GREY COUNTY ELECTIONS.

Kumara Times, Issue 2560, 18 November 1884, Page 2

GREY COUNTY ELECTIONS.

According to announcement, Mr Patrick Foley, several years a member of the Grey County Council and again a candidate for election for the representation of the Ilohonu Riding, addressed the electors last night at Westbrook. There were some twenty-five to thirty persons present, amongst whom we observed three other candidates—Mr Nicholas, for Hohonu ; and Messrs Warren and Keenan, candidates for the Marsden Riding. Mr Wm. Costello was called to the chair, and briefly introduced the Hohonu candidate.

Mr Foley said he did not think it necessary for him to say much; he was in constant communication with the ratepayers, and when anything concerning county matters was asked for by them he always attended to their requests. Complaints had been made that maintenance contracts were not let. He thought the Council better able to maintain roads by day labour; it was found by the Council to be the cheapest way. With regard to roads and tracks he did not think any new ones were required at the present time. But if a new rush broke out no doubt the Council would, as it had always done, facilitate access thereto. The widening of the Greenstone to Special Settlement track, Teremakau, was no doubt required, and, if elected, he would urge on the Council the necessity of this work being carried out. Whatever he saw necessary, he reported to the Road Overseer, and the works were faithfully executed. He had represented the district some thirteen years, in the Road Board and County Council. One of his first actions of service was to get a road made from Greenstone to RevelTs Terrace, Maori Point, which cost about £7OO. A rush set in a few days after, so that the road proved of good service. The second section of the contract was not let; Mr Bonar put his veto on it; the Board, too, was then in debt. But the Special Settlement track was eventually made; and no doubt it would soon be widened into a dray road. He was in favour of the Council assisting prospecting more than it had hitherto done, thereby encouraging miners, for it was generally believed there was much ground in the district that would pay to work it. He approved of procuring a boring machine, with the view of testing the ground; the Council to employ a man to attend the machine, and give £1 a week to men to assist in working. He had no wish to say anything disparaging of his opponent (Mr .Nicholas), but he must assert that the County Council was a clique. He (Mr Foley) disapproved of the system of bondsmen, and, if reelected, would do his best to do away with that system. Mr Foley here quoted some figures showing the County’s income and expenditure for the last three years, during which he stated that under the Crown Bands Rating Act the Westland County derived five times as much land revenue as the Grey County. Bridges in the county were a very expensive item, and cost much for repairs. He concluded

by remarking that if the electors again returned him to the Council, he would do his best for the district. He had only missed attending one meeting of the Council during the eight or nine years he had been their representative. On Wednesday next lie hoped they would put the best man in.—[Applause.] In answer to a question by Mr James Nicholas, Mr Foley stated that the County had jeceived £125 from the Special Settlement, six to nine months ago. Mr Joseph Carey then moved that Mr Patrick Foley is a fit and proper person to represent the Hohonn Riding in the County Council of Grey. The motion was seconded by Mr Power, and carried unanimously.

A vote of thanks to the chairman concluded Mr Foley’s meeting. After which, the same chairman presiding, Mr John Warren, who has been several years a member of the Council, addressed the meeting as a candidate for the representation of Marsden. There were several electors present from Cape Terrace, which, being on the north side of the Greenstone Creek, lies within the boundary of the Marsden Riding. As Mr Warren is at present holding the post of Grey County Treasurer, he was able to give interesting information relative to county finances which the old members of the Council, he said, had the credit of bringing to the satisfatcory state they were now in. For two years he was persistent in advocating the construction of the track to Cameron’s, which the Council eventually acceded to. He might mention that during the parliamentary recess, the present Government intended to introduce a system giving to local bodies enlarged powers, therefore it was advisable that experienced men should be returned,—[Applause]. On the motion of Mr Duncan Fisher, seconded by Mr E. Bohan, a resolution that Mr Warren was a fit and proper person to represent the Marsden Riding was unanimously carried. Another vote of thanks was given to the Chairman by acclamation. After which, Mr Keenan, the new candidate for Marsden, made a somewhat lengthy speech in vindication of his former statements, and the meeting then broke up.