Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933), Thursday 12 February 1874, page 3


Municipal Council Elections. I

DECLARATION OF POLL.

The official declaration of the poll for the Municipal elections took place at the Town Hall, yesterday, at noon. There was a fair attendance of ratepayers. The Mayor, as Returning-officer, -presided, and announced the result of the elections He declared Mr. E. J. Baines to be duly elected for Kangaroo Point Ward, Mr. J. Campbell the other candidate, having retired ; Mr. c," Corrigan duly elected for the Valley Ward ; said Mr. J- Nolan duly elected for the South Ward. Messrs. Crowther and Wallace were declared duly returned as auditors,

''[The Mayor then returned thanks for his re-election as Alderman for the East Ward. He was very grateful to those friends who took an interest in the election, and had worked on his behalf, because his duties as Returning-officer and Mayor precluded him from moving in the matter, himself. He could only now say that he would exert all his energies to further the interests of the East Ward and the city generally. (Cheers.)

Mr. C. G. CaMI'EN thanked the ratepayers who had voted for him. He had been defeated, but the fault was neither their's nor his. He was led to take that opportunity of saying that the result of the election only proved that the opinion which he held concerning the ratepayers

was a correct one.

Alderman Nolan returned thanks for those who voted for him, and also to the Returningotfx-*-i for the impartial manner in which he K.vEl*"rfonned his duty. He thought that his re-election would demonstrate the uselessness of aldermen from other wards trying to influence the election in the South Ward. He knew that llii< interference had done him a vast amount of grant, as it stirred up both himself and the ratepayers generally to take a greater interest in the election than probably would otherwise have been the case.

Mr. Taylor said that he had merely to return his, sincere thanks to those who voted for him, and, at the same time, to acknowledge that he had made a- mistake in trotting out his horse against the Mayor, which was a very injudicious proceeding. He must also thank Alderman Beattie for his exertions in turning the hose upon his (Mr. Taylor's) life, thereby extinguishing it. (Applause and laughter.)

Alderman Corrie returned his cordial thanks to those who placed him in his present position. He would also thank those who voted against him, because in doing so they no doubt exercised their own judgment. It also showed that there was perfect freedom of

opinion allowed in the election. He would only now say that, having chosen him its their representative, he hoped to prove that he was returned in the interest of no section or party, but would do his best for the ratepayers of the Valley and the city generally. If he failed in this it would he through want of ability on his part, not for want of an honest attempt to carry out his promise. (Hear, hear.)

Mr. Heal thought it would be most un-grateful on his part if he did not come forward to thank the gentlemen who had voted for him, and also those who had worked strenuously on his behalf on the previous day. He could also do no less than thank those who had voted

against him, for they had given him twelve mouths leisure, which would give him ample time to bring up his reserves to fight against the spiritual influence that had been brought to bear against him. It was well known that it was not his opponent alone that he had to fight against,

but the indirect means used to defeat him. He

hoped, however, that under the happy guidance of Alderman M'Master the ratepayers of the valley would be brought to that state of light great joy which they knew was awaiting them. [??; must say, however, that he did not think that it was "in duty of an alderman who had worked with his colleague for the interest of the ward to try to?r0,,iie a spiritual feeling for the purpose of injuring ?¦?>- colleague. He hoped that the gentleman who -"??? succeeded him (Mr. Heal) would do more for the want still" is (Mr. Heal) had done, been"-"- J's vessel reap the benefit of his losses- He worse now say that if he lives -or another twelve months and his neighbors wisden PAY to stand again for alderman he would do so, and light the battle against all the influence that could be brought to bear against him. He again thanked those who had voted both for him and against him, and also the Returning-officer for

his impartial performance of his duties. (Hear, hear.)

Alderman Baines returned his sincere thanks to the ratepayers for showing that they had not lost their confidence in him. This was the fifth time he had been chosen as alderman for Kangaroo Point, and he would assure them that, whatever he had been able to do for the ward in times past, his exertions for its welfare would be redoubled in future.

Mr. Crowther returned thanks for being elected one of the auditors, and also being placed at the top of the poll. He replied to several questions put by Alderman Grayson, relative to the auditing of the city accounts, and stated that, according to a calculation made by him and his brother auditor, the remuneration amounted to about seven shillings and sixpence per day for the time occupied in its proper performance of

the duties.

Mr. Wallace also briefly returned thanks for his election, and hoped that he would discharge

his duties with credit to himself and satisfaction to the citizens generally.

Mr. Watson thanked the 121 gentlemen who

voted for him.

Alderman Ba [Ern moved a vote of thanks to

the Mayor for his conduct as Returning-officer, and in doing so called attention to the necessity of exercising more care in getting up the electoral rolls. Through the defective manner in which they had been revised, he had experienced considerable difficulty in conducting the Valley election on the previous day.

Alderman Corrigan seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously.

The Mayor returned thanks in appropriate tcniis-ji and the proceedings then closed.