MUNICIPAL ELECTION.

Shannon News, 29 April 1927, Page 2

MUNICIPAL ELECTION.

SHANNOIf RESULTS. MR BUTT RE-ELECTED MAYOR, A NARROW MAJORITY. Interest in the municipal election in Shannon was not so keen as two years ago. Up to 3.30 p.m. 250 person? had recorded their votes, but from then cn until closing time there was a steady ' stream of voters to the polling booth, particularly during the last hour, the. Returning Officer and his assistants being kept very busy. A total of 451 votes were recorded compared with 490 at the last election. The result of the Mayoral- election was the chief topic during the day, it being generally anticipated, that _ it , would be a close contest. The retiring Mayor (Mr E. Butt), who was opposed by‘the late Mayor (Mr W. Murdoch), who at previous elections secured big najorirics over his opponents, secured a victory by the narrow margin of eigh. votes, after a cleanly fought contest. A large crowd gathered in front of-the Council Chambers to -learn tlio results,' which were made known at 7.20 p.m.) the figures being: — EDWIN BUTT 225 WILLIAM MURDOCH .. 217 Informal .. 9, There were twelve candidates nominated for the eight seats and it was 1 not until 9 p m. that the result was made Known. It was then found that all the old councillors were returned with rhe exception of Mr A. Richards and Mr 11. Hook, the latter tieing for Bth place with Mr Jas Curran* (farmer). / A recount took place yesteiday by the ' Returning Officer (Mr. J. T. Bovis) when it was found that both the candidates who had tied, had lost one vote, they being still equal. Therefore it was necessary for him to determine by lot who should be elected. He carried out this procedure last evening in the presence of both the candidates concerned, which resulted in the election of Mr Jas. Curran. The . new councillors elected are Messrs W. H. Gunning, Jas Curran (hotelkeeper) and ,1 as. Curran (farmer). Of the old councillors Messrs H ; . Hook and A. Richards lost their position. Following are the results: — •W. 11. GUNNING .... 332 *T. C. THWAITES .... 31& *A. E. HYDE 338 *R. DOWNES .......... 277 *E. J. S. SPENCER .... 270 * MAS. RICHARDSON .... 256 J. CURRAN (hotelkeener) 247 JAS. CURRAN (farmer) 235 *H. HOOK 235 , *A. RICHARDS 203 .. D. MeLAGGAN 176 W. CHRISTIAN 155 Informals .. ... 14 / After the results had been made known the candidates returned thanks to their supporters. CANDIDATES ADDRESS ELECTORS At the Maoriland Theatre on Tuesday evening the aspirants for Munici- . pal honours addressed a fair meeting of electors. The Mayor (Mr E. Butt) presided. On the stage there were Messrs W. Murdoch, Crs. E J. S. Spencer, T. Thwaites, R. Downes, A. Hyde, J. Richardson, A. Richards, H Hook and Messrs J. Curran (hotelkeeper), J. Curran (farmer), and W. 11. Gunning. MR MURDOCH. Mr. W. Murdoch who contested the Mayoralty was the first to speak.. He said he had not come back by his own will but by the request of > number of electors. Since leaving Shannon he had sojourned in different parts of thfe Dominion in seach of health, and lie was now in better health than for the paßt 20 years. When he left Shannon lie ' had no intention of coming back, but on receiving numerous requests to do so, he had decided to aceede to the wishes of these electors. In conduct- / ing the election for the Mayoralty lie said he had nothing against Mr Butt; they had always been good friends and he hoped when the election was over, they would still be the same. In his journeyings lie had visited many towns \ of similar size to Shannon and had observed the different works being carried out. Witli the experience gained he could assure them that his knowledge would be of great use. During the past nine years, as they all he hail done everything he. could for the advancement of the Borough and if ejected would do it again. “You have got to give ap this everlasting bickering about those in office,” he said. “Whoever" gets in you can be assured of them doing their best. You haVe got to be a unanimous people if the town is to progress.” Although he did not agree with all the past Council had done, there was certainly a lot to their credit. The rates were high and he knew it was hard to make reductions, but lie thought a reduction could be made in the general rate so as to enable them to borrow money for necessities. To do this the Council would have to economise. In respect to the charge for electric lighting, it was time a reduction was made. The Borough's representative (Mr Gunning) was au able , riian, and the Council should approach him on this matter. There was also the question of bitumenising the Main Highway to be considered. In conclusion he said that if elected he would do his very best for the town (Applause)." MR GUNNING. \ - Mr Gunning, replying to Mr Murdoch regarding the electric light charges, said that that day the Power Board had set up a committee, of which he was a member, to^consider making a reduction in the charge to consumers. He was pleased the report that the Board had had a successful year. They did not have to collect a rate, to help things along. Perhaps prices have been higher than some places, but the fact remains that if the Board had not conserved the price, they would have had to pay a rate. In regard to 'municipal politics he said his services were at the command of the community. If elected he would do his best for the borough and residents. MR- JAS. CURRAN (Hotelkeeper). Mr Jas. Curran said he was out for progress. Shannon was behind the times. In this connection he made comparisons with Levin. He wanted to see the place made attractive but he knew '

