MARTON RATEPAYERS’ ASSOCIATION.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXI, Issue 8756, 5 March 1907, Page 2

MARTON RATEPAYERS’ ASSOCIATION.

Borough Elections. There was a largely attended meet" iug of above at the Borough Chambers, last evening', the Mayor, Mr J. F. Siccly, presiding. It was resolved (Messrs Armstrong —Linton), That this meeting is of opinion and recommends to the Council that tho number of Councillors bo increased from six to nine. Mr Grove announced his intention of supporting tho resolution at next mooting of Borough Council. Tho Mayor was asked why his recommendations in connection with the water supply scheme had been rejected by Council. In reply bo gave full particulars of a recent visit by Council to the reservoir, and said ho thought ho had convinced members that his suggested improvements wore required, and that tho work could bo done at his original estimate. Ho came to the last meeting of tho Council fully expecting unanimous support, but ho was surprised when his motion was brought forward and lapsed for tho want of a seconder. Ho could not understand it, perhaps it was because they had a moribund Council. At first lie proposed that £25 ho allocated, but Or. Grove got tho vote increased to £SO, and now lie was opposed to the expenditure. (The Mayor was hero interrupted by Qr. Grove, who flatly denied proposing such expenditure; Ho ridiculed the Mayor’s statement, and said it was erroneous; nonsense.) Continuing, tho Mayor said tho meeting' would have to accept his word against that of Or. Grove. The question of larger mains had not yet been dealt with by Council. After his 35 years’ experience he felt it was rather discouraging not to oven got a seconder to his motion. Tho Council gave no reason and lie could only come to the. conclusion members were getting dilatory. Or Grove asked the Mayor why lie proposed to spend £OO instead of £35 as originally intended. Tho Mayor said his first proposal was to erect rn iron fence, but since thou a concrete parapet had been recommended, as it would strengthen, the . dam materially, hence tho increased expend ituro.

Or. Grove said lie could not have voted for this expenditure, because ho had never visited the reservoir.

Tho Mayor replied that ho was sorry for Or. Grove. He had boon a representative of the Borough for over 13 months, and had never seen the reservoir. Was he fit to be a City Father ? The Mayor was asked if he would allow himself to ho nominated for another term of office, and was asked to retire while the question of nominating a candidate was being discussed.

Mr Linton referred to tho good work already accomplished by the Mayor. He had fought for the progress of the Borough against strong opposition. Ho was now introducing schemes for the advancement of the town, aud ho wished to soo him again elected to give effect to these.

Mr Mogridgo was convinced that Mr Siccly had filled tho office of Mayor solely in the interest of Marion. Pie had devoted a lot of his time and energy to the affairs of the Borough, and had succeeded in breaking up the quartette, which was a good thing for the Borough. After referring to the Mayor’s new schemes ho expressed tho opinion that Mr Sicely was the right man in the right place. A motion was then put to the mooting aud carried as follows : “ That this meeting is thoroughly satisfied with the actions of the present Mayor, and requests him to consent to again bo nominated for another term, aud that this meeting also wishes to place on record its appreciation of his past services.” Tho Mayor, on entering' - the Chambers was received with applause. Ho returned thanks for tho expressions of continued confidence in him, aud promised ho would again contest tho election.

Tho following candidates were nominated by the Associatiod for the Borough elections : Messrs H. H. Richardson, Robert Wilson, F. R. H. Brice, .T. McElclowney, S. J. Davenport, F. G. Hilton, H. Sutcliffe, J. Mathers, B. Goilo, T. White, J. Robson aud A. H. Kuiggo.

It was decided that tho list remain open till next meeting.*