COUNTY COUNCIL ELECTION.

Manawatu Times, Volume III, Issue 4, 6 November 1878, Page 2

COUNTY COUNCIL ELECTION.

AWAUOU BIDING. Messrs. Dawsqn and TnrNNH, two of the candidates for the representation of. .the Awahou Biding m the County Council, addressed the m the Town Hall,' Foxton, on Friday 'night. There were fully -one hundred and fifty persons present, and Mf* Alexander Gray was called upon to preside. ... On taking the chair, Mr Gray suit) that he regretted he was placed m the awkward position of hating to preside, still if the meetings act&d fairly dhd impartially nis duties would be considerably lightened. As there were f our- candidates m. the- field, and as there were vacancies, for but two, it should "necessarily follow that while two i would be elected, two would be rejected. I He would therefore 4 ask. that all tho candidates should-' get fair pjay, and be allowed i to explain their views. *' He would first call upon 'Mr Dawsou to address the meeting. Mr Dawsox, who was well, received, said: Mr Chairman and -Geatlomen :. It' must be patent to all that it is most advisable that the electors should exercise great car* m returning a. representative that he should be one who would be able to work m unity; and harmony, m the Council It. might be remembered that for some time put there had been a strorg opposition, and although it was necessary to. have healthy Opposition as a safeguard for the publio wool, its beneficial effects were neutralised if it degenerated into a factious on*. I have -not bew accustomed to mote addresses, and it is possible you might return a member with more Bpeaking power, arid I may not' possess that power of speech of whioh some of the candidates could boast, but 'l wpuld ask you to remember that it U not always the dog with the loudest bark whioh could give the most severe bit. Then, again, objections hare been raised that I do not actually reside m the riding. But, gentle- ' men, what are those objections when they are analysed? Purely technical. There is no Actual separation ; the dividing line is purely imaginary; my iuterests are your interests ; your interests are my interests ; m fact, they are one. Mr Loudon on many occasions has referred to what he has done m the past. Why, gentlemen, Foxton •is perhaps one of the oldest -township on the West Coast — of nearly thirty years standing—and although that gentleman has been an old resident, it has been m a state of stagnation for years, and it is only within the last four years that it has made strides m commercial progress. Sut I will not refer further to the past, but rather explain ray intentions m the future, should you do me the honor to return', me. as your representative.- During the next . Station of the Couuoil there will be fin enormous tract of land lying between Foxton *Snd Paikakariki to be dealt with by the Government, and' upon whioh a large population will have to be settled. It will lie m the province of the Oounoil to advise theGovernment as to the best means to do so with general advantage, and if I am returned I will use my beat ende&vours to have the land opened- up on -deferred payment, and thus bring a large population into your midest. That step will be a benefit, inasmuch as it will be a stride iv the march of progress, for the. greater the population you introduce into your midst, the greater will be the commercial advancement and prosperity of the district. To bring this step about, the Government wilLhavo to be induced to introduce immigrants, and as new ehutns could .not go into and settle upon the' hush, it is paramount that it should be effected by- tho means I hare 'stated— deferred payment. The| sooner they are settled m your midst, the soonw will they beeotna sound colonists, and the sooner will the county rise m importance and wealth. Next, you have not hitherto had a fair share of the publio money spent m your midst, and if I am elected it will be my endeavor to have that omission rectified, so that .you will .ob- - tain you* proportion of the County land .revenue. > We; are t6ld, gentlemen, . that we live under the British Constitution, but it cannot- be denied that if mistakes are made they- are open to, and should be amended. . Wnat'lias opened up the back country but the sale of lands m this di«[triob, and therefore why should not this I County partake of the benefits and receive i a porportioa fit tht moltt ia whioh ib tui

