THE COMING ELECTIONS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3200, 22 April 1911, Page 7

THE COMING ELECTIONS.

THE MAYORAL CONTEST.

MR. JOHN SHERIDAN AT TOWNLEY’S HALL.

Altogether inadequate was the accommodation at Tow.nley’s Hall for the large number of Mr. Sheridan’s supporters, who met to listen to his preliminary address, and the large room was crowded to overflowing, and only standing room could be got on the landing and passage way. The meeting was of a most enthusiastic nature. Mr. Robert* Johnston was voted to the chair, and in a- brief speech introduced the candidate.

Mr. Sheridan, on rising, was greeted, with a hearty round of applause, and made a vigorous two hours’ speech. Mr. Sheridan, in opening, asked those who supported him to respect his wishes that no personalities should be indulged in, and he hoped at the conclusion of the contest none of his supporters would have cause to regret any utterance that might be used during the campaign - The speaker criticised the past administration, quoting-from the published addr ssees of the Mayor on each occasion he had wooed the suffrages of the electors. He maintained that had reasonable business tactics been adopted, the loan of £175,000 could have been obtained in the Dominion at 4 per cent at one-fourth the cost. He considered the proposals had been put before the ratepayers before they were properly matured, and gave many instances of what he considered glaring inaccuracies on the part of the consulting engineer. Mr. Sheridan vehemently resented aspersions cast on the Borough Engineer, whom he regarded as a most efficient, capable, and resourceful officer. The candidate warmly denounced the Mayor’s opposition to the Patutahitramway scheme. Drainage, electric lighting, bridges, recreation grounds, and road construction were exhaustively dealt with in a capable manner by the candidate. At the conclusion of his eloquent address, Mr. Sheridan invited questions, and fully and satisfactorily answered a large number. Short addresses favorable to Mr. Sheridan’s candidature were made by Councillors Collins, Clayton, Pettie and Jackson, also by Messrs Hookey, Richards Brownlee. Anderson (secretary Laborers’ Union), Black, A. F. Matthews. H. deLautour, and othersApologies were received from Messrs J - Townley, C. A. deLautour, and A. F. Kennedy.

A vote of thanks and confidence, proposed bv Mr. W. L. Clayton, seconded by Mr/ A. T. Hookey, and vigorously supported by several other speakers, was carried unanimously. . The meeting closed at 11 o’clock witn rintging cheers for the candidate. A meeting of gentlemen willing to act on Mr. Sheridan’s committee is called at Adair’s Building (upstairs) at 8 o’clock this evening. Arrangements are being made for the formation of a ladies’ eommtitee and for public addresses on Monday and Tuesday evenings, particulars of which will be~duly announced m our advertising columns.