MUNICIPAL BY-ELECTION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1099, 21 September 1912, Page 3

MUNICIPAL BY-ELECTION.

DR. ADAMS RETURNED. The by-election to fill the vacancy on the local Borough Council, caused by the resignation of Cr, Adams, took place yesterday. Despite the very unfavourable weather 298 electors recorded their votes. The result, which was awaited by a fairly numerous crowd, was declared by the Returning Officer at about hall-past seven, and was as follows: — Adams ... 215 Read ... 79 Informal ... .1

After the declaration oi the poll the successful candidate returned thanks for the honourable position in which the electors had placed him. He paid a tribute to the very clean manner in which the election had been fought by his opponent and said his one regret was that they could not both have been returned.

Mr H. Huntley asked the newly elected Councillor why he resigned. Cr Adams said he had endeavoured to explain his reasons for tendering his resignation at the time, but the meeting was discourteously closed in his face. He was of opinion that Council business was not conducted as it should be and his resignation was in the form of a protest. He, as a representative ot the people, had been refused the opportunity of explaining his position and he did not consider it was fair to the people who put him there that he Should have his hands tried in that manner. A matter that he considered had not been dealt with in a constitutional way was the question in connection with the gas works. A letter had been received from the Mayor of Levin inviting members ot the Foxton Council to inspect the Levin works. He received no notice of the proposed inspection and therefore bad no opportunity of being present. He knew nothing of the matter until several days after when it was brought before the Council. He did not know why he had not been noli bed o; the proposed inspection a-.u r.oiua therefore only assume that the reason of it was because his views on the gas works question were opposed to the views of those who visited Levin. Another reason for his resignation was because a large amount of the Council business was discussed prior to meetings and some Councillors consequently came to the table with biassed minds and were therefore not able to deal with the business on its merits. He was inclined to agree with' one ot the writers in the Press, that the Council was a YesNo, If-But-Council. Farther, matters dealt with at the Council table were often voted on — not on the merits, but on personal grounds. In some cases when matters were brought up some Councillors did not record their votes either for or against, on the merits, but supported or opposed motion because it had been brought forward by a certain Councillor. He did not consider that sufficient consideration was given by some Councillors to matters brought forward, and instanced the case of where a motion had been moved in connection with getting a guarantee of the removal of temporary buildings at the expiry of the term. This motion, although brought forward to safeguard the ratepayers interests, was thrown out practically without consideration.

Cr Whihley asked Cr Adams to give his reasons for disfranchising the electors in connection with the motion regarding the granting of the hall to the Horticultural Society.

Cr Adams said he had declined to vote on this question because the motion was really out of order. The meeting at which it was brought forward was a special one called for the purpose of receiving a deputation from the Horticultural Society and discussing matters in connection with the gas works. A petition was also presented asking that certain privileges should be granted to the Horticultural Society. The Standing Orders of the Council distinctly provided that all petitions brought forward at a meeting should lay on the table until the following meeting when they would receive consideration. This procedure was not followed in the case under review and the motion in connection with it was therefore out of order. He had asked to have the petition read but his request had been refused.

Mr Hennessy pointed out that the motion was in reply to a request of a deputation. Cr Adams said that although the deputation had been received their requests were not considered and the motion dealt with the petition. He concluded by again thanking the electors lor returning him.

Mr S. Read also returned thanks to those who supported him. He said he had been rather unfortunate in having Dr. Adams as an opponent, but prior to the announcement of the candidature of Dr. Adams, he (Mr Read) had signified his intention of contesting the seat and be did not consider it right to afterwards retire. The result of the election had shown that Dr. Adams was the best man. It was the first time he had aspired to municipal life, but perhaps at some future time he would again offer his services.

Both candidates were loudly cheered.