MARAETAHI RIDING.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 11 October 1917, Page 3

MARAETAHI RIDING.

MR H. AITKENHEAD, a candidate for the Maraetahi Riding of the Waitemata County Council, addressed a large audience at the Parakai Hall on Thursday evening last.

Mr Pv. Nicholls occupied the chair, and in a very effective address introduced Mr Aitkenhead.

The candidate said that he considered his previous experience in Road Board administration and his general knowledge of road and drainage work duly qualified him to represent the district. He said that he had no animosity towards his opponent, and hoped that the good friendship which existed between them would be continued throughout the campaign and afterwards. (Applause).

He was strongly in favour of better bridges and culverts, to give a sufficient outlet for the large area of drainage ground in this Riding.

The main Auckland-Helens-ville road was in a disgraceful condition, more especially between Ohirangi and Woddhill, and by the completion of this short length the road would then be completed as far as this Riding was, concerned. However, there was only about six miles of unmetalled road between Auckland and Helensville, and he would do his utmost to have this completed, thereby making a good hard road right through. This would induce many yisitors to come to Helensville Springs, and so prove a benefit to the district.

The out-of-date method of patching roads would be dispensed with, and he would advocate the roads being blinded with shingle, shell, or metal chips. ' /■ * The speaker strongly approved of more horse work and less man labour, as by doing this the cost would be greatly reduced, and also that the County office should be situated more centrally in the district. He was in favour of better and more economical office administration and working ex"penses.

He advocated the Riding member calling a meeting once a year to report progress of the work, and to lay before his electors any of the more important works that may require to be done. If elected he would see that this was carried out.

He would be strongly in favour ojf the Government taking over £/he Helensville Hot Springs, footpaths ought to be made in front of the Springs boardinghouses, and he advocated a footpath being made from the Springs to Helensville, but that it should be paid for by Government grant. He also answered a number of questions dealing with various matters in the Riding.

Mr Aitkenhead was accorded a hearty vote of thanks for his address, and the vote of thanks to the Chairman closed the meeting.