ELECTION OF COUNTY LORS—EAST WAIRARAPA COUNTY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4916, 23 December 1876, Page 3

ELECTION OF COUNTY LORS—EAST WAIRARAPA COUNTY.

■ .. (FBOII OUB OWN CORBESFONDENT.) Saturday, the 16th inst., was appointed as the day for the nomination of candidates for the above office. A week's notice only had been given, and within this space of time, in a thinly settled district, very little canvassing • could be got through. However, requisitions were forwarded to Mr. F. Maunsell, of Tinui, J. C. Yorke, of Paikewai; and John Wingate, of Mariawa, asking" them to offer their services as councillors, and to meet the electors on the ' day appointed for the nomination. I also heard that Mr. J. Valentine Smith was requested to stand, but. declined the honor. . Of course, as the Act makes no provision for the adjournment of the election, floods or bad weather were to be disregarded, and Saturday was no mean trial of the fortitude and endurance of the few who faced the storm. The Ketuming Officer commenced business at 11 a.m., and as soon as the" nomination papers with' the names above-mentioned had been filled in, the electors present called upon Mr. Maunsell to explain what course he was likely to take in connection with the duties of the office he was nominated for. He replied J» the following effect :—The duties of the , County Councs will be alnost nominal ' if the Council decide that the whole of the Counties Act shall not come into operation. My own opinion is rather in favor of allowing the road boards to undertake the duties, because the double executive will involve a double expenditure ; but before deciding positively, I should wish to sound the views of my colleagues, and to. ascertain whether the Masterton-Castlepoint read would be adopted as a main line of road or not. If not, then I should certainly vote for the road . boards to undertake the duties'. If they decided that it was a main line of road, I am inclined to favor the adoption of the whole . Act. Following up the thread of Mr. Maunsell's arguments, Mr. Yorke said : As Chairman of the Boad Board, I wish to state that while I am confident that the Board would be most happy to undertake the duties, and also that it is quite capable of executing the works, I do not recommend the step. The smaller a community is, the more narrow and local its views are likelyto be ; and by extending the operation of the Act, you will include a number of councillors who live out of <reach of many local influences. Besides, representative men of independent fortunes are rare in upcountry districts, and it is exceedingly difficult for straggling men to avoid being influenced by the consideration of how any particular measure will affect their own pockets. These personal considerations are less likely to make themselves perceptible in a County Council than in a Boad Board. ' There can be no doubt that the completion of 'the Castlepoint and Masterton road is, and has been for many years, the main want of the district; and if I am returned as a member of the Council, I shall make it my duty to press this matter upon the attention of my colleagues ; but I do not wish it to be supposed that the road ends' at Castlepoint. It is only a portion of the road to Napier, via the East Coast, and this should not be lost sight of. Repairs and improvements are urgently • required on that portion. Having touched upon some matters of local interest, a little aicussion took place, upon the completion of which the two candidates present appeared hkely to concur m each other's opinions. Regret was generally expressed that the floods bad prevented other voters from attending, as several names were mentioned as possible candidates. The time having now expired, Mr. Q. Wil- . son declared the three candidates duly elected, and the first election of a County Council was complete so far as this riding was coneemed. Mr. Maunsell then rose and thanked the electors for the honor conferred upon him, and hoped his action as a councillor might justify their confidence, and he hoped that if at any time the ratepayers were not satisfied, they would

express themselves openly, and he would try to defend.his conduct. Mr. Yorke said: I cannot say more than that I quite echo the sentiments of Mr. Maunsell, and return you the same hearty thanks. No doubt the duties connected with the office will necessitate an occasional neglect of our private business; but I am prepared to undertake them, and to give my best attention to them, as the performance of any duties in furthering the interests of the district will give me much pleasure. It is satisfactory to be able to say, that I have no doubt the members for this riding will work amicably together, _ and that there is very little danger of any private jealousies or rivalry interfering with the con-, duct of the public business.