MAYORAL ELECTION

Evening Star, Issue 20778, 28 April 1931, Page 12

MAYORAL ELECTION

CR SCOTT'S CANDIDATURE Cr W. A. Scott was accorded another o-ood hearing by the electors assembled at the lleturned Soldiers’ Hall, Moray place, last night. Mr J.' M'Crac, in introducing the candidate, said that the only way in which, the citizens could show their appreciation ol good work done by a councillor was to elect that councillor to the mayoral chair when ho offered "himself for the honour, and if anyone had earned that reward it was Cr Scott, who possessed the three qualifications which ho (the chairman) considered essential for a chief citizen—namely, high character, thorough business training, and vision.. The city councillors themselves should be able to size up the worth of a fellow-councillor, and ho (the speaker) felt sure that if the matter was left to tho council Cr Scott would be unanimously elected. Tho candidate then addressed the meeting, in tho course of a comprehensive review of municipal matters he said that ho had _ hitherto refrained from referring in iiis speeches to statements made by his opponent, but he was now compelled, owing to inaccuracies contained in some of those statements,.to draw attention to them. Ho mentioned particularly Waipori. Some two and a-half years ago, ho explained, tho city engineer had estimated the time required to complete the dam at approximately three working seasons, or until the summer of 1931-32. A further estimate, given early last year, brought tho assurance that in May, 1930 ho would be able to store water up to 00ft. As a matter of fact, said Cr Scott, there was now only one of the twelve blocks that was below OOit, and that one would reach that level within two weeks. But the necessity for raising tho dam quickly had been obviated by the fact that in April, 1930, tho committee had recommended the raising of the old dam to GOft at a cost of some £4,000. Tho present mayor, continued the candidate, had taken sole credit for all this being done, and for an added annual value of £14,000 to tho city—a reasoning difficult to follow. The extra 00ft on tlie old dam had been a gamble on two counts: .Could it be filled? and was it, given a wet summer, necessary? The summer proved'to be a wet one, and the dam, from an operating standpoint, was now of little commercial value. Instead, therefore, of an added value of £14,000 a year the dam was it dead asset upon which interest had to bo paid. . Tho mayor was further credited with saying, Cr Scott added, that bo had during Ins term, saved the ratepayers more money than had all the rest of tho councillors. The fact was that, had the mayor’s recommendation, made after the conference with the Public Works Department in Wellington, been acted upon, tbo ratepayers would have had to pay an extra £19,500 during the first five years of the contract with the Government. But the wisdom of tho Electric Power and Lighting Committee had saved them this. Cr Scott also covered matters concerning the gas and other departments, and, three questions having been an; swerod, a vote of confidence, moved by Mr R. Watcrson, and seconded by Mr L. Chadwick, was carried, with three dissentient voices. Cr Scott will speak at tho Mornington Presbyterian Hall to-night.

MR BLACK’S CANDIDATURE A largo audience greeted Mr R. S. Black at tho North-cast Valley Town Hall last night, and followed his address with deep interest, applauding his remarks regarding the many ser-

vices he bad rendered, especially during the past two years as mayor. Mr T. Pickup presided and spoke of the o-o o d work done by Mr Black in one of the worst times experienced m New Zealand—times that called for a special effort. The candidate, quoting from departmental reports of the city, dated 1916-17, said it was erroneous to credit Cr Scott with instituting the insurance scheme. In fact, the notice of motion tabled by Cr Scott at that time resulted in a delay pf one year in taking over the fire risks. Mr Black stressed the fact that had the Electric Power and Lighting Committee built tho old dam to COfb in 1921 the city would have been saved many thousands of pounds. Mr T. Hughes moved a vote of thanks and confidence in Mr Black, stating that he had know him for many years and could confidently ask all to support him. Dir J. Dlanson seconded tho resolution, which was carried by acclamation.