THE MAYORAL ELECTION.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume X, Issue 3370, 26 November 1889, Page 2

THE MAYORAL ELECTION.

A Lively Meeting.

A meeting of ratepayers convened by Mr W. Cullen, one of the candidates of the present mayoral election, was hold in tho Maslertou Thoiiti'e ltoyal lust night. The doors were open imnctimlly to advertised time. 7.30 p.m., but it was a quarter of an hour before the candidate or audience rolled up, and then commenced a hunt for a chairman. All the grey beards were huttou-holed, but declined the honor, and after every likely individual had been asked and refused and the people were beginning to got impatient for the show to open the candidato himself ascended the platform amidst cheers. Ho said he iiad not, unfortunately, made arrangements beforehand tn nil the slmir and ho would call upon Mr Hogg, a gentleman well known to diem, to occupy that position, Mr Hogg, whose acceptance of the lonornlile position was evidently ippreciited by the audience judging jy the applause his appearance in Iho platform caused, said he had lome t'lcre in his official capacity as eporter but would willingly accept hu honor conferred upon him by his riend Mr Cullen, Ilia knowledge of mblic meetings in Masterton led li'm o believe that lie could tarry out lis dual duties, He irecd not ask or a fair hearing for the candidate r any other person who might coupy the platform that night, he ,'as sure thai would lie accorded, it the Biiine, time he would not object o any display of feeling in reason lear, hear), and he hoped if any itepayer picsent had any fault to ml with the candidate he would jint it out, and, if (hey chose, give

him a good lough lime because lio could stand fire, l>cmy mi old soldier, and it would lit him to take -iliarge in that arena which Mi' liiinnll so aptly terms 11 beiir garden (Laughter). They would shortly have to decide whether Cr Heron or Mr Cullen should take charge of the mennsjorio (Laughter). The hitter's desire was to contest the election in a fair and manly way, and take no menu advantage over his opponent. It would be a regular British lion and unicorn lighting for the crown (Applause), He had much pleasure in introducing the candidate, Mr Cullen, and retiring lo the reporting table (cheers).

Mr Cullen made his bow to the audience, which hud increased by this time'to something like one hundred mill Gfty downstairs and a score or so of ladies in the dress circle. There

was mi expectant, somewhat eager look en tlie majority of tin; faces, as if something would turn up ami they were ready tor whatever it was, from a fre'i tight to a farce, The candidate, wlin was naturally enough somewhat nervous in starting, was greatly encouraged by the plaudits of the. audience. He said lie was put in part on his defence by the way he had been attacked in the Waikaiiapa Daily of the 15th, (speak up). With respect to the nomination he said, after mature consideration he had arrived at (he conclusion that there was no one better tilted,in hisown opinion, for the oftice, so iie decided to throw down the gauntlet, (Luughtor and cheers), He did not pose as the only man fitted to be Jubilee Mayor, He hail been unfairly attacked simply because lie had done his duty, ami differed with tho editor of the Dmlv. He would not dwell long on that. Jn his place in the Council ho had objected to, the overdraft. How had the Council met his objection '! Why, they decided to reduce the men's wages a shilling; a day. Cr Heron was the mover in that. Ho (the speakei) objected, and was twitted hr it. Then, in regard to temleis, lie unused any but the lowest being accepted, m,d that was sot down as another diligence. He had objected (o the way the works were done, and tried to introduce thr. system of letting all works by contract without any lowering of wages. He was opposed all round, The Daily said he was tryirg to break up the working stall, and it was his boast that it was so, Ho got the principle affirmed, bat they could still see the same lot of men scratching about the streets the same as ever, His next disgrace was over tho »as works. That institution had been a bungle all through. Tho works should have, beon erected ut the railway station. (A Voice: It's not the place at all). That was his opinion, Sotuo slidit interruption took place at this point, and cries of " fair play" and " give him a chance'' were heard, The speaker said he would bo happy to answer ituy questions after lie had finished his address, to which Mr Henall cried hear, hear, Mr Cullen, continuing his remarks on tho gasworks, said they cost two or three thousand too much, and accused the Council of putting on a prohibitive tariff. He explained the efforts he had made unaided by the Council to get the householders to promise to use gas provided the rates were reduced, and the success that tine] resulted therefrom. He again referred to the overdraft, and acknowledged it wits a difficult question to deal with, The only remedy ho could suggest was to shut up shop and suspend all work except that which was absolutely necessary, Ho also advocated n further reduction of lis (id on the price of gas so as to popularise it, Ho explained tho position the Council took up over the Charitable Aid question, art! suit! Cr Heron was the only member in favor of paying the claim. They had to pay tho amount and also pretty heavy costs, but they had, in conjunction with seven othei corporate bodies in the Wairarupa, fought their utmost to get (ho law repealed, and some good would come of it next session. Cr Heron had opposed tho movement, and that was tho man who sought to represent them. He next referred to the water supply, and said the way Mr Kenall had been treated was a lasting stand, ing disgrace, (Applause), He had been abused for supporting Mr Renall and had been termed his " poodle" by tho Daily. (Laughter). There was a lime in Greylown when that same editor was the self constituted dictator otCreytowr,, Ho had a liorso (at this point an interruption took place in consequent of a fiery headed individual interjecting remarks" That is not borough matter," " shut up " " turn him out, he's drunk," fa.) The speaker resumed and said if he digressed he hoped they would overlook it, He did not poso as a Cicero, his lemarks were however original and spontaneous. (Laughter and dicers). In reviewing Lis character the editor of tho Daily says lie don't care whether he (the speaker) peddled " sewing mnchines or flour io," but it would just make all the difference if he had a bale of wool at his bapk.

