“I WILL ASTONISH YOU!"

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 3639, 27 September 1912, Page 5

“I WILL ASTONISH YOU!"

SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE PROMISES STRIKING MUNICIPAL REFORMS. SPEECHES AFTER THE POLL-. The result of the poll was awaited with considerable impatience end Dr. Collins’ victory was apparently a meet popular one. 'When he put in an appearance after the results had been announced he was received with hearty cheers, and when he commenced to return thanks he received a most cordial welcome and an attentive and even enthusiastic hearing. “Ladies and gentlemen,” said the Doctor. “I find it very hard to-night-to convey to yon my thanks and gratitude for the way you have voted for me. I went to the poll on a definite issue.—(Applause.) There have been a great many unpleasant tilingsaid on both sides, but in the hour of victory one always chooses to bury the hatchet. —(Applause.) “As I stand before you to-night, I can conscientiously say that I have never asked for a Vote, never canvassed. I have had no organisation and have employed no vehicles to bring people to the poll.—(Applause.) “I stood on one issue—that your money was being extravagantly _ expended and you to-night have given me opi>ortumty to go before the Council with a definite demand that they must reform and utilise your money to much better advantage. “I do not intend to-night to go into a. long dissertation on Borough affairs. On Monday night I intend to go before a meeting of ratepayers and put before them a definite issue, and ask them to form resolutions to take to the Council as definite demands. —(Applause). “When you understand the feelings a branch of the Council had towards me in this contest, you must- see what was up against- me. To-day Crs Wade, Webb and Brown were working in motor cars to defeat me. Councillor Brown said he would rather vote for a Chinaman than vote for me.— (Laughter.) I ask, is that the rightspirit-” Voices: No. and boohing. “Furthermore,” continued Dr. Collins. “I have had my vote split by a third party. I am' sorry that thatgentleman did not get in, in a way. I am sorry for a defeated man mustalways feel his defeat. On the other hand, I have had absolutely no help t-o carry this out- to a successful issue. —(flcar. hear.) “I will introduce such reforms to the Borough Council that, if accepted, must mean a change that will astonish you! I will force the Councillors and Mayor to jointly agree with me. or retire from office.* I am determined you will have full value for your money, and proper administration, notrule from departmental officers. “I assure you that I can tell you of two instances where one Councillor asked me if he could ask certain questions. and I said to him, ‘ask the Engineer.’ I was sitting next to that Councillor, and he asked the Engineer a question, and the Engineer said. ‘I am not paid to answer questions/ (Laughter.) “For six weeks I waited for a return with regard to the money expended, and yet to bo expended on the roads. After the six weeks, I again asked for the return. I asked the Mayor ior it in open Council. The -Engineer, who sat there smoking his pipe, said. T am too busy to get these returns'.- — (Laughter.) “The Mayor passed the remark on that- the Engineer was too busy. “Are you. ladies and gentlemen, going to stand an administration like that?” Cries of “no” and “never.”

“Certain things,” proceeded the Doctor, “have.been said about roe. It has been said that I should have resigned before. 1 may say I consider- * <xl the matter, but thought it advisable to wait until the loans for the extension of electric, light and Die legalisation of the Gentle Annie tramway were carried, because I knew that my resigning would jeopardise the

carrying of these loans. I was determined tnat once those loans were carried] they should be properly and judiciously expended.—(Applause.) ‘•Now, with regard to my friend Mr Morgan, who, it is stated, I was the means of forcing to resign. He has publicly denied that. I was trying to get the Engineer to lace the responsibility, but he left Mr Morgan to face the consequences. As to Mr Malcolmson I knew lie was not getting proper treatment, and I tried to get the Engineer to answer, but he would not. Hundreds' of pounds were spent in the electric light department, in its initial stages, and I knew it was not being spent to the best advantage. Tho°Engineer never moved in this matter until he was driven to do so. ‘ ‘When you come to consider this point, gentlemen, I ask anyone of you, are you satisfied with this administration? It has been said that I am looking for notoriety. Xdo not want notoriety. I' do not gain anything personally by being on the Council, f am trying to do my best for'the Borough. Voice: You’re a Bill Massey, Doctor. —(Laughter.) “There is in the Council a weak leader and certain Councillors who are as weak and are ruled by Departmental officers, instead of an administrative head. On Monday night, I will moot the ratepayers and allow them to state their views. I will, if I possibly can, get reforms for you. If Ido not. 1 am prepared to resign again and I know you will support me.—(Applause.) A Voice: You'll be all right, Doctor ! “Mr Anderson,” concluded the Doctor, “will now address you and I trust that you will give him a fair and patient hearing. Give him three cheers i'or bis pluck in standing.” the labor candidate MR. NDERSON WILL NOT STAND AGAIN. A round of cheers greeted Mr Anderson as lie stepped forward to speak. He said : “Ladies and gentlemen —”

A Voice: “We’re all here !” “This is the third occasion on which I have contested a municipal election in Gisborne,” continued Mr Anderson. “Evidently the workers of this Borough do not want me and I will stand down in future and leave affairs to someone else in whom the electors have confidence. I will not again inflict my candidature on the people of Gisborne.” On the call of Dr. Collins cheers were given for Mr Anderson and for tho Labor cause. Cheers for Dr. Collins were called .for by Mr Anderson and heartily given. MR. COLLEY RETURNS THANKS. Mr Colley, who arrived after the other candidates had spoken, briefly thanked all those who "had voted in bis favor, and said that lie quite understood the position the electors bad taken up with regard to the Engineer.