COUNTY COUNCIL ELECTION

Hokitika Guardian, 7 May 1929, Page 7

COUNTY COUNCIL ELECTION

MEETING AT HARIHARI.

(From a Correspondent.)

Quite a pleasant and instructive evening was spent in the Harihari Public Hall on Saturday night last. The local branch of the New Zealand Farmers Union had extended an invitation to the aspirants to County honours for the Southern Riding. Messrs Jefllries, Houston, Chinn .and Searle had acceded, while apologies were received from Messrs Mclntosh md Donovan.

Mr J. J. McKay in welcoming those gentlemen stated it must be understood that the Farmers Union were forbidden to take an active part in politics, but that did not exclude them from encouraging their members and others to take an active and 'j:intelligent interest |in Counitv matters. He then asked Mr Jeffries to address the meeting. Mr Jeffries dealt very fully with bounty matters and paid a tribute to his colleagues for their assiduity in dealing with the various matters afecting the Riding and County as a whole. He stated he believed in 'conomical administration hut lie stressed the extreme need for ihe •atepayers to he on their guard against further extravagant addition County plant and ventured the opinion that the road roller would never be brought to South Westland. He favoured a reduction in the rating to four farthings in the pound. In reply to a number of questions, he denied most emphatically that he had said in his Mayoralty speech that he would take steps to lessen the Hospital .Board contribution to the Eolith Westland Medical Association. Mr M. Houston (a new a spire nth followed, and in a well prepared adIrosrs dealt with the various matters affecting South Westland—Completion of Bald Head Road; roading of Education Block out of public monies, and expressed the opinion that his business and financial training won’t 1 stand him in good stead in general administrative matters affecting the County. In answer to questions, he said ihe certainly would move for a reduction of the rating, and would urge the extension of the railway as being of vital interest to the district. He also tributed the efforts of Councillor Murdoch in his efforts in recovering monies from the Forestry Department .and 'said .that Councillors might have given Mr Murdoch more assistance.

Mr W. H. Chinn stated he had served for a period of six years, and was a firm believer in up-to-date plant, and drew attention to the happy position of the Council’s finances, hut refuted Mr Houston’s statement that Councillors had not helped Mr Murdoch to the best of their ability. Mr Murdoch’s training and professional standing entitled him to load an agitation of that nature and his efforts apart from that particular subject had saved the Council a lot of money. In answering questions he said he favoured reducing the ratine and the completion of Hold -IT.ead Road.

Tn answering a questioner ns to why he did not support Councillor Donovan in his agitation for a track • between the Wataroa and Poerua rivers. he left no doubt in the minds of his hearers as to the value of the proposal and characterised it as a waste of pulblic monies and said he was sor*’v Mr Donovan was not 'Present and lie might have more to say. Mr W. Searle dealt with matters affecting finance and also said Mr Houston was mistaken in savin'" Councillors lmd not supported Mr Murdoch in his efforts, and paid a fine tribute to that gentleman’s efforts. Ho also stated he was a firm believer in un-to-dato plant and if his advice had been listened to, the Council would not •have been burdened with the cost of two lorries as at present, as he had urged the obtaining of a tractor come years ago. He strongly favoured Hm completion of the railway and Rdd Head Road. In answer to a question as to wbv the local Roadman was moved out ol his district 'to the detriment of the local roads, Mr Searle said the Overseer was responsible and ho had a I wavs olvecled to such a course. Asked would he b" sulprised lo know that the Overseer stated it was in opposition to his wishes that the Roadman he moved about, lie said he was surprised and was sorry Mr Milliter was

not 'present 'as he would have a lot to say to him, and if olected next Wednesday would certainly have a serious talk with him.

It was pointed out that a bridge giving access to Air Minehan’s property had been delayed for three years after Mr Minchan had sold his timber to tlie Council at a big reduction to expedite the work. Mr Searle said the Overseer had his instructions and lie did not know why the work was not completed. Each speaker was given an attentive hearing and a vote of thanks and appreciation was accorded each. Air T. A. Duff, a candidate for the Southern seat, also forwarded an apology to the meeting, lieing unable to attend on Saturday night.