NOMINATION FOR COUNCILLORS.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 181, 27 July 1871, Page 5

NOMINATION FOR COUNCILLORS.

In pursuance of the Municipal Ordinance, the nomination of candidates for the offices of Town Councillors and Auditors took place on Tuesday last at noon in the Council Chambers, Lawrence. There was a moderate attendance of ratepayers. Councillor Mears, who presided, read the following nominations :—Auditors — Messrs. J. L. S. Keen, Armstrong, King, and T. Arthur. Councillors — East Ward : Mr. M'Kimmie, proposed by Mr. G. Jeffery, seconded by Mr. W. D. Morrison. Mr. H. W. Coverlid, proposed by Mr. J. Crow, seconded by Mr. George Clark.

Mr. M'Kimmie on being called upon, said he thought Mr. Coverlid should have addressed the meeting first, seeing that he was the more familiar with municipal matters, and was supposed to know the exact position of the Council. However, he (Mr. M'Kimmie) would be as brief as possible. Fur the last two years he had spent a good deal of money in purchasing and improving land in the Municipality, and that among others was a reason for his wishing to see the place prosper. He assured them, that if elected, he would bring all his energies to bear upon the performance of his duties. He did not approve of half measures, but would work heart and soul for the general good of the ratepayers. lie believed that a sum of £1000 or £1200, for which 7 per cent was being paid, was due by the Council in debentures, a debt for the sweeping away of whbh he would suppport any feasible scheme. The accomplishment of this desirable end was rendered much more difficult now that the Government subsidy had ceased ; but it had been mooted that the General Government had sot apart a certain amount of money to be lent to up-country Municipalities in sums of £10,000 each at 6 per cent. Now, what he would suggest was this : to borrow this sum from the (ipverninent, sweep off the debentures, and thus effect a saving of 1 per cent, per annum. He also thought the Government would prove more lenient than private individuals. In answer to questions, Mr. M'Kimmie said he was in favour of retrenchment, and also thought that a special rate should be levied on those who had the use of the water from the municipal reservoir. He would advocate an increase in the rate for the ensuing year, as he thought this was necessary from the financial condition of the Corporation. A great number of questions were put to the candidate, which he answered satisfactorily. Mr. Coverlid then briefly addressed the meeting. In seeking their suffrages once more he might be permitted to say that during the time he had had the honour of representing them in the Town Council he had endeavoured to do what he conceived to be for their best interests, and should they re-elect* him he would continue to dv so. He had devoted a great deal of time and trouble to their welfare, but he considered that to benefit himself he must benefit hisfellowmen. lie assured them that his energies would not be directed to the advancement of his own particular ward alone, but for the whole Municipality. The candidate then went through the usual ordeal of cross- examination.

For the Middle Ward, Mr. F. Meyer was proposed by Mr. J. C. Arbuckle, seconded by Mr. J. Hill. This being the only candidate, he was duly elected. For the West Ward, Mr. Geo*. Walker, proposed by Mr. J. Harrop, and seconded by Mr. C. Bryant, was the only candidate. Duly elected. Mr. Walker briefly expressed his gratitude to the electors for having placed that amount of confidence in him£which had raised[him to the prou d and hon< >v rable position of their representative in the Town Council of Lawrence. The candidate then submitted to the usual infliction.

A vote of thanks to the Presiding Officer closed the proceedings. The election will take place on Tuesday, the Ist of August, between the hours of 9 a.m. aud 4 p.m. at the following places : — Councillors for the East Ward, at the Atheneeum. Auditors (2) — Atheneeum, Council Chambers, and Mr. Joseph Williams' Oven's store.