MAYORAL ELECTION.

Hutt News, Volume 1, Issue 46, 26 April 1929, Page 2

MAYORAL ELECTION.

SIR ALEX. ROBERTS'S

CANDIDATURE.

Mr. Maurice Benniston presided over a good representative gathering of ratepayers in the Ivnox Schoolroom on Wednesday, 17th inst. Supporting the candidate were all the sitting councillors seeking re-election, "who each made brief remarks.

iSir Alex. Roberts spoke on similar lines to his remarks ijt' the previous meeting. He stated that tar sealing is the only remedy for the dust niiisanco •md advocated the extension,, of the work. He pointed out that if the now roads could be sealed before they got into disrepair, it would be a great saving in cost. Speaking of drainage he explained under what a great disadvantage thft borough >tnfi(S -had boon labouring as no records whatever existed m regard to" the old system. This had entailed a tremendous amount of

work on the borough engineering staff, but the difficulty would soon be overcome by a . complete borough" plan being produced. He advocated «, better lighting system an<t\imdertook to see that proper lighting is provided1* where* it is necessary.. _The candidate fa v-our.o-.l the payment of the full' union wage for all unemployed, if bona fide residents of the borough. He felt .sure that if they were treated in this way they would: r espond.,,and give value in service. On the question of amalgamation, he said that the mostimportant question to. be considered was "are we going tojnerease the debt per head by taking such a step." His opinion was that the matter should be thoroughly investigated and after :liscussion by the council the ratepayers should be given an opportunity to vote on the issue. On the question of a councillor acting without the consent of Ms colleagues, Sir Alex, said this matter had been raised during the prsent campaign and he took it that the councillor referred to< was himself. He emphatically denied this charge and gave the dates on which, the council had confirmed-his Recommendation to use spurt concrete pipes as recommended .by the engineer, ■'

Dealing with the vexed question of concrete pipes for sewerage, he read a number of from engineers of other boroughs to show that the pipes at present being used are quite suitable for the work, and stated that if any ratepayer was sufficiently interested, the letters might be, inspected in the engineer's office. He was surprised that those who were now taking so much exception to the Lower Hutt Empowering Act.'had; not objected to it when it was duly advertised and open for inspection before being presented to Parliament. After all it only placed this borough on the same basis as Wellington* The local telephone service he considered to he a.disgrace and pTomised to use the strongest measures to have it improved. He stated that the population of the borough had almost doubled in four years and the building permits" had increased until they now stood fifth on the list in New Zealand. He advocated a careful control of the finances of the borough as he did not^wish to see any £urtiier increase in the rates. He did not believe in keeping a dog and doing the barking himself. If returned he would see that there was proper co-ordination among the staff and that every officer of the borough did his job.

Cr. Carver spoke mainly on his work as Jhairman of the Baths' Committee and promised, if returned, he would endeavouT to have the bottom of the baths tiled and the temperature of the

water raised.

Cr. Campbell spoke of the Tapid growth, of theborough and pointed out that the developments would riot have been possible had not efficient men been elected. He paid a tribute to "the councillors who had laid the foundation of this work, and strongly/ urged his audience to support Sir. Alex Roberts for their mayor. He saidV he would like him to put out His own ticket, choosing a ■well-balanced council. He said it was wrong for anybody to make public statements not founded on fact, as it only had the effect of unnecessarily alarming the people. T&e council meetings axe open to the public and Ixe advised that the critics attend and get better acquainted with facts. As an instance of what the council had done recently for the ratepayers, he told how certain land at the estuary had been developed. Through the action of the council in urging the Government to put a road through the property, the land that formerly was

valued" at about £120 an acre was now worth £1000 per acre., . •

Cr. Grierson favoured a continuation of the present progressive policy and the tar sealing of roads where possible, and close attention' to drainage matters. He strongly supported Sir Alex. Roberts as mayor. .••■■•.

Cr. Hobbs who has been a member of the council for 18 years, advised those present toVyote for the good old team that' had 'been pushing the wagon of progress up the hill for. the past six years and rtb place Sir, Alex. Roberts at their'head.

