THE MAYORALTY.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 3, Issue 933, 24 November 1881, Page 2

THE MAYORALTY.

The nomination for the office of Mayor ofMasterton did not attract the amount of interest usually displayed in municipal affairs by the burgesses of Masterton, only some half-dnzen, persons including one of the candidates (Mr Bish) being present. Mesßrs Caselberg and Bish having been declared duly nominated the proceedings were ovpr, hating occupied about half a minute. Thjs MEETING IN THE EVENING however, was attended by over 200 people, and great interest manifested in the matter, Mr J, y. Smith was voted to the chair on the motion ol Mr Caselberg aeoonded by Mr Bish, and stated thai he would rather some one else had been selected for the position, but having been asked by both candidates he had no excuße for deolining. He said both candidates had a good standing in the Borough, and both enjoyed the respect of their fellow townsmen, so that it was difficult to say which they would choose, but a public meeting-having been called burgesses could hear each candidate, express his; views and then decide, which would best suit'them. .Public nieetinga were| very valuabla if properly, conducted, as they" werg'tlie' best'_educa't6rai,' of those who had not'the means of obtaining info'r-

mation ipr forming opinions from other sources. This being the case, and public meetings being useless.if each speaker were not allowed to express himself without unseemly interruptions, 1 he appealed to the working men present to assist him in making the present meeting a thoroughly orderly and: fair one, (loud applause), us by this means a man could probably lenrti more in two hours than from any other. source in two. months. (Loud applause). He called upon Mr Bish to address them first. ~.

Mr Bish, who was received with applause, claimed their indulgence as not being ,a. practised public speaker. He first touched upon the Council's mode of carrying oft "public works, "Some time agoit had been proposed to raise a

LOAN to complete the public streets, but they had gone on in a steady manner and had done all they had been asked without borrowing, by inaugurating a system of subsidy, that was—those who required roads and footpaths subscribed a proportion of the cost of thorn, which the Council subsidised and did the work required, He claimed that the system had worked well, and the result of it would prove far more beneficial than if they had saddled the burgesses with a heavy rate, as would have been done had the loan been raised fur which a majority of votes had been given at a public meeting on the question some years ago. That majority, however, was not a majority of the whole Borough, and many in favor of a loan then had altered their minds since. One of the purposes for which a loan waß asked for then was the erection of Council Cliamuers at a cost of LIOOO, but they had a building at L3O per year with which all wore satisfied. This one of many ways in which the loan would havobeßti squandered, and he claimed that they'had done more practical good with their rates alone than they would have done had they secured the LBOOO loan. (Applause). The time would arrive when they would require to borrow money, and they should wait Datieiitly till then, He believed in some proposal similar to that of the Government, for enabling local bodies to raise funds easily and cheaply, and hoped to see it become an accomplished thing next session. With regard to the proposal lo

DIVIDE THE BOROUGH into Wards, he did not think Masterton large enough (or that, and if it were done, an antagonistic feeling would grow up in the Council instead of all working for the whole Borough; each would get aa much as he could for his particular Ward, and log-rolling would be sure to creep in, The centre now required but little doing to it, and more attention could be given to the outlying portions of the Borough, (Mr Cookery; How about Bannister-st ?) He had much pleasure in informing them that the plans for that street wore under way, mid the work would shortly ba dono, (Applause), He had fought hard and long for that street, as being one much used and greally neglected, though property on it paid high rates, (Applause), The BOROUGH ENDOWMENT in the Forty-Mile Bush had been called a white elephant, and the Council hai even been censured for accepting it. But 1)0 did not take this m% Bofprp many years that block would be a great source of revoinie to the Borough, as settlement was going on all around it, aud those who saw the district two years. ago aud saw it uow would be astonished at its progress, The other endowment, the Borough COTTAGES, ho could not speak so well of. They were nearly always unoccupied, and if they were let no rent could be obtained, Perhaps the best thing they ciuld do was to turn them into ministerial residences for the Councillors. (Laughter. A voice: Turn them into jijnatjc asylums 1) The WATER SUPPLY was not a very great difficulty h Masterton. Ho believed the gardeners who had rentotl the land from Mr Renall had already brought the water on to it, and the same flow could be taken through the town. The

