TAKAPUNA MAYORALTY

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 6, 29 March 1927, Page 6

TAKAPUNA MAYORALTY

FERRIES AND POLITICS DEVONPORT COMPANY’S OFFER At the request of a large deputation w’hich waited upon the Mayor of Takapuna, Mr. J. D. Morison, last evening, he consented to reconsider his previous decision and again to contest the mayoralty of the borough. In the course of his reply Mr. Morison said that vested interests had prevented the whole question regarding the Takapuna tram and ferry service from being placed before the ratepayers of the borough. He also stated that the Devonport Ferry Company had made an offer of £40,000 for the purchase of the rival company and that later this offer had been reduced to £35,000. The deputation was introduced by Mr. R. H. Greville, who said that during his term of office Mr. Morison had been exceedingly fair to the borough. No previous mayor in the borough of Takapuna had had a more stormy passage, but Mr. Morison had come through it with smiles, and that in itself was the greatest recommendation for any man. “We feel that the question of the tramways is still unsettled in the borough,” said Mr. Greville, “and we ask Mr. Morison to stand again for the position of mayor and to carry out his pledge to the ratepayers.” Mr. Oscar Moller said that it was not only a deputation with a petition to ask Mr. Morison again to sacrifice his time, but it was also a deputation of appreciation for what he had done in the past, Mr. Morison had surmounted many obstacles during his term of office; those which he had not surmounted were the fault of the law. Those present appreciated the sterling qualities which the mayor had shown, and also the dignity with which he had conducted his office. Even his political enemies had been loud in their praises of his deportment as Mayor of Takapuna. Mr. Moller then presented Mr. Morison with the petition which had been signed by 500 ratepayers, and said that it had been obtained without any trouble in two days. He assured Mr. Morison of the whole-hearted support of everyone who had signed the petition. Mr. John Collins, who said that he represented the centre of the district, remarked that he had not sat under a more conscientious or straight man in his life than Mr. Morison. Mr. C. F. Somerfield and Mr. J. H* Ashby, representing Milford, b°th eulogised the work of the mayor ana added their requests to those already made. IN THE MIDST OF FIGHT In reply Mr. Morison said that he had decided not to stand for the mayoralty this year. He had enjoyed the two years he had been in office. They had been strenuous, but he had got along very well. “ I did my best to get a suitable man to take my place,” saia Mr. Morison. “ This petition is a complete surprise to me, and I should ne very ungrateful indeed if I did no appreciate it.” He went on to sathat the council had pinned its to the mast over the tramways tion. When the campaign was firs started everyone had been asked 1 come along and help. It was a for the whole of the ratepayers. Tn whole fight has been to get the placed before the ratepayers,” said Mr* Morison, “ but the vested interests ha' prevented this from being done. In tn circumstances I feel that I cannot retire at the moment, just when, we a” in the midst of a fight.” f Mr. Morison went on to » a y the offer of the Devonport Ferry Com* pany of £ 40,000, which had later reduced to £35,000. had been down. Owing to the recent Supreme Court judgment, the council was no in a position to go ahead and to talc® fresh poll. “If lam elected lam mined that the ratepayers shall na a say whether they shall own this cows cern or not. What I’ve done 1 always done fairly and squarely* accede to your request,” concluded mayor.