THE BOROUGH COUNCIL ELECTIONS.

Waikato Times, Volume XII, Issue 966, 31 August 1878, Page 2

THE BOROUGH COUNCIL ELECTIONS.

-■18,.— 1 was invited the other night to take part in a meeting' for the purpose of getting burgesses 911 tkia side of the river to " block vote" and i>ut in "West Hamilton men- in place of the Hamilton EastCouncillors, who are about to retire, beinar the three lowest on the poll. I declined to take part in anything so monstrously unfair. I know of a 'great many more who take the Biimo' view of the matter, arid who will hot give eountenauce:or assistance in this little game. Let both sides of the river have fair play iir the matter of representation. In this instance the brand of Cain Avoiild- be too good • for ahy West Hamilton man, no matter how anxious he may be to serve in the Borough Council, who would come forward at this time, knowing that it is (or ought to be) a purely East Hamilton affair. We, on this side, nave already the balance of power, to which we are fairly entitle!, but when it comes to taking or trying to take the Avhole representation, or nearly so, from the other side, it is manifestly unjust. The only cure for this will bs the division of the Borough into the West and East ward or riding, the representation to be adjusted according to amount of rates and number of burgesses. Tho- one. side would not then have the power; if they had the will, to foist any sort of article into the Council in opposition to the wishes of the parties mainly interested.— l am, &c., Fair Play,

Sir, — I see by the Times that we are on the eve of. another Borough Council election ; I also hear that we are going to put in all West Hamilton men. It must be quite. right, too, as the movers in the matter would have nothing to do with anything mean. Wo have the power; why not exercise it ■?■ What right lias Hamilton East to clamour for representation, when wo have better and more pliable mr>n eager for ©flico, and who would not bo so troublesome, causing useless enquiry, if any oho connected with the Council should happen to make a trifle out of any work or contract that might happen to be going on during their term of office. Besides, does not the Mayor toll you to know no East, no West, but one grand Hamilton. So, according to him, there is no Hamilton East. Consequently, cannot require representation. Illnatured people have said that he cannot see far in an easterly directionvision limited to. Hamilton Hotel and Post Office ; on a very clear clay, perhaps, as far as the punt. I have no sympathy with such people " But, to the subject. Men of Hamilton West; look to your interests, block vote, put in your men. No: matter if it is three Hamilton East Councillors who are retiring, we have got tho votes; let us work together, hold meetings — not hole and corner ones — work the matter up properly, of course, exercising due caution that no interloper from the other side creep in, and I would advise inculcating the same clever, noble sentiments in the minds of our children, so that when they come to nil our places, they will look after their interests, without any mawkish seutimeutality about justice to the other side. Of course, after the East side assisting us in getting constituted a Borough, we will not object to them contributing their fair share to the common purse. They might, if they keep very civil, be allowed, by paying toll, to cross the bridge to our railway station. Cr. Potter might say that this toll is a onesided tax ; the East side, in the first place, 'paying their share of interest on outlay in constructing bridge, and then paying toll, which would, doubtless, amount to a very tidy sum, but, never mind him, it would lighten our burdens. It is a source of gratification that we have so many hard headed Burgesses in Hamilton West, who can sec those things, and who have so promptly taken steps for carrying out their ideas. Why should you meet as if ashamed of yourselves, or as if you contemplated committing a robbery. Don't be silly ; you are only doing, or trying to do, what you have every reasou to be proud of. JBlock vote ! Put in our men ; never mind what people on the East side might think or sty. Wo have got the votes — go to the poll— block vote — disfranchise tho East men — 'after which (with the reflection that you hiive done the manly and correct thing) if you cannot sleep the sleep of the just, you ought to. — I am, fee, Number One.