it would cost money. No person would refuse to pay so long as they got some thing in return. At present they. were getting nothing for their £3OOO. Fire fighting appliances and swimming baths are wanted, but nothing has been done in these matters.. In regard to the former the Council had thought fit to cancel a proposal from a. publie meeting and go on with their own proposal, and nothing had been done regarding the swimming baths, although a poll was to be taken. Sewerage was also required. We must make the place attractive; it is out of the fashion, vote for men who will insist on bringing Shannon up to date. At present grass is allowed to grow in front of private dwellings, and in wet weather residents are unable to reach the road without getting wet. He would advocate forming paths and gravelling them in such cases; thus giving a good entrance to homes. The retiring Council had msde promises which had not been carried out. If elected he would give of < his best and see that money was spent in the proper direction. MR. JAS. CURRAN (farmer).

ilr J. Curran'contended the retiring ’Council had dejne,nothing for the town, as anything they had done he had been against during the time he had been a member. At last election, along with some of the councillors elected, he had been in favour of a new municipal building, but he was the only one who had stuck to his promise. “If I get all the votes promised me this election, you might just as well try to stop a tidal wave into Foxton as to try and keep -me out of / the Council. ’ * “ One councillor had said that I would never have got into the Council if it had not been for the ladies.. 7 ’ .If that is so, they showed good sense. “I am going to ask the husbands to see that their wives vote for me.” In conclusion, he said he had always done his test for the town and residents and if elected, would do so again to the best of his ability. REDUCE THE RATES

jMr. Butt to Mr. Murdoch:. You say that if elected you will try to reduce the general rate. 1 Why did you not do so before now. .Mr. Murdoch: You now have a bigger increase in revenue and money from the' Highway Board. You could raise a loan without increasing the rates. ■

OR. THWAITES Cr. Thwaites said that two year’s ago he had made promises and it was only right he should give some idea of his stewardship. One or two misstatements have been made by previous speakers . The most glaring being that the revenue received was £3OOO. This is not so the amount being £2200. Shannon had .been compare,d with Lev- < in. The former was privately owned while Levin was a Government town, having tlie advantage of the State farm,- , and other. Government institutions and small holdings from all which they derive benefits from endowments which Shannon does not get. During the past twelve months the Council had done a lot, but their purse, like a private individuals will not permit of them doing everything. They have always endeavoured to spend money to 1 the best advantage for the community. New methoods of doing work have been adopted where possible, by providing with good results. 'The rates have not been increased, the; water rate has been reduced and poss-.' -ibiy a further reduction will be, made.; He* could see no prospect of reducing tke general rate. The Council have inaugurated a system of steady progress. He had always advocated sewerage and he would admit it was going t to cost money, but if we want people to come here we must be able to give them' modern conveniences. He maintained that for the increase in cost over and above the present system, ,nc one would want to go back to the pre sent day system. He had advocated new municipal buildings along w)ith others. We are told by the people that they do hot want the rates to gojup they would not support an increase, yet'they want a £IO,OOO scheme. (The Council told you the scheme put; 4« hand would be self supporting. -‘The estimate was £7OO and it cost £7OO 4s sd. Now we have all our books jmdei one roof, also a ladies’ rest room Which he had advocated. It had been,/ said that nothing had been done regarding the swimming baths. Everything bad been done that could be done. : Since the resolutioon to take a poll had been passed the Municipal Local Bodies’ Board had come into force and jthe resolution lias had to be put before them for their approval, before the Council can make a move. It had been/ a pleasure and a privilege to him to sit with the retiring Council and he thanked the electors for having given hirfi that op portunity, stating that If re-elected he would give his time and aldility in the interests of the borough. ) 4 CR. SPENCEKi Cr. Spencer said the Council had not worked individually, buti collectively, the • Mayor giving full opportunity for debate on all subjects. They had been a happy family, that fueling always bringing good results. |He' dealt with the swimming baths, of J which he is a strong advocate? saying/ he anticipated no difficulty in raising tthe money. He also supported the punchasing of fire fighting appliances, pointing out that the Council only had at small amount of money to spend anfl he contended the business people should contribute. Dealing with the municipal building he had never advocated a (new building as he considered the revenue from pictures in Shannon never warranted a building on a*large scale. In regard to sewerage which was estimat/ed to cost £3O, 000 for a complete sehejme, he contend* ' ed that if it could be 1 reduced to £2O, OOP, which together with the people asking for new roads, ejtc., which would run into some thousands of pounds and the present indebtedness of £IB,OOO, the ratepayers could not carry the burden, v Mr. Jas. Curran (fanher) had ptated that he favoured, new municipal build- . ings, yet I have heard him complain about 1 the high rates* In conclusion ha said.it was the duty of any ratepayer who had the ability, to offer his services for the borough. If re-elected he -would all the {time possible to j)j& ; duties'* | ‘Mr- W. Gardner ask ~ . the (Cost p# the ’ rse

