THE MAYORALTY.

Otaki Mail, 24 April 1923, Page 2

THE MAYORALTY.

MEETING OF RATEPAYERS. ADDRESS BY AIR BYRON BROWX. A meeting of ratepayers, convened bv Air Byron Brown, who is contesting the Alavoralty, was held in the theatre last night, when there was a splendid attendance. Air .1. S. Pole occupied the chair.

Air Brown, in opening, said a week ago he had no intention of standing, but deputation after deputation had waited on him till dually he consented to stand. He had urged Air Kilsbv. a live and progressive man, to take his place, but was met with a refusal. He had. said Air Brown, lived in Otaki for 30 years, and therefore all knew his sins and his virtues, and he felt il only a fair tiling that lie should be elected

Alnvor. Jle considered Air Brandon had proved a splendid Alayor, and he had known him to do line work. He ha nothing against him, and he had refused to oppose him till pressed into giving ids consent. He had openly stated he would not contest the seat, but later had given in and written to Air Brandon accordingly. He had told Air Brandon in iiis letter that lie (All Broun) had not Buckley’s chance ot winning. Now that he was out lie was going to do his host. He did not know much about civic affairs but he desired to talk Otaki and its progress. He well remembered the time when Otaki was a football ground, with only a few shops round about. He was a member of the old Road Board and managed to

get a footpath or two, then an attempt was made to get a borough but the scheme failed, but as a compromise they got a Town Board. Progress slowly followed. All must mow believe in the possibilities of Otaki and try and bring it into line with other places. Thirty years ago there was no Levin —look at it to-day and compare it will) Otaki, despite the fact that Otaki had the advantage of a better climate and being closer to Wellington. He asked why should not Otaki forge ahead and liecome the same progressive town as Levin. Personally, he hud tried to push Otaki ahead, but had always been asked * ‘ what about conveniences.’” Otaki wanted conveniences, they were now getting them—they had a progressive Council and soon should boast of a population of oOUO people. I'hoy had the laud, the sod. a good climate, historical associations, etc. In 19.13 the Town Board was formed and arrangements made for a loan of £3n.ont> at 31 per cent. This sum was granted for a long period of years for water ami lighting, but they were beaten at the poll by two votes, and therefore the £3o,non hatl to be declined and Otaki’s progress stayed. It' that loan had been carried there* would have been to day a population of ."nio, and the rates not so high as in other progressive towns. He knew a man who owned a house on tile Terrace ia Wellington who paid more rates on the dwelling than li*

(the speaker) paid on all hi- land in Oraki —therefore the rates in (Haiti wore nor so high alter all. When they could oiler decent facilities Wellington people would come to Otaki ami leave >uch high rate.- behind. Mr Brown then dealt with Cliijiese .-hack>, considered they should b** condemned, while Maori quarters could be jmpro\ed by borrowing money from the venimcnt. Touching o:j the railway seixicc* M’r Brown considered tl'c di.-tj , 'et w./*! served, blit maintained a week-end service would be of great beiielit to the district. T 1 u*v had an ideal golf cours* which would prove a great attraction, while Otaki was suit**«l for industries, He no n-ason why manufactories should not be started in Otaki, and he thought if the C uuuc.il got into touch with English representatives, somethin" might eventuate. He had started i, scheme at Otaki. and at the beach which two years ago was a drear;. 1 waste, with ouly a kiosk, quadrangle and two Maori whares. there were not, s 7 permanent residents and 53 hou-e.-. Oiaki-ites were just believing in then own town. Hu did nor rare if be waeleeted or not, but if elected he would work strenuously, if beaten would help Mr Brandon to make Otaki a decent town. He would in no way impede pro gre.-s. but he believed he could do rnor - good as a Mayor than a- a private eit ; - zen. He considered he • :-"r; ,-d to i Mayor. While Fhairman of the Toa Boato h<- had wuteljf :i fiiiauio-s closelv, and saw that the Bank did not charge too much. Mr Brown drew attention to the tact that tie- he-al Council was paying 7 per cent, whereas private citizens could get money at dJ. This was bad management and he had drawn Mr Brandon’- attention to the fact. Jf elected Mayor he intended to repermanently in Otaki, he loved the place, and would build a presentable cottage. If Mayor he would work inipartially for all parrs of the town. Touching on the domain Mr Brown said he was the first Chairman for it. and

was willing to do anything for its improvement. He had started the tennis club 30 years agu. and had helped with the formation of the bowling club, therefore he thought he could be looked upon as a sport. He wc- willing to help all branches of sport. Mr Brown invited questions, and waft sked by Mr Mead, if returned a- Mayor would he be in favour of reducing the office staff Mr Brown replied that he would ran the business of the Council in the same vray as he would run his; own. If the star! was overmanned he would fire on* or two out. but he would dismiss r:t> one unless necessary.

“Are you in favour of a road-widen-ing policy, especially for the Main Bead.” was the next question. Mr Brown s a ;d he understood that there were some sections encroaching on the road. He would put no disabilitv on anyone unless necessary, bat he thought a request should be made to nronerty owsers to put their fences back.* ’ i Counttl should be reasonable. “ re in favour of municipal

library,” was then asked. Air Brown said he would like to see Alunicipal chambers, and stated that uu attempt had, some time ago, been made to get them, some £7do being offered by two or three persons.

‘‘Will you support the domain as a sports ground and make it worthy of the name.’” Air Brow u answered ‘‘certainly, if Jinnnces were available.” ‘‘Will you enforce by-laws re overhanging trees and unsanitary buildings?” Air Brown considered if any building was condemned it should l»e pulled down, while overhanging trees should be left on the south side, but oa the north side should be cut back. He believed in growing trees wherever possible.