(Applause).' Oao of their former

Mayors was a pedlar of Brummagem jewelleryand shoddy clothing. (Yells and cheers), aud he (the speaker) was just asgdod a man aa tWtb wfJßeußwed

laughter ami further inlmuptioti from tlic Ibry-hfiaded g«nHe>nßn who wus invited hy the gentleman on the platform. He stepped out amidst cheers and spoke to the chnir. man, who inforaied thli audience that the rod-headed 'gentleman was not a ratepayer.) The speaker resumed lint wan again interrupted by the tuiryheaded inebriate, when Mr Renall rose and in threatening tones said he >vould have liim expiled if he interrupted osjain, Several cried " Turn him out," but the Chairman 1050 and calling the meeting to order, said he hoped they would allow the red-headed stranger to stay.

Order being restored, Mr Cnllen resumed. Referring to button-holing tliß ratepayers, tlia speiiker claimed lie had a perfect right to do so, us by such means he unified a personal knowledge of the requirements of tho Intrcesses. In conclusion, "I've got nothing to hold out to yon except my lovely self," ho remarked, amidst roars of laughter, He claimed to •;» have quite as much ability as his rival ] candidate, and believed he could go into dip council with a greater ma. jority than any councillor at present thern ;Ulieers, "Hear, hear, v \ illiam"), It was Ihe plural votes put them there. Ten brainless landed nabobs could outvote lifty poor men with families 10 support (Cheers and yells). It was that ring kept him out of the Council. Individually ho respected the members of the Council, but conjointly the&d were the. iiiggcst lot of muffs he haC ever met with, (Yells), and tlwy wtro Idl by dm Daily. (Renewed yells.) He referred to their dilatoriness over asphalting the; footpaths, their strenuous opposition to the Mayor, a pmriaivli of 7G years, and other matins. (A disturbance, again took place at this stag:;, and tho resnit was the. prompt but forcible expulsion by the police of tlicieil-liflidcd stranger). The speaker said he could not cluiui a record of eightyearsof obstructiyeness but could point to his four yours of useful labors on the Council, and many years of experience. Ho hoped his remarks had given offence to no one present, and it nuyono wished to m interrogate him he was at their ™ disposal, (Applause.) The Chairman said he was pleased to see they had given the candidate such a happy reception. He Was rather sorry for one thing, they had lost something of their expected entertainment by the expulsion of Captain Ginger, (Laughter), 'l'iipw police had only done their dutySL There was one thing tho candidate had forgotten in bis atldresss. He had ncglcced to explain what had become of Captain Giux's baby, or rather Cr (lappeis's baby- the Californiaii pump (Hows of laughter), Tho bteUinx's baby, that was to say Cr Capper's, nll'uir had been set aside (or a new one of the council, (Laughter). He would, however, invito anyone who wished to question the candidate on any subject to do so, or if any one wished to address the meeting they were welcome to the platform. Mr C, Uroidbeut; Do you hold any freehold property 1 (Cries of "platform" diowued the fuillwr remarks of the questioner). Mr Benall ascended tho platform amidst, the plaudits of the audience. His lirst remark was to the candidate: "(lot tired, old man'!'' and caused some laughter. He said he was glad to avail himself of the present opportunity as it might hii the last chancn of his addressing them, lie woup like to enlighten them on a few' subjects, Ho would like to liavo seeu Cr Heron present. Ho had been elected two years mayor by a large majority, but the council would not work with him. Ho hud met with tho most disgraceful Miidtict from soma of the Councillors •abo were present that evening. (Hear, hear.) They had opposed his water supply, ami what were they loitig with that fool of a thing they »ad got now ] Their streets were in i disgraceful slate at the present time. Hh had w otiqitiro at the Council jflicc lo find k whether tho water 'ivd been out at an that morning. 'Mr Hurley : I couldn't titty u u was sorry Mr Mason was not iresenl, but he had gem 0 to Duneilin, That was not hj s \h speaker's) business, He V.id mblisbed the lie in reference .o tho water supply and must put uy ■villi the conwpinna'. Mr ltciiall •epenled the oft told tale of his water mpply scheme, tho formation of iflL, lommitlee, tho water-cart, and the? Jalifornian pump. Cutting excited te offered to wager Cr Perry £lO, mt when that gentleman camo orward with some bank notes in his land he failed lo cover tlia stake. Ho vas interrupted by Mr R. Allen ateron, who said there were works irgeutly needed in his district, Mr lenall tried to turn Mr Allen with a oke but the canny Scot faihl to seo t and some confusion ensued. He continued his remarks upon tho

