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THORNDON ELECTION.

A meeting of the ratepayers of Thomdon Ward took place last evening at the Thistle Inn, one of the candidates, Mr. Worth, having announced his intention of giving a resume of his views on municipal politics. At 8.30 about half a dozen persons, inclusive of reporters, were present, and Mr. Worth having expressed a wish to talk to the reporters, a gentlemen proposed that Mr. Henderson take the chair. Mr. Henderson (being either bashful, or doubtful of his abilities), said, I propose Mr. Bright take the chair. Mr. Bright, who blushed at the thought of unexpected honor, said, I propose he don't. Mr. Henderson being again pressed to accept the post, muttered something about ThernaopyUe, and took the chair. In a few words he expressed pleasure at seeing so few people present, not because his duties would be less j onerous but because betook it as an expression of confidence in Mr. Worth Mr. Worth then rose and said he should not make any comments on the smallness of the meeting for, like the gentleman who had ]ust spoken, he believed the smallness of the meeting was an omen of his success. He knew that politics were at a very low ebb, and would not trouble the meeting at any length. He was not an inhabitant of Ihorndon Ward, but when he Erst came to the colony he looked at it, and thought it a nice •place, and it had had his best wishes ever since. (Cheers.) He was well acquainted with the main streets and bye streets, and for years had been satisfied that the ratepayers of the ward were not well treated. Previously he had intended to put up, but there had been a misunderstanding, some ratepayers thinking he was going to the old country, and Mr. Pharazyn had been induced to accept the seat. However, he (Mr. Worth) at that time promised that his services should be placed at the disposal of the ratepayers whenever they desired them, and he had felt it was his duty to come forward now. He was not acquainted with many things in the Council, but like other people who had "gone before him, he should have to learn. Some things had been done properly, and some things had been done wrong, and it was the wrong thing he wished to remedy. (Applause.) He believed there should be an alteration in the mode of assessment—that property should be assessed, not at its value for the time being but at the value it was likely to have if held on a three or five years' lease. In reference to the mode of appeal, he would prefer to see the system replaced by that in.vogue in Canterbury. One of the best boons that could be conferred on the people was water, but Wellington was supplied with, bad water, and rated by a bad rate. He believed water should be filtered before supplied, sold at a cheaper rate, supplied free in case of fire, and rates collected half-yearly instead of annually. The same mode of collection should apply to the general rate, and the two rates be so fixed that quarterly cplle3tions would re-ult instead of the present annual collections, which entailed so much law business. He referred to the difficulty about main streets and private streets, and said an arrangement should be made by which all should be properly maintained, especially the main streets of Thorndon, because it was over these streets that all the heavy traffic from Karori, Wairarapa, and other country districts passed. To secure this end Government should be made to pay rates on Government property, for although he recognised the fact that the construction of Government roads tended to enhance the value of other property, and the employment of labor increased the prosperity of the city, still it was inequitable that Government property should escape from taxes altogether. Whilst he was not of opinion that a seat in the Council gave the occupant the right to order the employes about, yet on the principle that a "stitch in time saves nine,'/ he thought any Councillor who, when taking his walks abroad, saw small matters requiring attention, should suggest to the City Surveyor the advisableness of seeing to them. In finance, too, he thought more care should ba exercised in regard to trifles. It might be that financiers were wanted for the management of large sums, but still he thought there should be some minute or humble individual capable of dealing with small matters, and should use his best energies in that direction. He thought a mistake had been made by the Council in buying the reclaimed land, because the land would have been reclaimed as soon, and buildings erected thereon just as speedily, if the Government had retained possession; but the best must be made of a bad job, and more care exercised in future. If elected, he should oppose the Te Aro reclamation, because the expenditure was too large, the additional land. not required, and because the Council would enter into competition with private landholders. Referring to the financial position of the Corporation, he said it was not pleasant to contemplate that the rates for' the next eighteen months were mortgaged, yet they were informed by Mr. Rainie that such was the fact. He believed 'it would be necessary to borrow more money if improvements were to be effected, and suggested that instead of following the course which had hitherto been adopted, it would be better to have a conference of all the Corporations in New Zealand, so that a" large sum might be borrowed under the guarantee of the General Government, the money being distributed among the various Corporations, and each giving the Government a re-guarantee. [A gentleman of dilapidated appearance and blessed with a husky voice, who had frequently visited the hotel-bar during the evening, here raised the point as to whether it would not be better to do away with payinsr rates, borrowing, and paying interest, and such financial absurdities. The majority of those present told the dilapidated gentleman to " shut up, - ' and Mr. Worth proceeded.] He should not consent to any rate being levied for fire purposes, nor to the Corporation taking over the gasworks. If returned, he should not consider it beneath him to occasionally meet the electors, and should, at all times, use his best energies to promote the welfare of the city at large, and Thorndon in particular. Mr. Deeks (the gentleman who had distinguished himself previously) rose, 3nd said he desired to ask a question.- He had been eleven years in Wellington, and was it right that his servant, the City Surveyor, should call him a lodging-house keeper ? (A laugh.) Mr. Wobth said he could not answer such a question, Mr. Deeks : As a ratepayer, I can put you in. You'll have to answer. Am Ito be insulted by my own servant ? Mr. Worth : I should say it was not right for one gentleman to insult another. This kind of cross-examination was continued till at length the other ratepayers became impatient, and cut Mr Deeks short, by passing a vote of confidence in the candidate. The meeting then terminated.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZTIM18750907.2.15

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4513, 7 September 1875, Page 2

Word count
Tapeke kupu
1,200

THORNDON ELECTION. New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4513, 7 September 1875, Page 2

THORNDON ELECTION. New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4513, 7 September 1875, Page 2

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