PARLIAMENTARY

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 2761, 29 November 1887, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 28. In the House the Premier moved-(1) That, in the opinion of this House, the imperative demand by the colony that the public expenditure should be brought within the revenue, and tho necessity, in order to prevent serious embarrasmont, that'that object should be effected without delay, renders it the first duty of the Government to press on the necessary financial measures, (2) That the time to be devoted to these measures renders it impracticable to give sufficient consideration in,the present session to such a thorough revision of the Customs tariff as is required, and therefore such revision should not be now attempted, but should be undertaken during the present recess and submitted to Parliament at the beginning of next session, Sir Julius Vogel spoko in bitter terms on the motion, denying that he had delayed business, attacking the Premier and Mr Fisher, and contrasting his own services with theirs, He was prepared with a scheme which would reduce taxation, and do away with the necessity for loans, [Ho then loft the House, followed by eight or nine other members.] ' The Premier declared that Sir Julius Vogel'sschone3£had nearly ruined the' Colony. He taunted Sir Julius with' seeking to return, to power by intriguing for an impossible coalition. The motion was carried, ayes 44, noes' 4. At at later stage, Sir Julius Vogel declared that he would not again take office, excepting as Premier. The second reading ot the Governor's Salary Act Amendment Bill was carried, and the House rose, after discussing the Ministers Salaries and Allowances Bill,

MASTERTON MAYORAL ELECTION. , '' A LIVELY MEETING. . Mr A. W. Renall addressed a meeting of burgesses of Masterton at tho Theatre Royal last evening (Monday), about 300 persons being present. Mr T. Mackay, who was voted to the.chair, introduced Mr Renall in a few well chosen remarks, pointing out that the Borough, like the Colony, was suffering from debt, and it behoved them to make a careful selection from j the two very eligible candidates they had before them,

Mr. Renall, who was received with cheers, commenced by stating that he never came forward for any office unless he first stated his views at a public meeting, and considered that every candidate for office should placo his views and opinions before his constituents. In connection with the present election there was one thing that interested him more than anything else—and also interested them all—and that was supplying the town with a good stream of water. (Cheers.) It was an undertaking that he thought he must soon accomplish, otherwise it would not be done at all, as he felt, and they must all know, that he could not li"e very much longer, He would ask them, if they had confidence in the acts of the present Council, to vote for Mr Lowes, and if not, to vote for him. (Cheers.) He was well aware that Mr Lowes was ablo to fight the battles of the Council, but he did not think he was the man that was wanted, as they required a thoroughly practical man at the head of what was really only a Road Roard, In referring to the Town Lands Trust he said that funds from these lands could be used for several purposes of publij utility. (Mrs Hacker: Even for paying rates.) Yes, "Ma-am,even for paying rates," He had read what the Editor ot the Daily had written concerning tho new Trust Lands Bill, and thought it was lime to look about and see what was amiss, and on obtaining a copy of the Bill found among other things that they wanted to get the power to lease the land to each other, and lend each other the Trust funds on mortgage. He did not altogether think that the latter would come off, as they would never have any money to lend, Mr George Beetham had telegraphed to him that day, stating that he did not think the Bill would be passed. this session, and he was sure they would all be glad to hear that. Now that he felt that his time was drawing near, he hoped someone would come forward and take off his cast-off garments, and work as honestly and sincerely for them as he had done, as he considered that it would require someone to keep a sharp look-out on their behalf. Referring to Borough matters, ho said that a great many things of an exciting" nature had happened during the reign of the present Mayor, and he would like to say that he thoroughly believed that Mr Caselberg had acted honestly and faithfully in the discharge of his duty, however, they might have differed from him, Alluding, to the, Gas question, he thought the Council could, if they viewed the matter in the proper light, ease off the outsiders with respect to tho special rate,, by just winking at them instead of collecting it.

Mr Caselberg: That would be illegal. Mr Renall: Would it? I don't see who is to prevent it.

