LOCAL ELECTIONS.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18365, 24 April 1925, Page 14

LOCAL ELECTIONS.

CANDIDATES' ADDRESSES.

The Citizens' Association candidates for municipal honours continued t'.ieir campaign before a fair attendance of ratepayers at the Becke-nham Hall last night. Mr A. F. Wright occupied tno chair.

Cr. A.'W. Beaven, a candidate for a seat on the City Council. «aid that they were there that evening to solicit the ratepayers' support of Tdie Association's representatives on Wednesday next. The Association which ha was representing favoured no class in particular. Speaking of the Mayoral campaign, he pointed out that at the- outset the Citizens' Association had been faced with a very great difficulty in choosing between two very good men for its candidate. . It had chosen the man who it thought was most capable for the position, and ho hoped that the ratepayers would back the Association's choice. There were quite a lot of good men among the Labour representatives on the City Council, and members of the Citizens' Association respected them. Hethought that the Labour people, in turn, respected the Citizens' Association's candidates. • Referring to municipal trading, he criticised the Labour Party's attitude in this direction, and held that no municipality should* attempt to handle a subject which could be more competently dealt with by private enterprise. The speaker dealt with the hydro-electric situation, and said that Christchurch had been particularly well served in this connexion. He thought that Canterbury, rathei* than the Government, should deal with its own hydro-electric development. Mr Beaven ajso spoke of the work which had been done by the Council in connexion with water supply extensions, reserves and parks, rating, etc. Mr A. T. Smith, who is a candidate* for a seat on the Hospital Board, stated that, they had heard a lot about Socialism. They had no Socialism on the Hospital Board. The Board worked 'for humanity. The speaker then proceeded to explain the constitution of the Board, its system of rating, etc. A lot of people thought, lie said, that Christchurch paid for the upkeep of the institution, but such was not the case, because the City paid only 6s 6d in the £of the cost of upkeep. Then there were too, the smaller country hospitals, all b? Avhich came under the control of the Board. Last year, he said, they would have noticod that the Board hail commenced a new department—the Radium and Deep Therapy Department. Ho called on those present to give three cheers for the young man who had given the £4OOO donation which had made it possible to have that department set up at. the Hospital. These were heartily given and the speaker proceeded to urge the ratepayers to support the Association's candidates.

Cr. C. P. Agar and Messrs TV. J. Sim, A. F. Carey, and D. Rowse also spoke. At the conclusion! of the meeting a vote of thanks was accorded the speakers. \ Citizens' Association candidates will address tho electors to-night in the Woolaton School, Woolston, and also in tho Rolleston street Hall, Linwood, at 8 p.m. Mr J. "W. Beanland, who is standing for the Mayoralty, addressed a gathering of about 50 people in the Selwyii atrcet Hall last evening. He will give his final addresses in the Rugby street Methodist Hall on Monday night, and in tho Beckenham Hall on Tuesday night. - Mr Joseph 1 . Hamlet addressed the electors at tho TValtham School last ovening, Dr. H. T. J. Thacker presiding. Mr Hamlet spoko at length on various municipal matters. Dr. Thacker said that he was not supporting Mr Hamlet as,, a mere whim but because ho was conscientious in the belief that Mr Hamlet's ability and energy fitted him for the position, Mr Hamlet was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence. He will speak in the Council yards at 12.15 to-day. and in the Rugby street schoolroom to-night. A meeting will ho held in tho Rangiora Institute Hall on Tuesday evening, when addresses will bo given by the candidates for the Mayoralty and Council. A meetine will be held in the Pier Hall, New Brighton, on Tuesday evening, when candidates for election to tho Borough Council will give addresses.

Stratford.—Mr J. W. McMillan was re-elected Mayor, unopposed. Waipawa.—Mr 11. M. Rathbonc was re-elected Mayor, unopposed.