TAKAPUNA AFFAIRS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 96, 24 April 1931, Page 11

TAKAPUNA AFFAIRS.

MR. BETTER OPENS CAMPAIGN

ADVOCATE OF ECONOMY.

An excellent reception was accorded Mr. F. W. Better at the Picturedrome, Milford, last evening, when he outlined the policy he would follow if elected Mayor. Mr. Massey Wills presided over a large attendance. The candidate said that in offering his services to the borough lie did so with a full realisation of the hard times ahead. There was an overdraft of close on £11,000, next year's rates were already mortgaged and the rates would have to go up. To retrieve the position would require energy and ability. He mentioned that he had been a resident of the district for over 15 years; he had interests from Milford to Belmont, and said that in serving the interests of the other ratepayers he would be serving himself as well. - He had ample time to devote to borough affairs, and he would use his utmost endeavours to put the finances on a sound basis. Mr. Eetter said there was no doubt the ratepayers' money had been wasted in many directions in 'the past, and if elected he would develop a policy of rigid economy with efficient administration. To mention only one instance, he thought a good deal of money could be saved by an overhaul of the staffing of the borough offices. There was no doubt the borough was overstaffed, and by a judicious cutting down and economies in other directions, he was confident that at least £1200 would be saved. Speaking of borough transport services, he said they were undoubtedly good, and while fares might be a trifle high, that was a matter that Could be rectified. In his opinion the drainage question required a thorough sifting, and if elected lie would see that a very thorough and open investigation was made. Referring to the proposal for a marine park in the Wairau estuary, Mr. Better spoke of it as a "scheme certain people were trying to put across the borough.' It would be a most costly thing for the borough if it could be done, but he was convinced that it could not be done. The Short Commission decided, after hearing sworn evidence, that there should be no obstruction in the creek. If the proposal to make a park , were carried out it would mean that the Waitemata County would undoubtedly claim to be repaid the whole of the cost of the Inga Eoad scheme, which would be so much waste money if the suggestion to make a park were carried into effect. ■ Mr. Better quoted at length from a statement showing the diffeience in borough expenditure between Takapuna and One Tree Hill. The One Tree Hill Borough had a population of about SSOO, while that of Takapuna was about 6500. Administration salaries in 1929 totalled ,£1877 in One Tree Hill and £3853 in Takapuna. The total rates in One Tree Hill were £25,453 on a valuation of £3,200,000, while in Takapuna they came to £43,429 on a valuation of £2,490,000. One Tree Hill's public debt was £127,000 (or 4 per cent), while that of Takapuna was £344,000 (or 14.3 per cent). Those figures spoke for themselves, and showed that it was high time Takapuna's affairs were overhauled. Mr. Better was accorded a hearty vote of thanks and confidence. CITY MAYORALTY. MR. HUTCHISON AT BEMUEBA. Mr. G. W. Hutchison, a candidate for the Auckland Mayoralty, addressed a meeting in the Remuera Library Hall last evening. Mr. C. J. Tunks presided. The candidate referred to the dilemma of the Hospital Board over finance and expressed the opinion that the board should be entrusted with the task of running the hospital, while charitable relief should be handed over to some other body. Beferring to water supply, lie said the cost of water to the consumer would bc-ar investigation. He was in favour of settling as quickly a 6 possible the question of the proposed street through the old post office site between Shortland and Fort Streets. A resolution of thanks and confidence, moved by Mr. E. W. Inder, was carried unanimously.