TO-DAY'S POLLING.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1422, 24 April 1912, Page 6

TO-DAY'S POLLING.

Y , MAYORAL CONTESTS. LIST OP .VOTING BOOTHS, ROLL STRENGTH, Electors In the city and la the surrounding boroughs will bo called opon today to elect Mayors for tho ensuing year, the candidates for tho city seat are: Messrs. A. S. Biss, D. JFLnren, J. Smith, and R. A. Wright. The roll of electors who are entitled to .Yoto in tho city election contains 30,005 names. The roll used at the eleotlon of councillors, a year ago, contained 28,970 names, und all electors whose names apjie'ar in it are entitled to vote to-day, whether they voted at the last council election or not. A lato supplementary roll has brought up tho number of quailtied voters to 30,005. The hours of polling aro from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. X list ot polling places appears below. Where there aro a number of booths at one polling place tho nnmj tier is shown in parentheses. Altogether there aro 38 booths. Social Hal!, Pitt Street, Wadestown. Church Schoolroom, Tinakori Road. Kearney's Tea Rooms, Tinakori Road. Chtircliroom, Northland. Churchroom, Upland Road, Kelburne. Churchroom, Aro Street. Baptist Churchroom, Brooklyn. Schoolroom, Island Bay. Masonic Hall, Adelaide Road. Churchroom, Tainui Terrace, Maranui. Kilbirnio Hall. ICilbirnie. Pavilion, Bowling • Green, Hataitai. Schoolroom, Rosenenth. Century Hall. Kent Terrace (2). Schoolroom, St. Mark's, Sussex Square. Victoria Hall, ■ Adelaide Road.

