PALMERSTON MAYORALTY.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 173, 15 April 1908, Page 8

PALMERSTON MAYORALTY.

' SPEECH BY MR. ESSEX. . l»T IJCLSQEirn—SrjSCIAIi : OOtRKBrONDKNi.I, '". . . Palmerston North, April 14. 'Mr. Essex) who is'contesting -tho Palmers-ton-Mayoralty, held a meeting of ratepayers at tho Opera House last evsning, Mr. W. T. Wood, M.P., presiding, j Mr. Essex reviewed his work in- tho Council last year,' and said that ho had- justified his actions. Ho made referenco to his woik. in connection with river protection, and J advocated day labour in place 'of. the _ contract system for Borough Council works."' He denied that- ho desired 'that the gas company-'should bo compensated, but if an anicablo arrango,ment could not bo .arrived iat botween tho Council.and the Company,,he favoured municipal gaß works being erected. With regard to tho waterworks, lio advocated a loan of £15,000, to be used chiefly; for raising tho dam'to a height of SO feet, replacing tho 7-inch pipes with 9-inch, and constructing artesian wells in the square. The dam when .raised would have a storage capacity , of 20,000,000 gallons, and tie whole scheme would provide for a population of 20,000. Ho urged the need for a £5000 loan for a library suitable for a'town of Palmerston's importance. ' ; ' • The' meeting closed with' a vote of thanks to the j