ho came forward in response to a largely signed requisition, and at the request of many friends, saveral of whom wero his colleagues when in the Council. He felt as an old settlor and citizen, who had always identified himself with, and taken a great interest in, city affairs from the early days, and who had to thank the citizens for many past favors that ho was in duty bound, if bis services were considered of any value to give thorn, and he would do so freely. He could havo occupied the position of Mayor, if ho had chosen, ton years ago, but was prevented from doing so by business engagements, although ho was entitled at that time to the position of Mayor by process of rotation. With regard to his qualifications for the office, he would refer them to his past municipal career. He thought he could claim some credit in bringing about the construction of the side channels. Before ho became a member of tho Council, some fifteen years ago, tho Council had adopted an underground drainage scheme, the pipes for whioh were expected daily from Scotland. From what he could see of the state of the town it appeared ridiculous,and like putting the cart before tho horse to construct underground drainage before wo had side channels. The sides of streets whore nothing but stagnant pools and puddles, in fact the town was one complete fever bed. After ho was elected he was determined to do all in his power to upset this underground drainage scheme, and substitute side channels. In this he was assisted by Mr Alport and tho late Mr Duncan, who with himself were appointed a committee to report on tho drainage of Christchurch. That report was adopted by the Council. It condemned the underground drainage, and recommended that the pipes should be sold, and substitute surface drainage by side channels. It must bo admitted that by adopting the side channel system we succeeded in making Christchurch one of the healthiest and cleanest cities in the Australian colonies. The next subject ho wished to refer to was tho Fire Brigade. During his term of office, as chairman of tho fire brigade committee, ho was instrumental in reorganising the brigade on its present system, and could claim that it was entirely through his influence that the present superintendent, Mr Harris, was appointed and accepted the cilice, and it was admitted on all sides that Mr Harris had proved himself tho right man in tho right place, and that the brigade is second to none in the colonies. He believed tho time would come, as soon as the drainage scheme was completed, when a comprehensive water scheme would have to be undertaken. In tho meantime, Providence had provided a splendid and ample supply for the requirements of the city. He did not quite agree with Mr Taylor with regard to the market. Every well-regulated town should possess a market. The market he would like to see should be conducted on tho principle for

perishable colonial produce such a* meat, poultry, fish, garden and farm produce. The benefit would bo very great both to tie seller and consumer. The revenue, he thought, would pay interest on the outlay, and in time would do something more. Ho was sorry to see the reserves committee of the Council had reported against it, they staling it would require from £BOOO to £IO,OOO to erect the building. In hie opinion half that amount would be sufficient. Ho agitated some twelve or thirteen years ago, when in the Council, the establishment of a cattle market, and succeeded in getting the Government to provide a site, but the one selected was in such an out of the way place that the Council considered it quite unfit for the purpose. A company had since taken the matter in hand and established a market, which had proved to the shareholders already a profitable concern, and would become more so as time advanced. The city had thereby lost a considerable acquisition to its revenue. Ho did not blame the tactics of his opponent, as everything was fair in politics, courtship, and war. It had been said that ho could not speak English. This he considered rather hard, as ho had been more than thirty-one years among English people, and had been married to an English wife tor twenty-eight years. [Laughter and cheers.] Another squib which had been circulated against him was that his opponent was the better looking candidate. This he reluctantly admitted, and acknowledged that Mr Taylor was perhaps entitled to the votes of the ladies. [Laughter.] That was all he had to say, but should they do him the honor to elect him to this honorable office, ho would endeavor to carry out its duties conscientiously and with dignity. [Cheers ] In answer to Mr W. Wilson, the candidate said that he resigned his position as Councillor on a former occasion because a certain person was elected to the Council who, ho considered, wen not fit to occupy the position. [Cheers J Ho would bo very sorry if one penny of the honorarium which belonged to to the office should find its way into his pocket. [Loud cheers.] Ho know nothing about the requisition to convene this mooting. He would bo in favor of a public market, the retail business being confined to fruit, fish, &0., and only to a certain extent, otherwise the outside tradesmen would be interfered with.

Mr O. T. Ick moved a vote of thanks to the two candidates. The motion was seconded by Mr John R. King, and carried unanimously. A vote of thanks to the chair terminated tho proceedings.