Mayoralty Election.

Thames Star, Volume IX, Issue 3052, 26 November 1878, Page 2

Mayoralty Election.

Mr W. McCullough before the

Electors.

Mr W. McCullough, a candidate for the Mayoralty, addressed 500 or 600 electors at the Academy of Music last evening. Mr D. Miller was unanimously voted to the cfiair.

The Chairman first read the advertisement calling the meeting. He said he hoped the audience would give all the speakers a fair and impartial hearing. ' He then introduced Mr McCullough.

Mr McCullough, who. was received with loud and prolonged applause, said :■ — Mr Chairman and gentlemen,-^-l his is a role that is quite new to me, and in appearing before you in such a character, it is but right that I should give you reasons for so doing. I may well claim, however, some indulgence at your hands should I not make my views sufficiently clear, and might commence my remarks with the oft quoted phrase, "unaccustomed as I am to public speaking, &c," for most present are aware that I have not often appeared as a public speaker. Holding the opinion that the office of Mayor should not be retained by a citizen for more then one year at a time, I with several other ratepayers, waited upon gentlemen whom we thought had claims to the office for instance, Councillor Ehrenfried, Mr Eenshaw, Mr Davies, and several other councillors, but found that none of those gentlemen thought fit to put forward their claims to contest the seat. All I spoke to offered me support if I would allow myself to be nominated. After a time a requisition was handed to me, in response, to which J 'am now as a candidate before you. (Cheers.) The Act provides that the Mayor or presiding officer of the Council shallbe elected each year by the burgesses, and not, as in other bodies, from the members, clearly showing the intentions ot the framers, that it was possible that a new presiding officer might be chosen each year, and, probably, for that object the clause was introduced. There are many arguments why a burgess, other tban a Councillor, should, be elected to the office, and one is that if new blood- is introduced each year it would have the effect of preventing combinations or parties in the Council, if such circumstances should arise. lam not so sure that the course