Mr Caselberg: The Government Auditor would, Mr Renall: Oh ! he would, eh ! If so, I suppose we'll have to pay it. Anyway, the Colonial Auditor will bo a good man to prevent money being spent illegally in the future. (Hear! hear) He would now touch on the "'Jubilee," which was another sore that needed a plaster, (laughter). He was pleased to think that Mr Caselberg had purchased it for the town, as he considered it would be a good thing in case of fire, but he thought it unfair to the outsiders to have to pay for it, and if a subscription list was started to pay for it, he would subscribe £2O towards it. (cheers). He considered that as the people had said at a public meeting that they did not want a Steam Fire Engine, that the Council had acted in an unconstitutional manner, and had violated the conditions of the Municipal Corporations Act, in pledging the Borough funds against the wisl) of the ratepayers, He hoped that the injustice, would be wiped out by striking a rate over a special area to pay for it. (Cheers). He had taken great interest in supplying the town with a good 6treamof water, and after bringing it to the Post Office corner, had been ordered by the Council to stop the work. The motion he believed was moved by his friend Gapper, a man who was very careful with his own money. (Laughter), " When you find him spending his own money gentleman" said Mr Renall " you can order your coffitfs," (Roars,) "He is something like the Editor of the Daily in his views, and when two. extremes meet you must expect tho world to turn topsy turvey," (Laughter), It was all very well for the Council to attempt to conserve the Borough funds now they were all spent. He considered that the most senseless and idiotic thing done m Masterton was the pitching of the gutters, which, in his opinion, cost more to keep clean than they were worth, and he thought that the man who proposed the work should be buried beneath it, (Laughter). Mr Gapper had said that it would cost £l5O to carry the water down Queen-street, A more senseless piece of rot bad never been spoken, and he could tell them that that amount vvas double what the whole scheme would cost, and the people of Queenstreet would have no more to pay than a third as much as the fool of a water cart they had wasted'their money upon, If he could not conceive a more brilliant idea than that thing, he would go back to his old mother, and ask her to uncap his brain box- and give him a fresh set. (Loud laughter), Cr Cullen had moved that the Council should consult with him on the matter, but Monsieurs Gapper and Perry thought that the old miller who had grown grey in their servibe was too low for thein,, (Laughter), -He con> jiderod m\ imbecile, and'

degrading, and challenged them to come on the platform and explain whence the opposition sprang. He accused Cr Gapper as Chairman of the Works Committee in not performing his duty with respeot to this work. Then Mr Gapper had been dabbling in the Waipoua again. (Laughter). Mr Gapper: "No he's not." Mr Kenall: ' Were you not the author of paying Adams £lO to allow the river to run on his land f

