THE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS

Grey River Argus, 22 April 1911, Page 5

THE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS

Last evening-, the Municipal , Election campaign was opened in the Blaketown Schoolroom 'before a very large attendance by the candidates of the N.Z Labor Party. His Worship the Mayor (Mr A. C. Russell) presided. In opening 1 the meeting he said he felt it a pleasure to preside, and at the same time take the opportunity of addressing them on their own affairs. He thanked them for the tribute thpv had paid him in re-eler.-l'n.qr Ivm Mnvor unooposed. He said *It> !rpnj'l' i n"«pr> ; top"> i "^ > ' : > f^r^P I .! Arr-~~_ v>.-1 o-r/^rv rr"di<-. T*^ .fir-.t r!n+->- nf ~ riohf at ?11 times. He would' like to see a change in some of trie members of the old councillors. As regards the municipalisation of the Native Reserve that was impossible as the natives wanted £200,000. He agreed with the Borough purchasing tlieir own carts and horses. He was in favour of .swimming baths, but that was a question of money. He would support a reorganisation of the borough staff inside and out. Mr Campbell, the newly elected Town Clerk was the right man in 'the right •place. He believed in calling tenders for all supplies to the borough. The prices charged to the lorough were in many cases exorbitant. 1 lie financial position of the borough \va; as follows : — The revenue f or the year would be ,£30,979 and the raepnditure would be £3979 more "during 1 the year closed he had nailed the. council i down to improve the position. He thought with the figures at his disposal the borough was better off today iby about £4000 than it was when he took charge. As regards the over draft they could not borrow a loan to pay it off. What was wanted was councillors returned who would study economy. Thp nrofits from ,the gas works last year was £3628, and after interest had been paid £2419 was transferred to general account. It would-be necessary to get £4000 more revenue this year or the expenditure kept down. In dealing with the expenditure for the year 'he said it was a bad day "when the Fire Board took over the brigade as the expense was so great. He had only cost the borough in social amenities £15 for the year. The abattoirs were a credit to the borough and there was not £5 outstanding on the books. He said the loan works would hay& been ready but for the death of M^lTord. He thought the council should get a good overseer from one of the big cities. There was £300 on the loan for footpaths at Blaketown and £600 for Preston Road. The inner area of 'Greymouth was the worst built part of the town. Some of the 'backyards were discreditable. The town should have better buildings. The residents of the inner, area could get the sheets swept and water carts out while the people in the suburban parts had to pay for it. As regards tho Native Leases it was there to stay. As regards the building bylaws it was "the late Mr Lord who' took action against Mr Eissenhardt for building 1 : without a permit A resolution was proposed 'to stay proceedings and he declined to put it. Cr Bierne then rushed off and served a wrir of mandamus in the Supreme Court. He {Russell) then engaged his solicitor who told him he was right. The other side did not want the mandamus heard and tried to stop proceedings until the .building- wds up. 'I'he mandamus was of no use. .He intended to enforce the section of the Act against councillors sitting- at the council table and trading. The Mayor sat down and received a very round of applause. Mr Jackson said he felt pleased at the way the Mayor had spoken of the Labor Party's platform. The Labor Party in. New Zealand intended to take an active part in municipal politics. A candidate of the Party need not # be a man who uses a pick and shovel, but any man who would adopt their programme. As regards the Native reserve he was satisfied that the people 'could not get a better title than they had. Certain people • in Greymouth had large holdings and they sub-let them at big rentals. Mr Jackson then traced the history of the town from the early sixties at great length. For the last 36 years the natives had received in rent £122,0u0. The .borough snould acquire the estate. The petitioners did not want that, and so got nothing. If returned he would support purchasing horses and drays, construction of swimming .baths, reorganisation of the borough staff of employees, consolidation of the various loans; sanitation and lighting of outlying- portions of the borough ; improved water supply. He upheld the gas works as a tribute to municipalisation and said the late Mr Petrie deserved credit for it. He made an appeal for those present to enrol as members of the party. 1 Mr T. V. Byrne said it gave him pleasure to meet the people of Blaketown. He had" had a long experience on borough matters and felt sure he wouui give satisfaction. ne_ had no u-vcis lv yrinu ana wus tree to uo his uiuy- J-J-e agreed vain xne pianonu or iiie Labor rarty. lie saia it was urong lor cue Mown riaii to be let io Air iviarunengo. He objected to tlie little hen-house that has been erecced on the roof of the hall. (Laughter.) tie favored running cheap picture shows on their own. They had the hall and the road roller. (Applause.) He paid a compliment to Mr Russell who was not afraid "to face the music.' 7 Mr Russell when the banker stopped their credit put in his own cheque for £1000 so as to carry on the works. (Applause.) Mr Sweetman said it had been a pleasure for him to work under Mr Russell. He had done .good work and they should stick to him. He agreed with the= platform as laid down by the party and said he felt it an hon or to be one of the candidates. He believed in sticking- to the building kye-laws. Mr J. Tennent said he stood Jaefore them as a candidate for the Labor Party because he believed, in the planks of the platform. * He thought with economy the financial affairs of the 'borough would 'be improved and the dark cloud would soori show a silver lining.. They had a splendid property in the gas works, but a coal siding- should be put in. Mr W, J. Johnston said he endorsed the Labor Party's platform. If he was returned he would strive to do .his utmost for the welfore of the town. The Mayor invited any. other candidates to come forward and express their views. Mr Sargent said he agreed in many ways with the platform of the party, but the borough must study ■economy. He was satisfied that he had Mr Russell's hallmark of approval on his candidature. He spoke at some length on the gas work's.-, buildine- by-laws, and water supply. Mr J. Greenslade said he came before them as an independent, tout he

favored many parts of the Party's platform. He thought it the duty of young- men to come forward and take up some of the burdens of citizenship. If he was returned he would do his duty conscientiously and well. Mr R. Russell said if he had been two years in the Council he would have "had gas in Blaketown. It had taken him two hours to get to the place. It was disgraceful. _ .(Applause.) He favored the freehold of the Native land, rather than municipalisation. He was out to do his duty to the ratepayers. Mr James Kerr also addressed the meeting and was, well received and dealt with the matters under discussion. ■ , . Several questions were nut to the candidates and satisfactorily answered. . . . f A vote of thank* to +h» Hi air tor,mmn f ed n cuTPß^f" 1 ' 11^i (V -