LOCAL ELECTIONS Messages from candidates

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32720, 24 September 1971, Page 16

LOCAL ELECTIONS Messages from candidates

Local body elections will be held on October 9, with voting in Christchurch city extending from October . “The Press” has invited candidates for metropolitan local bodies to write 150-word messages to the electors, and these will be printed as space permits. The messages should be supplied with a recent photograph, and must now be delivered promptly if they are to be published.

to solve their problems by making them bigger. As a ratepayer to both councils, I know that the rates in Waimairi are lower. Those who vote for me will be taking a positive step to keep them lower.

MR F. S. BLOGG, Citizens' candidate for the Waimairi County Council (Wairarapa riding): I have been representative for the Wairarapa riding for the last six years, and have taken pride in watching the growth of the riding from a relatively undeveloped district to a fully serviced, developed riding as it is today, with an abundance of parks, children’s play areas, conversion to underground wiring in existing streets and good roads. I am 49 years of age and a family man with five children. For the last three years I have represented the Waimairi County interests on the Drainage and Transport Boards. I am active on school committees and other community activities. In my spare time I endeavour to run my business affairs, which have suffered to quite some degree during the last three years. It is because of this that I reluctantly withdraw from these boards in the meantime to concentrate efforts on the council. My policy is to continue to serve all ratepayers as I have in the past, to progressively improve conditions for ail.

MR T. DOUBLE, Citizens’ candidate for the Catch* ment board (Waimairi seat): If elected, I would wish to work as part of the team for the common pool, not only of electors of Waimairi.County, but all residents. With the passing of the Water Act, many administrative, educational and financial problems, particularly those relating to water pollution, will face catchment boards. My many years experience as vicechairman of the Southland Catchment Board and chairman of its conservation committee should be of assistance in approaching the tasks ahead with a business-like sense of responsibility. It will be my policy to voice my opinion most strongly in favour of conservation. Pollution of our waterways, be it from human, animal or vegetation, is one of my aversions. Christchurch has the purest water supply in New Zealand, and electors can rest assured I will always endeavour to keep it so.

CAPTAIN W. V. WOOD, Independent candidate for the Lyttelton Borough Council: I believe Lyttelton has a very great future, not only as a port, but also as a residential area. As a resident and parent I am Concerned that Lyttelton, which is a vital link in Canterbury's economic chain, is not progressing at the same rate as other areas and I think a strong council, which will plan Lyttelton’s future, is essential. If-Lyttel-ton is to become a desirable residential area it must develop good public amenities, such as a swimming pool and sports centre and adequate recreational facilities for young and old. Having travelled extensively overseas, I have seen few placed which will equal Diamond Harbour or Lyttelton, from a .scenic point of view, or for Rich easy accessability to a major city. 1 would work hard to make Lyttelton an attractive area in which to live.

MR K. R. BIMLER, Citizens candidate for the Drainage Board (Paparua seat): As assistant general manager of a large grocery wholesaling company, my. association with, and know- 1 ledge of the county is extensive. I fully appreciate the need to provide the fullest facilities within the Paparua County district by way ofl sewerage and storm water] systems and will work stren-i uously to this end. I have i had no direct local body ex-1 perience but believe that t such experience is no substi- < tute for a genuine desire to i upgrade community services. < The administration of such a I body is little different to a I commercial undertaking and < with my background I believe I I am ably equipped to con- 1 tribute something of value. 11 will endeavour to ensure that funds collected from ratepayers for the board are kept to the lowest possible and are I utilised in the best interests < of the district. 1 i

CAPTAIN A. R. CHAMPION,

Citizens’ candidate for the Harbour Board:

I solicit your support on October 9 and have the following experience and policy to offer: My career started at sea in sail and after passing my examinations was master of a foreign-going vessel before coming ashore as a stevedore at Lyttelton. I later joined the Bluff Harbour Board as a pilot and later deputy-harbour master before coming to the Lyttelton Harbour Board as a pilot—then deputy-harbour master and, from 1950 to 1967, as harbour master. I was elected to the board three years ago. My policy has always been to do all I can for the port of Lyttelton and the Canterbury province it serves, maintaining good public relations and seeing that the port uns efficiently. I shall promote where necessary facilities to assist small craft and people who use our foreshores.

