LYTTELTON MAYORAL ELECTION.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17128, 25 April 1921, Page 10

LYTTELTON MAYORAL ELECTION.

"The man who Does things—not the man who merely Talks about, things, is the man who is of most vise in these days." To the Electors of .Lyttelton, . '. Ladies and Gentlemen, —

Having served you as a councillor for the past seventeen years, I now offer myself as a candidate for the Mayoralty. During the past five years I have been Deputy-Mayor and chairman o'f the Works Committee of the Council, and now venture to assert that my' services entitle ine to promotion. Under my chairmanship great improvements have been made m the town, and an extensive programme of wall-build-ing, and remodelling of streets and footpaths, as well as general maintenance, have been carried out. As soon as the Lake Coleridge current became available I advocated its ■adoption-by the Council for street lighting, household and ■ commercial purposes. In spite of strong and vehement opposition, I, and a few other tradesmen, arranged with the Public Works Department for a supply of current. I also organised a display of electric lighting and equipment at the Excelsior Hall. Finally, with an overwhelming weight of public opinion with us, we over-ruled the opposition, and the Council took the business over. The project has more than justified itself. The chief argument used against it, that the introduction of cheap electric current would kill the gasworks, has proved a fallacy, and more gas is being sold to-day than' ever before. The Street lighting is costing the town, roughly, £2OO per year less—and the streets are better lighted. Power for the Heathcote pumping station now costs £l5O per year, as against £340 per year previously for coal, with another £l5O added for extra wages, thus effecting a saving of £340 per year. The Exeter street pumping station used to cost the town £330 per year for fuel. It now costs £2OO for electricity, and will cost less in the future when more current becomes available for sale in the daytime. In addition to this, many homes in Lyttleton are made brighter and cleaner with the introduction of the current and the cheap power has proved a boon to many of our small manufacturies. It was at my instigation that Corsair Bay, aptly described as Lyttelton';: •gem of the sea," became vested in the borough as a pleasure resort for all time, and I still do all in my power to improve and popularise this undoubted asset to the port. In regard to sport I was one of the foundation members, and also the first president, of the Lyttelton Bowling Club, which club has been instrumental in transforming a section which was previously an to the place, into one of the Deauty spots of the town. In conclusion, I may point out that as all my business and private interests are in Lyttelton, I am naturally a strong advocate for the progress of the town and port, and I confidently appeal for your support in placing me in tha proud position as your Mayor. Yours faithfully", 5757 . J. T. NORTON.