ROAD BOARDE ELECTIONS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1176, 10 May 1884, Page 2

ROAD BOARDE ELECTIONS.

TifiMUKA. The election of two members to fill the seats rendered vacant by the retirement of Messrs Quinn and Austin took place yesterday. There was not much interest taken in the election. Only eight or nine people were present when the result of tlie poll was declared. The following are the results :

GERALDINE, List Wednesday evening a large crowd collected at the Road Board Office, Geraldine, to hear the result of the polling, which has already appeared in these columns. Mr Deßenzio thanked the ratepayer* for having elected him for the fourth rime, and promised to serve them in the future to the best of his ability. Mr R. H. Postleth waite said he felt conscious of the honor conferred on him by the ratepayers. He never expected to poll so many votes as he had done, or stand in the position he did. It hud been said by bis opponents that he was young and untried. Though this was true, be thought it was scarcely a strong condemnation, as everyone must make a , beginning, and he could begin no younger than he did. He felt that ha owed his micess in a great measure to his father, from whom he had learned much of the manner of conducting ths Board’s business, and the principles on which the business was managed. His return was a proof that the policy advocated by his father met with the approval of the ratepayers, and it was this policy by which he intended to guide his actions as a member of the Road Board. They might be sure that whatever cause he thought right, that he would follow straight. He hoped that at the next election the ratepayers would place him in a similar position as the one he held that evening. He again thanked them heartily for the honor they had

done him. He would propose a vote of thanks to the Returning Officer, Mr C. E. Sherratt. Mr Mundell said it was an uncommon thing for him to address many of those present. He begged to thank all who had voted for him, likewise those who had not. He had been beaten in good company and it no disgrace. The ratepayers in electing the two previous speakers had made a wise choice. They had both plenty of time and inclination to attend to the Board’s business. For his own part he scarcely hoped to be successful. He would proposed a hearty vete of thanks to Mr W. Postlethwaite, the late Chairman of the Board, for tli© efficient services h# had rendered the ratepayers as member and Chairman of the Board for the past six years. The vote of thanks was carried with acclamation, three hearty cheers being given for Mr Postlethwaite. Mr Win. Postlethwaite, M.H.R., said he had much pleasure in addressing the ratepayers once more from the standpoint he then oecupied. It was not the first time he had addressed them from it. He thanked Mr Mundsll and those present for the hearty manner in which they had approved of Mr Mundell's proposal of a vote of thanks to himself. He would take the opportunity of saying a few words as to the future policy of the Board. For eight years the Board’s business had been carried on carefully, efficiently, and successfully. So long as that policy was followed, there was no doubt but that tha Board would bo beset by no difficulties, and the district would be well served ; but if on the contrary they expended their capital recklessly they would soon, be in trouble. The business of the Board would be carried on under very different conditions with a balance deficit instead of a credit balance. They had at the present time a credit balance of £18,017 19s, and received for interest no less a sum than £IOB2, to raise which would require a 4d rate to be struck throughout the district. While this year, in order to raise the sum expended (£5593) by taxation, a rate ©f 4s 6d in the £ would be necessary. Under the administration of the Board, once only in eight years was a rate struck, and that for charitable aid purposes. It was incumbent on the Board, therefore, to look carefully after its finances, for so sure as it ceased to do so it would soon get into difficulties.. It was probably the last time he would address those present, and he thanked them for the general support always accorded him when he came forward to seek their votes. He felt, too, that the greatest honor they could confer upon him they had done that day in returning his son. They must all know that it gave a father great pleasure to see his son a successful candidate for a position held by his father before him. It was a sure sign that the policy pursued by him (the speaker) met their approval. He thanked those present sincerely for their hearty vote of thanks, and he would second the vole of thanks to the Returning Officer.

1 C CJ m Names. cS rC •4-3 JS 2 / I 3 a © E-i O a £ "So c s W -2 ’3 £ Total. R. Smith 83 60 0 18 161 M. Quinn 89 29 0 13 131 J. T. M. Hayburst 79 23 0 17 119 H. Nicholson 40 8 2 14 64 J. A. doling 21 20 2 1 44 W. R. Uprichard 5 0 0 0 5