been mainly .instrumental m accomplishing? 'I also feel tnat the inland road to Otaki want* opening up, and that is a work wtiich I wo"M support, as also the building of a brid oaorosa the Manawatu. With regard to. the main roads, I do not think it Mrtse to keep the money looked up, in-, stead of spending it upon bye roads. With* referenoe to the Sandon and Eoxton I think my opiuiona are too well-known to need my dwelling upon the matter. During the sitting of the Council the matter of the Weat Coast Railway will have to be dealt with, and certainly the body should use its influence to have a start made at the Foxton end. Next there is a wharf extension, and it will be found that before the Coun--1 oil is dissolved the' necessity of further enlargement will be made apparent, and it will be my duty to endeavor to advise the ! Government upon that point. It has been ! said that I am an outsider, but I will tell I you a little of what I have actually done m t the past— not promised— so you will see I have a watchful eye over your interests. About two years ago I went as a deputation to Wellington to see how the ridings of the County were to bo laid out. Upon interviewing Dr. Pollen I found that Sandon was cut out altogether-— left out ia the cold m fact. Sandon had no member, but was coupled with Palmerston. I . represented that you were the oldeafc Biding m the County, and consequently" . were ' fully entitled to two members, arid from haVmg' a general knowledge of the different points and bearings of the question, I had the boundary altered from what* they had been originally intended, and secured your two members for you. Considering the best way to keep Foxton as the Couuty town, 2 think it will -be necessary to havo permanent offices built, so that it.»w.Ul for ever sot at real the thoughts of removal, and. set the • seal on the present agreement of having Foxton the County town. If you return me I will be a strong advocate for that step, and it must be home m mind that while £360 will be spent m your midst, the charge will come out of the general revenue, consequently while you will be called upon to contribute only about £50, the other £250 will be spent amongst you. I think I have now expressed my views upon alllhe more prominent subjects which will come i before the Council, but if there bo anything I have omitted that I will?be happy to refer to it. . . . , The Chaibmin then asked if any elector present had any question to ask Mr Dawson, or whether it would not be better to reserve questions until after Mr Tbynne had spoken. As no', one- oame forward, Mr Gray took it for granted the latter course had been ao-> oepted, and called upon Mf Thtnnb, who said : Mr Chairman and Gentlemen : I beg to announce myself ai the— -or rather one of the— aristocratic candidates. I do not come forward as a simple Councillor,, but while speaking my utterances will be those of the County Chairman, and consequently will not take thosel partisan views which have been floating about. lam here to meet you at the end of my two yeara of office without . any charge as to the manner m which I have conducted the duties : but, Gentlemen, the coming election woiudappear to diverge somewhat from the ordinary course, and to all appearances the contest has narrowed itself down -not to measures, but men. I would m an especial manner appeal to you to exercise a scrupulous care m the selection of your future representatives. For the honor and preservation: of your- institution* it is most necessary that your choice should fall upon men of proved probity,, and integrity j men whose conduot^weve irreppjachable andwithout stain, for m another, Colony, the effects of an injudicious ruler jjrere exhibited 1 by' "the anarchy and confusion which had been the resulfc v . TJwre ajr© yereral iwrodidates from wb,6iri you may make your choice, but before^ doing so^before accordI ing your suppott-^jfc would| 06 'well, to coni sider the character and afadticV of those | who eolioifc ifc. Before bestowing your confidence upon those men, yqt* should remem--1 ber that you will elect them for three years, and 2t is impossible to say what matter* will have to be dealt with, which will Lara a vital importance upon'the prosperity or otherwise of the town. The first matter to be considered », where the" County town n to be. That is a matter that vitally effect a Horowhenua, Oroua, and Kawakawa, and I warn you that, unless you fttve united action you will certainly lose that vantage ground. By dissension you risk everything, and unless you return Mr: Dawson you will. loseaH the good things which are m store for you. Consider what was.