CITY ELECTION.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 269, 8 November 1873, Page 2

CITY ELECTION.

The nomination of candidates for the representation of the City took place at noon yeßterday. Lowther Broad, Esq., the Returning Officer, having read the writ,' Mr Sharp said that it afforded him much pleasure to propose Mr Alfred Greenfield, u gentleman who for a Jong series of years had faithfully served the people in the Provincial Council. There waß a long list of candidates, and Ibe electors need not be ashamed of any one of them, but they would suffer a great Joes if Mr Greenfield, whose experience was so large, were not returned. He himself had been on the Executive, and although he and the Provincial Secretary hdd occasionally differed, he bad always found that his opinion had not been arrived at without much earnest attention, and a desire to promote the welfare of the province and city. However much the, cry might be raised that the whole cf the Executive

should bo swept away, he felt quite suit; that Mr Greenfield's absence woul.l be severely felt,, bs, he was possessed of a large fuDd of information with regard to all matters pertaining to the affairs of the province. He felt a sincere pleasure in proposing him. Mr C. 'Frank seconded the nomination. Mi* Robertson proposed Mr Robert Burn, ono who had already proved himself a most useful member, aDd had consistently advocated all measures for the benefit of the province. Mr Moutray seconded the nomination. Mr A. S. Collins proposed Mr Acton Adams, iu whose favor it was unnecessary to say much. He had known him a long time, and had benefited by his professional skill, ability, and honesty of purpose. He had already fakeu a high stand in the Council, and given much attention to public affairs. It was mainly owing to him that the Education Act had not been spoiled, and he had also proved an in- . valuable member of the Inland Communication Committee. He was a gentleman of independent means, possessed of considerable ability and general knowledge, and was also a good speaker, and he was sure would make a most useful member. Mr Field seconded (he nomination. Air D. Burns proposed Mr Rout. Mr Akersten seconded him. He was a man of considerable intelligence, and had taken a prominent part ou the Inland Communication Committee. Mr Akeraten proposed Mr J. R. Hooper, who had already proved himself a faithful servant, and rendered considerable service on the Board of Works. He would not be always up and down like a jack-in-the-box, but would work well for them in the Carfnciir Mr John Graham seconded the nomination. Mr Sclanders had very great pleasure in proposing Mr Pitt, a gentleman well and favorably known to them all. An intelligent and energetic man of business, he was always prepared to devote his services to the public welfare. He could benr testimony to his assiduity and zeal as a member of the Inland Communication Committee, where by his readiness and shrewdness he had rendered the greatest assistance to the deputations appointed by that body to confer with the General Government. He was possessed of a large share of that useful commodity, common sense, and in the consideration of every measure would thoroughly sift it before giving it his support. Mr Levestam seconded Mr Pitt who, he believed, would be a great acquisition to the Council, where men of intelligence nnd energy, such as be, were much wanted. Mr W. Harley was about to propose one hitherto untried in politics, but who always kept a watchful eye on public affairs as shown by tbe little articles he occasionally wrote fo the papers. He had jiot been a member of the Inland CommaTiication Committee, which was trotted out rather too much as a hobby-horse, and used as a stepping stone to office, but he was a thoroughly practical and honest man, and one who would reflect great credit on those who elected him. Mr Haddow seconded Mr Levestam, who was a man of sound practical experience, and would be of use and ornament to tbe Council. He hoped he would be placed, if not at the head, at least not, nt the bottom of the poll. There being no further nominations, the Returning Officer called upon Mr Greenfield, who said that as he had so long had the honor of being a member of the Council his actions were pretty well known to all, and he would therefore addres3 them very briefly on some of the most important measures likely to come before tbe Council. To a loan for public works ho was decidedly favorable, as the ordinary revenue was far from sufficient for the carryiug out of many needful works, nor would he neglect the interests of the City iu apportioning the expenditure. A new wharf was much wanted, as was an increase of the frontage of the road at the wharf, and both those works would be reproductive, The railway he had always supported, and he would not rest in his endeavors until it was completed, but in the meantime he wished to see a good coach road through the interior. The attention of the Government might ba advantageously devoted to Collingwood, to assist private enterprise in developing the minerals. Of the Education Act he would say that he had opposed, and always would do eo, the attempt to increase the rate, as, to render it self supporting, it must be at least doubled, and this, he felt sure, would lead'. to a break down of the system, He would rather see 'some of the minor public works suffer than the education system. He would only state further that, if reelected, he would always do the best in his power for the Province and City. Mr Burn came before them with some confidence to seek re-election. He had already taken, an active interest in all measures calculated to advance the pro-

