Meeting of Burgesses.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 36, 10 May 1906, Page 2

Meeting of Burgesses.

MAYORAL CANDIDATES ON THE PLATFORM.

No doubt the wretched state of the weather had much to do with the poor attendance at the Masonic Hall last night, and we are therefore not surprised to record the fact that only about 40 burgesses braved the storm to listen to the views expressed by two of our Mayoral candidates. B. G. Gower, Esq.,, occupied the chair, whilst Messrs S. H. Baker and G. A. Simpson filled seats on the platform.

The Chairman briefly introduced Mr Baker as a councillor of seven or eight years standing. Mr Baker was in every way qualified for the position to which he was aspiring, as those who watched his career in school and borough matters would admit.

Mr Baker, on rising said he felt conscious that in addressing burgesses he had the symathy of all present. He intented to with matters of interest, and maintained that it was first occasion on which burgesses had been addressed by aspirants to the Mayotal chair. I am no novice to municipal. matters, and could honestly claim to be your senior member of Council by length of Service. When he first took office, you had a pokey railway station, you had a post office unworthy of the name, you had 110 tarred footpaths even. It had been said no progress had been made in Foxton, but the speaker contended progress had been made, though slow, but sure. We must have no rash measures, but we must progress as our finance allows. The speaker spoke at length on his efforts in the past, both on the Council and School Committee, in supporting progressive measures ; and it would always be his aim to do so. He referred to works urgently needed in our midst, namely increased wharf accommodation, flax grading sheds, amendment of Reserves Act, a new Post Office, the LevinGreatford railway, etc. Re the railway to the beach, it may not be unwise to float a company to meet this scheme. Mr Baker thought more J’s.P. should be appointed for Foxton. He thought it would be advisable to form committees to deal with matters of lighting the town, securing baths, drainage, and other schemes. Personally he was in favour of the establishment of a coal gas scheme for the town. He was not in favour of a reservoir at the racecourse for water supply, mainly on the score that in time to come Foxton may be in a position to afford a scheme of getting water from the hills. Not only that, artesian water was not suitable. The speaker then dealt with different windmill schemes which may be suitable. Personally the speaker thought at present the water difficulty could be met cheaper by householders erecting larger tanks at their households instead of paying extra water-tax. L le dealt with the crippled state of Borough finances, and said if ratepayers wished to spend money luring the present year they would have to be prepared to meet an increase in rates. He always avoured construction of streets, but as to footpaths he did not believe in spending money if we could not afford it. In conclusion, h ’ left it to be decided in the ballot ),)x whether his personal experience, his fitness, his policy, and his zeal would suit. Applause. In reply to various questions, Mr Baker said he was in favour of unimproved values, but not in Foxton ; as to the Beach railway scheme, he thought' the Borough Council may take the initiative by for nuig a committee to deal with the matter of floating a company ; many other questions (some of them humourous) were answered by the speaker. Mr H. Austin proposed, and Mr Q. A. Simpson seconded a vote of thanks for his address.

MR SIMPSON. The chairman said Mr Simpson needed little introduction. He was well-known to them. Therefore, briefly he would ask Mr Simpson to address those present. Mr Simpson was received with deafening applause, after which the candidate said his views were ~o o.'tea placed before them that needed little expression from V;m that evening. However, he wished to refer to one or two mistakes made by Mr Baker in his address. Mr Baker had said he was the first to address a meeting in ■ ) <ton of this sort. That was wrong, as Mr Austin (senior) and others (including himself) had addressed meetings of burgesses when aspiring for Mayoral honours. Mr Baker had also stated he had brought the matter of wharf improvements, etc., before the Premier. That was not

so, as tilt! introduction of subjects came from the ChamtSK of Commerce, of which he (Mil Simpson) was President. However, Mr Simpson said experience teaches, and he himself had been accused of an offence to Borough Council whilst addressing electors prior to last Mayoral election. He spoke then as he believed, and though he may do so, he did not intend to offend the Council again that evening. Mr Baker had said “Go slow and sure.” Well, he did not know, but thought though we may be sure, “we were certainly going slow enough for anything.” Still, he had no wish to discredit Council for their efforts. During the last year, Council had to build two concrete bridges at heavy expense from the general fund, and that stayed other works of progress. To complete these contracts, special loans may have been raised satisfactorily; Much had been said of the difficulty of raising loans for Foxton, but Mr Simpson treated the rumour as a bogie. The speaker then dealt at length with borrowing money, and clearly instanced that it was possible to get money at cheap rate. If ratepayers wished it, they could have good light and plenty of water at a2s rate. The Council could approach different light companies as to progressive measures, and they may be easily obtained. He thought unimproved values should be adopted everywhere, without respect to place, and we ought to all work for land nationalisation. Mr Simpson, in conclusion, contended that he was the first to advocate a. “Progressive ” policy, and he would continue advocating same. But, it must be remembered, although he may bring these matters up, It was for ratepayers alone to say whether or not loans for the purpose of progression were to be granted or not. But he was certain we should have some fire prevention scheme, and he, thought the damming of Awahou drain (as advocated some time ago, in the Herald) may be a feasible scheme. The speaker resumed his seat amidst applause.. Mr Simpson was then called upon to answer the usual questions, which he answered satisfactorily. '.*■ Mr H. Austin proposed, and Mr H. Coley seconded, and it wag unanimously carried that “Mr Simpson be given a vote of thanks for his address, and confidence in his return as Mayor.” Mr Simpson thanked those present, and said he hoped they would give evidence of their confidence in the ballot box on Friday. A vote of thanks to the chair was carried by acclamation.