-tlje character of the County Council ? and how necessary it was to keep up the reputation, for gentlemanly oonduot whiohhai hitherto characterised its proceedings. Every- riding had elected the best men, -and although there might be differences of ophion, fche discussions were always marked ly a courteous gentlemanly spirit. I cannot allow this opportunity to pass by withwit paying % tribute of respect to the mem>rj of the late Hector MoDonald, than whan the Council had no more upright honest, independent, and energetio member. The text representative to whom I -will refer is. Mr Liddell, — and although I suppose it rill be heresy to do so, I must also pay a trbute of praise to Mr Liddell. • That gentlenan while he was your representative strovehard to serve you to the best of his ability; but he had a trait m his character which '. regret is exceedingly rare — a sensifciveness>f disposition —and the moment you told hia that he was no good, he took you at your T ord and retired. It is a pity other geitlemen havo not a little of his failing, and hat they are so hard to take a hint. MrLoudon was the next man, and here I mus say that Mr Loudon at first was a good mf,and worked hard for the benefit of his ocistituents. I had a great deal to do m bringing Mr Loudon forward, supporting him, and eventually having him retilrietl. I could not do so now ; as I feel b would have neither voice, power, nor inluence m the Council. We oto 'not want aerely voting power; we want speaking, md that Mr Loudon should not make petensions to claim. I deeply regret haviig to say so. Up to a oertain point Mr Ludon was a good man and a 'useful merabrj but that time is past, and by his aot— ihioh it gives me pain to refer to — he has Ist his weight and influence and forfeited al confidence. I do not make those observatins from any party purpose or selfish end. . 3 consider the chief officer of a body should have implicit confidence m its members and servants ; that his opinion of their intefity should, be suoh that he could be able tiget up at any moment and defend them, The Clerk of the Courioil had been moat unjustly attaoked; I- would like to as] Mr Loudon, now, as I see he is present, Aether he will admit that my version, as togiving him a ehanoeof retraction, is correo or otherwise. Mr Lqodok did not undowand the question. • MrTHTNNR: Well, I amsorry to open up the.. old' wpnnd, but as Air Loudon has asserted that when he appeard m the Council Chamber, I jumped upon hn, and did not give him time for explanation » retraction, m justice to mysef I wish to red the following proof that he is m error. (Mr Thyune read a letter from Mjr Maouthur which stated that ample opportune/ had been' given Mr Loudon f or -relwaobin)* . Mr Loudon : I do not winlto contradict the statement. Sir ißimir Oh! I am rory gkd to *

hear it, for I have a very hard task to steer clear of the quicksands. There are two of the Opposition candidates present, and there are also three of my old colleagues here. I Now, I would like to ask them if there is ' any truth m the statement made by Dr. Bockstrow, that I drove them from the Council by my sarcastic conduct ? Dr. Rockstbow : No ; no I Mr Thtsnk : Oh, well I am thmkful for the admission, but I think Mr RockstroV had better wait a little while, and not speakon the spur of the moment. Before Dr. Rookstrow had entered the Council everything was working harmoniously, and tho interests of the 4 County as a whole were studied and advanced. It is true that one time there was a difference with Feilding, when that township vat agitating for separation, and m fact, was so sure of having sucoeeded m its object, that ohampagne was flowing freely m oelobrafion of the victory ; but I am happy to say that the victory was an imaginary one, as the separation never was effected. A short time since I was seated efi a festive board m Feilding, and Mr Halsombe, the prime agent m the separation matter, not only proposed sucooss to the County, but I belief e is at tho present time gkd that he was not siu'oessful m his attempt at separation. I luusb refer with gratitude to the very few scrapes into which I was led during my tenure of office ; and us a proof of tbe confidence reposed m me I have only to refer to the fact that after my first twelve months of office hod expired, I was again re-elected to the Chairmanship. Formerly the efforts of the Counoil to obtain the services of an engineer were nullified through petty jealousy ■between the different governing bodies m the County. This, I am now pleased to say, has all passed away, and at the present time they* are all working m unison and harmony for the