THE MAYORALTY OF LAWRENCE' THE NOMINATION.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 233, 18 July 1872, Page 5

THE MAYORALTY OF LAWRENCE' THE NOMINATION.

The nomination of candidates for the Mayoralty of Lawrence took place at noon on Friday, the 32th instant, at the Council Chambers. The Mayor having read the clause in the act directing the mode of procedure, announced that three gentlemen had been duly nominated, viz., Henry William Coverlid, Edward Herbert, and Frederick Meyer. He said that that it was usual on such occasions for the candidates to address those assembled, and he would call upon them to do so in the order in which he had read their names. , - ' Mr. Coverlid said that he had come forward in response to a requisition from the ratepayers. If they thought he was fit to hold the position, and elected him, he would do his best for the advancement of the town. He had always, as a councillor, acted conscientiously, althongh some had not approved of his actions. He would remind them that it was impossible to please everybody. He would redeem the debentures at present out, borrow money for the extension of the water supply, and levy water rates for the purpose of paying interest. At present the benefits of the water supply were enjoyed by only a few, which was not fair to the great body of the ratepayers. He concluded by stating that during the next municipal year there was a good deal of work to be done, and it was necessary that the gentleman elected to the office of Mayor should, in order to fulfil his duties properly, have had experience in the Council. In answer to questions, Mr. Coverlid said he was in favour of removing the post-office to a more central position ; of adopting measures to Pjßß^~ water in the reservoir ; and thai^H "ta er had cost £180 last year. e# r Mr. Herbert said that at^Pe f / .citation of some friends he had oouHKd to allow himself to be nominated VHV H candidate for the Mayoralty. If elecKd, he would do the best he possibly could to promote the welfare and advance the interests of the town. He had had no experience iv the Council, but that he thought was not a fatal objection to his candidature. He did not think it was indispensable that the Mayor- ahould have been in the Council. However, that was a matter for the ratepayers to decide. If they were of opinion that the Mayor should be selected from among the councillors, then, of course, they would not elect him. lie was in favour of extending the water supply ; of getting a competent scientific gentleman to inspect the reservoir, and devise means for purifying the water ; of keeping the roads in proper repair ; and spending the municipal revenues as judiciously as possible. Jn answer to questions, the candidate said that iv reference to the water supply, he would get the best scientific opinion procurable ; that he would be guided by the Council in extending the water supply ; was in favour of spending the money equitably. Regarding the revenue to be derived from licenses, &c, he considered that it was uot necessary to expend it all on the main rtad— sufficient to keep it in proper repair was all that was required. He would not get a street closed without the knowledge of the Council ; and would try to get improvements in ■ the streets effected by prison labour. He would like to see the recreation ground improved, and would recommend the Council to apply to the Government for trees to plant. He was not well posted up in municipal matters, but if elected, they might depend that he would le;irn his duties thoroughly. If the ratepayers had confidence in him in other respects, he did not think his want of knowledge rendered him ineligible. Mr Meyer read an address, of which the following is a resume: — He craved their indulgence for not being able to make a powerful speech, like the present Mayor. He congratulated the ratepayers upon the success of the efforts of the recent conference in obtaining for the municipalities the licenses, &c, accruing in them in lieu of a subsidy — which success was in a great measure attributable to the exertions of their worthy Mayor. He considered the concession made by the Provincial Government a great benefit to the up-countiy municipalities, as it insured them a permanent income, which would increase as the places progressed. At present the sum Lawrence will receive through this arrangement is £280 per annum. This, added to the amount accruing from the rates, at one shilling in in the pound, will give a total revenue to the municipality of £800 per annum. Regarding the waterworks' debentures, he was of opinion that they should be allowed to expire, and then a fresh loan, for seven or fourteen years, should be taken up. By this course, it vvould be seen that as the population increased the burden of taxation will fall less heavily on the ratepayers. He was in favour of extending the water mains where required. He would like to see the Government sell a portion of the Government reserve, and Campbell tonstreet extended through to Peel-street. He was -in favor of removing the post-office to a more ceutnil and convenient locality. In hia opinion the present building is totally unfit for the

purposes it is intended, and a new building is urgently required. He was anxious to see the old cemetery removed ; to see the boundary of the town extended so that the cemetery would be under the control of the Corporation. He would support the expenditure of aniall sums of money in planting trees in various parts <>f the town. The formation of a, fire brigade was, in his opinion, very necessary, and he thought that street lamps should be erected in various parts of the town. In conclusion, he assured them that, if elected, he would do all in his power to promote the interests and welfai'e of the ratepayers. In answer to questions Mr. Meyer stated that he w.mld agree to the Corporation exchanging a portion of the Municipal reserve for a portion equally valuable of the Government reserve. Would be in favor of the Government and Corporation joining to erect a buildihg which would serve both as a Town Hall and post-office. He was infavor of-snbsidising a fire brigade, and the erection of a weighbridge. He was in favor of making roads and footpaths where there was most traffic. The Mayor called for a show of hands which resulted as follows ,—, — Herbert 11 Meyer ••• 7 Coverlid 5 Mr. Coverlid demanded a poll, which, the Mayor stated, would be taken on Monday the 22nd instant. A- vote of thanks to the Mayor for presiding, brought the proceedings to a close.