Cf. Meldrumy who has been a member of the Fire Brigade Committee for 16 years, gave an interesting talk on the, excellent work being carried out by our efficient volunteer brigade. He considered t&at:;the cowncil had made a wise choice in its engineer and spoke highly of'the sewerage and other work he-had, carried out.

Cr. Mitchell, chairman of the Estates Committee, the Seeriic Reserves Committee and a member of the Finance Committee, assured his audience that they would not make a loss on. the Council ;s land purchases. "He said he had been .chairman of the Scenic. Reserves Committee during the, last six years and thought that'all would agree that the value of the Lbwer Hutt had

been eortsitleTably; enhanced by -tu.e beautiful gardens and rockeries which have been -formed in the borough. During the past year new garden plots had been- opened up, one in Heke street clo3e to the Eastern Hutt School which has been planted with "a variety of s-hTubs, and around which a low- fence has been erected. The plot adjoining Ludlam Crescent will be planted with native shrubs and trees during the season. Bock work, planting of shrubs and flowers and laying dpwn in grass and p?ithb^ has.been completed in the plot adjoining Massey Avenue and Manuka Street, and when funds permit the old fence will be removed, .and a suitable low fence erected. In Moera, a large amount of planting has been accomplished, lawns being, laid out and sown in grass. The gardens at t>he Recreation Grounds are being very much improved, and a great amount of work is being done which entails considerable thought and oversight. As chairman of the Taita Cemetery Board and the council's representative on that Board, he reported that the Borough Council was instrumental in securing a bio'.k of 140 acres adjoining t&e present cemetery at. a cost of approximately £2000, "which should provide for cemetery purposes for the next 100 years, and will make one of »the finest [ eemete?Jes in New Zealand. The necessary land has also been secured for a perfect roaJ.^rig system in the cemetery. A great improvement has been effected in the Taita cemeteTy by the eonsVj'uctibn of a -new road which. now ! enables conveyances to drive right through, and -the paths have been put in order, tarred and sanded. The old cemetery on the west side of the bridge at the Hutt 'is T receiving regular atten-

tion, the grass being cut, the plots kept clean and the tombstones have all been re-cleaned. Concluding Cr. Mitchell said: "I would strongly advise ratepayers to study their own interests and the interests of the whole borough by 'heartily supporting Sir Alex. Roberts in his candidature for the mayoralty, as he is undoubtedly one of the best all-round men obtainable in New Zealand. His loyalty,, integrity and years of faithful service justify his success in this coming election.

Cr. Mcßain, who has been chairman of the Reserves Committee since elected to the council in 1921 supported' Cr. Roberts who he said "sees straight, thinks straight, and acts straight." He said he was going to ask a favour if his audience; he would ask them to

use their wits at the elections. When told of what a "do-nothing" "council you have, just look around and see what they have done. Taking his audience into his confidence he said: "I will teli you what I have never .told anybody before. My object in taking up public life is because I though 1.-would be showing an example to the school children, and as an educator of the young I conceive it to be my duty, though. I would much prefer to enjoy i?he comfort of my home on cold winteT nights. If returned he would advocate that a new bridge be thrown across the river at Melling to replace the present totally inadequate structure. He did not think the council was making the be3t use of that valuable property known as the council yards opposite the Theatre and advocated an investigation being made to see if more profitably use could not be, made of it. • -

Mr. "W. T. Strand said that if he had been able to do anything during his term of office it was because of

the fine council lie had round him. I have had the very best council ever elected in New Zealand. Before "you' make any change, think twice, said Mr Strand. The drainage, system and t»he surface water system, installed during recent years. is equal to anything in New Zealand.V Kef erring to a, creeent utterance during the election campaign Mr. Strand said "Do not take any notice of those remarks being made about late councillors, when men say they are glad they are not one of them. I say I am" very proud to have been assiciated with them." He urged the people to send back a strong council and said that two of- t>he $taunchest friends the boroug-h has had are Dr. Boyd and Mr D. S. Patrick, With, a scratch team I have very great fears 'indeed. My advice »is "don't swap. horses in the middle* of this stream."

Oii the motion of Mr. L. Jenkins,' seconded by Mr. S. Clendon, a motion of thanks to the speakers, and of confldence in Sir. Alex Roberts' as tie future mayor was carried unanimously. . ■ •..:■■■■■ :