advancement of the general 'good, having received the services of an able engineer. The next matter to which I must allude is the division of the land revenue refund, and while I say that I do not hold with the scheme of bestowing the funds m the ridings m which the money is raised, the step v one which should remove all objection to Mr Dawson on account of non-residency. I know that there are plenty of gentlemen m your midst quite capable and adequate te be your representative ; but it must be remembered that it is not always the most fitting who will be able to secure the greatest support ; and that is j reason why none of my hearers should feel offended at my support of Mr Dawson, for ■ I feel that the majority will rather vote for him than any gentleman m your midst. I know Mr Dawson pretty well, and I feel convinced that it would not require a very strong expression of opinion to guide him as to his action. A hint that he was not required would be quite sufficient to induce him to retire— (Mr DAvmw ; Certainly). Gentlemen, I warn you that if you do not return proper representatives you will waken up to find. Fcxton no longer the County town, and so surely as that comes to pass so surely will you loss your local paper, and then I pity you indeed. You ought to congratulate- yourself upon having a Press whioh jealously watchea jour interests, more so by far than your member ; and it now remains with yourself whether you are to retain it or not m the future^ It keeps a keen look-out upon every matter of moment to you, as witness the, able article m. this day's issue. Some of my friends have been pleased to say that tile public money has been wasted, but I am happy to say that suoh is not the correct state of the case, inasmuch as the returns with regard to the ferries exhibit- that what used to he a loss is now a source of revenue. Dr. ftockstrow has made a great deal of capital out of his having . secured the vote of £100 for the Motoa road ; but it must be conceded that nxj -^pposition to the ' matter was. purely from principle when it is borne m mind that the rood upon which the money was to be spent, was leading to my' property. Looking to the future, I think Mr D*wson has given you a rer/r clear sketch of t he programme to be carried out. Speaking of the past, while it should be admitted that the management of the fcrriea has not been altogether satisfactory., its shortcomings cannot be laid, at the door of the County Council,, but rather to the Government m plaoing the lives and safety of the public m inadequate hands, but I hope daring my next tenure of offic* to see all the difficulties overooma, and their control placed upon a sounder principle. One little point more. With regard to Main street, near Mr Cook's property the road was one chain and a quarter instead of a chain and a half, and it was proposed to alter that and make the place the one width down to London's corner. The next point was, the furtherance of Sandon Railway, and I think I may say I have not been idle m that matter. Although some might differ upon minor points, it was satisfactory to know that upon • question of suoh vital moment there was the most harmonious unity ; and I', am pleased; that a railway is ii> cotffcanaplation m Feilding to tap the Kimbolton road. The Governraeut were repeatedly seeking the advice and suggestions of the County Cquncil, and hence it could be seen t hut it was allimportant, that there should be those m office whose opinions would carry weight, and whose suggestions would be likely to receive consideration. I would be m favor of theereotUn of a signal-station at Foxton, so as to communicate with the pilot station at the Heads. At a previous meeting of. the Council, Councillor SJanson had moved that the sum of £300 be Toted f»r the erection of County offices, at Foxton, on oertain conditions, and I am now pleased to be able to state that; tbe Government have granted & valuable piece of land at a peppercorn rent for twenty : one years. The Ohairhan said that Messrs. Thynne and. Dawson were now trilling to. answer any questions put to them, whenMr LotmoN oame forward and said, you have all listened to the very brilliant -speeches to whioh you have been, treated, and heard from the candidates, not only what thoy had done m the past, but what they were willing to do m the future— if they got the ohanoe. Before making any remark;* I wish to ask Mr Dan son a few questions. Did you say that you would oppose the Sandon railway, if the map ot rates was carried out as fixed P Mr Dawson : I did at first say that I would oppose it, as I consider it most unfairly struck. For instance Taikorea. whioh was nothing but a mass o£ drifting sand, was rated the same as land which would yield forty bushels, while it would not give forty bushels m forty years. .