ELECTION MEETING

Taupo Times, Volume II, Issue 94, 6 November 1953, Page 9

ELECTION MEETING

REPORT BY MAYOR-ELECT Seventeen candidates for election to Taupo's first Borough Council answered the invitation of Mr J. E. Story, Mayor-elect, to address a public meeting in Rickit's Hall on Tuesday, October 27th, at 8 p.m. An apology was received from the remaining candidate, Mr T. A. Grace, who was unavoidably absent on business at Tokaanu. There was an audience of over a hundred. In taking the chair, Mr Story explained that he would first give a report on the activities of the Town Board during its last term of office, and then call on present Board members who were standing for the Council, to speak, in alphabetical order, after which questions couid be asked, following which other candidates would speak inj similar order and answer questions. In his opening remarks Mr Story referred to his nomination and return unopposed as Taupo's first Mayor, expressing both his ownj and Mrs Story?s appreciation of this honour, and was greeted with hearty applause. During the outgoing Board's term there had, said Mr Story, been 36 regular Board meetings and 41 official special meetings, plus a large number of informal meetings with the Board's consulting engineer, and .in connection with bylaws revision, town planning, Memorial Hall tod other matters. The

Works Committee had averaged two inspections per month, and there had been 15 Pire Committee meetings. At the time of the last election, the capital and rateable (unimproved) values of the Town District had been £562,610 and £234,720 respectively, whereas to1 day the captial value was £1,608,885 and the unimproved £635,455. Rates colleeted for general purposes, that was to say for administration and maintenance, were in 1951 £3547, 1952 £5113, and 1953 £7392. During the past year the Board had made a start with a programme of tar-sealing and had sealed Ruapehu Street between Tu-^ wharetoa and Tamamutu Streets, Heuheu Street from Tongariro to Ruapehu Streets. Further sealing I was to be done this season. Kerbing and channelling had been un-

dertaken in Roberts Street and portion of the main street (Tongariro Street). Pressure on the Main Highways Board had brought an assurance that part of Waiariki Street (the Spa Road) would be sealed this season, the Borough's share of which would be £400. Permanent levels in the commercial and service industrial area had been fixed and those wishing to build premises therein could now obtain their levels when required.

The Town Board had always recognised the need for a water supply and at the moment the original proposal was being brought up to date for consideration by the new Council, and if approved by it a poll of ratepayers would be taken in due course. Consideration would be given to bringing the fire fighting service up to date. Town planning had received much thought, and roused wide interest, and a provisional scheme had been ap- 1 proved by ' the Town Planning Board. In the long run, said Mr Story, he was sure the principle of town planning would be recognised as wise and necessary. The seventeen Council candidates spoke in turn, and were all given an attentive hearing by the audience, which greeted both old and new speakers with impartial and good humoured applause. In general, speakers indicated appreciation of the need for road sealing to minimisei dust, and of such

problems as water supply, future sewerage, provision of footpaths, recreation ground improvements, tidying up of beaches, horses straying on the roads, the unregistered dog nuisance, cemetery improvements, and other matters of practical public administration.