COUNCILLOR M'KENZIE'S CAMPAIGN

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 87, 12 April 1923, Page 8

COUNCILLOR M'KENZIE'S CAMPAIGN

Councillor L. S. M'Kenzie addressed A meeting in the Newtown Library last night, over which Mr. W. A. Worth, J.P., presided. Reviewing the history of Wellington during the two years of Mr. R. A. Wright's Mayoralty, Councillor M'Kenzie said that the only two terms that he could find to the Mayor's credit were:— (1) "Black Friday," when he tried to initiate a milk supply system for the city, was called "Black Friday" because it blew out in one day so that it never saw a Saturday (laughter); and (2) his attempt to build workers' dwellings. He built twelve of them at Northland, but they cost £1600 to £1700, and were far too expensive for the workers. (Hear, hear.) Any man who could afford such a house, could easily finance and build it for himself. (Hear, hear.) But that was not the worst. Just at the height of the market, the council bought oil, scrim, and wall-paper at top notch prices. Then it was found that the council could not go on with the houses; and the result was that the oil bought at 12s 6d bad to be sold at 7s 6d and the' scrim and paper had to be sold for what they would fetch. Those were the only things-'-that he- could- see; to- Mr. Wright's credit.' ■ ' . ' Councillor M'Kenzie failed to see any indications of electricity being supplied cheaper to the citizens, even when Mangahao became available. He considered that three councillors only should control the council's trading undertakings, for by that means, and without expense, the city would have tho services of a fine body of directors for each trading department. :

After.reviewing other matters, and answering questions, the candidate was, on the motion of Mri C. Masters, accorded a vote of confidence by acclamation.