MAYORALTY OF NEW BRIGHTON

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22371, 7 April 1938, Page 8

MAYORALTY OF NEW BRIGHTON

MEETING IN SUPPORT OF MR E. L. SMITH

,A largely attended meeting of supporters of Mr . E. L.. Smith, the present Mayor of New Brighton, and a candidate for the forthcoming Mayoral election, was held this week. Dr. W. T. Glasgow presided. The chairman explained that the meeting was convened to formulate ways and means of securing the reelection of Mr Smith to -the Mayoralty. He said he was pleased that Mr Smith was standing as an Independent, as he did not think party politics should be introduced in local elections in a small borough like New Brighton. He pointed out that' owing to the retirement of Or. J. J. Worrall, Mr Smith had to take over the duties of chairman of the finance committee in addition to his regular Mayoral duties. The Mayor said that his council had promised to uplift the people and to reduce the rates, while stilj upholding' the standard of maintenance and the rate of improvements in the borough, and he claimed that this • had been done. He mentioned large savings effected, successful efforts to have the wall at the tramway bridge rebuilt, improvements to the municipal links, and other matters. He also mentioned the steps taken towards securing a water * u Dply and a sewerage system, and rromted out his ideas relating to amalgamation with the city of Christchurch, so that New Brighton should secure the best possible bargain. He was strongly in favour of the provision of a swimming bath if satisfactory financl!*l srrangements.could be made.' Mr J. H. Coddington said that he had convened the meeting because of a deputation having received Mr Smith’s consent to be renominated. A

committee of 42 was formed to assist in Mr Smith’s candidature, with Dr. W. T. Glasgow chairman and Mr J. H. Coddington secretary. Five district sub-committees were formed.