water question, but they proved so little interesting that several persons rose and left the meeting. After reference to the Council's action in regard to Charitable Aid and giving the Council credit for endeavoring to keep the rate down to a shilling ho turned to the subject of tho Mayor, ship. He refci red to the leader in tho Daily of tin! loth inst. He termed tho attack upon Mr Cttllen contained in it a most unfair and disgraceful one. That article spota ol him drivin*» Hour cart, llr Heron a oiehorse' cart.aml Mr Cttllen pedling sewing machines. He could tell them the Daily was the dirtiest rag of a sheet ever seen in their midst (Yells*. anJ uproar). 5»-

Captain Joins, who ascended the platform amidst cries of "all aboard," "Miiuriceville,"iiiitl cheers, urged tlio ratepayers to consider well who they would elect on the present occasion, He would like to see the water flowing down the streets, but would not like to see the money thrown away. He had heeu sent up on one occasion by a former Mayor to Mr Keiiull's race, and when lie got there he found there was not a drop o( water to he seen in tho race or Waipoua, If Mr Kfiiwll could show where they could have a good supply from, continuous during summer lie would lavor it. (Applause.) It would be a mistake to commence a system and have to abandon it, Let them thoroughly examine the various schemes before deciding. (There were freest interruptions and chaff durinifLia address,)

The Chairman said tho Captain, alter sailing a long tiino in his native element, had, ho was thankful to say, at last dried up. (Laughter). Sotno of the speakers, he regretted to say, had been somewhat personal. After all the article referred to was simply written in a spirit of banter, and instead of harming the candidate would do hii) good, Public men who were of any consequence at all always received a good share of abuiji from tho press, and it did them god'a (Laughter). Cr Cullen had ao reason to haug big bead, hg wag just ag

honest as any man in thu count (Hoar, hoar). Speaking of plun Toting, ho thought the position of lh rich and poor might well he reverse just for a change (Cheers, and langl: tor). In referenco to the watt supply, ami the opposition of tli council to the Mayor's dicmi ho thought the Mayor had not mad sufficient allowance for the. Conn cillors antipathy to water. II ropcated an ancient hut npplicabl of the sudden effect of a dash ut #col<l water in tlio Ties of " Old Nick, which created considerable diversion lie liksned the Council to a I'tmcl and Judy Show and said it was lh ratepayers duty to elect the best mai to work the marionettes, Cr lle.ioi orMr Ciillen, Captain Jones aiiain came forwari amidst ih« impatient cries of tin audience. Jle strongly advocate! the immediate consideration of drain ago works in connection with a wate sell emu, A non-ratepayer and former ivsi '•fa dent of Masterton ascended tin /) platform and expressed a wish tn sa\ a few wouls, He tried hard to pui on a sober solemn look, lint w.i: onlypartially successful; Mr Pern objected that the Chiirmaii had refusei permission previously to a iimi-raie-payer, The objection raised was not heeded and the individual said a few words in favor of the candidate, who he thought would make "a eood Cliiel Magistrate of thisvillage." SoraeoUlic audiencostartedsingin" a Salvation %my hymn, and tiie Chairman hud iignin to call ihe meeting to order' and ask a hearing lor the speaker. His remarks were concluded ami.lst several joking references to "Milliards." There being no other speakers the Chairman moved a vote of thanks to Mr Cullen for his interesting address, which was seconded by Mr Prior Uilbcrt. About twenty hands were held up in its favor, and none against, and the Chairman declared the motion carried unanimously. A vote of thanks to tho chair.moved by Mr Cullen, concluded the meeting.