Gisborne Riding Candidates’ Meeting.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume IX, Issue 999, 15 November 1881, Page 2

Gisborne Riding Candidates’ Meeting.

The meeting of candidates for the Gisborne Riding, convened by Mr. Tutchen, was held in the Makaraka Hall on Saturday evening. Six of the nine nominated were present, namely Messrs. Matthewson, Firris, Tutchen, Westrupp, and Weston. About sixty persons were present, of whom forty were ratepayers. Mr. W. S. Greene was called to the chair. Mr. Tutchen opened the proceedings with the speech of the evening—trite, to the point, hitting hard where a blow would tell, covering all the ground of the wants and prospects of the County, leaving little room for adverse criticism, and not much new to be added by the speakers who followed. He alluded to his hearty reception by the electors at Ormond, but regretted that the larrikin element was gaining there, and displayed its peculiar manners to the annoyance of the meeting, The electors had a good number to choose from ; they should do so .irrespective of personal regard, and consider only the good of the district, and of the County at large. Certainly they should vote for none but those who had a direct interest in the Riding. He called attention to some instances in the late Council, notably to those by whose'influence in a great measure £2500, proceeds from Patutahi sale were diverted to the Te Arai bridge and line, in which direction all the ratepayers might be counted on the fingers of one hand ; whilst the rating of that portion of the Riding containing the best land in the County was 3d per acre, and all the remainder Is per acre. The payment of £lOO for collection of Dog tax was condemned. The prevention of the nuisance by Native dogs was in no way effected. Shepherds ; householders, and others easily come at, were looked up however. The thing could be done better and cheaper by the Inspector of Slaughter-houses. He held that the present system of double taxation, and mixed or divided authority, should cease—one Board, by whatever name it be called, one engineer, who with

the salary allowed could well afford to give all his time and attention, and devise such matters as a practical scheme of drainage for the whole flat of Poverty Bay, by which much permanent (eventually less expensive) good would be done, instead of the desultory small jobs, which may not work in with the next one attempted. He spoke in strongjterms, also, ofjthe money flung away on Mr. Ross, for work which the Engineer could do in a few hours, on the completion of Mr. Hurrey’s contract. The £l2 10s paid to Allen and McLeod as prospectors he considered absolute waste, as all the information they could possibly supply was known years ago to many of the Council. The tramway, instead of running to Ormond Quarry should be turned to the river at Cain’s corner, by which two desirable objects would be effected, viz., obtaining excellent road metal, and easing the channel of the river where it is eating Ormond away. His opinion was that men should get at least 7s per day on road work, and that road maintenance should be let in small contracts, to give the small man a chance. Mr. Tutchen spoke at length on several other matters.

The other candidates agreed for the most part with what had been said by Mr. Tutchen, making no addition of importance. A vote of thanks to 'the Chairman concluded a most orderly meeting, for which Mr White, the spirited landlord of the Makaraka Hotel, gave his fine hall free, and also provided lights and attendance. He received thanks, and compliments for the very creditable conduct of his establishment.—[Commuhicated.]