Hastings.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 4018, 14 November 1881, Page 2

Hastings.

A correspondent sends us the following: —According to an advertisement in the Star, Mr Carran met the electors of Hastings on last Saturday evening at the School. I think no' one was more astonished than the candidate to see the muster, as about fifty bona fide ratepayers assembled in their best bibs and tucker, with one exception, to hear that gentle* man's views. Mr R. S. McFarlane was ▼oted to .the chair, and discharged his duties to the satisfaction of all presentMr Carran stated that the only object he had in view as a candidate was retrenchment. He considered the working machinery of the Thames County 'too elaborate and expensive, and illustrated the subject by comparing with the Rodney and ,Coromandel Councils, stating that Rodney paid 5| per cent., and Coromandel 7f per cent., whereas it ' cost the Thames 30 per cent. He then continued by referring to his views on contracts, and would urge, if returned, that all contracts be let by public tender, and all small jobs be given to men who were ratepayers, but too old to work, on wages. la describing the working of this plaa I think Mr Carran rather unhappy in going in personalities,asfrom that time the public feeling showed against him. He concluded by stating that he would urge the opening of a dwtjr^ road complete to Coromandel, and afro'' 1 extend dray road in Hastings Valley *as far as practicable, and from there com-, municate with the .several stations on the East Coast by bridle tracks. Mr Hawkes proposed that this meeting having heard Mr Carran, consider he has pledged himself to do no more than our present representative is now carrying out, would therefore cordially record him a vote of thanks for his address this evening. Seconded by Mr Bodeu. Mr H. M. Jacobs proposed, as an amendment, that this meeting have .conn* denes in Mr Carran, and consider him fit and proper to represent the Hastings' Z Riding. Seconded by Captain Jackson^' The amendment was put and Uwt,vaud the original motion carried by acolamv tion.