CIVIC ELECTIONS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 176, 21 April 1921, Page 6

CIVIC ELECTIONS

THE MAYORAL CONTEST

MR. WRIGHT AT NfiAlO Mr. R. A. Wright continued hi* campaign for the Mayoralty Inst night, when he addressed a meeting at Ngaio. Mr. B. Lynne berg occupied the chair. In the course of his address, dealing with tramway matters, electric light, water, and drainage, as these affected Ngaio, mention was mode by the candidate of the fact that the council was doing its utmost to provide the district with what was wanted, particularly water and drainage.. The problem of installing a tramway system was difficult, but not impossible of solution. The only scheme bo far suggested was the continuation of the Wadestown line by means of a viaduct. Mr. Wright also referred to the Ngaio subway, which he said was now being considered by the Government and city engineers. t No questions were asked, and a vote of thanks and confidence was carried on the motion of Mr. Anderson, seconded by Mr. Clark.

Mr. J. Burns, who was also present, ■peaking in support of his nomination for •a seat on the City Council, complained of the failure of the council to increase the number of members in order that,the outlying districts might be given a reasonable chance of returning candidates favourable to the further development of the lato amalgamated boroughs. He also dealt with the council’s housing scheme, and denied the statements that it was the intention of the council to abandon the work. He was sure that the new council would devote its attention to further development, and use every endeavour to expedite the building of more houses so urgently required, MR. HICKEY’S CAMPAIGN Last evening Mr. P. H. Hickey, Labour candidate for the Mayoralty, addressed meetings at Seatoun, Maranui, and Island Bay. The candidate stated that whilst the opponents of Labour painted gloomy pictures of the financial situation, he saw no attempt being made to meet it beyond taxing to a greater extent than ever the social services of the citizens. There were in-, terests in the city, Mr. Hickey stated, owning the most valuable sites, that only paid, comparatively speaking, a peppercorn rental. One of the first things Labour would do in the event of securing control would be to overhaul the whole of the present taxation methods, and see to it that the wealthy syndicate paid its proportionate share to the city treasury. Burt her. the Labour Party would initiate a poll on the question of rating upon the unimproved land values. If' this was dpne, the candidate stated, those who improved their holdings would not be compelled to pay a tax upon the improvements made. What was wanted was the introduction of new blood, with new ideas, into the City Council. COUNCIL CANDIDATES Mr. H. D, Bennett was one of the •peakers at a meeting held at Melrose last evening. Mr. Bennett confined his remarks to the milk supply question. He pointed to what he considered to be the danger facing the city in the proposals,.put forward by a certain section of tho community to extend the city’s • activities to include the supply of milk from its first, source. Various aspects of the city’s current requirements were also briefly touched, on.

Speaking at Northland last night, Mr. T. Bugkley opposed the erection of a new power-house at Evans Bay. He said that Mr. Birks’s report was not properly considered by the City Councillors; they took it as read, having no technical knowledge. The report contained its own condemnation. It approved a large steam station that might be extended indefinitely, although coal ,was scarce and dear and water .power was coming along. The expenditure, 41386,000, was huge, while the money was practically unobtainable. Only a stand-by. station was required, and Harris Street was quite suitable as a site at a saving of probably Ma-. Parry approved of Harris Street as a stand-by site. Water power was reliable : the Christchurch experience i confirmed that. The demand for power there was increasing. Last year, 1919-20, the Government p.-ucTfor energy from a 2500 k.w. stand-by plant at Christchurch •nly .£438, and 4.318 in the previous year. This meant limited coal consumption, and why should it not be so in Wellington? Mr. Birks’e report set out that the costs should be very carefully considered, but he said he bad not time to make a fresh detailed analysis. 'Such a review as the .people had a right to expect when the matter was submitted to on independent expert had seemingly not been made. Certain alterations of the plant required were submitted by Mr. Birks, but. their cost was not included in the amount of the loan. Mr. Buckley declared that the values of the sites, of the existing electric works had been juggled with to make a good showing in favour of,Evans Bay, whereas onlv rental values were involved. The whole situation called for review, and, if elected, ho would urge that the matter be reopened. A person with electrical knowledge was certainly required on the council. Mr. B. G. H. Burn spoke at Northland last night. He dealt with parks and reserves, and said that the allocations were far too small to carry on the good work and provide good grounds for children and adults. This was not the fault of the Reserves (tern mitten, but of the council. Referring to the increase iu tramway fares, he "pointed out the necessity for the same, showing the extra cost in fuel, wages, and material. Mr, Dunbar Sloane addressed a meeting of the electors of Melrose last night. Mr. D. Chisholm was in the chair. De referred to the Evans Bay site lor the new power-house, and said that in view of the early development of Mangahao, lie was quite satisfied that to go on w*th the Evans Bay site was a great mistake. ITe believed that by a reorganisation of‘the city tramways—having for its keynote efficiency and economy—a great improvement could bn effected, and people living in the suburbs would ba greatly benefited. die made a plea for increased rest rooms for women and children. The present condition of the loads in tho city was, in his opinion, appalling. Sound finance, improved sanitation, municipal 'milk supply, recreation grounds, playing ground for children, and improved facilities for suburbanites during rush hours were other matters dealt with. At the conclusion of the meeting, a vote of thanks and confidence was proposed by Mr. Tonks, seconded by Air. Chisholm, and carried.