PKAIJJAOE QUESTION was a very large one, aud when the time came when such a scheme was really necessary, a thoroughly efficient engineer should be appointed to carry it out. It would cost a large amount of money, and would mean an incroaso of rates, therefore the greatest care would be necessary to have the matter well done when decided upon. (Applause,) With regard to the present requirements of the Borough for an ENGINEER, he thought the time had come when a more satisfactory state of things should be instil uted. At present Cr Russell gave his lime aud services to the Borough, but not being a responsible oflicer of the Borough, when any complaint arose as to the way he did the work, his answer was,'» Take it out of what you pay me"; that was " nil." He thought the plans and specifications of works should be drawn out by an efficient person, who could obarge a percentage on the work, and be responsiblo for its due performance. A great deal had been said and written about the Borough Council with regard to its action in forcing the COUSTV WEST to a settlement. They had not only to fight the. -County but also the public Press, and he was happy to eay the Borough had come ojf victorious, and with clean hands (Hear! Hear I). He thought the various SMALL BODIES in the Borough-such as the Park and Cemetery Trusts, Town Lands Trust, Hospital,, far, should be amalgamated into one body. (Mr Renall: No,)' He said yes, This would savo a great deal of trouble and exponso, as each one'now had alt the machinery for working the whole. They could be merged into the Borough Council with advantage, as he held that Iho more responsibility placed on the. C uncillors'shoulders tho better they would dp .their work, and the mo*e inducement it would be for gopd men to come forward for a seat in the Council. When he was first asked to come forward as MAYOR, he had declined, and would willingly have given way to some older councillor. But none having wished to come forward, and several having expressed themselves willing to support him, he had consented to stand. He did so more readily, as he thought it far from right that a walk over should take place for the hqnor (Loud and prolonged cheering. A yoice: That was your first clap, and we gave you double allowance (Laughter)), Mr Caselberg had been asked several times to come forward as councillor, but had invariably refused, as he had not time, But if he had the interests of the Borough at heart, he would have shown that he desired to do something for them before claiming the honor of being Mayor, Mr Caselberg had recently resigned as Chair, man of the Greytown Biver Board on the ground that he had no time, and, if he had no time for that position, he had not for that of Mayor. He (Mr Bish) bad little to gain if he was elected, and —(A voice: And little to lose (Laughter.) Certainly, except a little money and time. In his opinion Mr Caselberg had not done anything for the Borough, mid, when he had served'h'a term as Mayor, would he come forward and serve

them in the Gounoil ? Nol (Cheers and hisses). He had almost forgotten. one thing, and that was : OAS. (A voice: Henall can supply that.— Laughter). He believed hallowing this, matter to be taken up by a private com,-, pauy when the time came fonts necessity, He would now be pleased to answer any question that might be put to him. Mr E, Wrigley said he had a, question to ask re the building regulations, and he m f surprised Mr Bish had emitted the subject from his address. Mr lish was reported to have said at last nighi'a Council meeting that the fussabout these regulations had been caused through one man wishing to save a paltry expense. (Mr Bish: So it was). He had brought op the matter on behalf of the other builders m the Borough, and Mr Bish evidently alluded to him in the Counoil. He considered Mr Bish had taken the matler up on personal grounds. • ' Mr McCardle suggested that Mr Wrigley put his question, and socak|on the subject when a resolution was before them. The Chairman stated that he was just suggesting that course to the speaker, who had a perfect right to explain his question. He understood the question to be whether Mr Bish approved of altering the existing building regulations iu No. 1 district ? Mr Bish said, he would explain the matter before answering the question. Mr Wrigley wished to build in No. 1 district. Mr Wrigley: I did not. Mr Bish: You did. Mr "Wrigley wished to build iu No, 1 district. Mr Wrigley; stick to the truth I(Uproav).