Newtown Library, Revans Street. Schoolroom, St. R-iddiford Street (4). Druids' Hall, Taranaki Street (2). Alexandra Hall, Abel Smith Street. Rechabite Hall, Manners Street '(2). Town Hall, Cuba Street (1). Turnbull's Auction Room, Panama Street (2). ' Hnrcourfs Auction Room, Panama Street (2). St. Paul's Schoolroom, Sydney Street (8). Following are the Mayoral candidates in tho boroughs indicated Onslow: Messrs. P. Holdsworth and C. Wainwnring. Karori: Messrs. C. Cathie and W. A. Kellow: Mirainar:- Messrs. H. N. M'Leotl and £0. E. ; : Richards. Eastbourne: Messrs.- W. Hobbs and H. iW. Shortt. Fetone:',Messrs. :J. IT'. M'Eiran and J. iPiper. ' : - ■„ Lower Hutt':' Mejsrs. 'E. P,'Bunny and H. Baldwin. . MR. BISS AT THE TOWN HALL. SIS QUALIFICATIONS FOR OFFICE, i Upwards of "a hundred electors as-sembled-in the Concert Chamber at the Town.'Hall last evening, when Mr. A. S. Biss 'delivered his final address in support -of his candidature for the City Mayoralty. Mr. B. Dawson presided, and briefly .introduced tho candidate. Jn his address, Mr. Biss dealt with th© subject - of '.the . tramway ' depreciation fund, on the lines of his address on the /previous evening. He did not suggest, niid never had . suggested, ho said,, that the matter was important enough to war-. Tarit all the stir to which it had given lise. The time had arrived twelve months' previously when it wn9 necessary to stop using tho depreciation fund for service extensions and .to devote it wholly to renewals. i Failuro .to' take this action twelve months ago represented an omission on the part of somebody to appreciate the necessity of properly financing the .tramways service: • Mr. Biss said that he had looked in vain for some statement of policy from the;-Acting-Mayor. One' reason that lie had been asked to stand—despite the fact that Mr. Smith was, ona of the most TeBpected citizens of Wellington—rested upon a;belief that if Mr. Smith was re-elected there would bo a risk of matters standing still, nt a time when the large body of ratepayers thought that things 6hould ba a little more active. Mr. Biss ridiculed a statement odvanoed by- supporters of his opponents that his only qualification for the office of Mayor' was a certain knowledge of figures. He had lived in Wellington for many years,' so long, indeed, that 1 he had rowed a beat oyer the spot where the Government now stood. He- had -. played his part in the business life of tlio city, and had'watohed its development during a long period. In addition to this he had served • for gome years on the City Council- Hcconuidered that it was the duty of any roan who lived for a long bime in a city to do •what he could to serve it, and it was because of this belief that he was- standing for election as Mayor. Touching upon the activities thatshould engage .the Mayor and council, during the coming year, Jlr. Biss urged that all the city properties in Adelaide Road Should be leased by tender. Unsightly 'buildings on these properties should be pulled down. The corporation should cooperate with the Technical School authorities in securing a site for a new .'Technical School, The corporation owned Tnany little odd corners, of land in various parts of the city. They should either be'leased to adjoining owners or turfed and planted. With regard to tramways reports should be obtained upon proposed extensions and the proposals should be submitted to the ratepayers without delay. Efforts should be made immediately to renew leases, that would fall in in i 914, in order to obviate a glut in th 9 market. The widening of Willis Street should be at once proceeded with. The electrical engineer should be asked to report immediately upon the work of duplicating the electric lighting plant. The drainage'system should be comploted in every nook and corner of the district, nnd woodblocking should be extended. Funds for the latter Work should bo obtained from revenue. The only question put to Mr. Biss was: "If you are elected, \vill . v °n have immediate steps taken to have the electric ■wires placed- underground, so as to minimise the danger and consequent loss of life, as in the case of Fireman Jl'Lean?" Mr. Biss replied . that this was a very big question. He did not know what it would cost, to lay the electric wires underground. As to immediate steps he understood . that the ladders used by th 9 brigade could bo swathed in' insulating material. Before attempting to lay its wires underground, the corporation sho.uld Bcek the co-operation of the Government, •which bad a schemc ; in hand in regard to lading tho wires under it.-> control underground. A motion, of thanks and confidence was tarried unanimously. MR. J. SMITH. HIS CONCLUDING SPEECHES. Mr. John Smith addressed the electors of Kilbirnio last night, in support of his own candidature for tho Mayoralty. Mr. Smith answered tho objection raised to his canilidatnre on the ground that ho was physically unfit for the position. He had always lived an active, strenuous life, and ho felt as fit in mind and body now as over before. He bad obtained a complete and intimate knowiedgo of all the city's biggest undertakings in his Xnany years service oil the council, and during'his term as Acting-Mayor he had acquired a special knowledge of the duties appertaining to the Mayoral office. Referring more especially to local matters, ho declared that the council had made an excellent bargain in purchasing land at Lyall Bay, for he believed this land would in the future become an immensely valuable asset. In order to make it hairro readilv accessible, an improved tram service would bo necessary, and he UTged that this could best be accomplished by the extension of the Constable Street: lin» to connect with the line through Kilbirnie. This extension would relieve tho pressure of traffic through the Hataitai tunnel, and would thereby allow Kilbitnie residents to travel to the city and back to (heiv homes with greater comfort nnd expedition. The line would also prove of immense benefit to the suburb in that it would make Lyall Bay easier of access to the peoplo of Newtown, and. generally tend to make it more popular rrn a pleasure resort. He was n strong supporter of the project to have' land reclaimed from Evans Bay for recreation purposes. Money had been appropriated hv the council for this purpose the prev'ow- vnar. but that money hnd been nsed '" satisfy demands for. testation gropnda

dsairlier*. Tills yew, hoireyw, a, sum of JJ2OOO had b««n earmarked for this worfc, and the council would Be ready to jPTit.it in hand eo soon as negotiations for the 'purchase of ft piece of land from vhlch spoil could be obtained were completed. Probably the work would' bo commenced in about two tiionths. Ho was of opinion that a swimming bath oould bo well and economically constructed on the fringe of the reclamation at a sacrifice of one section of land. He replied'to tho suggestion that ho was one of those responsible for putting the tramways sinking funds to bail use. Ho was ono of those in opposition, but ho hail been outvoted. In October Inst the council hnd passed to set aside certain moneys from revenue year by year. In a comparatively few years tins fund would amount to some £30,000, which would probnbly be sufficient to relay rails and provide for other necessarj renewals. In course of time, therefore, the tramway finances would be in a very good state. Mr. Smith traversed most of the other planks of his platform, and in conclusion asked for the electors eupP< The candidate was accorded a hearty rob of thanks and confidence. Mr. Smith hnrried away from the Kilhirnie meotiiuj to the Methodist Hall, in Moleswortlu Street, where he olso met a ft-w of his supporters, and had a talk with them.