provided is the best; but as such is the law, making every ratepayer qualified for the office, it is ouly our duty to take advantage of the circumstance. (Applause.) That Councillors have a claim upon the office, I do not deny—those that have done some service to the State;: but if such do not choose to take advan tags of their position it cannot be considered a piece of presumption or; an argument against any outside ratepayer from wishing to occupy the office. Al-" though not having served in the Council, I can lay claim for services rendered equal to any who are in the Council, and'; am second to none of them in my desire, to further the welfare of the municipality. (Cheers.) I have taken a part in every measure that had for its object to improve the prospects, of the place, and am as much or more interested in a good future for the Thames as any ratepayer, j and, indeed, more so. With regard to the Karaka Tunnel scheme, I may say ij have advocated it for years, and am pleased* to see there is now a prospect of its being practically tested. The throwing open of the lands up the river for settlement, and the claims of the Thames residents have had no more persistent advocate than myself, and I trust that before long we •hall see a large population in the Ohinemuri district, which cannot ■ but'have a most beneficial influence upon the future of this place. (Applause.) The Water Supply : Coming to matters nearer our doors, namely, the administration of the Domestic Water Supply, I must condemn the management. It has never given satisfaction. It has failed in carrying out the intentions of the Provincial Government from whom we re-1 ceived it, and it will never give satisfaction or be a universal benefit until it is out of the hands of the present managing committee. I have always been of the opinion, and have frequently expressed that opinion, that the Borough Council should have the entire control of the supply; that it should be extended in every directidn, so that all within a reasonable distance should be able to take advantage of the water. The supply was never intended to be made a source of revenue, but an income should be derived from it sufficient to cover expenses, and to extend it that all might have its benefits. If you should do me the honor to elect me/1 shall use my best efforts to make ar-1 rangements that the interest of the County be purchased, or that the control of the supply shall be exercised by the Borough Council. (Applause.) With regard to the Thames and Waikato railway, I may say that this great public work, which bids fair to be soon started by the Government has always been advocated by me from the time, in 1868, when Messrs Grove and Butt addressed the electors in the old American Theatre, and the idea then originated by the late John Williamson, and advocated up to the present time, was first promulgated. The idea of a railway to Ohinemuri and on to the Waikato has bc3n a favorite one with the Thames people. The idea first proposed by Mr Williamson was that ; a tramway from Tararu to Shortland, with branch lines up 'the creeks, should be constructed, and that the main line should eventually run to Ohinemuri, and thus form a groundwork to a permanent line to communicate with the upper country, and in time to Waikato and Tauranga. In 1872 Captain Souter called a meeting of persons interested in the railway, when a petition was drawn up to the Government, and in the following year ;Mr Mitchell went as a delegate to Wellington to press upon the Government the formation of the line. I have been for years a member of the Bailway Committee, and went as one of a deputation to Sir J. Vogel, and have always taken the greatest interest in the matter. ° I resuscitated the question in July last, and myself and Captain Souter called the last meetings of the old Railway Committee, after; which it was pressed upon the Borough and County Councils to take the matter in hand. When in Wellington, during the session, I had an interview with Mr Macandrew, who told me, in reply to a question as to when the railways would likely be started; that as soon as the sanction of Parliament was obtained the line would be commenced He mentioned that he was induced by the great importance attached by Sir Georpe and Mr Sheehan, and had the line placed upon the schedule. That promise he is now carrying out, and it will be for the people, on the Thames to press upon the Government the great necessity there is for a commencement to be made from the Thames end. If I should be elected, it will still be-my greatest object to push. on the project, and it will be to me, as well as to the other residents of this township, a matter for congratulation if the commencement of this railway should take place during my term of office. (Cheers.) With a railway constructed to the Waikato, one of the next greatest considerations to the place is the formation of a good harbour. As an exofficio member of the Harbour Board, should I be elected,.my best efforts will be'directed to have such works carried out as will best tend to the object in view. The present Harbour Board is doing everything in its power, and when the report of Sir John Coode is received, it will then have some definite plan to conduct all their works. lam of opinion that all works of'any importance should be let by tender, and that for supplies to the Council the same course should be adopted. Ths mining operations in .the Big Pump I trust will ere long be carried on with, increased vigour, for I believe that a new company will be formed and prospecting work carried on as in days past. The south drive, in my opinion, should never have been discontinued, but carried to the Piako shaft, and that shaft put down a greater depth.- As all will see, I have refrained from allowing to appear in the columns ot the Star anything that could be said to reflect upon the character of Dr Kilgour, aDd I still intend doing so. (Cheers). When commencing my canvass I expressed a wish to my supporters not to make use of remarks calculated to call forth angry feelings. (Cheers). It is unfortunate that the friends of Dr Kilgour are not adopting the same course. I wish to find, alter this contest is over, that those feelin#3, goodwill and friendship, which should exist between residents in this township, shall not be disturbed. I shall feel pleased a.nd, of course, gratified ${; receiving the support of the majority of the ratepayers, and shall be quite satisfied without expecting every vote 6a the roll. , The speaker sat down amjdsi load sheering. The Cb airman, $en intimated that Mr McCuHpugh would be happy to answer my question put to him. Mr Grigg said a statement had appearediniheStarib^^^ilejnJTflllimj^

