MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3058, 20 April 1917, Page 8

MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

'■ —— —- . ONSLOW CAMPAIGN. tfhere was a largo gathering- of electors in the Anglican Schoolroom, Ngaio, on Wednesday evening, to hear tho views of Messrs. AV. Applet 011, •A. B. Top)),'and E. G. Tucker, the three candidates opposed to the catchment scheme. . .. At tho outset Councillor Appleton gave an-account of his stewardship for the-past two years. : He stated' that ifor-tho first time for many years tho general rate liad- been reduced,' : that Ngaio's-debit balance'of £337. had been practically wiped-out," and tliat' the Hutt Road levy had been paid out of revenue.. -The speaker also pointed out that two good footpaths had been constructed out of income—and this in a) war period-. Councillor Appleton mentioned that when ; the -borough was in need of money he had secured money !at call at 3} per cent;,'the lowest rato ever obtained by the c6un"cil. r ~" ,; -• In respect' to future policy' Councillor Appleton intimated that if again' elected lie would pursue tho same prudent policy, his aim would be to con- : tinue to "keep down the rates until things became normal, and endeavour to bring about amalgamation-with the City at ail opportune time. This was the only feasible way in which they, could secure water and drainage. Mr. E. (). Tucker, hi dealing with the growth of the district ar.d the need to looking aliead'jn -respect to :i water scheme, quoted figures given by tho Borough Engineer showing that tho portion.of Oi'.slow to bo served by; water had increased 150 per cent-, in! the eight years, from 1907 to 1915, from 800 people to 2000 persons. The speaker read a list of 19 New Zealand towns, taken haphazard, showing thai) on aii average over 40 gallons of water ner head per day were being used. That, :stated Mr. Tucker, was conclusive .proof that in allowing only 25 gallons. for, 3000 neople tho.catchment proposal was inadequate. He specially ap-* pealed to tenants and urged that 'ait unsound water, scheme, whiVh would raise the. rents as well as the rates, equally with an efficient scheifte, was a/matter that interested them, iV'

Mr. A. B. Topn explained the reasons which, induced him to have doubts as to {he-efficacy of the catchment' scheme. /The- first uoint, - - said Mr. Top)), that impressed him_was:'tlie uncertainty of the legal-position. Even to the layma'n'itw-'as evident that where' a firm had enjoyed the water from the catchment for a number -of. vears, Fimething would : have to'he paid for 'the deprivation of those rights.' As .to the extent of tho/claims ho onoted Mr.J.evi,. Mr. Myers., and. Mr. Martin.to shmv that the claims wouklnntbo imaMnnrv, but- ve'ry real.. Mr. Topp also' explained that h" had-made-a personal visit to the catchment a-rn a few days ■ ago. Tt was ohvinus that the water, fvoiii at least' 19. to 15 acr«s did .riot flow into the catchment at all. but wont into another cr"»k. T t was.iint rmssi'blo to. stop tin's. Tt had hcen stated that! n. .lot of water (Wed into -the area; ] fvom land situatc'l from higher than;-the.-ci'aliment. • Mr. Topp explained th.*+- this was not -true: thee was tt saddle separating th" land and n.ravino ■Carried ; the -water-'down, towards Ma- - At the conclusion of: the addrcsse"! a unmb»r.of ouestion were put and. •'answered. A further meetine of the fnrefiinn; candidates'is 'announced for Tuesday next in the same building. '•:'■' LABOUR MEETING.. , v ' Tho Labour Party candidates addresscd.a meetine; at tho Masonic Hall, Brooklyn, last night, Mr.-Hutchison, one,of tho candidates-for tho council, stated that the late- council had failed to administer tho city "affairs as-they .should bo administered.; Tho. City Council: employees' conditions woro mentioned, and hotter' recreation grounds was also'a part of the policy of tho party.' Mr. H. E. -Holland, a ' candidate for ,tho -.council, dealt _ exhaustively with the milk supply of tho city, and used as proof -the report issued by tho Government Laboratory. The present adulteration, was specially stressed,; and a scheme was outlined for better distribution. Mr. A. H. Hindmarsh, a candidate for the. Harbour Board, also spoke.) Tho Greater Wellington; Citizens' ticket candidates will address meetings to-night atNorthland Methodist School at .8 o'clock and Island Bay Anglican School at 8 o'clock: To-morrow evening they will speak at Wadestown . and Thorndon. '."''■'