"She sadly wants a municipal council" : the happy birth of Wagga Wagga City Council

Above: from the Wagga Wagga Advertiser and Riverine Reporter, June 1870

In 1868 (and before) the townspeople of Wagga Wagga had been agitating for the creation of a municipal council. The campaign paid off in March 1870, when the petition put together by appropriate number of  persons was approved, and Wagga Wagga was proclaimed as a municipal borough consisting of three wards: north, south and east Wagga Wagga.

This official proclamation kicked off a round of elections for representatives and this process provided interest and entertainment for the townsfolk. The meetings of the candidates were reported in the newspaper , complete with the town characters providing pre- speech amusements, and some manufactured argy-bargy between the candidates. A local identity known only as "Smasher" entertained the people gathered at this meeting of South Ward voters :

Above: from the Wagga Wagga Advertiser and Riverine Reporter, May 1870

The ongoing spat between Mr Willans and George Forsyth was a case of each accusing the other of nefarious tactics to get elected:

Above: from the Wagga Wagga Advertiser and Riverine Reporter, June 1870 

The town newspaper really was the main focus point for local events and news, and the elections of aldermen were covered extensively. Aldermen who were elected printed letters thanking those who nominated them to be voted for. Many of the nominees tended to be very wordy and flowery but George Forsyth (who was elected as Wagga Wagga's first Mayor) was mercifully succinct: 

 Above : from the Wagga Wagga Advertiser and Riverine Reporter, June 1870

Once all the official positions had been voted on and filled, the business of running a town began. There were several sore points- the danger of tree stumps in the streets being a major concern. The bridge over the Murrumbidgee, it's repair and upkeep, and "the stench" (the foul odours emanating from the streets due to a lack of sewage and garbage disposal) were the other major concerns of the townspeople. 

The second half of the year focused on council meetings  and the business arising from them. The hype and novelty of  the election process had worn off and the townsfolk didn't seem aware that the council meetings were open to the public.

Above: from the Wagga Wagga Advertiser and Riverine Reporter , July 1870 

The last meeting for the year was on Thursday 15 September, where obtaining a fire engine was discussed:

Above: from the Wagga Wagga Advertiser and Riverine Reporter, December 1870 

And so the first year of the Wagga Wagga Municipal Council quietly came to a close, having made a quietly successful and orderly start to the year.