- = ... Mr t»oTn>ON : If you happen to be defeated at the election will yoa still oppose it.'' . . I Mr Dawson : I will not answer the | quention. There is no question m it. I Mr Loudon : Very well, Sir, I will I not press the matter, as I see it is disagreeable. Now for Mr Thynne. Gentlemen; you hare heard the grand display of oratory* the great «tres» laid upon the value of integrity by Mr Tnynne, and the statement that you should be most careful m the matter of- your- selection of a representative. I now vrinh to ask that conscientious gentleman, if he is prepared to asl hiai•elf ug «■ Mi exjunpk of aw**! integrity,

or submit himself for fetation on those grounds P Mif TkrKKB : I bare no words to express my indignation at the impertinence of the question. Mr IiWDOX— WiII Mr Thynne be kind enough to state whether, on the' 23rd of October, he received two case 3 -^one for^Mr 0. J. Cullum and one for. htmself-Kho whole freight on the twft btnns os fld. Whether he oharg«d Mr Cullum the whole of the os tid, thereby getting his own case free ; farther if in-, side of his ease there were three parcels — one for Manson, oTic for Metard, and one for Mr Bradley—to eaoh of whom he oharged 4s, thus getting his own parcel free, and making a clear profit of twelve shillings out of the transaction. Mr Thynne s Mr London asks me whether on a certain day I made a profit of twelve shillings or not. May be I did, and may be I did not. It is mare than possible I did, as I make a great many twelve shillings. Mr Loctdox : Is Mr Thynne aware that the whole nuilter is ftt present undergoing investigation at tho hands of the General Manager ? .Mr Thynnb : JNo, I am not. Mr Loudon : Well, I am. But as it is a tender subject I will not press it further until the result is known. Some people can succeed on talking a good deal, and really saying nothing. Mr Dawson with, characteristic presumption, has claimed credit for ha ring prevailed upon Dr. Pollen to alter the boundaries of the ridings, bat Mr Dawson had never thought out that scheme — he was merely one of a number who constituted the deputation. It was spught to make little of the fact that Mr Dawson was not resident of the riding, but I hold that it is of the gravest importance he should reside m it, m order to exercise due care over its m terests. I believe lam correct m say- ' ing that Mr Dawson does not own one pound's worth of property m the riding— (Mr Dawson (emphaticaly) : Yes 1 do.) . I am delighted to hear it. For the purest specimen of presumption and egotism commend mo to Mr Thynne's speech. According to that modest gentleman if he was »ot placed m the County ohairruin and desolation would be the result. He imagined himself the guardian of Foxton by right divine ; and he alone was there capable of conserving its interests. Well, I propose to show you the reverse of the picture, and to make clear to you the self devotion and sacrifice which he has practised to now claim your support. Mr Xhynne woujd never have put himself forward for the County Council, only with the hope of getting the £150 salary; Mr Thynne refused to have connection with the Local Board, unless asclerk with a paid stipend ; and even m the matter of the Sandon Hail way he exhibited his unseemly selfishness m making a snatch at the loaves and fishes. The little business was so arranged that MrThynue was to receive j £25 for showing the line of railway, and | although I remonstrated against Foxton j being permitted to be indentified with ! a work which should hare been oalled for by tendjer, I was overruled, and then I acted m what Mr Thynne would aall a "graceful" manner, and gave way. When passing his colleagues before him m reviaw, Mr Tiijmns had eulogised both Itfesara HTeetorMoDoaaid and Mr Liddell. On thnt particular matter he was at one -with him. Mr Liddell was a good man, but there was such a thing as being too good,, for his, unsuspioious nature did not lead him to keep a sharp eye after Mr Thynne when he. was deck to the Local Board, and when he did not see that he properly did the? work for which he received payment. By the culpableconduot of the clerk the rates had not been collected, money had been lost to the town, tUo streets had been left unimproved and were gradually, being blown away. Mr Thynne lias done his lev*l best to blacken me,,and to paint