Addresses by Candidates.

King Country Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 256, 4 May 1910, Page 2

Addresses by Candidates.

Last night the Te Kuiti Public Hall was crowded with a large audience ! who listened with interest, patience, and some amusement to the various candidates for municipal honours at to-day's elections. Mr A. Scholes occupied the chair, and called upon Mr James Boddia, one of the candidates for the Mayoralty, to address the meeting. Mr Boddie referred to the spirit of friendly rivalry between the candidates; the rapid progress of the borough and the proceedings which had led tpjcits incorporation. It was a business' proposition from the very start. He regretted so few Natives were present, as he wished to refer to the position of the two races., The pakehaS' desired to live in friendship and brotherhood with the Natives, but nothing had been done by Native landlords to effect improvements, which anywhere else would he done by the owners of the land. It was an injustice the community would have to take up and deal with, and no start should be made with the work of forming or laying off roads or streets in the native township portion of the borough until the owners had done what is required in every other European community. Until the law was altered, and the right to rate all native lands in' the borough conceded, they could not proceed with any degree of justice to Extend in this direction. The County of Waitomo had to contribute about £350 a year to the Waikato Hospital funds, and quite 50 per cent, of the land upon which they were rated was not contributing to that or any other purpose. He objected to their Native friends putting forward such a number of candidates, which justified the pakoha candidates in the attitude they took up. Of six main arterial roads three required to be tackled at once. A number of streets were yet unformed and that could not go on. The town must be made not X,, 3 comfort but a pleasure to live in. The railway station question was the next thing, and the reclaiming of the portion of land taken by the department from the public highway. Then, an unfailing supply of pure water, to drink, and to give a highpressure system which would put out fires, and so reduce insurance premiums. After that an effectively equipped fire brigade. "We have been living in a fool's paradise." Reserves should be acquired, which would be a growing source of revenue and reduce taxation. A public pound wa<s a necessity. On the alterantives of whether these matters should be dealt with one by one, or comprehensively, in one group, his own view was in favour 01 the latter course. This was the natural centre of an immense district anil new district offices would be an earty need. He appealed for a patient hearing for the other candidates, "some not good speakers," and if returned he would put at the service of the electors all the knowledge and energy he was possessed of. Major Lusk entirely agreed with the previous speaker in his views on the Native question, and thought it quite right the majority of the Council should be pakehas. The Native must learn to take a share of the work and expense, as wpII as the profit. Good drainage and a good water supply were the first essentials, and he would gladly give his services in locating the source whether elected for Mayor or Council or not He had had fifty years experience of road rraking, had no special axe to grind, and though in the sere and yellow leaf, had plenty of energy left in him. Referring to the humorous election circular, which he admitted was a good joke, he could only say that if any of the other candidates for the Mayoralty would walk a mile with him, or run a mile, "I'm your man." (Loud laughter.) He would do his utmost to further the interests of the town.

Mr W. S. King held that municipal works should be done by contract, and married men be given a preference on such day work as was required. He would beautify the town by tree planting, river bank improvements, and the removal of unsightly things; advocated reserves, and asked electors to sink party or personal feelings and choose wisely those whom they wished to serve them. Mr John Ormsby had been associated with Te Kuiti for 25 years, more or less, and had been a member of the only legally constituted body in the King Country for 33 years. He detailed the history of the district, and showed that it was not all the fault of the Natives if things were not satisfactory. As an owner he was quite willing to bear his proportion of improvements provided he was given an equivalent. Native lands hereabouts up to the last few years could bear no tax, and on much of his own land nothing could be raised even now. Mr E. H. Hardy had been principally connected, when in business, with the laying out of roads, and for many years owned a battery, with large water power and bis own system -of electric lighting. He would be pleased to do what he could in these matters. He thought if liquor came to Te Kuiti it should be under the' control of the borough. If honoured by being put in a good position on the poll, ,f or anywhere on the poll," he would be very pleased to do his best for the town.

Mr J. P. Pearson wu3 a very young man himself, but would do his best. The first essential was sanitation, and that meant a good water supply. It meant borrowing a good deal of money, too. They would have to form roads, and to do this the Natives would have to be placed in the position of doing their share. Reserves were also required for the younger generation growing up, Mr R. M. Somerville, in a maiden speech, was quite in accord with the admirable sentiments given expression to by Mr poddie. It was for the ratepayers to have the final say. He would do, to the best of' his ability, fche duties incumbent on a member of the Gpijnciji if he was honoured by being elected. Mr W. Lorrigan, in another maiden speech, said Te Kuiti was a pretty little place, and the making or marring of it waa in their hands. If elected he would assist in making the town a model borough. Here the chairman looked round and remarked, "Next one, please."

Mr N. B. Lusk thought that one member of the family would have been enough for that night. He agreed with other speakers. Mr A. Julian expressed the opinion that if elected it would take him all his time to keep "These fellows in their places. Mr C. Chilcott got quite staccato with his "better roads, better footpaths, drainage, water, lighting - , river esplanade," and held that Mr Boddie had exhausted the bag all right. Mr D. J. Young said he was a worker at heart in everything he took up, and would be a solid worker in the Council "I promise you." Mr M. J. Jones thought quite enough had been said that night. He would be a worker and not a talker, if elected. • The candidates generally referred in cordial tones to the courtesy of Mr Boddie in placing the platform of his meeting at their disposal and promised assiduous attention to their municipal duties, if elected. Mr Boddie called for a cordial vote of thanks' to the chairman, and the meeting dispersed.