THE MAYORALTY.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1419, 22 April 1912, Page 7

THE MAYORALTY.

—. ME. WRIGHT AT NEWTOWN. Mr. H. A. Wright addressed n meeting at Newtown on Saturday evening, and dealt at some'length with the subject of tramway finance. He urged that the newJy-cstnblished beard should bo given all possible assistance from (he council, iu its endeavour to place matters upon .i sound basis. It was evident, Mr. M right remarked, that considerable attention must be given to this branch of the city's business during the ensuing year. The policy of drift must cease. During the past few years the local press had warned tho council that tramway finance was weak, but tho warning apparently had been without effect. Mr. »right al<-o dealt with the subjects of reclamation, leases,'paths, drainage, duplication of. the Waimii main, control of reserves, and other municipal matters. ME. M'LARBX-'S MEETINGS. Mr. D. M'Laren, Labour candidate for the City Mayoralty, addressed meetings on Saturday night at South Kilbirnie, Newtown, Boulcott Street, and Courtenay Placo. Supporting addresses were delivered by Councillor A. H. HindmarMi and Messrs. W. H. Hampton and A. \\ ltby. Mr. M'Laren, in his various addresses, affirmed the policy of encouraging technical education, and contended that the City Council had given it generous support. This year it had contributed -E3OO to the funds of the Technical Education Board. Mr. M'Laren said that he. with other members of that board, had! desired to erect a technical school on the old Tramway Shed site, but moro land was required, and it could not be got on reasonable terms. It was erroneous tor Mr. Biss to Eay that tho board had overlooked this matter. In tho matter of municipal contracts, he would favour giving work to local manufacturers, whero other things were cc|iial. With respect to the tramway service, the policy of oxpending tho depreciation funds on new works had been upheld by three consecutive Mayors, all ot whom were recognised business men. In the face of the tact that the only charge with regard to mistaken municipal policy was levelled against men who were known as business men, tho crv for business men candidates appeared* to be somewhat strained. He considered it the function of the Mayor and council to concentrate on matters of policy, leaving the omcers_ full responsibility in details of administration. .Mr. M'Laren deprecated purely commercial methods of governing a city. The needs of the people had to be considered as well as percentages of profit, and a number of sen-ices were required from wlncli no direct profit in cash could be over looked for. Mr. M'Laren stated that he was prepared, if returned, to give his full time to the duties of the Mayoral office, and to give considerable attention to improvements in the outlying districts. Ihe interests of tho people as a whole demanded that the outlying districts should have a full share of attention. ■Vt the close of each address, Mr. M'Laren was unanimously accorded a vote of thanks and confidence. At Newtown and Courtonay Place cheers were given for tho Labour candidate.

Mr David M'Laren, candidate for the city Mayoralty, will address the electors at noon to-day at the King s Wharf ; the State School, Brooklyn, at. ~JO ocock this evening; and Berhampore fcchool at 9 p.m. Mr R, A. Wright will address the electors this evening at 7.30 o clock, at Courtenay Place, and at 8.30 p.m. at Ingestrc Street. Mr. John Smith, candidate for the city Mayoralty, will address the electors at 8 o'clock this evening in the Town Hall. Mr. A. S. Biss, candidate for the city Mayoralty, will address the electors at 8 o'clock this evening.