Mr Bish: Mr Wrigley brought qp the ' question to suit himself, and I say it fear, lessly. Mr Wrigley ; Why ? Mr Bish : You wanted to put up a building near the Waipoua without putting iron aides. Mr _ Wrigley: I have not put upHfe house in No, 1 district these two yeara, | Mr Bish: That portion of the district jb not muoh built upon now, but in six months it might be crowded with build, inga, and a Are would do "immense, damage. Ai an instance of how necessary it was to have fire resisting material on buildings dose together he alluded to the fire at Sellar and Hales' stores, where only the fact that the side waa of iron saved the block from Mason's corner to the Prince of Wales Hotel, as long as he waa in the Council he would hejo to make by-laws for the good' of the whole, not for the individual enses. He thought that perhaps a.c.ortain amount of discretion might be allowed the Council in the working of the by-lnws, but there waa always, the danger, if this were so, of outside influence making itself felt. However, he would support the Council having sime discretionary power,-* (Applause). A voice (reassuringly): Now you'll get in.-(Laughter). Mr Wrigley asked if he would be in order'yet to taokle Mr Bish again, but was ruled not in order. Mr Caselberg then ascended the platform amid loud anplause, He commenced by answering Mr Bish's objections to his oandidature. He had never really been nslfad to stan4 for municjpa} honors till on the present occasion. l He did not think Mr Bish meant iuten. tionally to misrepresent him, but asrer gards doing nothing for Mastertpn, ])p could show he was quite wrong. He (Mr Caselberg) had now been a resident in the town for five years and had served ■' on several public bodies in it as many present could testify. He had been on tlie first hospital committee in Masterton ' and had done some service in getting the building erected, and va6 proud to say he was still one of its trustees. He had served on the sphool comrnittee.having been elected Chairman of it, and in {hat ppsitjon had ''• supported the petition of the Kuripunt people for a school, though Mr Sliute had accused him of opposing it. He did not wish to appear to be bidding for votes, but he thought lie could not iivo in aplaoo aud erect such buildings as lie had without doing some good for it. He bad always taken his part in any matter affecting the welfare of the Borough. He could also olaim an Interest in all the churches and pnblio buildings in the town as far as subscriptions wont, and he thought when all circumstances were considered it was rather unkind of Mr Bish to say he had done nothing for the town. tApplause.) When ho came up to Masterton it should be remembered lip had a lot to do, and a'so that Masterton had already very good men to look after her interests. Ho had not intended coming forward in the present contest till he received the requisition, and lie then asked several councillors if they were going to stand, as if they had he would not havo done s->, as he did not wish to rido over their bends. He should have asked Mr Bish but that gentleman had asked him to stand and had offered to get up a requisition to him. (Laughter.) (Mv Bish: I contradict that) Ho then explained bow he had worked his way by his own industry from his first arrival in • the Wairarapa 17 or 18 years ago, with a swag till now he had a fair commercial position, and hadalso acquired a little wife and a large family. (Laughter and applause.) In other words he had a permanent stake in the place. He had served in many public capacities in Groytown, had also been elected to represent thit riding in the West County Council. Ho had also been chairman of a school committee there 14 years ago, He always took a very great interest in education,, probably because he had not had many opportunities in that direction himself, and an uneducated man always valued education more than those who'poßsessed it. He looked upon the tendency of tho age to be a democratic or republican one, 1 and to have sound and lasting democratio institutions you must have an educated people, and lie always did his best to further the cause ofeclncation. (Applause,) He thanked them for the patient hearing they had given his personal statement, and proceeded to unfold his municipal policy. He might 'first state that as bjs interests in the Borough were large and/ fixed, anything that affected the welfare of the Borough affected him, and there, fore it was but natural he would work for the good of the whole. (Applause.) With regard to

BORROWING, he agreed with Mr Bish to a great oxUnt, He would not borrow for pAINAOE at present., £IO,OOO would be required, and that would mean nearly all their present rates as interest and sinking fund, Some who advocated borrowing said if; was only for reproductive works, but he could not call drainage a reproductive work, and it would make rates 2s in the I, instead of Is, as a{ present, With regard to he thought it might be left to a private company, the Borough to reserve power to take the works over when it thought it desirable to do so. WATERWORKS. would coat ilO.Otfb or'£ls,ooo. "(Mr Eenall: No.). ! He did not mean Waterworks like Mr Benall meant (Laughter). He meant mains, pipes, and taps; 'but this he thought they could do without, and not yo into debt for it Theif 1 wells were all good, and the creeks could supply

