EASTBOURNE'S AFFAIRS

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 101, 2 May 1933, Page 8

EASTBOURNE'S AFFAIRS

MR. FISHER'S CAMPAIGN

A large gathering of Eastbourne; electors was addressed last night by Mr. S. F. Fisher, the sitting Mayor, in furtherance,, of his campaign for re-election to that office. The Hon. G. J. Anderson was in tho chair. - Mr. Fisher dealt in detail with the.1 administration o£ the borough, rhecort five years ago, he said, was roughly ,£4OOO, ami even when he came into office two years ago if was £2900, as against £2300 tor the financial year just ended. _ Generally speaking, the financial position of the borough ha« steadily improved during the past two years," he said, "but no one will admit that the affairs during tho next two years will not be more important and require very careful handling. ■ Reference. was also made to tho satisfactory net profit shown by the bus service. The affairs in the ferry department, from a financial point of view, were much the same as they had been for many years, although they could definitely claim to have met tho continued .falling-off in revenue by a cofresponding decrease in expenditure. "In my opinion, said Mr. Fisher, "no permanent improvement in the finances of the ferry department can be hoped for until the borough has all the social services, such as water and drainage, which are. required in any settled community. Such services must result in increased- permanent population, and thug help to solve our difficult transport problem. After traversing the various improvements made in the borough, the candidate dealt in detail with the water .supply. "The arrangements made," he said, "have so far proved most sati«factory, and I am pleased to say that Eastbourne can n6w boast of a water supply second to none in the Dominion, and that the cost of tho water scheme complete was kept within the estimates of \£UfiWt This cost, as compared with the estimate of .a few years ago, shows what a wonderful bargain has been obtained for the borough. ■ "The sewerage scheme, which is now proceeding, is estimated to cost £15,000, as against the estimate of a few years ago of £31,000, so. it will be seen the interests of the .ratepayers have also been guarded in respect to this scheme. Summed up, the position as regards-rates in respect to water 'and. drainage is that there will be no necessity for any increase over the present amount struck; and it is my intenti6n if re-elected to see that no increase takes place during the next term. A slight decrease might even be 1 effected, but I make no definite promise iv this respect." ■ Apart from the completion of water and drainage works, works of importance for the near future included extension of the sea-wall to prevent ero6ion and the sand nuisance, formation of permanent footpaths, the formation of a scheme for the permanent lay-out of the streets when the sewerage was completed, and the cutting of fire belts to protect reserves and native bush. Mr. Fisher added that he was in favour of having the offices within the borough.