MR. M'LAREN, IN PROTEST,

* • MEETING AT TRADES HALL. Mr. David M'Laren met a large gathering of his committees and supporters at the Trades Hali lastevening, when reports were received from tho. various districts with respect to the work done, and arrangements were made in connection with tho work to bo done to-day. Mr. M'Laren, in the course of an address, voiced a protest in respect to tho lack of arrangements at the Town Hall yesterday for giving citizens information in regard to ,the election. Several people had informed him that they had experienced difficulty in obtaining information respecting the conduct of the election. They had gone down to the Town. Hall, found the offices closed, and tio on© had boon left in charge to supply information of any kind which citizens might require oil the day before a Mayoral election. He thought that ono officer at least might have been told off to perform that duty,- and contended that there_had been too much laxity in attending- the requirements of citizens in connection with tho present, election. He did not begrudge the holiday (St. George s Day), but someone should have been in charge to attend to the inquiries of electors, the majority or whom were not holiday-making yesterday. The candidate expressed # Togret that ho had been unable to visit every district during the campaign owing- to want of time, but he had, he rhoHjrfu* worked what most of them would consider full time, and residents' of districts not visited would, lie felt sure, - recognise that. Ho submitted that ho hnd kept the pledge made at the opening of the campaign to abstain from anything in the wav of personal attack, and affirmed definitely that his position, if returned, ■would'be to serve not one class or section of the people, but • the city_ as a whole. The meeting was characterised by enthusiasm. , . Mr. D. M'Laren spoke in the open air and in the heavy rain in the Post Office Square at noon yesterday. • Councillor Fletcher presided. Most of the quarter of an liour for -which he spoiie Mr.. M'Laren devoted to the candidature of Mr. Smith. He objected to an appeal being made to the electors' sentiments. One of the qualifications necessary in a Mayor was that he should havo some knowledge- of the rules of debate. He respected Mr. Smith personally, out he strongly objected to the city s affairs being run by the body calling itself the. Citizens' League. Other topics referred to were the tramways policy of the council, and the market proposals.'

