THE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 235, 1 August 1872, Page 7

THE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

The poll for the election of Councillors to fill the vacancies caused by the retirement of Messrs, Mears, Williams, and Uren, took place on Monday last. Everything passed off quietly — no semblance even of interest being visible. For the Middle Ward there was no contest, Mr. Mouat having withdrawn in favor of Mr Hayes. Shortly after 4 o'clock, the Returning Officer announced in the Council Chambers the numbers polled, which were as follows :—: — EAST WAB.D. Hay 34 M»ars • - 29 MIDDLE WAKD. Hayes - - - - -23 Mouat 3 WEST WARD. Hill 11 Harrop 9 He therefore declared Messrs. Matthew Hay, William Hayes, and James Hill duly elected. Mr. Hay thanked those who had voted for him, and also the committee which j had worked to secure his return. He took the opportunity to state that a scandalous report which had been circulated concerning him for election purposes, viz. , that Messrs. Herbert & Co. paid his elecexpenses, was utterly untrue. He would do his utmost for the toarn in genera 1 , and the East Ward in particular. He would be an independent member, and if he found he could not work with the other Councilliors for the benefit of the town, he would resign. If he did not do his duty, he pledged himself on the requisition of six ratepayers to resign. Mr. Hayes considered that owing to the peculiar position in which he was placed, it was not necessary for him to say much. He felt assured, however, that if the election had been contested, he would not have occupied a humiliating position. He would do his utmost to promote the welfare of the town, and thanked those who had supported him. He felt almost as grateful as if he had been elected after a hot contest. Mr. Hill said he felt exceedingly proud at being placed in the position of victorious candidate. He hoped the ratepayers would not have cause to regret the confidence they had placed in him, and trusted to be able to make things work more satisfactorily than hitherto. Mr. Mears thanked those who had snpi ported him. He had to contend against a powerful committee, the members of which possessed very little property in East Ward. He had no doubt that Mr. Hay would suit the requirements of those gentlemen. For himself he was perfectly satisfied with the result of the election. He had come forward only at the request of some of the principal property holders in the East Ward, He had been four ■years in the Council, and that was enough for him. He hoped at the expiration of four years, should Mr. Hay oontesj an election, he would occupy such a respectable position on the. poll as be (Mr. j Mears) had done that day. A vote of thanks to the Chairman, ; brought the proceedings to a close.