A meeting under the auspices of the Te Aro Advancement. Association was held last night, to enable the association’s nominees for local bodies to audrras electors. Mr. 1). E. Dustin presided over n. small attendance. Tile nominees were Messrs. S. Underwood (City Council and Hospital Board candidate) and J. Lucas (Harbour Board candidate). Among those present were Messrs. W. H. Bennett and T. Forsyth, members of the City Council. They were berth invited to speak. The chairman said it was very gratifying to him to be in a position to state that the nominees of the Te Aro Advancement Association had been approves! by the Greater Wellington Electors’ Association. PETONE~NOOATIQNS Nominations for the offices of Mayor and councillors of the Borough of Petone tioeed at noon yesterday. They are as follow :— For tho Mayoralty: Messrs. J. W. M’Ewan, D. M'Kenzie, and A. Pere. For tho council: Messrs. E, Ackroyd, D. S. Bedingfleld, C. P. Brockelbank, J.

S. Churohouse, G. Cooke, W. H. Edwards, M. Ford, E. H. Garrett, R. A. Hartley, R. H. .Tones, J. Kyle, W. M'Cullough, A. Scholefield, A. Spurr, J. E, Tovey, A. Anderson, and AV. Hay. The only nomination received for the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board being that of the present member, Mr. J. W. M'Ewan, he has been declared elected. IN OTHER PLACES PALMERSTON NORTH. Prom Our Own Correspondent? Palmenton North, April 20. Nomination for the forthcoming election of Mayor and councillors for the borough of Palmerston North, 'have now closed with two candidates for the mayoral chair and sixteen for the ndno seats on th'e council. The contestants for the mayoralty arc Mr. E. H. Crabb, who has served for some years on tho council, and Mr. J. A. Nash, M.P., the present mayor. It had been Mr. Nash’s intention not to stand on the present •occasion, but in response to a very large ly signed petition he consented to do so. Of the sixteen aspirants Messrs. S. R. Lancaster, A. M. Eliott, A. J. Graham, M. H. Oram, C. and F. Spooner were in the last council. A ticket of eight has been selected by the ’'People’s Committee” as follows: —H. J. Canton, A. J. Graham, F. Jackson, S. R. Lancaster, F. Needham, C. F. Spooner, D. Thomas and E. V. AVest. Messrs, M. H. Oram, W. Thomson, R. Edwards, and A. M. Eliott are standing as "independents.” The Labour candidates are Messrs. J. R. Brown, A. S. Coates and'Rod'Ross, while Mr. A. Buchanan announces that he will run under the auspices of the Citizens’ League. By Telegraph.—Pre* Association. Christcnurch, April 20. The Hon. J. Barr, M.L.C., has been re-elected unopposed to the Mayoralty of Sumner. Oamaru, April 20. The retiring' Mayor, Mr. J. M'Diarmid, has been re-elected unopposed. There are 17 candidates nominated for 12 seats on the council. For the Harbour Board, Messrs. R. Milligan, J. M. Brown, E. G. Lane, and C. J. Marshall were returned without a contest. Messrs. Andrew Fraser and J. H. Milligan were returned to the Hospital Board without a contest. Wairoa, April 20.

There is considerable interest m the local elections. Mr. J. Corkill, the retiring Mayor, and Dr. Somerville, the first Mayor, have been nominated; also 15 candidates for eight council seats. Four of the sitting Power Board members have been elected, unopposed, and four have been nominated for the Harbour Board, two representing river interests and two representing the rival harbour scheme at Waikokopu. There will be a contest also for the Hospital Board, as there are four nominations for two seats. , Taurr.arunui, April 20.

Nominations closed to-day for tho Jiorough elections. There are three for the Mayoralty—Mr. R. S Steadman (sitting Mayor), Mr. A. b. Laird, and Mr. G. E. Manson. For the Borough Council three of the sitting and thirteen new candidates have been nonnGreymouth, April 20.

For the Greymouth mayoralty Messrs. James Lynch, the present mayor, and Arthur Naylor have been nominated, and for the Grey Borough Council, 18 have been nominated for mine seats, ror the Hospital Board 12 have been nominated for four seats.

Nominations for the forthcoming municipal elections in Masterton closed yesterday. Messrs. William Candy and O. N. C. Pragnell are the only candidates for the Mayoralty, the former standing ns an independent and the latter as the nominee of the Citizens’ Committee, lhe following are the candidates for - nine seats on the council allotted to the south (Masterton) ward:—Messrs. H. M. Buddington, James Doiin, James Henderson, William Kemp, AV. G. Lamb, Alexander M'lziod, H. J. G’Leniy, Alfred Rippon, Robert Russell, F. W. Temple, David Threadwill, J. T. Watson, and T. F. Watson, As Messrs. E. Hale and T. Jordan are the only nominees for the two seats allotted to the north (Lansdowne) ward, no election will be necessary in this instance. Messrs. E. G. Eton and J. C. Ewington, being the only nominees for two seats on the Hospital Board, no election will be necessary’ in this case either.

Mr. R. A. Wright will speak at O’Donnell’s Hall, Kilbirnie, this evening. Labour candidates will .address meetings to-night in the Concert Chamber, Town Hall. Wadestown Church Hall, and Kilbirnie Post Office. Mr. Albert Pere, a candidate for the Mayoralty, will address the electors at the Empire Theatre at 8 o’clock to-mor-row evening. Other speakers at the meeting will be Messrs. M. Ford and D. S. Bedingfleld, two candidates for the counJ. W. M'Ewan announces that he will speak at the Oddfellows’ Hall this evening, and at the Korokoro on SaturAt a meeting of the Greater Wellington Election Committee on Tuesday night it was decided to support the following candidates for the Hospital and Chariable Aid Board:—Messrs. J. W. Butler, Fl Castle. Rev. J. K. Elliott, Messrs. A. R Hornblow, C. M. Luke. Mrs. M'Vicar, Messrs G. Nash, G. J. Petherick, S. H. Underwood, Rev. H. Van Stavere®, and Mr. E. Vine.