Mr Kilsbv then addressed the meeting, and ia doing so, like other candidates. was received with applause. He *; iii lie was willing to do his best if returned, and pointed oat that the pro sent Council had done a fair amount of good work. Footpaths had been improved. £157 had been spent oa a tarboiler. and £3<lo on by-laws. He had been instrumental in having rates lowered, and favored even another reduction in the general rate, lie maintained the town should have municipal buildings, and a library and lire station included. He favored sport and would like to see the domain improved, and would do his best to help. He admitted sumo overhanging trees needed cutting, ami that Chinese shacks should be done away with. Mr Bowden: ‘‘Will tlie Waitohu ever run drv?”

ATc Kilsbv replied that there was ainpi" water, tlie lowest measure being 1] million gallons for 24 hours. Air Bills said he had done his lies; since being on the Council; lie had been on various committees in which lie believed; the Council, he said, had been instrumental in saving ratepayers £l3O being paid to the Horowlieuua County Council on a loan which had been wiped o-ut, while other good work had been done. He considered Natives and i.empeans should lie treated alike, was is favour of road-widening policy, and would support any movement to improve the domain if it did not interfere with the Council’s llnances. He favoi*‘d cutting back overhanging trees, a id considered by-laws should be enforced. ‘‘.Shacks” should be demolish'•■l and motor drivers who exceeded the speed limit should lie dealt with. -Mr Olliver said Air Bills claimed to have saved the town £l3O vet had supported the Council in the purchase of pipes which would probably mean a big h>ss. especially as the pipes would not I*c used for months. Mr Bills said the pipes were not paid (or: he did not favour the tuition policy. but believed in having everything

leady. Air Olliver -aid there was a tendency for the pipes to fail in price. Air Bills answered that the Council may have made a mistake -all were lia I Je to do so! Air Olliver: ’‘Arc you ill favour ot iountains for the eon\enience of the public',' •’ ’ Mr Bills answered ihni he was. and •hat an endeavour was already beiirg made to secure a bubble fountain at the school. Air Williams asked that as the Ran 3>un; end paid a lot of rates wav va(heir Councillor asleep.’ AD Bills: Nothing for Hangiuru has bww turned down; if you have not had Mr C. Jones asked 113, j, , ,-a-otiabb to fix the speed of motor cars in tin town at U nrlcs an hour; he consider ed it ridiculous! Air Bills admitted that the -peed limit was too slow; J 7, to IS miles would not be excessive! Air Bow den: Do inspectors hate to put complaints before tin- Council, or do tney act on their own? Alt Bills; 1 hev have to report to the Council, but so far no one been broach t up set. I think summonses 1,1 'v-ued Without fear or favour. AI r Bo'.YtjVri • .1. • int your -own i.nvjjj nh;,r ;i the Mop way!,,., -wined from Wellington.’ -'it Kilsbv aid it was quite true that •iw top watches were purchased ft ora on. It was done on Mr Broad- - suggestion without thought. -1: Bowden: Not a fair thing; that ’ ttire should l,e dumped! Air Brown is our man. he should have represented us in Parliament ve* He i> the only nmit who has -mt The 1 d.t.e,. ‘He re followed uproar l ! y2n-er, and cries of “order” irorn the chain. Mr Taylor endorsed remarks made by j,’' V f T -P" : ‘kers. arid maintained that had always done hi. >... ....

tor Hie * H< ‘ •••—• i»u, tie. u , O ' * ! ~° on . 5 progressive ticket and r -‘ ;!i —g-.-. 4 i, ld b‘-er, at a standstill f or vc .. lr . p u , u . jf _ •cow or, the move. Keferring U j the Mop watches Mr Taylor said thev were purchased through the Work- Comciit- !? e and no * h y the Council ;i - a lvhok .. He was favour of st r<-et-widening, ,nt “/ present the town did not war rent He ivas ir, favour of mtinieipai building- when the time was opportune, was in favour of improving the domain and enforcing by-law-. Jje ravoured demolishing old shacks Mr Meads: Are you ir, favour of doer'miiit>e * v *'j»hout the knowledge oi other Councillors . - 7: V :: general bus:Tr rrj a full Council Mr Clover: Don you think •- fair ™ Me** water-works v 1 e * * -T' itOT: ’ t '’ heel applicwio*S or,, no: -are 0 f being y-unmd? The old-Council ha- wasted “ alo .“‘ ! of ?ood and I contend . ” Dot justified in d**}. iny with tenders. Are you in favour

~, . - - ir ' you rn favour or holding the tenders over? Mr Bids: I am not in favour of postponing the tenders—it would not be lair to tenderers. . oUiveT i r< * tenderers right now; you have proved f. have, no backbone! ‘ i ' Mr Bills.- w e hg-e made a mistake synot jro S e#ding with th 4 work.

Air Bowden: If we are to get a decent Council why go on and blunder, and let big contracts.’

Air Kilmister stated that at a meeting of ratepayers the Mayor had made a remark that the Council was composed of himself and six laymen, and as he had liad a deal of experience on water and drainage be thought his knowledge would be beneficial. He was out for

progress and desired the town to go ahead.

Air Hannah said he had been asked to stand as it was believed some of the

present Councillors were a bit rusty. He desired to see Otaki go ahead, and believed in fresh blood. If returned he would do his best on the Council. Mr Wallington: Are you in favour of a municipal rubbish, cart '! The old <touncil promised one repeatedly, but it has not yet arrived. Mr Hannah said he favoured rubbish eiiits, and thought it necessary they should go round regularly. Air Bole invited other candidates to speak, but the offer was not accepted. Votes of thanks to Air Brown and the Chairman concluded a successful meeting.