ton, Mr McCullough had so far enjoyed tho confidence of Miaisters as to bo consulted on matters of local interestwould' Mr McCullqugh be kind enough to mention what matters of local interest he had attended to when in Wellington ? Mr McCullough said he was personally acquainted mih all the members of Sir George Grey's Ministry, and whilst at Wellington, while negotiating prirate business, he had found, time to advocate the interests of the Thames. He had told .them of his conversation with Mr Macandrew re the railway question, and he intended to keep that gentleman to the distinct promise he hack. mede him. He had , seen Mr Sheehan every day, and spoke with him on all matters affecting Thames interests. That gentleman took the greatest interest in this place, and was most anxious to do anything he could to further its interests. He had spoken to Colonel Whitmqre respecting the Tolunteer parade ground and volunteer hall, and had been promised that a sum of money should be procured for the latter. Colonel Whitmore had also promised aul for the reclaiming of the parade groandL He had spoken to Mr Sheehanconcerning the balance of the £430 of the purchase money of the recreation ; ground, and it was mainly through the exertions of that gentleman that the Borough obtained the money which had been paid into.the public account; and some of the departments wished it to remain there. With Mr .Rowe he had spoken about the Borough endowments, but they were* informed that it was no use applying for any endowment that session; He had] not come prepared to answer such a question as Mr Grigg had put to him, and had only spoken of the matters that had come up to his mind. It was to his interest that the place should go ahead, wheu all his property was here, and he could say that newspaper property was of such a nature that depression in this place affected it considerably. He could say he was second to none in his desire to see the best interests of thisi; placed furthered. (Cheers.) T ,

Mr W. Rowe, M.H.R., on coming forward, was received with applause. He said he had just one question to' ask Mr \ McCullough, and it affected the* Borough at present more than any other question that could be put. In no time in the Borough's history was it so necessary to : practice the Strictest economy as at present, and it was his desire to see the Borough affairs administered as cheaply aa possible consistent with efficiency. Every shilling : should be admistered carefully, wisely, and well, and he would ask Mr McCullough, would he endeavour if elected'to reduce the Borough ex penditure. There was the Mayor's £150 per annum, end the Town Clerk's £300. These gentlemen would have to come down and adapt themselves to the circumstances of the place. If Mr MoCullough would not aid in that direction he would not get his (the speaker's) vote. (Cheers:) Addressing Mr McCul* lough, the speaker said: "Will you endeavour to limit the Borough expenditure as far as possible consistent with efficiency." (Cheers.) Mr McCullpugh promised he would do everything he could (o reduce the expenditure. Talking about financial matters, he believed that the Borough Gold Duty would shortly be relieved, as it was probably a large company would be formed to work the mines round about the Big Pump, and it would support ilself. * An individual—a non-ratepayer—got ion the stage to ask a question re the Mayoral salary, but was ruled out of > order by the Chairman.

Mr Pulleine proposed :—" That this meeting, having heard Mr McCullough on the several matjen affecting the interests of this community, is of opinion that he is a fit and proper person to bo Mayor of the Borough of Thames for the ensuing twelve months." (Applause.) : Mr H. T. Bowe seconded.

Mr Speight moveJ:—" That we thank Mr McCullough for calling this meeting, but decline io pass any further rote until after hearing the other side." (Dproar and hisaes, and cries of "Come down, Speight.") When the noise had a little subsided he said those who strike in' the dark did not like a blow back in the face. (Hisses.) He denied that he had circulated the rumour referred to in in the Star, but had thought it all the same, (Here there was a perfect storm of hisses, during which Mr Speight left the stage). < Mr T. A. Graham, said that the rumour had emanated from Mr Speight. He had heard it from several parties. (Cheers). Mr Thompson seconded the amendment., The amendment was then put, and 20 or3o hands were held up. On the motion being put, a perfect forest went up, and amidst enthusiastic cheering, the resolution was declared carried.

Mr McCuUough moved a vote «f thanks to the Chairman, which was carried by acclamation, and the meeting broke up. . '....'„'. •'" ■: ■ §vj

made passages with him. On his quarter deck he was as great an autocrat as the Czar of -Russia. The passenger who asked questions as to latitude, longitude, or how soon the ship would be at her dock, was referred to the cook in language otherwise than pleasing. In the cabin, however, or when oft' duty, the captain was genial, social and polite. Gout attacked him, and about seven years ago it compelled him to resign his ship, the Scotia, and live on land. At Mbsley Hill he had a room filled with the presents given him by his company, passengers and friends, and these he was never tired of showing to those who visited him. His -sight failed him of late, but those who -saw him only two weeks ago, thought there was little danger of his death for many years. He leaves a wife and grandson. He was about seventy years of age. '