Mr Gapper; That was to allow the river to get on to the river bed. Mr Renall: To get on to the river bed, your mother. (Screams.) That's another ,£lO fooled away. He says he can go and turn the river with a tew men with shovels ) what rot I (Laughter.) If Mr Gapper is 1 game, I will stake £2O if he will do the same, and if he can accomplish what he says he can I will forfeit the money, if not he will forfeit his. (Loud laughter.) He found tho best cure for these amateur engineers, who did not know water from soapsuds—(roars)—was to set them doing something for which they would have to pay for their blunders. (Laughter.) "Now, Mr Gapper, willyou outer into this contract ntid earn the money I would very much' like to earn £2O, as I am in want of money just now." (Roars.) He had beon informed that the outcome' of. Mr Gapper's fooling had been that the Council had been served with a writ frow an attorney warning them not to proceed with the proposed works on the river bed. He related an incident he saw in Ohio where a man was placed on a rail and thrown in a ditch because he opposed something that was essential to. the wolfare of the village he lived in, and said he did not wish to.see-any member of the Council treated in that way, but if they would get into his sluice box at the Post Office he would send down a sufficient stream to wash, all their sins away. (Roars.) In conclusion he promised that if elected he would go to work for twelve months for them and he was certain thai at the end of the term they would give him theirunqualified approval of his actions. (Loud applause). Mr Gapper said that as Mr Eenall had mentioned his name in connection with the Water Supply and the. Waipoua River, he would explain his action in reference to the two questions. The first intimation the Council received of Mv Renall bringing the water down Hall Street was by the footpath beingflooded at the Comer of Chapel-street. ,He stated that if any one else but Mr Renall had taken such a liberty with the public thoroughfare they would have been brought before R.M., and contended that no one had the, privilege of usurping the rights of the Council, or disturbing private property without permission. (Mrs Hacker; That's what I thought when they took my gravel.) He said that Mr Renall knew nothing about the levels of the street until the water gave it to him, and as there wa3 the-prospects of altering the Borough levels, the Committee thought it was time to stop tlie work until Mr Renall placed his scheme before them. He thought if Mr Renall was allowed to proceed with the work he.would land the Borough into further expense by 'placing' obstruction in the road for .people to damage themselves by, and then sue the Council •for compensation.' He considered that as Mr Renall was the owner of the watershed, he was the only person in the town that could supply them, and he was very glad that there were prospects of the town having such a stream running through it. He advocated that fluming be laid down to carry the water along, as it required clean water for the Jubilee, otherwise the grit and dirt would destroy the valves of the pump. Re the Waipoua river, he said that, he had not dabbled in it as Mr Renall has stated, neither hadauy work been doneby the Borough workmen in the direction of altering its course. (Mr Gapper was proceeding with an explanation of the Works proposed by the Council when he was interrupted by the audience, and resumed his seat.) Mr Renall said he had listened to Mr Gapper with more patience than pleasure, for if anything had been wanted to show that he knew nothing about what he 'was speaking of, his speech had done it. (Laughter.) Vvhat did he mean about wearing out the "Jubilee's" valves with his stream he would like to know? Didn't they have to pump water out of the muddy creeks, and wasn't his suppiy.a precious sight cleaner than the countenance that MrGapper presented to the public? (Roars.) He would have the pair of them-the Jubilee and Mr Gapper—put iiito the Waipoua river, and that he thought was the end they would ultimately come to. (Laughter.). As to him . (Mr Renall) not' knowing' the levels of the town, that was all rot and bosh; he had had them in his eye for years, and if the Council would just stand on one side he would soon show them what he knew about it, and he would do a work Mi- Gapper could never accomplish. (Laughter.) The whole thing was as simple .as possible, yet Mr Gapper talked a lot of jolly rot and bunkum about taking up kerbs and altering levels. He would strongly advise him to take some of the kerbs to bed with him. (Roars.) He said he had wished to consult Mr Gapper with reference to the supply scheme, and had given his workmen instructions to acquaint him of the fact. However, that gentleman had no doubt thought himself above such things for his men hac{ informed''him that_ Mr Gapper had gone by blowing like a porpoise, and, when the men spoke to him, gave them a look that paralysed them and they were unable to work for aii hour after. (Roars.) He contended that the Council was doing nothing to conserve the streams running through the town and which were becoming a nuisance and disgrace to the Borough, He referred to the state of the creek runnin" through Mr B. P. Perry's property, the water from which had been diverted into the gas tank, He would strongly recommend the inspector of nuisances to take two pails of the sweet smelling liquid,from this creek and pip. it p§ the council table i,\ the pit nieeting, weed of th? impending danger to the

town on the approach: of the warm weather.' (Laughter.) He thought that Mr Gapper's argument about the grass growing down the edges of the stream a very foolish one, and the. sooner the grass was growing on his'. (Mr Gapper's) grave the better. [Loud ~ laughter.] He then moved the follow* .'■) ing resolution : That in the opinion of this meeting every ■ assistance should be giren to Mr Renall by the Borough Council to oarry out his water supply Boheme.

