THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 1908. THE MAYORAL CONTEST.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9076, 28 April 1908, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 1908. THE MAYORAL CONTEST.

The speech which Mr P. L. Hollings delivered in the Town Hall last night was concise, business-like, and progressive, and must have been eminently gratifying to his numerous supporters. [There was the ring of sound common-sense in the candidate's ut l^ ranees in regard to the various municipal questions of importance upon which he touched. We are pleased to i ote that Mr Hollings quits concurs in our recently expressed opinions that in the interests of the town the services of a highly qualified engineer should be engaged. If such a course were adopted it would result in leal economy being effected. It is infinitely better to be sure than sorry. The different questions which Mr Boilings dealt with, are fully reported elsewhere in this morning's issue, and we commend a careful perusal of the speech to our leaders. In the matter of the proposed £30,000 loan for drainage purposes, Mr Hollings counselled caution, but we do not gather from his remarks that he would in any way countenance delay in approaching the ratepayers

upon such an important question. ■ He condemned absolutely the spend-' ing of £IO,OOO upon municipal offices, and in this respect we feel sure that he voices the sentiment of a very large proportion of the community. The speaker argued with clearness that ths profits from the Gasworks could ue more sensibly expended. The picture that he drew of the possibility of Masterton shortly possessing a municipal debt of .£147,000 was not one to cheer the hearts of those who have to pay the rates, or of all those —practically the whole community—who are affected by municipal taxation. Mr Hollings contended that an enormous increase in rates was inevitable, and we trust that his prophecy in this respect will not prove to be true; but, at the same time, we do fear that an increase in rates is inevitable, even in the face of the most careful administration. The seriousnessiof the present financial condition of the borough was capably outlined, and the plea put forward that the expenditure should be kept within the estimates cannot be considered as other than a good business principle. That Lansdowne should not be allowed to share in municipal benefits until that district becomes part of the borough —another opinion expressed by Mr Hollings—is certainly a fair and reasonable view to take. Similar criticism applies equally to the speaker's observations in regard to the northern approach. The question of acquiring a portion of the present Showgrounds of the Masterti n A. and P. Association for recreation purposes should, also, not be lorft sight of. In the present contest there is one feat ire that is satisfactory, and it is the fact that it has evoked very considerable discussion of municipal affairs. If the verdict of the burgesses, which will be given tomorrow, endorses the administration of the past twelve months we shall not quarrel with it, although, in that event, we shuuid be unable to say that we share the optimism of ths majority.