LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20492, 7 May 1938, Page 9

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

CANDIDATES FOR COUNCIL REPLIEB TO QUESTIONNAIRE FRANKTON BODY’S OBJECTIVES The majority of candidates for the Hamilton Borough Council, in replying to the questionnaire submitted them recently by the Frankton Ratepayers’ and Citizens' Association outlining that body’s objectives, afforded their support to the proposals. Objections were recorded In some instances, while several candidates refrained from expressing any specific policy regarding the schemes outlined. Of the 26 questionnaires sent out complete replies were received in 19 cases. Regarding the provision of a rest room at Frankton, almost every candidate expressed his willingness to advocate the provision of the facility. Mr Douglas Seymour considered that apart from the central rooms, Frankton should be the first locality to be supplied with such an amenity. The provision of others in Hamilton East and Hamilton Central were considered essential by Mr J. E. Tldd, who suggested that a loan was necessary.

In the second question the candidates were asked If they would endeavour to obtain a bathing beach at the Killarney Road end of the Hamilton Lake. This was also vigorously supported and in several instances it was proposed that the soil from Garden Place Hill be used for the purpose. Mr D. I. Gate believed that the wealth of a nation depended upon the health of its people, and he would favour the provision of bathing facilities wherever necessary. Electrlolty Rates Although the candidates realised that a drastic reduction In the electricity rates, as proposed in the third question, was desirable, they realised that the matter required investigating. Several of those replying considered that a reduction might affect the general rates, and for that reason they were not In favour of the scheme. Mr F. Best pointed out that the electricity profits had been used to great advantage In the past, and if the money from that source were not available an Increase in the borough rates would necessarily result. That the matter depended upon whether an amount was taken from the electricity account for the reduction of the rates at present operating, was the opinion of Mr H. D. Caro. Mr Tldd explained that three reductions in the electricity rates had been made during the life of the council and with the rising costs a further reduction was hardly possible. The closing down of one of the borough's largest consumers, the Waikato Valley Dairy Company, which paid £1482 for electricity during its last year, was a serious loss. There were numerous large users in the borough who were satisfied with the present position. “I think that the system of making a profit out of a municipal service is bad If that service has been properly costed with all the charges appropriate to competing private services,” wrote Mr Douglas Seymour. “In my view the borough should never have adopted a scale of fees which yield the profits at present made-” He considered that the charges had determined all other property costs, and a reduction would mean a corresponding rise in rents, but before he committed himself he would have to give the matter considerable consideration.

Beautifying Frankton The fourth question asked the candidates was whether they would recommend that a fair share of the money allocated annually to the Beautifying Society be spent in the Frankton district. This aroused a good deal of comment, but most of the answers revealed that the candidates approved of Frankton receiving the attention due to it from the society. Mr W. Bourne was of the opinion that It was time the council took over the society as then the suburbs would receive more consideration. On the other hand Mr Tidd thought that interference with the policy of the society was undesirable and probably the addition of councillor representation on the society would be effective. It was contended by Mr F. Findlay that the policy of the council had been to grant Frankton its share of the funds, while, Mr Caro maintained that .the council had no Jurisdiction in the matter. “I think this is rather a crude question,” replied Mr Findlay, In answer to the fifth question, as to whether the candidates would adopt a democratic outlook and abide by the decision of the ratepayers. "One ratepayer’s opinion may differ from that of another. I leave myself free to make my own decisions on the evidence provided on any subject,” he continued. Most of the candidates were prepared to adopt such a policy as advocated by the Frankton Association. Labour Attitude “Democratic administration is the keynote of our policy,” read the reply from the Labour Representation Committee. The party answered In the affirmative all five questions. It considered that up-to-date ■ rest rooms should be provided in every section of tlie borough where they were required. Of the nine sitting councillors who replied to the questionnaire, seven gave complete answers to tlie paper, while two made only limited comment. Most of those replying were divided in their views especially on the matter of electricity charges and the policy of tlie Beautifying Society. MAORI TANG I ENDS TE WHEROWHERO'S FUNERAL PAKEHAS INVITED At the conclusion of the largest tangi held at the Xgaruawahia pa since the death of the late Maori King, the funeral of Tuinati Mahuta Te Wherowhero. who died at the pa last Friday, will be held to-morrow afternoon. The funeral will leave the pa at 2 o’clock for the Taupiri Hill. The Rev. M* Keepa will officiate. Members of the public are invited t& visit the Ngaeuawahia pa to-mor-row afternoon between l p.m. and 2 p.m., when the Ngaruawahia band will render a programme. Floral emblems from the pakeha race will be appreciated by the VfaAPio.