Manawatu Herald TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 1919. MUNICIPAL ELECTION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 1970, 29 April 1919, Page 2

Manawatu Herald TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 1919. MUNICIPAL ELECTION.

TO-310RR0W the burgesses of Eoxton will In; called upon to elect nine Councillors i'or the ensuing (wo years. Sixteen candidates are nominated, including ail (he sitting Councillors with the exception of Cr. Hurley. The following are the cainlida I es : Present Councillors: R. BRYANT Geo. COLEY JOHN HANNAH Thus. HENDERSON R. D. KEMPSTER Robert McMURKAY R. J. THOMPSON 31. H. WALKER Labour Nominees: AY. H. DAWSON John HANNAH Edwin PARKIN C. G. RAND R. J. THOMPSON Independent Candidates: A. E. AD3IORE John AIeCOLL C. A. PEARSON Samuel READ J. AY. STEVENSON IT will be noted that two of the sitting Councillors, viz., Crs. Hannah and Thompson, are included in the Labour ticket. ; ft ft ft ft A3IONG the new aspirants are exCouuciliors Ale Coll, Read, and Stev-

enson. The qualifications of these gentlemen are well-known to the burgesses, having rendered valuable service in the past.

OF the new aspirants, Mr Admore is a well-known business man, whose services should be acceptable to the ratepayers; Mr Dawson, who is on the Labour ticket, while comparatively unknown in public affairs, was one of (he promoters of the local co-operative store, and has taken an active interest in Labour matters; Mr Parkin, another Labour representative, is a comparative stranger to the town, but has evinced a willingness to pul his shoulder to the wheel and help forward the municipal coach; Mr Pearson we cannot look' upon as a stranger. As engineer of the Queen of the South, he has been in and out of Foxton for many years. His faith in the future of the town and port as a commercial centre induced him to acquire an interest in a local engineering works. If he can display the same spirit of enterprise in municipal affairs as he has done in his business connections, then surely be is “the man for Galwav."

CREDIT must be given to the Labour Party for creating an interest in the civic life of the (own. The live Labour candidates, among other things, are pledged to support water and drainage, public baths, and municipal coal supply. The Borough Council has discussed I lie waler and drainage scheme, and owing to the increased cost of materials decided to hold the matter over until prices become normal. It would be unwise to burden the ratepayers with the extra cost at once, when by waiting for a year or (wo the capital expenditure could probably be reduced by at least onethird. Public swimming baths should lie a corollary of the water and drainage scheme. The Mayor obtained an engineer's report and estimate for public swimming baths but (he matter was held up owing to a deadlock with the Harbour Board re suitable site. The suggestion of a municipal coal supply would not, we believe, cheapen the cost (o (he consumer. What is required is for Labour to hammer at Parliament until the source of supply and transport is in the hands of the State, with Stale coal depots in every town. So far as belter roads and footpaths are concerned the Council can only carry out works of maintenance and limited construction, as funds permit. A comprehensive scheme for Cue borough would require further borrowing, which may or may not be sanctioned. Still there is no reason why the ratepayers should not be given an opportunity to decide this point. .In (he meantime, roads and footpaths can only receive attention as funds permit.

TIIF sixteen Candida les will take some sorting out by (doctors, but with a little careful consideration it: should not be diiiicull to select nine from the best offering. Of course, there will be “plumping," lull this cannot be avoided until the Acl is amended invalidating such methods. "Wo. hope that a wise choice will he made, and Hint the best men will be returned.