MR. WRIGHT'S MEETINGS,

TRAMWAY' MATTERS; Mr. E. A, Wright addressed two meetings of electors last evening. Speaking at Brooklyn, ho referred to the proposal to make n now recreation reserve at the head of Nairn Street. He had always supported this proposal, he said, and saw no reason to alter his attitude. He was satisfied that the population of Brooklyn wns sufficiently largo to entitle it to a recreation ground nearer than the Basin Reserve, and lie hoped to see something definite dono in this connection in the near future. ~ ' Another matter affecting the Brooklyn : residents was the crowding of tramcars at certain hours of tho day. He nad been informed by the City Engineer that . permanent relief could be obtained only ■ by'duplicating the Willis Street line. This work would have to command the attention of the authorities in the immediate future. ~ , Mr. Wright drew attention to a remark by Mr. Biss (at liis meeting at Newtown on the previous evening) that Mr. V right, when speaking nt tho Sydney Street Schoolroom, had delivered an address very similar to his own. Mr. W' right pointed out that he delivered tho first speech in the campaign (at the Newtown Library). His address at Sydney Street was on lines similar to those of liis first speech, If the Svdney Street address was' similar to that delivered by Mr. Bis 3 it was not his (Jlr. Wright's) fault. ... , Dealing with general municipal matters, Jlr. Wright said that be stood firmly against any increase in tlie rates. He advocated a policy of cautious progress in the meantime, looking to tho time when the city would derive a largely augmented revemto from its endowments. At midday Mr. Wright addressed the • employees of the Wellington Gas Com- : nany on municipal questions, and was accorded ft voto of thanks and confidence. KARORI. MR, W.: A. KELLOW'S CANDIDATURE. Mr W. A. ICeliow, a candidate for the Karori Mayoralty,, addressed a meeting of electors in the Parochial Hall last evening. Mr. J. W. Henderson occupied tho chair. The candidate expressed tho opinion that when tho Government s hv-dro-electric power scheme was developed, the cost of electricity would bo greatly cheapened by the borough running its own system, and purchasing the power from the Government. Tho scheme was worth tho fullest investigation. I lien, there 'was tho question of introducing gas into tho borough. Thero vras no doubt that if this were done ,it would be a- great convenience to residents, and if elected lie would bo in favour of the council again approaching the Wellington Gas Company in regard to the matter, -j-he water supply was another matter that would ougage his attention. A sy6tom of' buying water from tho city would probably prove more economical to the borough than a system of its own, for if proper representations were made, tno irate:- could no doubt be acquired at a very low rate from the city. Tlie dramage system, too, would havo to bo looked ,to if Karori was to go ahead. Evcryono would probably agree that Karori required an improved route to the city. Something was wrong when tho trams took half an hour to reach tho city. The candidate was in favour of a "rearrangement of tho tram time-table to provide for a aire economic running than at present, and also of taking every means of popularising the recreation grounds so as to attract visitors beyond the cemetery, and increase the tram revenue. He" considered that in the past there had not been enough energy applied to send the borough ahead, and advertise its many natural advantages. This election contest, however, would do a great deal in that direction. The candidate controverted a statement that he took no interest in politics. Any business man that devoted the time to contest three elections as he had done must bo considered to be taking a very lively interest in municipal politics. He assured the electors that if he were chosen as Jlavor he would put nil his energy forth in "the best interests of Karori, in order that the borough might, take its right place as one of the leading residential suburbs.

At the conclusion of his address, Mr. Kcllow was asked a number of questions. He was then accorded a vote of thanks and confidence.

MIRAMAR. MR7RICHARDS AT SEATOHN. Mr. H. E. Richards, a candidate for th« Mirwnw Mayoralty, addressed a larg«

meeting of electors at Scatoun last evening. Air. T. Boon look the chair. In his address Mr. Richards recapitulated his past services to the borough, ami discussed tho financial operations of tho previous year. He touched upon revision of the tramway concession tickets, and also upon a number of local needs, such ns better lighting and improvements to the foreshore. Mr. Richards also projected 11 benefit scheme for the borough employees. The candidate answered a number of questions, ami n vote of thanks was carried by acclamation. Jlr. 11. A. Smith, a. candidate for tlio council, also addressed the meeting, saying that, although a comparatively new arrival, he felt capablo of using his business experience in the best interests of tho borough. Mr. Cireig, another council candidate, also spoke, promising to do his utmost, if elected, to secure satisfaction of a number of local needs. MR. M'LEOD AT WORSER BAT. Despite tho unfavourable weather conditions which obtained last evening, Mr. M'T.-eod was enabled to address a wellnttended and enthusiastic meeting in tho Kiosk at Worser Bay, in furtherance of his candidature for the Miramar Mayoralty. Mr. J. Wright presided. Mr. M'Leod's speech was mainly on the lines followed at previous meetings. A vote of thanks was carrie'd by acclamation. HUTT ELECTION. ADDRESS BY ME. BALDWIN. Mr. H. Baldwin delivered his final address to the electors in St. .Tallies Hall last evening. Mr. Carver occupied the The candidate mentioned that lie had seen six years' service as a councillor, and whatever he had done lie had not received one penny for. If elected, as he felt sure fie would be, he would do his duty to the ratepayers, and endeavour to enrrv out a policy of progress on economic lines. At the close of his address the candidate was accorded a vote of thanks aud confidence. PETONE. SPEECH BY MR. J. W. M'EWAN. Mr. .T. W. M'Ewan, the retiring Mayor, ninde his final appeal to the electors at the Palace Theatre last night. Mr. List occupied the chair, and tlicro was an attendance of about 200. After traversing the municipal position, the candidate stated that, if returned, lie would adopt a policy of progress,' and would always do his duty as in the past. He was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence. PROSPECTS IN WANGANUI. (By Telceraph— Special Correspondent.) Wanganui, April 23. The result of to-morrow's Mayoral election is being awaited with very keen interest. Mr.. Mackay has conducted a brief but vigorous and rather heated platform campaign, while Mr. Meuli has contented himself with setting _ iTt. his views by advertisements and circulars. The general opinion is that Mr. Mackay will be given, another term of office, though Mr. Meuli's friends seem confident. AUCKLAND CONTEST.

