NAPIER.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume III, Issue 241, 23 January 1875, Page 2

NAPIER.

(from oub own correspondent.) January 19. The cloak of apathy, which so long enshrouded this nice little town, has at last been metaphorically rolled up and cast aside. The result, though somewhat contrary to expectation, is that Napier displays rather a good political muscle. Her arms are now- bared for the coming contest, for seats in the Borough Council. Nine Councillors are required and there are twenty two candidates in the field ; the burgesses, therefore, have ample room for choice, and will, no doubt, select nine good representatives. Ou the evening of the 12th inst. A well attended meeting was held in the Odd Fellow’s Hall. Out of the twentytwo candidates thirteen addressed the meeting. Each gave a brief synopsis of his views, on the needs and requirements necessary for the welfare of the town, but none of the candidates came prepared with a mapped out course of action. They expressed themselves fully aware of the onerous nature of the duties which would devolve on the Council. There was a great deal to be done. A water supply, an efficient system of drainage ; attention to the sanitary arrangements of the tow-n, and such like matters, were subjects which would require to be immediately coped with. All those innovations meant money expenditure which is synonymous in this instance with taxation. The business of the meeting was conducted very orderly throughout. Mr. C. M. Henning of whom it was reported that he was going to take up his residence in Gisborne, and practice his prefession of barrister, has,Tain informed, resumed his appointment of Examiner of Titles.

There are still a great many cases of sickness among the immigrants who arrived per Clarence. Races will take place here on the 18th and 19th of March next. There is a very fair programme out, and altogether something like £5OO will be run for. Trainers are busy with horses and the coming meeting promises to give an impetus to turf matters here. Bye the way, I see that Marquis is entered for the Taupo Cup, and to carry 9st. 101 b., the top weight excepting Maori Weed, lOst. I hear that Shamrock, Pakow-hai and Brag,

all Hawke’s Bay horses, are likely to run at the Poverty Bay races. Yesterday was the day for balloting for the Borough Council elections. The town presented an unusually busy aspect, and cabs, placarded with electioneering notices, “ hithering and thithering ” through the streets, tended in no small measure to enliven the scene. About three hundred burgesses exercised their right of franchise —that prerogative of a British born subject, legally on an electoral roll. The crowd lingered anxiously around the public buildings, awaiting the declaration of the Poll. At 7.30. the Returning Officer, Mr. Sealy, R.M., declared the state of the Poll, as follow: —-Vautier, 163; Newton, 149; Neal, 146; Holder, 134; Lyndon, 132; Bryson, 128 ; Stuart, 122 ; Tuxford, 121; Swan, 112; Ferrard, 94; Kennedy, 79; Campbell, 75 ; H. Williams, 75 ; Miller, 68 ; N. Williams, 67 ; Ford, 45 ; Barrows, 37; Jacobs, 35 ; Large, 34; Britten, 15 ; Mayo, 12; Gray, 11. Our Borough Council then consists of Messrs. Vautier, Newton, Neal, Holder, Lyndon, Bryson, Stuart, Tuxford, and Swan. All the new Councillors, excepting, I believe, Mr. Stuart, are tyros at the work of Municipal Government. Many were disappointed at Messrs. Miller and Campbell not being elected, as their past experience gained while serving in other Municipal Corporations in the colony, would no doubt, have proved beneficial in a Council where there are so many young colts. However, we must now abide by our choice, and taking it all and all, it could hardly be improved. * It is thought that upon Mr. Stuart, will devolve the Mayorship, that however, is at present quite an open question.