'viuce, and had devoted special Jittentioa to the cause of education, the promotioa of which, ho was prepared to say, should be "a first charge 'on the Stale." He was strongly in favor of a loan for public works, and believed if £300,000 had been borrowed for railway purposes when first proposed, the province would now be in a very different state. He liad been in favor of a Harbor Beard, but when the question was before tbe Council, there was a doubt how the necessary money was to be raised, and it was thought unadvisable to raise the harbor, pilotage, nnd light dues, and therefore it would be better to postpone it for a year. He had always done his best for the people, and was prepared to do so aguic, giving hia vote without fear or favor. Mr Haddow : Do you recollect taking action ia asking the Government to undertake the gasworks ? Mr Burn : I do. Mr Haddow :— Do yon know the amount spent upon them ? Mr Butn : No. Mr Haddow : Why did you oppose tbe Board of Works taking the 'gets ? Mr Burn : I asked the Government to undertake the work because I believed there would soon ba a Municipality, end that tbe gas would be handed overdo them, and they woulu supply it cheaper and so save the pockets of the ratepayers. I opposed the Board taking the gas because I thought tbe Government were asking too much for it. Mr Acton Adams, like many others, had entered into local politics in the way of business. Had affairs been better managed by the Government he would not have done so, but althongh we had plenty of minerals only waiting to be got at, a perfect fog of depression had hung over the place" threatening to smother us in our beds. It was to assist to blow this fog away that he had come forward at the beginning of the year, and he could take credit to himself for the part he had taken id Inland Communication, and, in connection with Mr Shephard, in getting the railway resolutions passed through tbe Council, with the unanimity for which Mr Vogel had bargained. With ie*ard to the Education Act, he nriu'ht say that ho had been the means of placing in it a clause providing for the use of the school rooms being granted for religious teaching after schqof, and that, he thought, would have a good effect as it was scarcely sufficient to leave such an important element in the teaching of children to the Sunday schools. He thought the subject of the Harbor Board did not receive the attention it demanded in the Council. A Select Committee had been appointed on the motion of the Pro- [ vincial Secretary, but following the action for which the Government was distinguished, it did not see the necessity for a change in the administration of the harbor affairs. There was a valuable property between high and low water mark that might be reclaimed, and money borrowed upon it, without interfering with the ordinary revenue, money which should be admin istereil by those who conducted that special work. There must be a thorough change in the policy of the Provincial Government if the' province was not to remain behind the others in the race of progress- The survey for tbe Foxhill and Brunnerton line, for_which a sum of money\had been voted by 'the Assembly, sboulrt.be proceeded with before (he summer passed'away, There was also the Ngakawbao coakrailway which should be undertaken, as fri6re was no reason why we should not have our share of public works as well as the rest of the colony. That and the Collingwood coal would make Nelson the coal depot of New Zealand. He hoped very soon to see the Albion Company's steamer trading between Ngakawhao and Nelson. Mr Rout thought there never* was a time when tha electors were called upon to use greater discretion than now in their choice of Councillors. If Mr Curtis were elected Superintendent ho would need a long spur to be always driving him on, if Mr O'Conor, a little caution would be necessary to keep him in check. He would like to see works constantly progressing, and thought that it would be as well to have some stock job on which the unemployed might find work at, eay^ : a shilliog a day less than the usual wage, so that none ueed ever be out of work! With regard to immigrants he thought the game facilities should be offered to our own people who had borne the heat and burden of the.day as to strangers. Skilled labor should also be introduced • for netf industries which should* be fostered in every way. At present we had plenty of the raw material, but not tbe labor to turn it to account;- He would not detam them any longer. He was no speaker but they would always find him a ready worker. ■ ■ li Mr Hooper would not make a ' string of promises such as had : been often heard in that Hall before, '-but' never fulfilled,; but what few he did make he would carry'

