MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

Cromwell Argus, Volume III, Issue 143, 6 August 1872, Page 6

MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

KAWARAU WARD. On Wednesday evening, as had been advertised, the candidates for the representation o the above Ward in the Municipal Council,— Messrs D. A. Jolly and Wm. Grant,—addressed a meeting of the ratepayers in the Town hall The attendance was extremely good. Mr J. S Curres was vote 1 to the chair ; and briefly in troduced Mr D. A. Jolly. Mr Jolly, in giving his reasons for asking the ratepayers to return him, said it had been his intention to stand for Bridge Ward ; but he had given way to Mr Wright, who had better claim to election than he (Mr Jolly) had. With M Grant, however, the case was different.—he was a migratory citizen. As regarded the insinuation thrown out by Mr Grant, that, if returned, he (Mr Jolly) would be only a sleeping representative, he would refer them to the minute-books of different public Committees formed in tin 'own during the past two years; they would the it see that he had not been so fast asleep in publt matters as Mr Grant. The water was perhap the moat important question affecting the town • md he thought there could be litt’e doubt that the best source of supply was the creek on the east side of the Clutba. But it was exceeding!) doubtful, —indeed, he believed it was not possible, —that a sufficient supply could be obtained thence, below the point at which Messrs Barker and Strahan’s supply was extracted. In that case, the only plan left would be to buy their right ; and he was told their lowest price was £IOOO cash, —which was a sum altogether beyond the capabilities of the Corporation to pay. He approved of what the Council had done during the past year in the matter of supplying the town from the west, and thought it was the best plan in the meantime. However, he would be in favour of ascertaining, by report, whether water was obtainable from Firewood Creek.— The means of alleviating the dust nuisance should be taken into consideration by the Council ; he thought the residents of that quarter of the town in which it predominated were best able to suggest a remedy in the matter.- The extension of the kerbing and footpaths in the main street, —on the south side, and beyond the Post-office,—he would be prepared to support.— He would advocate the formation of a Fire Brigade.—Tn the matter of planting trees,—encouraging vegetation and beautifying the town, the Town Council had been backward ; and it was high time some action should be taken in the matter.—The fsevis trade bad recently been diverted in a great manner from Clyde to Crom well ; and he bebeved that he could fairly lay claim to the credit of being the first to initiate a trade in that direction. Much good had resulted to Cromwell in consequence. He could not see any reason why the Cardrona trade was allowed to be done through the Arrow ; all that was wanted was a passable track, rendering communication easier, and he was sure much of the gold that now went to swell the Arrow escort, would be forwarded through Cromwell instead. It was very desirable that the Council should agitate the matter.—lf Cromwell bad been blessed with a fit and proper representative in the Provincial Council, we would have had a Warden resident here long since. There was no doubt that the place required it; and the Corporation would be only doing its duty in bringing the matter, —and others of a like nature under the attention of the Provincial Council!— With regard to his claim as a candidate ou the ratepayers of Kawarau Ward, the interests of the Wards were identical, and it was a mistake to say that a Ward could not be represented except by a resident in it. The fact of the matter was, that any improvements to be carried out in connection with the town would of necessity have to be done in Kawarau Ward ; in B idee Ward there remained no field for improvements. In conclusion, he fearlessly pledged himself to fairly represent them if elected, and to do his best to advance the interests of the town and district at large. (Applause.) A few questions were put to the candidate, mainly having reference to the reserve on the south side of Melmore terrace ; regarding which he was of opinion that the portion built upon ought to be leased, but that the remainder should be planted with trees, and beautified for the purpose of a promenade for the inhabitants of the town. Mr Grant was then introduced, and said it was gratifying to Irm to see so many present; it fi-mlv established the fact that the political ball was just beginning to roP. (Prolonged laughter.) In the present electron there were conflicting elements. He was a Liberal candidate, in favour of progression ; and his rival was neither more nor less than a Tori/. He was content, however, to stand or fad on his own merits, and he advised every ratepayer to judge of the tree by its fruit. After a few more preliminary observations, which caused some merriment, Mr Grant went on to say he had divided and subdivided the subjects ou which he intended to speak into d'fferent heads. The first was, —the rise, progress, and present condition of the town of Cromwell. To the fair consideration of this subject, he wouhl ask his hearers to look back through the telescope of time to a period when Cromwell was not. Great progress since then has been made, of which an excellent proof was that we bare a Municipality.— The second subject was the ratepayers’ roll, upon which he made a few observations ; and then came to the third,—inequality of representation in the Council. The present Council was not fairly selected ; and if Mr Jolly was deemed by the electors of Kawarau Ward a fitter representative than himself, he wouhl point out that every member of the Town Council would then reside in Bridge Ward. This was mamfestly unfair, —especially when it was remembered that Kawarau Ward could number twice as many ratepayers as the other cou'd. He thought it was necessary that Kawarau \\ ard should be divided, and would use his endeavours to that end.—The fourth subject was that of Municipal reserves. The Council seemed a'readv to have more reserves than they wed knew what to do with, for they let them for the most part remain idle and unoccupied ; and he believed they even possessed some they knew nothing of. If elected, he would be in favour of making all reserves reproductive in someway. Upon'llie fifth subject,— the dust pestilence,--he thought, as the land from which the nuisance arose was unsold Government land, that the Government should be