FEDERATION OF LABOUR CANDIDATE. (By Telegraph.—Special Correspondent.) Auckland, April 23. > Great interest centres in the Mayoral election for Auckland City. Mr. C. <J. Pan-, the present Mayor, is being opposed by Mr. Hall Skelton, who is receiving the whole-hearted'support of the Federation of Labour, though he declares himself an independent candidate. _ The "Star" sums up the position tonight in a .loader which hits out strongly nt the federation and its policy. Tho paper says: "There can bo no doubt at 'nil about the doctrines promulgated by the Federation of Labour. Its loaders believe in the' general strike, and they believe that they are the men who ought to decide when tho signal shall be given for that great industrial social upheaval. At any moment, because a handful of workers in some pettv trade disagreo with their employer, tiio Federation of Labour is to havo the power to stop tho wliolo machinery of commerce, to paralyse the public services, and at a word to reduce the whole city to a condition of absolute impotence anil nuarcliy by the fiat of its irresponsible will. . . . Responsible Labour leaders like Mr. Philip Snowden and Mr. Ramsay jracDonald denounce syndicalism as suicidal insanity, and warn Labour to have no traffic with it. but it is well that the people of Auckland-should realise clcarly what tho Federation of Labour has in store for us all if it can only get its way, and when once our fellowcitizens have appreciated the risks that we would all run by handing over our city to the nominee of these preacliors of industrial tyranny and anarchy, we are confident that the great majority of (hem will recognise tho magnitude of the interests at stake and ffive their enthusiastic support to Mr. Parr." POINTS FROM THE SPEECHES. DUTIES OF A MAYOR. The Duties of a Mayor, "Some people think that the duties of a Mayor are to welcome leading actors nnd actresses and to open bazaars," said Jlr. A. S. Biss last evening. He added that he hoped that his addresses during tho present campaign had done something to dissipate such erroneous estimates of tho Mayoral vocation. Mr. Biss On City Improvement. Mr. Biss had some pointed l ' things to say last evening about town-planning nnd tho clearing of slum areas, and the wav in which these subjects are handled by Jfayoral candidates aud others. He advised people to hearken rather to definite proposals than to the exposition of showy theories. Town-planning, he said, was a very elaborate enterprise, and - probably very few ratepayers knew anything about it. But the present time was eminently favourable for the acquisition and clearing of some of the worst slum areas in tho citr- "There is not the slightest doubt' in my mind," said Sir. Biss; "that the valuo of properties in Wellington just now is at the lowest point." From this he argued that the city should at once proceed to acquire some of the worst slum properties with a view to their improvement. An Explanation Accepted. Before commencing his address at the Concert Chamber lnat evening, Mr. A. S. Biss referred to a misunderstanding which had arisen in connection with some of his Temarks at Brooklyn. Councillor L. M'Kenzie, lie. remarked, had accused him of saying that the staff of tho City Council required very close looking after by the Jlayor. He (Jlr. Biss) had explained. on the platform and by letter tn Mr. Jl'Kenzie, that he had made no such remark. Ho was pleased to stato that lie had now received tho following letter from Mr. M'Kenzie:—"l wish to state that I am pleased to accept your explanation, and now feel satisfied that it was not your intention to cast a reflection upon any officer of the corporation." Wellington Too Modest. Anyone visiting Auckland, Mr. R. A. Wright remarked last evening, would lie struck by the display of local patriotism in that city. It did not matter what one mentioned, the Aucklanders always believed that Auckland had something better. "I am afraid," continued Mr. Wright, "that Wellington people do not take the same pride in their city. The disadvantages of Wellington are frequently referred to, but its advantages are very seldom mentioned. Wellington _ can be made one of tho finest cities in New Zealand; it is already one of tlie healthiest, and in years to eoine I believe that Wellington will take its place and hold its own with any city of similar size in the ■world." Karori's Finances. At Karori on jronday evening Mr. Cathie (Mayor of the borough) gave an insight into the post year's finances. He slated that tho estimated expenditure for the year had been .£4414, and the actual receipts had amounted to JM594. The ou(standing rates amounted to JMOG 18s. -id., which left a credit balance of Xlt ts. 7d. The lo«sl on the tramway extension (£712) had been met out of the general fund. The amount of loss had been JJU2 in excess of tho estimate, which .-liorlage ho attributed tn the inclement weather experienced during th» year. The tramway i"tn Johnston S(reetl_ account stood a? followsßeceipts, XMO9; tigciidltuie, cot mileage, <23iSQ; tra.olc_