ou t. The rail way,, which ■ had j U9tlv been called the hobby horse of the Superintendent und Council, was the great work that should be (•arried - out/' b'nt in addition , money should bo borrowed for feeders, without which the railway ,\you ld be-com-paratively useless, and the country, would not be opened up to diggers as it should be. With regard to Mr Curtis' promise, relative, (o too Executive, he must bo iakenat his v.ord and made to carry it out. ll,} though), the Superintendent should not be satisfied with three members: of the Executive, but that there should be one good business man outside the Corincil working wilh the Superintendent and Executive'. He would like to see partle.B applying for coal leases liberally., dealt, with, but care should be taken thafc they' shouhl not be grauted to any but,, those J who had sufficient' capital to work the mines. The port, be thought, had been miserably neglpetod, as was seen when its condition was compared with that of others in various parts of the colony. A new wharf sbould be constructed, and half of it filled In with earth so as to make it a permanent work.: They, all knew iha interest he had taken in public affairs, and ho would promise to give his' full time and attention to his duties if-elected. y .. 'Mr Pitt felt that he ivas called upon to say more than those who bad lately sat io the Council, He had held a seat m ! it before,, and was not at ail afraid of his votea being closely scrutinised He laid claim to a lull knowledge of the capabilities and requirements of the province, and was more ready to take part in provincial ' politics, because* the duties of the Government aud Council were gradually growing. more important as the centralising policy of tbe General Government had pasjied away and the provinces were . daily beconVuig more important. The General Government were content, to take charge of the larger works and to leave- the lesser ones to the pro| vinces. The Government were, now fairly committed to our railway, and he was the more gratified at this because lie had taken an active part on the Inland Communication' Committee. He had gone ; to Wellington in the deputations, and believed that not only had he bean useful there but that ho had iearnt something, if nothing else, that the General Government; were prepared to' help i hose who helped themselves, therefore it was incumbent on us to watch our own interestsand push them forward. There were other requisite works of a large nature that should be looked to such as coal railways, water supply for goldfleldß, aud roads to serve as feeders, to the main Hue. . Large sums were now voted to the Road Boards, and it required the careful supervision of the Executive to see that they were well and judiciously spent. He. thought the Government should come down with some scheme of public works, and not merely place the Estimates tieforo the Council and leave them to pass resolutions! If that were done much money would be saved by the saving of time , in the sessions of the Council would, bo required to alt. He should like to'see bonuses offered for local manufactures for upon our minerals and tcanuftyiturea we must be dependent, and 'there was every .facility for Enakifig Neisdna manufacturing town,. bufc this sbould not be left entirely 16 the Government,; but the people should see to it; themselves. „ He waa strongly in favor of a Harbor, Board, as ho thought the harbor was capable of great improvements As /in-, creased power to raise aod ' expend funds should be handed over to Boards, leaving the opening up ,of the country to 1 the j Government. His friends told him he was sure of, his election, but he would ask them not to depend so much' upon tiiif, , and to give their votes to 'others on the ' ground that he would not require th&b, but to be good enough to record their votes in his favor on the polling 'fay. No effort should' ba waWtingon Hia i part;, to carry out all measures calculated to- raise the province from its preaenfc depressed stale. . >.. , ;; -' ■'• f ; - • Mr Levestam would be, the' stauch advocate of .everything' leading to progress. He had heard the different candidates say what they were prepared to do, bo t; his view .was that it was not the business of the Councillors to initiate measures, but to scrutinise such as Nvere 'laid before them, by the Executive. Ho wished to see the country opened up,ndt; onjy by a railway, but by feeders to the ; main line, as this, lie ' belie veJ,' "was essential " to t! 6ur " prosperity. Anything in the .way of improving the Fort would "have bis warm, aup port, and he should alio be iglad to see a little judicious assistance extended to the mining districts, and especially to Colliugwood, He should; "always bbjdct most strongly to thp, practice^ now become - so common, of over voting the estima|a3, for he looked upbh sucK a proceeding as mosl injudicious, and calculatad : to lower the dignity of the Council. - ' sa ' The show of hands, was then t takeb, as reported yesterday.' 13 :K-t - > •