THE MAYORAL ELECTION.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5662, 23 May 1879, Page 5

THE MAYORAL ELECTION.

MB. HUNTMB AT THORNDON,

Mr. Hunter met the ratepayers at the Princess Hotel, Molesworth-street, last nighty Mr. Levin was voted to the chair, and in introducing the candidate spoke of the great interest which ho knew Mr. Hunter had always taken in the progress of Wellington. He impressed on every ratepayer not to undervalue the opposition they had to contend with, but to work so as to secure Mr. Hunter's return, and that by a considerable majority. Mr. Hunter reiterated his opinion that neither inside nor outside the Council was there any ring working against the interests of the city. As to remarks personal to him-olf ho would not refer to them that night, though, in justice to himself, he had thought it necessary to do so on a previous occasion. The changes in the direction of increased salaries, which were referred to by Mr. Hutchison, were brought about in accordance with the recommendation of the Reorganisation Oommitt.ee. Mr. Hutchison had referred to the sum of £2500 being paid to purchasers of parts of the Island Bay estate. Mr. Hunter detailed the circumstances in. connection with the matter, how it was considered necessary to carry the drainage through this property, and how legal gentlemen and the City Solicitor were consulted and on their advice the money was agreed to he paid, it bsing agreed that covenants should be inserted giving the Council power to carry the drain through the property. Ho (the speaker) was not in any way interested in thesnm paid exeeptasaOouncillor. Speaking of Mr. Hutchison's remarks about the Gas Company, on the strength of a resolution which had been passed by the Council the company had ordered a large amount of plant, and in explaining the arrangement come to Mr. Hunter considered it was beneficial to both parties. The City Council got the land which they required for the extension of Torystreet, and on the other hand the Gas Company were satisfied. He had been accused of being a shareholder in the Gas Company. Well, he was a largo one. Now, really he thought the gas works had beon of considerable use to the city. They all used the gas, and the company employed a large number of men. Altogether it seemed to him to bo an institution which they ought to foster in every legiti- 1 mate way. With regard to the reference to Mr. Pearce, Mr. Hunter strongly deprecated such allusions as those made by Mr. Hutchison. He was sure Mr. Pearce would do nothing that was not fair and legitimate, and his (Mr. Hunter’s) interests and those of Mr. Pearce were quite different. He greatly deprecated any slur being cast on Mr. Pearce. Speaking of the drainage loan, Mr. Hunter explained that he had inadvertently made use of some wrong figures ; hut Mr. Hutchison’s own figures were wrong, for he forgot that a sum of £IO,OOO was added in the Assembly after the Consolidation Act was passed. In reference to the Te Aro Reclamation Bill, Mr. Hutchison had fallen into a very serious mistake. He said that the City Solicitor and Mr. Hunter ought to have known that this was a private Bill, Now, ho (Mr. Hunter) had got a similar Bill through the Lower House without its being challenged. Mr. Hunter then explained, as he did in a previous speech, how the Eeclamation Bill had fallen through. It would be necessary now to show the General Assembly that the rights of all parties concerned were conserved. Coming to the Harbor Board, Mr, Hunter referred to an article in an evening paper, headed “ Is it only a lapse of memory, or is it a deliberate falsehood !” and explained that though he had been a good while backin favor of conferring on the City Council the powers of a Harbor Board, yet now he was prepared to favor the formation of a Harbor Board, seeing that the Government were in favor of such a Board, and that it appeared to be the best coarse to take now in the interests of the city. It was necessary that an agreement should bo come to so that a Bill should be brought in next session. Ho submitted that in the matter of the Harbor Board he had tried to do his duty. He saw no inconsistency in his conduct. The speaker agreed with the views of Mr. Hutchison as to the Te Aro reclamation being made to pay for itself. He thought the present generation had much easier times of it than they had in the early days of the province, and should bear a fair share of the cost of improvements which were being effected. Mr. Hunter then at some length recapitulated his views on the drainage and sewerage question. Kef erring to the Wellington Club, he said it appeared to be a sort of red rag with some. Now he would simply say it was a harmless and well-conducted establishment, and one which he thought they would agree was a necessity in a city like Wellington. He would not, like his opponent, refer to political matters, and would conclude by reiterating his opinion as to the necessity of borrowing more money if they wished to keep up the prestige and progress of the city. Look at the opinions of the medical men, and at the necessity for street formation and harbor improvement, and how could they manage without more money being borrowed ! Mr. Chisholji asked how much Mr. A. P. Stuart paid for the acre in Manner-street, and how much he conveyed to tho City Council, and what he received for that ?

Mi-. Hunter replied that he believed the sum paid by Mr. Stuart was £640. Mr. Stuart had convoyed about half an acre to the Council under an award of the Supreme Court, for which he was to be paid £3750. It was considered indispensable that tho land should be acquired by the city. The continuation of Tory-street was absolutely necessary. In reply to a question from Mr. Bannister as to the state of the overdraft, Mr. Hunter explained that they would provide for new streets in future out of the loan proposed to be raised, and not out of ordinary revenue,—The same questioner asked if tho money derived from tho Town Belt was properly spent? Mr. Hun'er : What the Council got of It went into the general revenue. Mr. Bannister was of opinion that the money derived from the Bolt should be spent on-it. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Hunter could only say that the Council had had great difficulties to contend with in forming the city.—Mr. B. Smith strongly supported spending the revenue derived from the Belt on it, and urged that it should be planted. (Hear, hear.)

In reply to a question about the cemetery, Mr. Hunter was afraid it was not possible for the City Council to deal with tho subject, certainly not without special legislation. Mr. Anderson proposed and Mr. Smith seconded a vote of confidence in Mr. Hunter, which was carried unanimously, and a vote of thanks having been accorded to the chairman the meeting dispersed.

MB. HUTCHISON AT NEWTOWN, Mr. Hutchison addressed a largo meeting of the ratepayers at Newtown last night in tho schoolhouse. _ Mr. McKenzie occupied the chair, and said that ho hoped the meeting would he an impartial one, and give the candidate a patient hearing.—Mr. Hutchison, who was received with cheers, said that he really had very little to say beyond what he stated at his meeting at the Princess Theatre on Wednesday night. Ho briefly referred to the drainage scheme, the proposed loan, and other matters effecting the city. He criticised the doings of Mr. Hunter during his office as councillor. He considered there was a change

necessary in tho management of municipal affairs. In referring to the Harbor Board he thought the scheme proposed for its formation a very one-sided one. He considered it should pay a fair price for what it gets. In referring to tho water supply, Mr, II utchison said that already £200,000 had been borrowed by tho city. He thought that the drainage scheme and road making should go together, and that Mr. Climie’s scheme should be started at onco. He thanked the meeting for the very patient hearing accorded him, and asked them if they were of opinion he was the best man to represent them as Mayor to vote for him. Several questions were then asked the candidate, which were answered to the entire satisfaction of the meeting.

Tho usual vote of confidence was proposed and carried unanimously.