THE BOROUGH ELECTIONS.

Manawatu Times, Volume III, Issue 97, 14 September 1878, Page 2

THE BOROUGH ELECTIONS.

At no time siv^ce the proclamation &f Palmerston as a Borough has the election for vacancies to the Council caused so much j excitement as. those which were filled_ on_ ■ Thursday. Although Mr Coleman had been tho only one who had issued an address to ■ the electors, the other candidates were not , without supporters and workers for their - interests. jDjUring . ..the -,- earlier j portion of the day matters were rather qidel, but [later on, however, little knots of ratepayers 'might have been, seen together manipulating -"sweeps," and "doubles," and "trebles" upon the result. Generally speaking the , betting was equally divided m favor of King ; and Ferguson, second place being between Coleman and.: Walton, but there were- not a .few who pinned their faitli to Gatton, and wore not afraid to back tiieit* .opinion, Mr Coleman had engaged Goocfisson's cab for the occasion, which was made conspicuous "by the erection from the roof of a large (lag, which, waved gracefully behind it. i/Ilie result was not miadc known until shortly : after seven o'clock, when, to the surprise of most people, Mr' Coleman, headed tlip poll, King following, but nine behind -. Walton third, seven behind King; and Ferguson fourth, with nine votes less, than Walton. Gut ton evidently had had very little show, the lowest successful-candidate being twei^P' three ahead. Ci>nsid_riiig,"however, that ne was but a comparative stranger m the town, it speaks well for the estimation i a which lie was held that he should have secured such a large. number of. voles, and augurs 'well for his success should he again, when better known, seek municipal honors. Long 'before the .scrutineers had finished their ! (labors, the entrance to. t-he'Council Chambers Jiwas blocked up with persons anxious to 'know the result, and wpoivjhe door being I "thrown open, a perfect scramble for position took place. The Reluming Officer, Mr R. j" 4 "*. Keeling, then declared tlie-- following :— Sylvester Coleman 84 Thomas King.... „......■ „. ,y?5 Thomas Walton '.'.; ... '*6S Alexander Ferguson ... 59 Charles Gatton . .-..' ......;•. 3.6 The four first were, therefore, declared duly elected. Gulls being. then. -made ••£_■ Coleman, . Cr. Coleman cam© forward and said : Gcntlemeri,-— -I' will say but one- 'or two words, but if I were to say a thousand they could not ;eonvey more .strongly, my thanks or sense of gratitude for tho' honor you have conferred upon mo. For the second time you Iwiveipljiced: m.eat the head of the poll, and as I talce this as a convincing proof that I possess the confidence and esteem of tho ratepayers, I am" -proud of- the honor. I did not, nor do not, seek to represent any clique or party.: I represent, tl*e IJorough — the people,— and, geriileihen, "wlfeh I feel that I cannot consistently adhere to that course, I will- place ray resignation m your hinds. I would like to sco whatever little differences may Jhaye existed .m. the past between different sections' of "-lie- borough, set aside. I would like to see the Terrace End and the West" J2nd one. end.-pririj fncj; for the two ends to mcct — let them* unite- far- the common weal and progress of the whole town, and £ -pledge' myself thatithere shall be nothing wanting upon my part to effect such an .object. I .will exerc'se whatever little abilities I may be possessed of to accomplish that. I have no object to g;iin m tho Council be-yPn:*l. serving the-town, and as I have before stated, when I find that Ucimnot. consistently, and independently do that, I will place my resignation m your hands. I will not detain you longer. I cannot express my feelings of gratitude for the 'great honor yon have bestowed upon me m placinjr me at the top of the poll ; and I will wind-up by hoping that when I come before you again, and you have had time to judge of my conduct, your verdict upon my , actions will be the same as to-night, and I may then, as now, receive such a flattering and substantial! proof of your confidence, esteem, aud approval. (Cheers). Cr. Kixo was next called for, and m reply siid that he would be very brief m his remarks. He thanked them most heartily for- having placed him second on the poll — a position whioh he neither expected nor aspired to. It. was tho first time he had sought the honor, and he could not but feel gratifieit at the result. He freely placed his services and poor abilities at the disposal of the ratepayers, they had accepted them.; and he promised that, so far as ho nva3 'concerned, he was determined they would never have reason to regret their confidence. (" Hear, hear," and cheers). Cr. FEitGTfso-** said that he had to thank those of the ratepayers who had supported him. In fact, m his own opinion, he considered lie was deserving of but little support, inasmuoh as on the last election lie had riot been present, and on this he had taken no trouble and had not canvassed for a vote. His time was pretty well occupied iv providing bread for the mouths of his juvenile*!, and he thought he wa3 more *n.?tifii»d m attending to them than to public waLters. Still, v, the ratepayers ho.d. elected

him to represent them, he would not be j . found wanting or neglectful m his duty. He thought he had a pretty fair share of common sense — (Mr GooDisaON : " You're^ a good me.«ber!") — I know. that. There jvere times for all things/ .There were times for talking, and' as m future the meetings of the Council would be held m a place where the public would be able to .be present, they would have an opportunity Of -judging whether he was true to his tyust, — (Mr Goodisson : " You're a good "member .")— I know that._ (Cheers). Cr. Walton was then called for, but as he was not present, Or. Kino said he knew that Mr Walton had intended to be present ; but as he was not, he would take the. opportunity of returning thanks on his belialf/and ho trusted if he did- so briefly it would not be attributed to want of warmth of feeling. (Hear, hear). Mr Gatton said that though defeated, he was not cast down, as he had scarcely expected any other result. He was comparatively a stranger, and ho was somewhat surprised that he should have secured so many votes on that account. He heartily thanked those gentlemen who had accorded him their*; support,^and- hoped^tc>be moresuccessful upon' a future .(An Elector : " Right you are, old man.") He had great pleasure, m moving a vote of thanks to the Returning Officer. ' Cr. Coleman seconded the- resolution, which was carried unanimously, and the . proceedings terminated. " > - '■■