PUBLIC MEETING AT TE AROHA.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2287, 8 March 1887, Page 2

PUBLIC MEETING AT TE AROHA.

A public meeting was" held in the To Aroha Public Hall, on Saturday, the sth inst., for the purpose of hearing the views of candidates nominated for tho office of Town District Commissioner. There was a larg'S attendance, and the chair was taken by Mr James Mills.

The Chairman briefly stated that the meeting had been convened for the purpose named above, and asked those present t» give the candidate? who would address them a favourable hearing. He also stated that thn party to which" he belonged had identilied themselves with four of the candidates in bringing them forward to represent tha working men's interest. _ These candidates were : Messrs E. Quin, J. Cornos, D. J. I'raxer and M. Jtlotchin. These gentlemen were not likely to abuse the confidence of the electors, but on the contrary would fearlessly do their duty as commissioners to the public. He then called upon Mr D. J. Frazer to address the meeting.

Mr Frazer said : I do not como hstoro you with any set speech, nor have I any mapped out course to pursue as a commissioner, should I be elected ; circumstances must govern my acl.ions. 13ut this I am prepared to promise, that [ will agree to run the town district as long as it is tho interest of tho people to do so. Should it be found that before the revenue from goldlield licenses be paid next year, that the goldtjelds. aye likely to lie asucco.ss and a sourqe of revenue tu the district, then, in that case, I would at once bo in favour of forming the Tβ Arolia township and Waiorongomai and To Aroha goldtields into a borough. Those who know me best know well that I have always been in favour of To Aroha, Waiorongomai and the Koldnelds beini> constituted a borough, and I consider that several hundreds of pounds have already been lost to this district by forming Te Aroha into a town district. The mnney paid this year for goldlield licenses has amounted to'several hundreds of pounds, whiph. s.q far as Te Aroha is now concerned, will oe lost to it in a great measure. But we have a town district now, aiid must endeavour to make the best of it by working it to the best of our ability, and if it will not answer our purpose, then we must seek some better form of self-govern-ment Gentlemen, I am, prepared to do my utmost to promote the puulio good, as my interest is'your interest, my prosperity is your prosperity. In conclusion, I thank those who I know consider they recognise in me the qualities of town district commissioner, and should 1 have the honour to be returned, I trust to always merit the confidence and goodwill of the public at large.

Mr John Cornes next spoke, and said : — I thank you gentleman for the honour of nominating me as a working man's candidate. The question has b.ee.n, auked, "who is ,J. Cornes f Well, I will tell you who he is. I am a contractor of any description, builder, miner, navvy or anything else to earn an honest pound. I have been at all trades, even a bit of a sailor, and now I am a candidate for the office of commissioner for the To Aroha Town District. If I have the honour to be returned. I shall endeavour to do my duty fearlessly and well. There are several matters which immediately concern us relative to town districts, matters which I would like to say a few words about. Ist. I think with Mr Frazer that Te Aroha and its goldfield should never have been separated. They are one, and they stand or they fall together. I am in favour of running a town district as long as it pays the community to do so, but not any longer. I will, if returned, endeavour to gain a better site to the landa of our township, and will seek to have all moneys equally spent on all portions of our streets. I am in favour of letting all work by tender, both for office work in connection with the town district, and also all labour jobs for the improvement of our streets. I believe also that those who manage our thermal springs bore, namely, our domain board, should be elected by the people. I am also in favour of using all possible in-

fluence to induce the Government to arrange for the completion of Thompson's track, so that direct communication may be opened so soon as possible with Tauranga and the East Coast. He added that he had been requested to apologise for the absence of Mr Quin, who was at a very important meeting of the domain board, and could not attend. Mr Comes concluded his interesting address by stating that he was proud to be a working man's candidate, and would aim to merit the confidence of all should he be returned. Mr P. Dillon next spoke and said that he agreed with all the previous speakers had said, and with them would if elected strive to do his best for the advancement of Te Aroha. Mr A. H. Whitehouse moved "That this meeting is of the opininn that Messrs J. Comes, E. Quin, D. J. Frazer, M. Hotchins and P. Dillon are the best men nominated for the office of commissioners for Te Aroha Town District, and that this meeting pledge them their support." This was seconded by Mr Hyde, and carried with enthusiasm. The Chairman said lie trusted that all present would go : and do all in their power to have the candidates whose names were mentioned elected at the forthcoming election to be held on the 10th inst.