THE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4816, 29 August 1876, Page 2

THE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

■ Mr. Gillon addressed the ratepayers in the Foresters’ Arms Hotel, Ghuznee-street, yesterday evening. The meeting was called for eight o’clock, but it was some time after that when proceedings were commenced, and when Mr. Charles Taylor took the chair there were sixteen persons present. The Chairman, in introducing the candidate, wished for him a fair hearing, and hoped that in every respect those present would conduct themselves in such a manner as to give to the meeting an air of respectability. Mr. Gillon said it was more with a view of giving an account of his past conduct as the representative of Te Aro than anything else that he had called the present meeting. He thenwentonto explain that he had not intended to seek re-election until he was requested to do so by a large number of ratepayers, and was only induced to offer himself because he found that no suitable candidate had come forward to take his place (at which announcement, a gentleman, in a mixed manner, said “hear, hear !”) When he came forward as a candidate for a seat in the City Council in 1875, he stated the objects he had in view, and now challenged any gentleman to come forward and say that he had not during his term of office fulfilled to the utmost every one of the pledges he had then given, and would refer them to the records of the Council’s proceedings for proof. He had been accused of certain shortcomings, but he gave those accusations an emphatic denial, with which he contented himself, forasmuch as he did not care to go into personalities, even though other persons might entertain an affection for that kind of thing. He had entered the Council with the object of breaking up a certain combination, which he regarded as being injurious to the interests of the community as a whole, and rather flattered himself that -he had worked a vast improvement in the Council He had done his best to equalise the representation of Te Aro Ward. With regard to the increase of salaries, which had been used as a point against him in a certain direction, he said that it had been determined by a majority taf the Council to increase the salary of one official, and he objected unless there was an increase all round. He had also .stated with regard to to the City Surveyor, that that gentleman had not given satisfaction in the past, and that, therefore he could have no excuse now that his position was improved. Mr. Gillon then proceeded to enumerate the various efforts he had made to better the position of the ratepayers of Te Aro, and in the interests of the city generally. He had succeeded in securing half-yearly payments of the rates. He had taken action in the drainage question, profitably, he believed; and he might say the same with regard to the assessment of property. He had procured a reduction on the general rate of 15 per cent, and on the water rate of 3 per cent. One of the first reforms hehad introducedon entering the Council was the establishment of a Public Works Committee, by which he maintained that he had done the people some service, inasmuch as the said committee were the cause of a better general management of things, to say nothing of an increase in works, which were before neglected sadly. He denied that he had ever favored Thorndon, of which he had been accused. (At this point a gentleman constituted himself a helpmeet of the candidate, and casually remarked, “ No, you never ! ”) On the contrary, it was a complaint of the Thorndon people that he favored Te Aro toomuch. He had never neglected their interests. He had attended fifty-seven meetings of the Council and ninety-three committee meetings, and could assure them that the position was no sinecure. The duties were quite a heavy—(The helpmeet: “ Drag on a man—so they is.”) —quite a heavy drag on a man. He had only missed one meeting since he had been elected, and then he was absent in the country. He had. interested himself successfully in regard toabsentee proprietors of land, and had done his best to bring about such a change in the law with respect to reserves as would enable the Council to deal with the Market Eeserve (which was now lying idle) in a manner that would prove useful and profitable; he had not succeeded, but lived in hopes. He had, among other thing, been accused of jobbing with respect to the Wellington Gas Company. This accusation he thought any sensible man would regard as being without the smallest foundation. He did not think he was quite a foAlJ'bvit he certainly should have been one if he had acted in any way that could prejudice him in the eyes of the ratepayers at a time so near the election. It simply amounted to this: The company originally wanted a sum for the works which the Council would not give, and negotiations were broken off. The Empire Gas Company then started, and the Wellington Gas Company reduced the price. The Council, who unanimously agreed upon the desirability of taking over the works were—the majority of them- -disposed to give £l4 per share, which would amount to £37,800 as the entire purchase money.. The Mayor and Councillor Cleland were the only ones who objected to it. He thought the price was a fair one, and that the ratepayers would not suffer by such an arrangement being determined on. A proposal was made to refer the matter to arbitration; but to this he objected, believing that in such a case the Council would be at a disadvantage with a powerful company such ns the Gas Company. He regarded the ■ consolidation of the loans as a very desirable thing, believing that it would place the city in a better position in regard

to raising money. He concluded by saying that. he had no desire to be elected if the people were not satisfied that he would do his best in their interests. If they preferred Mr. Moeller, for whom he entertained every respect, they would elect him; but if they did not prefer him, why of course they would elect somebody else. He respected that gentleman, while he could not bring himself to favor in the same way that gentleman’s supporters, who were actuated solely by a desire to gratify their person*.’?animosity towards him (the candidate). 'lt was simply a trade jealousy. Mr. (Hllon ithen, replied to several questions put-’to-htm on different local subjects. The Chairman in’putting a question as to whether there was any Inspector of Works contracted for and inprogressj said he had noticed certain works improperly carried out, which had been passed by the Surveyor. In reply, Mr. Gillon spoke with extreme harshness of Mr. Marchant, the City Surveyor, and informed the questioner that it was his business to see that the work was performed as per contract. At this point in the proceedings there ensued a general discussion about streets, a Wellington evening paper recently started (which was made to have some connection with gas), the Mayor, and a mixture of subjects, in which Mr. Gillon’s helpmeet took a vigorous part. Mr. Lyon pointed out that they were travelling out of the question, and while on his legs begged to move,—“ That the thanks of this meeting are due to Mr. Gillon for his address, delivered in explanation of his past conduct in the City Council as a representative of Te Aro Ward. ’ Mr. Wallace seconded the motion, but wished to add that the meeting have confidence in the candidate. Upon this Mr. Hunt proposed an amendment, —"That the meeting thank the candidate for his address, but do not pass a vote of confidence in him.” But on Mr. Lyon refusing to accept the suggestion of Mr. Wallace, the amendment was withdrawn, and the original motion carried, Mr. Hunt voting for it. The proceedings then terminated with a vote of thanks to the Chairman.