COUNTY COUNCIL ELECTIONS.

Grey River Argus, Volume X, Issue 761, 3 December 1870, Page 2

COUNTY COUNCIL ELECTIONS.

GREYMOUTH NOMINATIONS. The nomination of candidates for the representation of Greymouth in the County Council took place on Thursday, at noon, in front of the Resident Magistrate's Court. The Returning Officer was Mr W. H. Revell. The attendance was larger than usual upon similar occasions here. The Returning Officer called upon the electors to nominate candidates to represent them in the County Council. Mr David Girdwuud proposed, and Mr G. W. Moss seconded, the nomination of Mr H. H. Lahman. Mr W. F. Strike proposed, and Mr John M'Gregor seconded, Mr Joseph Kilgour. Mr E. Masters proposed, and Mr T. Joyce seconded, Mr F. Guinkess. Dr Morice proposed, and Mr James Morton seconded, Mr James Payne. The Returning Officer asked if any of the" candidates wished to address the electors. Mr H. H. Lahman, who was well received, said it was customary upon such occasions for candidates to say a few words, but he might easily havedispensedwiththe ceremony, as he had been so often before them, and they knew his political opinions, and better still, what he had dene for them before. When in the Council he had endeavored to do the best he could for Greymouth. He never forgot that he went down there to look after the business of the town, and he intended soon to call a public meeting to Jay before the residents the measures he intended to introduce into the new Council if returned. He had always worked for the interests of the town, aud not for his own, and he would continue to do so so long as he was their representative. (Applause.) Mr J. Kilgour said that if he had the honor of being returned he would work for the interests of the place. Hi 3 interests were identified with those of the electorSj and they might be sure he would not neglect them. He would not explain his policy there, but would on some future occasion. He was one of the oldest residents in Greymouth, and every action he had taken in public matters was for the general good of the town. The action he had taken on a recent occasion in a public body to which he belonged had been questioned, but he would say that he opposed a certain measure when he saw a combination of members of the Borough Council to carry it. He never could have protested as he had done, ifhe had not seen that combinattion. Rather than vote with them he would oppose their measure to the utmost, even if he thought he was sure to be defeated whenever he had not got justice and the people he represented. If elected he would watch over the interests | of the iown, and also of the whole district, for the one certainly benefited by I the other ; but he would not pledge himself to any particular line of policy, as circumstances might arise which would cause him to alter his opinion. All that he would say of his policy was that it would be, as it had hitherto been, straightforward, and that he would work with determination for the benefit of the town. (Applause.) Mr F. Guinness said he had come forward to ask their support in this election, and to endeavor to obtain a seat in the County Council, because, at the present time, it was desirable that representatives should be returned who would have the confidence of the people. He would not then enter fully into the general principles he would support iv the Council, but he might state shortly that he believed it was possible to reduce the departmental expenditure of the County Government, arid that without injuring the efficiency of the departments, or reducing any individual salaries. He would call a public meeting to explain

the various reductions that might be carried out, and which, he considered would be beneficial to the whole Couuty. Unless something of that kind was done it would be found, impossible to carry out any public works whatever. At present the revenue of the County was not sufficient to enable the Government to meet the current expenses of the departments, and therefore no money would be available for public works. They aIL knew that the interests of the town and the whole district mainly dependent upon the carrying out of the public works, which would enable the miners to penetrate the County and bring to light its auriferous reserves, but this could never be done until the departmental expenses were : considerably reduced. He would take an early opportunity of addressing the electors. Mr Jakes Payne said he had been connected with Greymouth from its first settlement, and his public career was before .them. Hitherto he had taken an active part in every public movement — a most disinterested part, for he had received no benefit for himself, but only the gratitude of the people. He intended, if elected, not only to represent them, but to do it thoroughly and earne^ly, and to ■ allow no private considerations to interfere with their interests. He would not pledge himself to any particular line of policy, but would endeavor to forward the views of his constituents aslaidbefare him ; and he would be entirely guided by their wishes. — (Applause.) He intended next week to call meetings of the electors when he would enter into a full explanation of his views on public questions. A show of hands was then taken, with the following result : — Mr James Payne 38 Mr F. Guinness 37 Mr J. Kilgour 33. MrH. H. Lahman 29 Messrs Girdwocd and Parkinson demanded a poll on behalf of Mr H. H. Lahman. The Returning Officer announced that the poll would be taken at the Warden's Court, Greymouth, on Thursday, the Bth inst., from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mr Payne moved, and Mr Guinness seconded a vote of thanks to the Returning Officen