MR. SHORTT AT EASTBOURNE.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 800, 25 April 1910, Page 8

MR. SHORTT AT EASTBOURNE.

Mr. H.-W. Shortt addressed the electors, of Eastbourne at M'Guire's Hall, Eona Bay, on Saturday night. Mr. KeUy- occupied the chair, and although it 'was a bad night there were about 60 present. • -

In his address .the-candidate showed that he had an, extensive knowledge of municipal affairs and', the requirements of the borough. He stated that when he lost the election* against Mr. Barr last year by -ten - votes, he then announced his intention ,of 'being a candidate this year, and he regretted .that business. arrangements had prevented Mr. Barr from contesting the election, as he would like to have fought out the issue with him. However, Mr. Hobbs had 'filled the breach, and it would be for the electors to decide who should- be Mayor.. For- himself, he would rather fight an .election than go in unopposed. He had first come to the district 27 years ago, and for the last 16 years had lived in it—for seven years'as a.permanent resident.- During that time he had been a member of the council for three years, and only retired last year to contest the Mayoral seat. He did not agree with the present Mayor that all the work necessary had been done in Bona Bay. He thought that liusso Street should be attended to and footpaths constructed in Orua Koad, which.was the most extensively used street in the whole district. Perhaps the first, work that Bhould be undertaken was the construction or a footpath at the southern end of the district, as it was impossible for residents to get to their homes in tho winter without wading through a sheet of water or crawling, through wire fences and going through other peoproperty. This state of affairs should not exist, and the matter should have been dealt with before any footpaths in the district were duplicated, as had been done in Bona Bay.

Am to water supply, the council were at''present considering the advisability of acquiring the Rona Creek, but he did not think that this was the best scheme, -as there was mot. sufficient water there to supply more than half the population at. present living in the district. There was also the fact that it was going to cost the borough something like £2000 to buy out tho water right owners and purchase some eight acres of land from Mr. Russo. Tho School Commissioners would then have'to be approached, and, as they were not prepared .to sell,' but would only lease for a term, with a right of a further term at a revaluation, the borough would not have a supph that it could really call its own. The dam would have to bo-erected on land.

held under lease. What the borough wanted was a water, supply for the future and it, would be a . gross . wasto of moneyT to put-'in a supply'sufficient only for present needs arid then find later on that another loan, was required to provide a . new scheme .to meet growing requirements. If elected he would' be in favour of tapping the Gollan's Valley Stream which was ; the borough's own property and Had a flow of some 200,000 gallons per day. This would necessitate a tunnel being driven through 'the hill 12' bbaihs long,. six feet high and three, feet wide, and : would, mean the removal of 440 yards of spoil. . Ho had - been told by an engineer .that this would cost 10s. per yard or a total cost of £220, and if this could be done they would' have a supply for all times arid at a much loss cost -than the Roria Bay scheme. (Applause.) He had hoped that the council would have, been successful in locating artesian water, and ho'< x had prepared a scheme whereby, the machinery necessary for pumping the water could have been used for supplying the borough with electricity. The council had under consideration a scheme for electric lighting which, would. cost £2000 but, under- this scheme, the machinery could have been: used for both purposes, and the total cost would nave been £27/0. However lie wpuld only favour, artesian boring if a supply could not be obtained from the creeks in. the district. (Hear, hear.) As to drainage there was. no doubt that this would have to' be done on the septic tank system, but nothing could be effected until- a . water supply had been obtained. When, that had been accomplished an engineer: should be employed and'i advise the council as to the best scheme of drainage. ■ Regarding borough chambers and hall, somethings of ...that was necessary. At present, residents had only the Day's Bay pavilion to fall back on, and tliis was too far away. A hall 40ft. by 80ft. (of which the candidate submitted a plan), with stage and council chambers, could be .built, furnished, arid, lighted with 1 aietylerie gas-for an estimated cost of £900. If this were done it would, not only be a great convenience to tho residents, but a source, of revenue.also.-. (Applause.): Other matters of local interost were also dealt with at length, and on tho motion of Mr. Day the' candidate was accorded a vote of thanks; and coiifi■dence. '