MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS. THE MAYORALTY.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 234, 25 July 1872, Page 7

MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS. THE MAYORALTY.

The three candidates for the mayoralty of Lawrence addressed the ratepayers last week. Mr. Coverlid opened the ball by explaining his ideas on matters municipal, to an exceedingly stormy meeting at the Masonic Hotel, -on the evening of Thursday the 18th inst. Mr. Meyer addressed a meeting at the Commercial Hotel at half past seven o'clock on the following evening, and Mr. Edward Herbert at half past eight o'clock the same evening, gave an exposition of his views of various matters affecting the town. At both these meetings votes of confidence in the respective candidates were carried unanimously. On Saturday evening Mr. Coverlid appeared before a meeting he had convened at the Masonic Hotel, and announced his intention to retire in favor of Mr. Meyer, who afterwards spoke briefly, and answered a number of questions. The contest was thus left between Mr. Meyer and Mr. Herbert.

No election since the foundation of the municipality k excited such interest as the one which terminated on Monday last. Just previous to the nomination, the friends of Mr. Meyer thought his election by a large majority certain. The candidature by Mr. Herbert, however, completely changed the aspect of affairs. The friends of that gentleman organised a committee, which at its first sitting declared itself in permanent session, and worked energetically till the declaration of the poll. There was on the other hand no coherence amo ig the supporters of Mr. Meyer. No Ounimittee was formed, lind very little exertion used to further his cause. Had united action been taken by his party, there is no doubt that it would have secured him a much larger number of votes, although it is not likely that it would have affected the result of the election. Great dissatisfaction was expressed at the announcement that ratepayers would be allowed to vote in each ward wherein they held property. This gave an advantage to Mr. Herbert.

■The poll was taken on Monday last. From an early hour conveyances, employed by Mr. Herbert, Nvere engaged in bringing ratepayers to the polling booths from the outlying portions of the town. A number of voters also came from the Blue Spur, Evans Flat, and other localities. There was not a great display of mural literature. Mr. Herbert's Committee issued a manifesto inviting the electors to vote for Herbert and pure water, extension of mains, equitable distribution of rates, economy, and progress. The other side propounded the following problem by placard, " Rule of three. If Herbert saves £100 a year of the rates to redeem debentures, how much will be left to make footpaths." They also asked through posters the ratepayers to vote for Herbert and 10,000 acre block's, prefixing their request with Screw v. Ballot. All day long there was a number of people about the town, and towards the afternoon the interest began to intensify into excitement. Ratepayers who had not voted were considered as beings to be envied, and were treated with considerable deference and invited to liquor by both side 3. After they had passed- into the polling booths and out again, they relapsed into their normal condition, and became shouters instead of shoutee3. Rumors of occult and terrible influences brought to bear on the free and enlightened were freely circulated ;

and many, especially those* on the losing side, began to despair of 'the future of a country where such things were tolerated. About half-past three, some one discovered that, according to the Municipal Corporations Amendment Ordinance, the balloting had been wrongly conducted — the ratepayers having put a cross oppjsite the name of the candidate they intended to vote for, instead of crossing out the name of the candidate they did not intend to vote for. This created some temporary excitement, and dark threats of Supreme Court actions for a time floated about Peel-street, changing the equanimity of some into vague fears and of others into lauerhter. One noticeable feature in the day's proceedings was the number of defaulting ratepayers that paid up for the privildge of voting. If such a result would always attend contested elections, it might be advantageous for the town to have elections once a quarter. At 4 o'clock a comparatively large assemblage had gathered in front of the Council Chambers. Ib had to wait about three quarters of an hour before the state of the poll was declared. At a quarter to five, the Mayor appeared at the window, and declared the result of the poll to be«s follows :—: — Herbert. Meyer. Eastward - - 46 28 Middle Ward - 30 20 West Ward 15 6 91 54 He therefore declared Mr. Edward Herbert duly elected Mayor of Lawrence for the ensuing municipal year. The announcement was received with loud oheering. Mr. Herbert appeared at the window and said he thanked the ratepayers for electing him to the position of Mayor. He thanked especially those who had interested themselves in his behalf and worked to secure his return, and he also thanked those opposod to him for the courtesy they had displayed during the contest. Now that the election was over, he hoped all feelings of jealousy would be thrown to the winds, and that all would join and enable -him to carry out the policy he advocated, viz., economy and progress. • He thought he had no need to repeat the promises he had made, as he was sure they were recorded in the memories of the ratepayers, and they would not fail to judge whether he had redeemed them or not. He hoped that at the expiration of twelvemonths, when he came before them again, it would be as an honest man who had faithfully fulfilled his promises. He trusted that by his act 3 a better opinion of him would be entertained by the ratepayers ; and in conclusion he would again heartily thank them. Three hearty cheers were given for Mr. Herbert. Mr. Meyer was called for, but was not present. The assemblage then dispersed. NOMINATION OF COUNCILLORS. The nomination of Councillors took place in the Council Chambers yesterday at noon. The Mayor occupied the chair. The following gentlemen were nominated for the respective wards :—: — West Ward. — Mr. Jonas Ilarrop and Mr. James Hill. East Ward. — Mr. Matthew Hay and Mr. William Mears. Middle Ward.— Mr. John Mouat and Mr. Win. Hayes. Each of the candidates, with the excepI tion of Mr. Mouat, who was engaged in court, addressed the ratepayers "present, and answered various questions to the apparent satisfaction of the assemblage. The Mayor then announced that a poll would be taken in each ward on Monday next, the 29th instant. There being only two candidates nominated as auditors, .the Mayor declared Mr. Thomas Arthur and Mr. George B. King duly elected.