the town for 6re brigade purposes (Applause). Ho thought the FIRE BRIGADE should hare moro substantial recognition at the'hands of tho Borough than it had. A subsidy of £ per J on subscriptions should be; paid it ill ordor that they might obtain, every necessary appliance and - become thoroughly efficient'; Ho thought it would practically be a saving to the Borough to do this. VV| len ] le said he was not in favor of borrowing ho must, not be understood tb n lm would not borrow fur urgent public works or fi.r ' ;. ' ." ■/ STEHKT WIDENING where it was necessary. But, when streets were widened, property owners should'contribute largely to tho cost, as it increased their property in, value. Tiny could not make.,a hard-and-fast rule' in tho matter, and the Council, should havo discretionary power to' acquire land, if necessary, without this condition. One thing he thought it should insist upon, and that was that nil NEW STREETS on private property should be formed before the Borough took tlioin over (Applause). He was, however, in favor of borrowing for street widening, when it was necessary. It was said ho knew nothing about local affairs, but ho had been connected with public matters for tho last fourteen or fifteen years. A good bootmaker might change from ono street to another, but that did not interfere with his knowledge or skill (Applause). Some seomed to think , KUKIFUNI was sat upon, and a stranger had asked him where it was, as they appeared to be ill-treating it. Ho regarded Kuripuni as part of Masterton, and not separated in any way, and its interests should always liavo their fair share of attention. He agreedwith Mr Bish ro the DIVISION OF THE BOROUGH. The time had not yet arrived for it. Fiue streets and good roads did not make a pliico prosperous; what was required was people with work for them to do and good wages paid when-they had earned thorn. (Applause) The only plan to bring this about was to establish. LOCAL INDUSTRIES; •. Butter and cheese factories, the manufacture of jam, woollen factories, and wheu that oame to pass population would flow in, their rates would be increased and they would he able to obtafn all they desM'odintho matter of public works. He understood one gontleman was about to plant 100 acres with frait-troe's'iii Mastjrton. Tho Nelson jam works were very sucoossfnl, and so they could be here and give work to a great number of peoplo. He did not think tho proposed woollen faotory would be a sucoess, owing to the fact that ono was also to bo started in Wellington with a much larger capital. He thought, however, tho local one could manufacture yarns and flannels with profit and not attempt tweed, cloths, *e. He thanked them for the patient hearing .they had given him and expressed himself willing to answer any question. (Applause). .A Voice: How do yon sell bacon? (Laughter). .MrOasolburg: fid by the side, (Loud laughter). 'A.Voice; How about the building I'flf!"latipns ? Mr Caselborg hardly understood the question but it reminded him of one thing be wished to speak about viz., the Borough Engineer. 'He paid a high compliment to the Councillors for the good achieved by them in tho past in doing all work,gratuitously, but Iho .time had now arrived when a now departure should be made. There was no responsible pennn to draw up plans and jpecifications and to see things were properly carried out, and they srmnld got a man for tho purpose. (Mr Eenall: We've gothim-Cr Russell), Then let him be a servant and accept the responsibility. His salary need not be high, and he could have a private practice The funds of the ratepayers would be saved and their works done much more satisfactorily, With regard to the BUILDING REGULATIONS, he thought if they were harsh they should be amended, but if not, they should he enforced, and the ratepayers should remember that the men in the Council were supposed to act as the people themselves, as they were their representatives, and their actions should be backed up when fair and proper. (Loiid npptauap.) Mr Renal], who was received with applause, moved a vote of thanks to the Candidates. He said thaj; he supported Mr Bish because bo considered an apprenticeship in the Council was' necessary before the Mayor's l"i ur was asoired tf>. He hoped when Iho Council did consider lh.e appointment of an Engineer they vv'.iiiM remember the services and appoint Mr It'raell who had great claims upon them, That also would leave a seat vacant for him (Mrßenall) at the Council if they wanted hiin, (Applause,) Mrßenall gave a very interesting address on Borough affairs, thanking the Councillors for their kindness to him in the Council, giving his reason for not again coming forward, and thanking the burgesses for having returned him unopposed on the last'Ciasion, though he would have much preferred a contested election as being more healthy (applause), Mr Dalrymple seconded the vote of thanks. Mr Bish stated that ho had. only said in joke to Mr Caselberg that he ought to stand. _ Mr Caselberg snid ho was not much of a joker, and took it in earnest, and he also understood that Mr Bish had asked one gentleman to sign a requisition to him (Mr Cr.selberg), Mr Bish: No, Mr Caselberg: Mr Elkins was the gentleman who told mo, A vote of thanks to tho Chair then terminated a very well ' conducted meeting,