TOWN BOARD ELECTION.

Patea Mail, Volume II, Issue 121, 7 June 1876, Page 2

TOWN BOARD ELECTION.

The annual* general meeting of the Carlyle ratepayers, in accordance with the provisions of the Town Board Ordinance, was held at,, the Court House on Monday la c t, for the purpose of electing three members tp fill the vacancies occasioned by the retirement by rotation of Messrs Sherwood, Bhodes, and Taplin. Mr C. Campbell, Town Clerk, was voted to the chair, and, after reading the advertisement calling the meeting, requested those present to nominate any candidates that they desired. Mr F. McGuire briefly nominated, and Mr Davis seconded, Mr Samuel Taplin, a retiring member. Mr Keys proposed, and Mr Gibson seconded,“Mr James Rhodes, a retiring member. • Mr Gibson proposed, ■ and Mr Hirst warmly 6econdedV Mr Aitcbson, Mi Snuthby proposed, and Mr McCarthy seconded, Mr William Dale. . ; Mr W. Williams . proposed, arid Mr McCarthy seconded, Mr G. F. Sherwood, a retiring member. . The Chainrian then called on the candidates to address the meeting. Before proceeding further, a ratepayer asked the Chairman whether Government officers occupying Government houses, or the resident banking agents could vote, to which be replied that they could not. Some discussion took,place on this subject when the Chairman read the clause; on which he ruled as aboye, and the matter dropped. - ■ ■ Mr Taplin,was the, first to come forward, referring the ratepayers to his past conduct as a guarantee. He was belonging to- no party or clique, was independent of every ; one, and jh»ad always expressed his vipws accordingly. He expressed his willingness to answer any questions. " •The carididate was'put through a long string of interrogatories, his answers to which seemed to give general satisfaction. Mr Rhodes next briefly addressed those present, stating that though he had mot made himself conspicuous during the time ho had sat, he had done his duty without fear, favor, or affection, voting.for what he thought right, and against what he thought wrong. After a brief questioning, he was let go. Mr Aitchson said he was not anxious respecting'a seat in the Board, but he had come forward at the request, and in accordance with the wish, of some of his follow ratepayers, and if he was elected he would do all in his power to serve the interests of the ratepayers, and do general good. Mr W. Dale said that he did not purpose addressing the meeting at length. It was evidently necessary that persons, not only possessed of ideas, but able to express them, should be chosen. The ratepayers had ample opportunity of studying whether he (the speaker) was fit to be a member or not—if they thought he was, let them support him on the next day. He did not intend to make a personal canvass, on the ground that ratepayers ought to know who were the best men, and if they thought that there were three better offering themselves than him it would be their duty to elect them. .

The candidate was questioned at some length, during the course of which, ho said that he certainly thought the law costs, in the. case of Ivess y. the Town Board, should have been shown as such in the balance-sheet, and not have boon included in the advertising, and more, that all law expenses should be so shown. In connection with the cricket ground, he would hand-that portion of the reserve over to a committee composed of members of the Board and representatives of the existing club. He did not think it would he necessary to borrow for Board purposes for a year or two. Mr Sherwood spoke at some length, saying that on all occasions he had done his best, and that, to the prudence and foresight of the late Board, might be attributed the present bright financial prospects of that body. He complained that during the whole time he had been assailed by a perfect.diarrhoea of abuse. In thc'conrso of some further remarks, ho expressed himself ready to meet any of those who had written or spoken against him, and this brought up Mr Soulhby who confessed to have written one letter, relative to the law costs, and said that its contents were true. This led to a little scene, but order was restored after a short time, and the proceedings went on. Mr Sherwood defended tiie manner in which the costs had been shown in the balance-sheet, and pointed out that if Mr Sonthbv had been dissatisfied it was his duty to have said so at the Board, when the balance-sheet was first brought up, and before it was printed. After further remarks,; be was questioned respecting drainage, and said that he would be favorable to borrowing sufficient money to make one main drain at once, and construct smaller ones to lead into it as funds would permit. A show of hands was then taken, which resulted in favor of the three retiring members, but a poll was demanded by the proposers and seconders of Messrs Dale and Aitchson, and-was appointed for the next day (yesterday).