THE MAYORALTY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8408, 24 April 1907, Page 5

THE MAYORALTY.

MR CORADINE AT KURIPUNI.

Mr J. M. Coradine, a candidate for the Mayoralty, addressed about thirty electors in the Wesleyan Schoolroom, Kuripuni, last evening. Mr R. Rigg occupied the chair. The candidate at the outset of his remarks touched on the deficiency in the General Account. He said that not only in that department but in every other department had the old Council showed weak administration. Mr McEwen had attempted to justify the expenditure by enumerating several items on which money had been spent, but the speaker contended that Mr McEwen was altogether wide of the mark, and it required a great stretch of imagination to see that those items enumerated by Mr McEwen were unexpected. The old Council had expressed the opinion that they thought it was right to nominate the Mayor, but he would point out that the Council were thereby taking away the_ratepayers' privileges. Besides, the speaker contended, the idea was absurd, and the system was open to all kinds of corruption. He thought there were better business men in the old Council than Mr McEwen to contest the Mayoralty, and he asked why one of the other members had not come forward to contest the seat? His opinion was that' if Mr McEwen was elected Mayor he would hold the title but in reality his friends in the old 1 Council would all be Mayors. The candidate went on to say that his past services in connection with important matters warranted the ratepayers supporting him, and if elected he would guarantee them strong administration. He would also keep a strong hand on the finances of the borough. He agreed with the action of the old Council in taking over the 19 acres adjoining the Park, but he did not agree with their starting works there before they had sufficient money to carry them out with. At the present juncture there was a great amount of work in the borough, and he favoured the appointment of separate committees with a capable chairman for each. The Mayor should be free to keep a strong watch over every department of the Council. He did not intend, if returned, to "rule the roost," but to relegate the work to committees, who would report to the Council. He had noth«ef to gain by the position of Mayor, ither did he think Mr McEwen had. What the people wanted at the present time was the beit business man, and if they thought him the best business man, he would be pleased wih their support, and if elected his services would always be in the best interests of the town. The, candidate was asked if he thought it was possible for the incoming Council to face the present overdraft without levying an extra rate? , j Mr Coradine replied that he thought it quite possible to do so. Mr Coradine was asked whether he thought the money spent on the artificial lake in the Park, approximately £SOO, would have built properly concreted baths to serve the people for many years to come? Mr Coradine: £SOO would never build baths, but £SOO added to the money already spent would build proper baths. In answer to another question Mr Coradine said he was in favour of extending the drainage, water and gas to the parts of the borough which did not possess these services. A loan would, however, be required for the purpose. If elected he would give the ratepayers every assistance in the matter. On the motion of Mr J. Mackay the candidate was accorded a vote , of thanks for his address. j A vote of thanks to the chairman j concluded the meeting.

CABLE N.EWS.

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