id Cr. Thwaite# iler and grader

and if these made any difference to the work on the roads. He replied stating that they facilitated the work as the men were on day wages. Cr. Spencer said they have much cheaper roads and there is a saving in rates. They have not had to put.on a third of the quantity of metal as previously. " Mr. Murdoch asked Cr. Thwaites if lie knew the estimate of cost of a sewerage scheme including connections for ihe whole of the Borough. Cr. Thwaites said he understood there’ were several, one being for £3O, 000 and another for £12,000. *As far as he could judge by other towns of similar size, it could be carried out for somewhere in the vicinity of £ls, 000. He did not know if that included cost of connections. So that the Council could assist people who had not. got the money, he would suggest that the Council raise a short dated loan to finance them in connecting up. Mr. F. King: Asked if £7OO. can be raised to build a dog box (meaning the municipal building) why cannot a similar sum be raised to purchase fire fighting appliances. He asked which was the most essential. ' Cr. Spencer said that of course it can be raiesd if the loan is sanctioned, lie said a rate would have to be .struck In, the case of the building, although a rate was struck it may never be called up. He attributed the Council’s reason for throwing out the proposal from the public meeting to raise a loan to purchase fire fighting appliances for the whole borough, to the fact that under, the Council’s scheme only those berifefitting would be expected to contribute £1 for £1 up to £SO. Mr. J, Curran (hotelkeeper). The Council ignored the mandate from the ratepayers; they should have made an effort to carry it out. If it had been put into force, we would have had it by now. 1 The Mayor: It was a recommendation from the meeting and the Council turned it down. Mr. Curran replied that it was not a recommendation, but a resolution. CR. DOWNES. A' general uproar prevailed: when Cr. Downes rose to speak i He said he was there to tell them why it was turnsd,down. Mr. Curran", he continued has aot told you how many ratepayers were present at that meeting. He is not going to be allowed to mislead the ratepayers by numbers. Repeated interjection’s.from -Mr. F. King, brought forth an invitation , from Or./Downes for Mr. King to coin# on >o the platform and speak when ho had inislied. The latter replied that he would not make a fool of himself. Or. Downes retorting “That is just why you didn’t want to make a fool >f vourself . ”

Continuing Cr. Downes said two years igo two meetings had been called for he purpose of forming a fire brigade uul purchasing the necessary appli- , i nces, but owing to the poor response Nothing had been done. Recently a uhall meeting of ratepayers put for-, ward a scheme, to put in pumps and purchase an engine. He did not think’they revised what the cost would be. To ,et the necessary tanks to hold 10,000 ;o 15,000 gallons'of water was going to .•ost about £3OOO, and then there would be tiie cost of engine and gei%\ He mid so long as he was. on the Council imall deputations were riot going to rule them. Was it fair, he asked, to expect those living in the outskirts to pay for a service from which they would derive no benfit. The Council’s proposal,to find up to £SO and the business people the remainder to purchase hose and hydrants for the area covered by the 4 inch main was carried by a m.-miraous vote of (he Council. The rate over the whole area would not cost 5/- including business houses. To get ,he whole concern for £SOO, as had been suggested, is an impossibility. He jaid they could relay 4 inch mains for £5,00 and then have a better scheme. Cn connection with the Main Highway ihe Council were endeavouring to get he sanie assistance as that accorded he counties, and 92 be roughs had been •ominunicated with asking them to give

it their support, favourable replies beng received from most of them. These local bodies would be represented by rbout. 40 members of Parliament on i deputation to the Minister at' an early late. If successful it will mean the ■vork being done at a cost to the ratepayers of £2OOO instead of £4OOO. Loans to provide for share of cost of Manawatu bridge and the swimming baths will no doubt be required, in conclusion he referred to the Couu;,il’s system of forming new footpaths and adding to their plant each year. He said if they thought they could find someone better to take his. place, not to hesitate, but he would be pleased to serve the ratepayers for another term. In reply to Mr. Murdoch he said he favoured a sewerage loan if a scheme can be put in at a reasonable cost. Mr. Murdoch: Can you tell us what the public indebtedness will be for ail these things? Cr. Downes: No man on this platform can know the minds of the ratepayers. Mr. J "Curran said he contended the area to be served should be rated. He did not believe in cadging and the resolution from the public meeting should have been given effect to. Cr. Downes agreed that the Council should be above cadging. When the Council makes an offer to assist, the people should contribute voluntarily, or go without, Mr. F. King asked the speaker if every property owner got a written noS tiee to pay one-third of the cost of footpath improvements in front of their property. On being answered in the affirmative he asked why Cr. Downes I didn’t have a footpath in front of his property, the latter replied that if Mr. King would put him in for another term he would get one. Mr. M. Tippler: “If elected will you serve your full term.” Cr. Downes: I hope to. Mr. Tippler: You will do me. I will vote for you. CR. HYDE. Cr. Hyde said that from time to time they had heard what sort of a rough Council they had and how badiy things are managed, but he would like them to look back to the days when Shannon was under ihe jurisdiction the Horowhenua County Coun-