NEW BRIGHTON MAYORALTY.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20224, 30 April 1931, Page 12

NEW BRIGHTON MAYORALTY.

MR SHAW'S CAMPAIGN. ADDRESS TO ELECTORS. Mr J. H. Shaw opened his~campaign in New Brighton • last evening, addressing a gathering of nearly 3UO residents in the Premier Theatre. Mr R. Bargrove occupied the chaJr. Mr Shaw commenced by giving a resume of the work done by the retiring Council. One of the first and most important works had been the completion/ of Page.'s road. Within a week of the Council's taking office, letters were written anil negotiations started which ended successfully. A further important work had been the successful completion of negotiations regarding the new bridge. The total cost of the bridge would be something like £13,000, of which NewBrighton's share would be £4220. Another important work undertaken had been the top-dressing of Union street, Seaview road, and tlif* Esplanade. The Esplanade had also been widened and five miles of topdressing had been done to footpaths. Other works included the formation of the Esplanade at South Brighton, the extension of the protective sea wall- ' ing by five chains, and the establishj menfc of a parking place on the sea front. "1 consider every visitor to the borough a potential resident,'' said Mr Shaw, "and by parking place we are affording visiI tors an opportunity to see the sea." This protective walling at South Brighton had been extended 15 chains during the Council's term of office. Owing to financial stringency, the remaining five chains would probably not carrv the Government sufasidy. Other South Brighton works included the sheath-piling of the bridge. "The upkeep of our Tire Brigade costs nearly £7OO per annum," said Mr Shaw, "and while I know that we are getting good service, I think that the time is not far distant when we will have to consider the establishment of a Fire Board." - Unemployment in the last two years had created a lot of work for all local bodies, and, as a member of the executive of the Unemployment Board, the speaker had studied tha question closely. Brighton had been the first local body to set up a local Unemployment Committee, and he personally had given a great deal of time to the matter. Up to the time of the suspension of the No. 5 Scheme, £2634 hal been paid out in wages in the borough. There wore 218 registered unemployed fti New Brighton at the present time. Mr Shaw said he was proud of the domains and reserves in the borough, particularly the golf links. The links were self-supporting, and would prove a great assfit to the borough. (Loud applause.) "I consider that the next two years should be years of caution," said Mr

Shaw. "I think that if the incoming Council endeavours to seal down as many roads as possible, that progressive work will have been accomplished." The end of the financial year had shown a credit balance of £Bl 12s 6d in the general account. The loan accounts were in debit. The fact that the retiring Council had refused permits for the construction of "baches" was gratifying, in tho opinion of the speaker. He was against any building, the architecture of which was detrimental to the beauty and dignity of the borough. The "bach" element was rapidly being eliminated. Mr W. M. Sexton moved a vote of thanks and confidence to the speaker, which was carried by acclamation.