THE MAYORAL CONTEST.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 32, 27 April 1915, Page 2

THE MAYORAL CONTEST.

Mr Lawrie's Candidature. in furtherance of his candidature for re-election to the Mayoral "post, Mr C. K. Lawrie addressed a wellattetried meeting last night in the Oddfellows" Hall. Mr J. A. Comrie was voted to the chair, and he mentioned that Mr Lawrie would be speaking at soma disadvantage that evening, owing to worry entailed by the serious illness of Mrs Lawrie. Mr Lawrie, at the outset of his remarks, claimed that the electors' interests were his interests since he was one of the largest tatepayers in He could honestly say that during his term of office as Mayor he bad conscientiously carried out his duties. They were living in a very prosperous districtperhaps the moet prosperous in the Waikato —and with sound and careful management, coupled with a progressive poiicy, Fukekohe promised to become a very important centre. He proposed to first refer to financial methods and in that connection he desired to deal with the statement made on that platform the previous week by Mr Mhson, his opponent. Mr Mason had said that he (Mr Mason) was quite capable (if managing finances without getting a mouthpiece to do his work That wa.i an allusion to the f*ct that at his (the tpeaker'B) meeting a year ago Mr Comrii had d;alt with finances as a reply to criticisms made by Mr Patterson. Mr Comrie expressly asked that he might be allowed to do so in defence ot the Couucil and it was unfair (o suggest that he (Mr Lawrie) shirked the responsibility. Mr Lawiie went on to state that the Council went out cf office, leaving the borough in n thoroughly soiled financial position On the District Fnxd Account on March 31st last fiere was a credit balance o! £1062 ard £iyCo odd on other account?. The liabilities totalled £334, leaving a r.ett credit balance of £2065. A rite of a penny in the £ on the borcugli's valuation of £385,743 produced £IOO7 Bnd thus the r.ew Council would have over £4OOO available for expenditure in the current year. Seeing that the majority of other towns hod d?bit balances he maintained that the Council were entitled to cretiit tor the financial position being so satisfactory. Referring to roads, Mr Lawrie said that £3OOO had been expended by the Council in the past twelve months in the purchase of road material, and tbey had also bought two teams of horses. The so-called "outside" members had not quibbled abuut the town roads being first dealt with but had cheerfully acquiesced in that way. The road roller had proved one of tna best investments the Council had made, although Mr Patterson a year ago prophesitd that it would be in the scrap heap in a few months. He tar macadamised roads were very desirable, but did not think that the borouah could yet afford such luxuries. The shingle introduced had proved eminently satisfactory and iis good effect was to bs seen in King street. Hs considered that it would be a good act of economy to have the borough boundaries curttailed in tee outlying portions.

In regard to lighting, Mr Lawrie said that the scheme for gas was prepared by Mr Webb Blankman, an eminent expert, and he (the Mayor) believed that the installation of municipal gasworks wculd be revenue-producing to the tuwn. Referring to the water supply, Mr Lawrie expressed his confidence in the report submitted hy Mr Lockie Gannon and considered it essential that a new reservoir should be constructed at a lower level than th- present one.

Dealing with strictures placed by Mr Mason on Mr Lockie Gannon's capabilities, Mr Lawrie proceeded to read letters from various local authorities, nil expressing their confidence in and their entire satisfaction with many road and drainage ichemes carried through by Mr Gannon. In appointing him, Mr Lawrie said, the Council had not taken a step in the dark. After enquiry they were convinced that he was a thoroughly capable engineer and, ade'ed Mr Lawrie, "If we are all fools the members ot other Councils are all also fools." Mr Lawrie admitted that there was room for improvement in the cy-laws, but pointed out that it was natural that as time progressed amendments became necessary. He was in favour of a brick area being declared, but at the eame time the regulations would require not to be too tringtmt. The property at the lower end of the town was leased from the Kaiiway Department on leases of 'A\ years and it would accordingly not pay to put expensive buildings thereon.

The Mayor went on to refute the imputation that he said had been made by Mr Maßon that he (Mr Lawrie) was a "jerry builder.'' Mr Mason, sitting in the body of the hall, rose and indignanly denied that his remarks were intended to refer to Mr Lawrie. A good deal of commotion ensued, the outcume being that Mr Lawrie accepted Mr Mason's assurance that the remarks were rot levelled at him (Mr Lawrie.)

Mr Lawrie spoka in warm admiration of the work porforruod by the Fire Brigade at the recent tiros, and expressed his approval of a loan being- taken up so as to thoroughly equip tho Brigade. Tie stated that he had that day, in view of the difficulty that had arisen at the tiro in the early hours of that morning in getting in touch with tho waterworks engineer, arranged to have an all-night telephone connection with the engineer's rosidenco from the Town Cierk's office and he meant to ask tho Council, if he was reelected to authorise a similar connection being made direct from tho lire-station to the engineer's house. In conclusion, Mr Lawrie appealed for support at tho poll to-morrow. Questions being invited, there were numerous demands for information. Asked as to the tax on tombstones, Mr Lawrie explained that tho same was levied to assist in tho maintenance of tho Cemetery, but the Council had power to remit the tax if circumstances waranted it.

In reply to a ijuestiou as to whether tho quality of water at Hickey's Dam was as good as that of the present supply, Mr Lawrie answered that ho believed it was. At the same time he thought that they had snfficient water at the present site of supply to keep them going for some years to come but in view of requirements in future

years lie considered it would be vise to acquire Hickey's Dam now.

Mr Patterson asked whethsr it was a fact or not that Mr Lockie Gannon was selected to give advice on the water problem in preference to Mr Munro Wilson and Mr Metcalfe.—Mr Lawrie replied in the affirmative, adding that he (Mr Lawrie) proposed the appointment of Mr Munro Wilson but the Council favomed Mr Gannon being selected.

Mr Patterson : Did I not propose Mr Wilson for the drainage scheme ? Mr Lawrie : I believe you did. You always opposed everything. Mr Patterson next sought information as to whether certain plans were in the Council office before some special worn was started and that brought the reply from Mr Lawrie that thoy should have been in the office, hut, like a good many other documents, they might have been missing when they ought to have been in the office. (Laughter.) Whore did Mr Wyatt, the waterworks enginoer, get his " diplumes" from? was a question from another source that caused great laughter and merriment only increased when the questioner failed to understand that "diplomas" was the word he aimed at and persisted in repeating " diplumes " over and over again. Proceedings conclude 1 with a vote of thauks to the chairman.