MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

Tuapeka Times, Volume II, Issue 77, 31 July 1869, Page 3

MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

The nomination of candidates. for the election of Councillors fo*-^tKe-Oorporation of .Lawrence took place i in the Council Chambers on Saturday, the 24th inst., at twelve o'clock. There was a fair attendance of ratepayers. The Mayor being absent in Dunedin, Cr. Keen received a telegram deputing him to occupy the chair on the occasion. Cr. Keen called upon the Town Clerk to read the nominations, which were as follows : — EAST WAED. Mr. J. H. Pressly, proposed by Mr. "William M'Beath, and seconded * by Mr. Matthew Hay. Mr. H. W. Coverlid, proposed by Mr. John Donovan, and seconded by Mr. James Harris. WEST "WAED. Mr. Arthur Henderson, proposed by Mr. James Harris, and seconded by Mr. A: Turner. Mr. Jonas Harrop, proposed by Mr. J. C. Brown, and seconded by Mr. John M'Coll. MEDDLE WAED. . Mr. Frederick Meyer, proposed by Mrl G-eorge Searle, and seconded by . Mr. William M'Beath. Mr. James Y. Henry, proposed by Mr. Mr. E. "Walsh, and seconded by Mr. Austin Parker. EAST WAED. Mr. Pressly confessed it was with a degree of diffidence that he came forward as a nominated candidate. He ' had no private motives to serve, but considered it right that every man should come forward at the call of duty to take his turn in managing the affaire of the locality in which he resides. It was purely on that account he came forward. He did not aspire to the office of Councillor ; it was one in which he had no experience. A numerously-signed requisition had been presented to him, and if those who

signed that requisition thought he was

capable of discharging the duties of the oflice, he was at their service. He, might state that he had no personal or private interest to serve. In reply to questions, Mr. Pressly said, as the Council was somewhat embarrassed for want of funds, he would be inclined to make a general reduction ..in all expenditure. Mr. Coverlid had been asked several times to stand for the East Ward, and as he lived in it, and thought its streets capable of many improvements, he wished to stand on his own merits. .There were many things which might be carried out better by an infusion of new blood into the Council. In reply to questions, he said he would not be 'in favour of extending the water pipes at present. He thought the Corporation was at present sufficiently involved. He would certainly vote for a footpath to the Hospital, and any necessary work of that kind, but as regarded a town hall, he would not at present be in favour of it, not even by borrowing money to carry out the work, as that would only increase taxation. Would like to see Rossplace and Whitehaven-street handed over to the Corporation, and a sum allowed to keep them in repair. The Chairman then said that the election for East Ward would take place on Monday, the 2nd August, at the Athenaeum Building. WEST WAKD. Mr. Harrop had spoken to Mr. Henderson, who said he ' would not stand again for West Ward. He came forward in compliance with the request of several electors of the Ward. He thought he had as great a claim as any in the place to municipal honours, as he was one of the oldest residents in the district, and had acted honourably in all his dealings. In reply to questions, Mr Harrop said he would tax all those by whose property the water pipes were laid, whether they used the water or not. The work had been done by the Corporation, and must be paid for. Had the road to the coal-pit and cemetery been repaired months ago it would have been done at a very small cost ; now, however, it would take thrice the amount. He thought it would be well for the Government to hand over the trusteeship of the cemetery to the Corporation. Would be in favour of fencing the old cemetery, but not of having the graves removed. Would be in favour of expending a sum of money to lessen the gradient of Cemetery . Hill ; and would also be in favour of rescinding the motion passed in Council by which the execution of public works go by rotation and not I according to pressing necessity. Would . be in favour of reducing the salaries and everything consistently. Mr. Henderson, the other candidate, was called on but made no ap- . pearance. The Chairman then stated that the election for West Ward would take place on Monday, the 2nd August, at the house of Mr. Walker. MIDDLE WAKD. . Mr. Meyer said when he took oflice as Councillor, it appeared from the books that there was a balance of £260 to come to the Corporation, but when . the Provincial auditor came to Lawrence he by some means made out that v the balance stood on the other side The Council had made its calculation on a subsidy of £2 to £1 on the whole of the rates, whereas it should have . been only ]on a shilling rate. They Wer the belief ttat they: had

some £1800 to spend, but it'turaed out that there was only some £600 or £700, and on that account many proposed public • works had to be postponed. He, with the other Councillors, had done all that could be done for Ross-place; they had kept constantly hammering at the Government, and at last got it to call for tenders for* culverts, which the contractor was now busy forming. They had been obliged to enlarge the reservoir, in the hope of getting the water clear. He thought that eventually the water would become clear, when it had time to settle down. A number of questions were asked Mr. Meyer, and satisfactorily answered. -^ Mr. Henry then came forward and said that as he had not the experience of his opponent, he might be short in his reckonings. There was no great question befoTe the Council ; the only duly devolving upon the Councillors was to see the rates properly allocated. The amount expended in each Ward should correspond as near as possible to the rates and subsidy on those rates derived from each Ward. In reply to questions, Mr. Henry said that while he would allocate the rates and subsidy as described, there were eases in which the general fund of the Corporation must be drawn upon, such as a ! a road to the cemetery, a footpath to the Hospital, a footpath from the corner of Gabriels to Harris' corner. The most needful works, however, should have the preference. He believed that if the Council had the chargo of the main road through Lawrence they could get it put in repair for one-third the sum that day-men cost the Government.

The election for the Middle "Ward to take place in the Council Chambers on the same day as the others. The Chairman then said that the only further business was the nomination of auditors, and as there were two required and only two nominated, he declared them elected. They were Mr. Armstrong and Mr. Richards. The proceedings then terminated.