THE MAYORAL CONTEST.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 30, 20 April 1915, Page 3

THE MAYORAL CONTEST.

Mr Mason's Candidature. Mr H. G. K. Mason addressed a well-attended meeting last night in the Oddfellows' Hall in furtherance of his candidature for the office of Mayor of the Borough of Pukekohe, for which he is opposing tne retiring Mayor, Mr U. K. Lawrie. Mr F. Hubbard presided. At the opening of his remarks Mr Mason expressed his satisfaction at the presence of euch a large assembly. It showed, he sail, that intereet was taken in the questions at issue at the coming eleciicn. He proceeded to dtal with shortcomings which he declared had in past years characterised the administration of local affairs in Pukekohe, explaining that this criticism was not to be taken as an indictment of what cad been done but was intended to afford a warning for the future Thu* both in regard to the drainage and water schemes brought forward by the Council ha considered that extreme caution should have been exercised in the selection of an advisory engineer so that the ratepayers should have had full confidence in the reports presented by the expert. He was not satisfied with the appointment that had been made and would favour advice being obtained from anutter source in both instances. At the ssme time he (Mr Mason) favoured tht proposal to construct an additional reservoir at a lower level than tbe present reservoir, but having regard to the future and at some date the probable installation of a water gravitation scheme the fixing of a hvel for a new reservoir was a very important question a:.d should not be carried out except by an expenen"ed and reliable engineer. If the waterworks wtre extended and developed, it would naturally follow that additional consumers would re secured and thereby the profits would be greater and the burden to ratepayers less.

Referring to drainage, Mr Mascn considered that the drainage problem should be tackled and at least the congested part of the town given such sanitary convenience, People, he said, coming from (owns that had efficient drainage commented on its absence in Pukekohe, and if the Borough was to go ahead a drainage scheme should be put into operation. His idea was that a drainage rate shouh be spread ever the whole borough, non-users to pay some / slight proportion of th2 same as they would indirectly benefit to some extent. The matter of lighting, he considered, was not so urgent as drainage and water and could stand over for the present.

Roads possibly constituted the most important problem before the Council, he did net suggest that the administration of the Council in regard to roads had been deficient of late, but nevertheless the reads of Pukekohe were not up to the Btandard ot many other towns in the Dominion of similar size. His idea was that the main street of Pukekohe should be made of tarred macadam as at Eltham. Good roads were the best possible advertisement for any town, ard it was quite time that Pukekohs had really good roads. Mr Mason proceeded to refer to the omission from the Borough Bylaws of regulations for the erection of fire proof walls for the exterior of buildings and also for the prevention ot j?rry building. He approved of monetary assistance being given to the Town Band and also of the Fire Brigade being thoroughly and properly equipped, ard further he advocated attention being given to the Cemetery, which was now being over-run with blackberry. At the close of his speech several questions were put to and answered by Mr Mason. Asked as to whether the macadamised road at Eltham, to which he had referred, was maintained by means of a toll-gate, Mr Mason replied that the toll-gate was on a similar road in the County, Eltham borough ratepayers being alone responsible for the town road. In reply to anothei question, the Candidate said that he favoured the Domain being converted from a waste into a decent recreation ground He was not prepared to say off-hand whether it was. advisable to divert heavy traffic passing through the town from King street to Harris street as there were contingencies thereon that required consideration, but he favoured the sharp bend 3on the Waiuku road being rounded off and deviations made, if finances permitted, to dispense with the many ridiculous and unnecessary turnings on the road. In the matter of charges for water, he did not that only consumers should pay as owners of vacant sections would thereby escape the rate. The chairman having intimated that Mr Mason preferred that the electors should signify their approval of his candidature at the poll rather than at that meeting, the proceedings came to a close.