lighting, .£l-17; incidental, j£ll9. This left a credit of JG1053 15s. Of that amount „t7OO hnd been transferred to the interest account, thus reducing tho rato struck on loans 4 and 5. A sum of XOS 10s. luid gono to pay off the debit on the omnibus account, and Iho balance, -£2-17 .is., hnd l>ccn carried forward to tho replacement fund account, which now stood at <£1507. Tho omnibus plant had been sold for 0:7-1 ISs., and (lie amount had been placed to tho crci'.i i.:-f sinking fund. No Legal Pov/Sr. "Tho borough cannot legally borrow money to spend on a tramway outsido tho borough," said Jlr. Cathie, Mayor of Karori, in referring to tho proposed Karori-Kelburne tramway. "It is very unlikely that any Parliament would pass a liill enabling the work to be dono by Karori, in view of tho great opposition which it would meet from the Northland ratepayers interested in the first tramway." Borough and Gas Company. In his address on Monday evening, Mr. Charles Cathie (Mayor of Karori) referred to electric lighting, and reported on tho negotiations which had passed between tho borough and tho Wellington Gas Company with a view to supplying ratepayers with gas. . Tho Gas Company had insisted on having a contract for part of the street lighting, which the Borough Council did not see its way to grant in view of the fact that it had a contract with the City Council for street lighting. If the Gns Company could suggest some better ai rangement which would not bring tho borough into conflict with the City Council on the question, he was quite prepared to negotiate, safeguarding the interests of the borough in tho future. 1 He' also pointed out that, under tho Government scheme of hydro-electric power, the borough might desire to supply electric light directly to the ratepayers, as well as street-lighting. Power would then bo available for pumping water from the sources previously referred to if required. MAYORAL ELECTION. (To the Editor.) • Sir,—l havo followed closely all that has appeared in the papers concerning the four candidates—all that has been said by themselves, by correspondents, and tho editorial comment thereon. There is no doubt the aspirants are four very estimable men. But when you eonio to weigh their claims, what then? Surely Mr. John Smith, with his twenty-seven years' record as councillor, stands firstp The people of Wellington will not let it be said of them that long and faithful service counts for nothing with them? Jlr. Smith has creditably tilled the chair ou several occasions in tho past when Mayors have been absent, and it would bo a graceful thing now for the citizens to place him there, and with a thumping majority, thus crowning by their appreciation the long years he has spent in their service. To my mind this is an occasion on which all other considerations should be laid aside, and citizens as a whole, forgetting for the moment all differences— social, political, or any other—should unite in giving honour where honour is due.—l am, etc., JAMES MACINTOSH. 113-115 Customhouse Quay, April 23, 1912.