MAYORAL ELECTION.

Motueka Star, Volume II, Issue 72, 22 April 1902, Page 3

MAYORAL ELECTION.

The meeting called last night by Mr W. J. Moffatt, in fux-therance of his candidature for the Mayoralty, was numei-ously attended. The chair was occupied by Mr Knapp, who bespoke a faix* and patient heax-ing for the candidate.

Mr Moffatt stated that he was a candidate for the civic chair and that his opponent was Mr Wratt, against whom he had no personal feeling whatever, and with whom he hoped to shake hands at the close of the contest. His reason for contesting the seat was that he considex-ed he had a claim on the ratepayex-s, having been associated with leading reforms for some years past, and he had no reason to believe he had forfeited their esteem, especially as he had served them in the past to the best of his ability, and would do so again. After referring to the pax-t taken by him in the constitution of the Borough, the speaker detailed the efforts made by him to secure the salt water mudflat on behalf of the Borough. At the time he was laughed at and told the scheme was impx-acticable, but the member for the district had sup-poi-ted the scheme, which he suggested should be cari-ied out at the expense of Government. Some day it would be taken up by the Wharf Board and the reclamation cari-ied out. With x-egard to the stonebi-eakei- it had been said he was wholly and solely responsible fox* its purchase. He certainly voted in favor of it, along with other Councillors, but he was not wholly to blame for its acquirement ; and he still believed it would pi-ove a wise investment for the Borough. They bad recently opened in their midst an institution of the highest value to the district and an important factor in its advancement namely the High School. He did not claim the credit for it, but the Mayor said its establishment was due to his efforts. In the Dix-ect Steam Sex-vice question he had first brought it for-wai-d at a 'meeting of fruit growers ; it was then taken up by the member for the district, when everyone 'said it was a good thing and at no distant date it would ‘be an established fact. Mr Moffatt also detailed the steps taken in connection with the local wharf and harbor, the meetings held, the visit of Messrs Hursthouse and Rankin to Nelson in connection thex-ewith, and the passing of the Act constituting the Whax-f Board. Thx-oughout the whole of the proceedings and also during the newspaper-controvei-sy he was particu-' larly cautious in view of inputations that might be levelled against him because he had a relative on the wharf. Credit had been given him for the part he took by those who were now opposing his candidature; their chief argument against him was that as Mayor he would have a seat on the Wharf Roard. He favor-ed increasing the number of mmbers on the Board and if Mr Me Kenzie gives effect to the wishes of the distx-ict he will move in that direction ; and also make it an elective body. If that was done the effect would be to materially lessen his poweron the Boax-d, and do away with that argument. Some had said it was most undesirable to have him as Mayor with a seat on the Boai-d when his father as wharfinger but the ax-gu-rnent did not apply, and he instanced parallel eases to prove his assertion. He had no desire to be on the Wharf Board, but he did want to be Mayor. He had no logs to roll, no ends to serve ; his hands were clean and so

was the name of Moffatt, and they knew it. He wanted to serve them and to have their confidence and esteem. The objection that he was too young was ridiculous ; why three years ago they gave him 165 votes when a candidate for the House, a much more

important position than the present; he trusted they would show their confidence in him on the 30fch. Mr Moffatt spoke of the alleged combination to bring about his defeat; he did not know the reason of it and would like to know. If they decided against him he would still give Mr Wratt every possible assistance in Council matters. He had been told that if elected certain Councillox-s were going to resign as a px-otest. If the burgesses bad made a mistake and elected men without backbone, it was time to look l’ound for better men; the same pex-sons were active in saying that if he was elected the rates would be doubled. Finally the speaket- asked them to repose confidence in him by electing him Mayor.

The chairman said Mr Moffatt would he glad to answer any questions put. There being no response, the meeting closed at 9 o’clock with votes of thanks to the speaker and chaix-man.