asked to contribute towards its remedy.—The present inefficient water supply was the sixth on his fist. Good and fresh water was what the town must have: the want of it could be endured no longer. Firewood Creek was indubitably the natural source of a water supply for Cromwell; and if no surp’us water was to be had, he would be in favour of buying Messrs Barker and Straban’s water right. What if their right did cost £IOOO ? It seemed to h'm rid - colons to stick at that sum for a good and eßic : ent supply of water. Talk o' Fire Brigades ! Ering in the water from Firewood Creek, and no Fire Brigade, for real efficiency, cou'd equal it. (Cheers.) To-night the inhabitants of the town might go to bed, and rise to find two or even ten thousand pounds’ worth of property destroyed, and yet it was argued that £IOOO was too much to pay for a supply of water. Why, it was ridicuhms ! It was further said that the Corporation of Cromwell could not raise sufficient money to carry out the Firewood Creek scheme. Well, let the Council borrow money. He would even go to the length of mortgaging every atom of Municipal property,—the Corporation seal included, —rather than continue to be served with the present inefficient supply.— He came now to his seventh subject,—tbe Crown lands on the south side of Mel more terrace. This was the only reserve to wh ; ch the Council had no tiCe, and strange to say it was the on'y one which was reproductive. He was in favour of selling it by auction, giving valuation for buildings aVeady erected on it. By ibis means the Corporation would not only be enriched by the proceeds of the sale, but they would receive an annual revenue from rates of at least £6O. He would not advocate turning off tbe present occupants. They built on tbe ground with the consent of tbe Council ; and, having possession, to dislodge them might be fou"d a work of some difficulty.—He had now exhausted his programme, and would keep his hearers but a very short time longer. If he were elected, he would feel gratified at the knowledge that he possessed the confidence of his brother citizens. He cared not a straw for the mere honour of boldin'* a seat in the Council; he stood on higher grounds than that, he hoped. With reference to matters pertaining to the district, outs de tbe town, he might say that sometimes be went to Queenstown, and sometimes here and sometimes there ; but his general object was to benefit himself; and he believed those other people who went to the Nevis, and so on, went on the same lav. (Cheers and laughter.) Doubtless he had omitted many things upon which he ought to have said something ; and he would be "happy to answer any questions. Mr Marsh w r anted to know what public acts Mr Grant bad ever done, that be claimed the honour of be ; ng returned for Kawarau Ward ? Mr Grant answered that he had long done business with the ratepayers, and be believed he had always given them “ value for money.” (Ghee s and laughter.) Here there ensued an acrimonious and irregular discussion, in which several took part ; but it is in no way worthy of report. Eventually, Mr Grant proposed, and Mr Marsh secon el. a vote of thanks to the Chairman. Mr Frae , however, interrupted, and proposed a vo.e ot thanks to both candidates for the able expression of their views. Mr Sbanly seconded tins ; and both motions were unanimously carried. THE POLLING for the election of one of the above-named candidates to represent Kawarau Ward took place on Thursday, the Ist rust. Less excHmeut than usual was visible. With most people, it seemed to be a foregone conclusion that Mr Grant was to win ; and tbe result proved the correctness of the surmise. Shortly after four o'clock, Mr Fraer, whose tenure of office as Mayor began on that day, performed hj s maiden duty of declaring the state of the poll to be : William Grant go David A. Jolly 14 The declaration was received w : th cheers. Mr Grant thanked the ratepayers ; and con'd assure them that he would attend to his duties as Councillor, do his best t) advance tbe progress of the town, and would always try to advance the interests of the district at large. Mr Jolly accepted his defeat with good grace ; he supposed the e'ectors knew best. It was the duty of everyone, whether in a puld'c- or private capacity, to further as much as possible the welfare of the town ; and his fellow-citizens might rest assured that he would do his duty in that respect. The Returning Officer received a vote of thanks, and tbe proceedings then concluded. BRIDGE WARD. The nomination of candidates for the scat rendered vacant by the resignation of Cr. Fraer, took place at the Town-hall at noon on Saturday last, in the presence of about twenty ratepayers. The Mayor (Mr Fraer) presided. After the preliminary formalities, the Town Clerk read the nomination-papers received. They were as follow : Mr Isaac Wright, proposed by Mr W, H. Whetter, seconded by Mr J. Harding. Mr James Scott, proposed by Mr W. Barnes, jun., seconded by Mr K. Pretsch. The Mayor said that in consequence of there being two candidates nominated, it would be necessary to appoint a pol'ing-day ; and he therefore adjourned all further proceedings in the election until Thursday, the Sth hist , when the poll would be taken at the Town-ball, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. The gentlemen who had been proposed as candidates would now have an opportunity of addressing the ratepayers, and he trusted that each would be received with courtesy and impartiality. Mr Wright said be had frequently been asked to come forward as a candidate for municipal honours, but until the present occasion he had always declined to do so. Notwithstanding that he claimed to be the very oldest resident in Cromwell—a circumstance which he regarded as being greatly in Ids favour,—be was glad to see an opposition candidate brought forward : it was a convincing proof that the ratepayers did not undervalue tbe importance of the municipal institution. He need scarcely say that his own interests were closely associated with the progress of the town, and that it wou'd therefore be his constant aim, if elected, to assist in promoting the welfare of tbe municipality. In regard to the various schemes which had been discussed during the present municipal elections,

