MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5447, 11 September 1878, Page 2

MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

THOBNDON WARD. COUNCILLOR MAGINITY AT GILLESPIE’S HOTEL. Councillor Maginity met the ratepayers of Thorndon Ward it Gillespie's Hotel, Tinakori. road, last evening. There was a good attendance. Mr. Marks was voted to the chair, 'and said that he had much pleasure in taking the chair, although he had desired not to occupy the position, as he had a few questions to put to the candidate. Mr. Maginity said that he was overpowered with diffidence upon this occasion when he thought of the vast- amount of influence which had been brought to bear in his opponent’s favor. He believed he had always fearlessly upheld what he considered to bo the real interests of his constituents. The first local matter that pressed itself upon his attention was the improvement required at the head of Sydney-strect. He had examined the site, and the cost was estimated by the engineer at £llOO to £I2OO. Councillor Allen supported, but it was opposed by the majority of the Council. Some of the local residents objected to a cutting 70ft. deep and only 15ft. wide at the bottom as being dangerous. The Public Works Committee was in favor of an expenditure of £2OO or £3OO only upon improving the present real. Ho had also advocated the making of the Tinakori drain, at a cost of £SOO. The Council was prepared to agree to this drain being formed if the residents would subscribe one-half. On the question of the harbor, he had objected to Sir John Coode being asked to report because of the cost it would involve. The cost of the information that Sir John Coode required before he could report upon harbor works would be £I2OO. He (Mr. Maginity) had opposed it strongly, because he thought the Wellington harbor was so good that it hardly required a great expenditure upon it. Mr. Maginity read a letter from himself to the New Zealander, explaining his action in regard to the leasing of the barque Camille as a kerosene store. As to a free library, he felt sure that Wellington would soon have one, and he would do his beat to secure one. As to the water supply, he believed that many ratepayers thought the rates toohigh. As to the water rates, ho had voted in ignorance of the limit placed by law upon the amount to be paid as water rates by mercantile establishments. Mr. Clark’s treatment of the Corporation he thought somewhat off-handed; a proposal had been received from Mr. Clark that his fees should be paid in London, although at that time his report had not been forwarded. The water supply of the Wainuioraata watershed was likely to be secured by the Council, though the present reservoir was likely to be sufficient for some time to come. Dr. Newman’s scheme implied a very large expenditure. That gentleman proposed that the endowments of the city should be parted with, but ho (Mr. Maginity) was iu favor of retaining the city endowments. Large expenditure would be absolutely necessary for the drainage, the formation of the streets, &0., iu all there would be £500,000 required if the wharf extension were included. He thought the loans absolutely necessary, and they should be raised at long dates for repayment, because posterity should boar its share of the burdens imposed for the sake of improvements. He thought both lunatic asylums and large gaols were far better removed from the midst of the populous centres. The motion the speaker had tabled re the drainage was brought forward iu ignorance of any opposition to his return being instituted, and with no desire' to catch any voles. The old Council dealt very unfairly with Mr Climic. Mr. Bell’s criticisms on Mr. Climio’s scheme were evidently not fully considered. Mr, Clark had the benefit of both the previous gentlemen’s reports, which were probably of some service to' him. Mr. Maginity did not claim to have so much scientific knowledge as Dr. Newman, but in regard to his business capacity he thought he was his equal. His estimates of the financial requirements of the city had been already before them, and he would not introduce them again. He believed that Councillor fisher was prepared to support any man who opposed himself. (No, no.) Ho only asked for fair play, and was iu a position, at a future time, to explain why die believed the statement he had made regarding Mr. Fisher was correct. The object of this opposition was not to get a new man in, but to keep him (Mr. Maginity) out: [An interruption

occurred here]. He appealed to them as a Britisher and as a Councillor who believed he had done his duty for their support. Dr. Newman had no property in the ward, whereas he had all his property in this ward. He believed that Mr. Fisher had been actuated by personal and vindictive motives, and he challenged that gentleman to meet him at the Princess on the following evening, and he believed he would then convince the ratepayers that his assertion was true. If at any time his conduct as a Councillor did not give satisfaction he would retire in favor of a better mau.

Mr. Maginity was asked whether he had endeavored to exclude the Press on a recent occasion. He replied that he fought strongly in favor of the Press being present. A letter was read from Mr. Field asking for leave to contradict certain misstatements that had been made. Mr. Maginity desired that Mr. Field should reserve his statements till the next evening. On the question of harbor expenditure, Hr. Maginity stated that separate accounts of the wharf and the city receipts were no longer {.kept. It would bo dealt with that night by the City Council, He thought that some other endowment than the very sap of the revenue of the city should be given to the harbor, although perhaps it might be better to have the Harbor Board separate from the City Council. The Chairman desired to speak as a ratepayer, and not as chairman. The removal of the cemetery from the heart of the city, the frontage taxation, tramway regulations, and several other matters, were brought forward by him. Mr. Maginity recommended Magazine Point, Evans Bay, as a cemetery. The tramway was known as Mr. Magimty’s great bugbear. He thought the cab proprietors had been unfairly treated, and the Tramway Com yaoy unduly favored ; the carriages should bo licensed to carry v only a certain number of passengers. Mr. Mantell’s fence was paid for by the Corporation, to the best of his belief. On the question of taxing frontages, he said, he would support it heartily if the ratepayers could convince him'that it was the best form of rating. He belonged to no clique, and had always voted according to his own independent convictions. He advocated the cheapest method of removing the nightsoil, and the present contract was only a temporary one. He objected to the lowering of the head of Willisstreet, and to the recent addition to the Mayor’s salary being made permanent. The insurance companies should pay more towards the maintenance of the fire brigades. It was proposed by Mr. Madley and seconded by Mr. Redmond that this meeting considers Mr. Maginity is a fit and proper person to represent the ward, which was carried unanimously, A vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the meeting at 10.20 p.m. COOK WARD. Mr. Robert Miller addressed the ratepayers of Cook Ward at the City Hotel la*t evening. There was a good attendance ; Mr. C. Mclntyre, of Tory-street, in the ch dr. Mr. Miller explained his views to the apparent satisfaction of the majority of those present, and also answered several questions which were put to him in such a manner as elicited approbation. A resolution was put and carried expressive of the opinion of the meeting that Mr. Miller was a fib and proper person to represent the ward in the Municipal Council, Mr. Miller will address the electors again this evening at the Tramway Hotel.