- Mr James Russell, who was greeted with loud and tumultuous cheers, said ha would second the motion pro forma, ' Mr Renall; I don't waut any of your pro forma business; second it, or let it alone. (Roars). . Mr Russell siid that if they would listen to him he might edify them a bit. (Criesof "get out!" "Take a seat old fellow 1" &c.) He could tell them that ' himself, Gapper, and Renall were old pals once, (You don't say so), but ho would challengo Renall and his water now, (roars); and if" they paid him a single bob they would be jolly foolish. (Sit down Gladstone), During tho delivery of .hu haraneue Mr Russell paced the Btage like a sentry, and- went through as many evolutions withhisarrai, legs, and boay, as the well-known child's toy the "monkey up a stick." Tho,.:* Chairman endeavored to silence the 1 audience, and failing in this tried to rule Mr Russell out of order, but all parties appearing to bo brimful, things had to take their course. After dodging two or three potatoes thrown from'the'pit,, and finding that the sound of his voice failed: '■ to get beyond the foetlights, Mr Russell resumed his. Beat amid loud cheering. ■ The Mayor (Mr M. Caselberg) said he had no intention of addressiug them, as. the meeting had been convened by MrRenaUfor the purpose of placing his ■'.'■ views before them, and judging by the way in which they had applauded, him, - he appeared to have met with their approval. Ho had heard that Mr Renall had intended to pitch into the Borough Council for their past errors, but he was pleased to find that he (Mr Renall) had let them off lightly. He was sorry thai Mr Renall should think. that there was i anyone opposed to his water scheme, as he could assure him that the whole of the Council were favorable to it, but were compelled through legal difficulties to demand a plan of the scheme, before they allowed him to break up the streets of the town. He thought Mr Renall had ut dealt rather hardly with Mr Gapper, who m was chairman of the Works Committoe, '* and, as such, was watching the interests • of the town. He. would ask, why did Mr Ronall beg permission of the Councd before proceeding with hisßcheme ? Was it not because he could not do it without their cousent ? Such being the case, Mr Renall should know that it would be wrong for him to carry on the work without consulting the Council, and laying ' before them a plan of the proposed work, and he did wrong in goinst further than he had permission to do. Ho thought it was all very well for them to attend Mr Renall's meetings to have a bit of fun, and applaud him to the echo when he ran down the Borough Council—as he always did-but when it came 'to an election, they always returned the men whom Mr Renall consistently opposed, He remindedthem that Mr Renall had divided the Borough into wards on a petition, and yet he could not get a seat-in his own ward; (A voice: We will put him in this time,) The Mayor said he hoped so. (loud cheers) He would ask them, after hearing the remarks of Mr Renall on the Council, if tlioy_ would elect him, and turn the Council into a bear garden, (laughter.) Ho explained the working of the Municipal Corporation's Act, with reference to special rating, and expending d of rates, and said he was pleased to hear • Mr Renall quote from the Daiiy, with reference to Borough matters,' as it showed that he looked at both side 3 of tho'quoßtion. The Dam had kindly taken him (the speaker) under its wing, during his term of office, and had drawn attention to the increasing financial difficulties of tho Borough during his reign, The Star had also kindly alluded to him, and stated that it required a Mr Renall or a Mr Lowes- to help them out of their difficulty, which was not very complimentary to . himself. He had represented them for three yoara,- and each time they had returned him un« opposed. They had kindly offered him the seat for the fourth time, but he considered that he had had enough of a good thing. (The nieeting at this stage became somewhat impatient, when tho Mayor said he would not address them if they did not wish it, as he considered his time was of some value to himself. He would, however, advise them that if they believed in Mr Renall to vote for him, and not,. fool him as they had done hitherto.) » Mr Renall, in reply, said the could see what he intended to do by tho mile of work that wub completed. All the Council had to do was to watch him and seo that he did not go too far. The Mayor explained that all the Council wished to do was to put Mr Renall in form so that they could assist him legally. He.(Mr Renall) knew as well as the Counoil that it was necessary to deposit plans and particulars of the proposed works. Ronall accused the majority of the Council of being opposed to his Boheme, and said that they were led by Cr Gapper. The Mayor retorted that Or Gapper as Chairman of tho Works Committee acted rightly in opposing the extension. Mr Renall said if he was using the Borough funds they might make all the fuss, but he was using his own money, and .would not ask them for compensation unless it was suitable, he thought they might stand out of the way and let him finish the work,

Mr Lowes stated that as tho time was woaringonand the meeting had drifted into— The Mayor: A bear garden I Mrßenail; Mat all! Mr Lowes; If it's not turned into al bear garden, there has been a lot of bearbaiting going on. Ho informed the meeting that he would be happy to meet them this evening (Tuesday) m the Theatre, when he would lay his views before them. The Chairman then put the resolution to the meeting, whkSli wa3 carried unanimously, and a vote of thanks to the Chairman, brought the proceedings to' a close, '';'- : '•