be really did not know what to say about them. He had a great desire to see a good water-supply for the town, but to say which was the best scheme to achieve that object would puzzle wiser heads than his. The Firewood Creek scheme he had been void, was altogether too extravagant a one for the Corporation to consider. It had been stated that the purchase of Messrs Barker and Strahan’s water-right would cost £IOOO, and the construction of the works £2OOO more ; and if, as he bad been led to believe, those figures represented the probable cost of obtaining water from Firewood Creek, he looked upon the scheme as altogether beyond the reach of the Corporation to accomplish. So far as he could see, the oniy mode in which that scheme could be suecessfully earned out—if it were adopted—-was the formation of a joint-stock company for the purpose. In conclusion, he would pledge himself, if returned to the Council, to use his utmost endeavours to promote the prosperity of Cromwell and the adjacent district. Mr Scott said he had been asked by a number of citizens to come forward as a candidate for Bridge Ward, and he felt great pleasure in acceding to that request. Although not so old a resident as Mr Wright, be believed himse’f to be fu'ly as well acquainted with the wants and requireroents of the town and district as that gentleman could be. The first and most important matter the Conned wouhl have to consider was the question of water-supply. The Firewood Creek scheme he believed to be a practicable one, and if returned, he would do bis best to bringthat scheme in to operation; or at anyratehe wou’d advocote such action being taken as would satisfy the ratepaye -s whetheror not thesehemeis practicable. He regarded the question of watersupply as of paramount importance to the town, and until chat question was settled, and a system of water-works in progress, he would look upon other municipal improvements as only of secondary moment. He would willingly answer any question chat might be asked him relative to bis views on other matters affecting the Municipality. Mr James Taylor (e::-Mayor) asked whether the caud’dale was in favour of carrying out the scheme of water-supply which had been instated and partly carried out by the la e Counod^ Mr Scott : Ce'v.vo'y not if the Fiiewood Creek water is comeatable. If a supply c nnot be bad from that source, there is of course no alternative but to carry out the scheme proposd hy the Council. In reply to Mr Co’clougb the candidate ex-' pressed himself in favour of lea- ing—i \ preference 00 sell mg—„he land included in the reserve on the south sole of Melmore ter ace ; and thought the proposal to piano and ornament the ground was a ridiculous one. Mr Co'c'ough : Would you, if e’eefed, advocr.oe the extension of the footpath along the montage ot the reserve, so as to afford e jual ■ac ' des for access to p'aces of business on sales of the street ? Mr -Scott: Cercamly, after a good water-sup-ply has been provided; but I do not comi.er -he formation of the footpath a matter of iimnedv„e importance, for the reason ibat the ( orp Tai/'on wouhl not be justified in spending money on he mprovemeno of a piece of <_r mi ( w ''ch does noo be oig o them. I should like to 1 see the reserve ves oil in the Corporation before improving the property in any way. Ju answer to Mr Joby. dice md'date sa ; d that as the propo-ed Athenamm Hall would no doubt const'tuve an arch - tectaral ornament to the town, he won d advoca-e i s bemg lurlt on the site occupl-nl by the present Tonn-hai’. A vote of i,h inks to lhe AI ay or, propose! by Mr Wright, and seconded by Mr Scott, terminated the meet’ng.