m glowing colors the enormity or my transgression. I do not plead goodness- ; I freely admit I did an injudicious action; but m making the admission a full reparation was done, and it left no ill effects behind it. No lasting injury was- done ; and it did not hinder your prosperity. With him, however, it was otherwise ; £600 was lost to the revenue through Mr Thynne's mismanageof the books. I ask you, therefore, is such a man a fit representative on the score of ability or reliability? I ask you is he possessed of that moral rectitude and high-minded integrity of which we have heard so much, and seen so little ? X Ba J no > gentlemen j emphatic calty, no ! We are m a Maelstrom of corruption, and before we can hope to effect any good we must purge- tho political atmosphere- of the- putridity by which we are enveloped. We must not have candidates who will pull the one against the other. A good deal has been said by the previous speakers with regard to what they will do about the wharf, the railway, and other kindred subjects. These promises,, gentlemen, are mere claptrap, inasmuch as the matters are entirely m the hands of the Government. The very resolutions about which I have had such trouble dealt with not only those but a refund of the land revenue ; and had your energetio Chairman only done his duty unsought, I would have been saved not only a deal of regret, but it is more than possible they would have borne f ruit long before now. I may tell .yon, gentlemen, that whether I am returned or not, I shall still continue to work for Foxton. l^>ssibly^ my reason may be a selfish one ; but it is because as my interests all lie here, I cannot afford to do otherwise. But I charge you to consider well Jf you would be acting wisely to return your former chairman, if it can be proved that he is guilty of the disreputable practice with which I have taxed him. I have been repeatedly asked by consignees up-country the reason of the exorbitant charges made for parcels. If Mr Thynne has done these things, he has done more to damn the Port of Foxtoo than the deadliest scheme its bitterest enemy could have devised. If you think the nature of tha act I have committed is such thatray atonement has not washed it out ; if you feel that you could not have confidence m me m the future, pray do not elect me ; but no matter what may be yo.ur decision, it will not prevent me still advancing as far m me lies the prosperity of the riding. Much has been said at a previous meeting about a certain resolution, and- 1 was* com- : ptUed to toll J&Dun Gray 4nd Dawsoa

that tlwy sroro telling a deliberate falsehood, knowing it to, be nnt roe. Well, I now hold m- my hand the proof of my word* : the very identical resolution with Mr Gray's handwriting to. star* him m the face. I now hand it to Mr Dawsou to examine and say whether ifc bears Mr Gray's handwriting or not? ' . "•. - .^ Mr Dawson (affcey looking at thedocument): I don't know. I can't say^ Mr-iot7DoN : I now pass- it to Mr Qr%y. Perhaps he Vtill recognise it. Mr Dawson : Don't take it r Gray,. You're chairman. Mr Gray (nervously, but with s sigh of reliof) .* Y»s, that is— no— -I won* take it — I'm chairman. Mr Loudon: Very well, gentlemen. There is the document, which speaks for itself and proves who told the truth. Dr. Bockstsow said he had not gone to the meeting prepared to address it. , However, through the courtesy of i Messrs Thynne and Dawson he had been granted an opportunity, and he . would avail himself of it. Ho should' congratulate Mr Dawson upon having made an excellent.sp eech, but still Mr Dnwson was not going to be returned. With regard to Mr Thynne, he was an excellent chairman, but he was the very incarnation of .selfishness. Mr Thynne made a great display of independence when he opposed the vote for the Hotoa road, asserting that he op. iposed.it bn principle,. but strange to say, he sacrificed his principle m voting' for the £30 for tho! Cemetery road, m order to put himself right with the? electors, and coutiteraot what he was pleased to call " Dr. Roekst row's claptrap." Fie was placed. at a disadvantage m his treatment by the local Press. Mr Thtnnb briefly replied to th» charges made against him by Mr Loudon, boldly asserting that there was not; a particle of truth m them. Ho further I argued his fitness for the position of chairman on account of the success of his business transactions, stating that it was a guarantee of hi* influence, and consequently could afford to smile at petty traders. . A vote of thanks to the chairinani terminated the proceedings.