MR B. J. FOLEY, Independent candidate for the Waimairi County Council (Avonhead riding): As an interested and enthusiastic follower of local government, and with my wide and varied experience in Jaycee activity for guidance, I feel confident both mentally and physicallyto continue to serve the community with sincerity and dedication. My aims and ideals are best summed up in the last line of the Jaycee creed: “That service to humanity is the best work of life.” I have not put my personal - plans and ideas to >aper as I believe that to best serve the interests of Avonhead one should listen to, and evaluate carefully, the requests of ratepayers. However, I do see the Avonhead area continuing to develop as a prestige suburb. To this end I would welcome the opportunity of discussing requests, ideas and also my plans for the future of council activities with any elector who would care to contact me, i .

MR J. RYAN, Citizens’ candidate for the Drainage Board: My object, if elected, will simply be "to make myself generally useful.” While not particularly in favour of the party system of politics, 1 feel it is necessary, in ordei to gain election, to ally myself with one or other of the two parties concerned. I will be proud to stand with the Citizens’ Association group —it must be realised that they have over the years rendered extremely good service to Christchurch. Nevertheless, having an independent tendency, it will be my policy to voice most firmly my own opinion on all matters of concern, based on a lifetime of experience in the field of cartage and earthmoving contracting, to quote the motto of the Citizens Association: “For the good of the city."

t MR L. J. G. FRANKS, Independent candidate * for the Waimairi County Council (Fendalton rid* t tag); t , The problems of my .area ; are mainly protecting ~ the environment from pollution, ' bulldozer-happy planners, ; and take-over bids. Some : slight widening of Fendalton 1 Road may be necessary,. - especially near the park, but ’ rather than destroy dozens ( of lovely trees , and gardens ’ in order to save 30 seconds 1 of travelling each day, most ■ residents would prefer to i leave heme 30 seconds 1 earlier. Problems should be t solved, not run away from. 1 If - Mona Vale is costing i money, it should be madeselr»supporting as promised, - rather than be spilt up into s sections. Both parties on the ’ City Council now advocate j amalgamation—the first time I have heard people trying

MR P. BONISCH, Independent candidate for Waimairi County Council (Fendalton riding): When elected, I shall use every means available to me to ensure we retain the quality of life we enjoy. Being independent, I will not be under pressure from unseen political bodies—national or local in origin. My yardstick will be "the best interests of our community.” I am completely in favour of progress, provided it is real progress, not just change masquerading as progress. Many of the projects Which have been pushed

through in the greater Christchurch area do not measure up when compared to the "interests of the community as a whole.” Rather than make exaggerated claims about reducing rates in the county, I prefer to say T will endeavour to have costs held.

MR R. D. KENNEDY, Independent candidate for the Lyttelton Borough Council: I am firmly convinced that Lyttelton has a future in which every resident can be proud of participating. When I peruse the messages of candidates standing in other electorates and see the problems they are facing such as sewage, water reticulation, reading and transport, Lyttelton can feel justifably proud in the knowledge that these problems have been mainly overcome. Lyttelton has a lot to offer by way of natural assets and I believe a strong progressive council is necessary to promote these. At the present time there are more new homes being built in the borough than ever before and the council must promote the early establishment of the new post office, library and swimming pool.

MR E. W. PYLE, Citizens’ candidate for the Drainage Board: T believe that the experience I have gained by serving more than 30 years in the engineering and hydraulics industry will be of great assistance. As a married man, with a young family bf three, I am most interested to see that we all get service and value for our money, also that the various schemes of extension and improvement to our local services are carried out economically* and therefore quickly and that they are capable of further extension without unnecessary expense. Our family has now lived in Papanui for more than 12 years, and during this time my wife and I have served on various school committees, we have a very close interest in overseas aid, Rotary, and a number of other service organisations. While my job and membership of two New Zealand Standards Committees keeps me very busy, I feel sure that I can be of assistance to the board, and help provide the service that we. all require.