Being one of the largest ratepayers in the Borough, I may claim, not only to have but naturally to take the greatest interest in the welfare of the Borough. I consider the sewerage and drainage of this town is of the greatest importance to every resident within the Borough, and that before any scheme be adopted, com- petitive designs should be called for, for which a liberal premium should be given, whereby the highest professional opinions could be obtained, so that beyond doubt the loan just decided by your votes to be raised may be judiciously applied. I shall also be in favor of an extension of the water supply to those residents of the hills where practicable. In conclusion, I may state that, if honored by your confidence, I shall seldom be found absent from my seat in the Council, 1 remain, Your obedient servant, 174 EDWARD ASHTON. TO THE BURGESSES OF THE BOROUGH OF NAPIER. TT having been rumored about town to-day JL that it wjs my intention to withdraw from the contest for the forthcoming elec- tion, I beg to give it an unqualified denial. I have not the slightest intention of with- drawing. Your obedient servant, 248 EDWARD ASHTON. TO THE BURGESSES OF NAPIER. T ADIES AND GENTLEMEN,— In JLJ soliciting your votes at the forthcom- ing election for one of the seats now vacant, I will assure you that, should you do me the honor of electing me, I shall spare no effort to merit the confidence you will have placed in me. It shall be my endeavor to see that all works are carried out with economy com- bined with efficiency, so as if possible to reduce the taxation paid by the burgesses, rather than increase it. And further, I would always advocate that all portions of the town should receive a fair portion of Municipal revenue, whether it be on the hills or flats. The expenditure of the loan voted by you I should carefully watch ; before voting any of this money for a sewage or drainage scheme, I would propose that any scheme brought forward should first be submitted to com- petent engineers, having experience in such work, and afterwards to the ratepayers, so as to guard against any wasteful or needless expendituie. 