MR J. G. OSBORNE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 27 April 1925, Page 5

MR J. G. OSBORNE.

In the first place 1 desire it to be clearly understood that I am not seeking the po.sitioii of mayor from any sense of self-gratification. My interests are all in Hawera, and I am ready to place my services at the disposal or the town and. if elected, will do my very best for the town generally. Regarding Nolantown and its water service, I am strongly in favour of doing everything possible in having water reticulation extended to that area, the work to be done with permanent materials. Providing there is sufficient water in the mains, i would urge that the reticulation of Nolantown be given effect to with as little delay as possible. I am quite aware that at certain periods of tne year the residents of Hawera use water lavishly, and in many cases carelessly. The result of this is a lowering of the - pressure. Apart from these occasions there is little to complain of as regards pressure for domestic purposes. teome people are always ready to make the most of these few occasions, and, in fact, magnify them into being the rale instead of the exception. If it could be arranged to provide Nolantown with a supply at night, or at a time when it could be best spared - it may be found unnecessary to duplicate the main at the present time. If this could ibe satisfactorily arranged, fuller use could then lie made of the 10-inch main during the night when it is practically lying idle. Duplication of the main' i.S, no doubt, the best solution of our low-pressure difficulties. It is, however, *an open question whether or not such an expenditure is justified, because of lack of pressure at certain oeriods of the year.

The matter of pressure for fire-fight-ing is a matter that has ieceived careful consideration by me, and during my recent visit to Christchurch I had the opportunity of witnessing practical demonstrations of the latest Dennis and Leyland fire-fighting pumps. These machines, I am given to understand, will increase the pressure from 201 b to 1001 b to the square, inch, and, in conversation with our fire superintendent, he assures me that if the* Fire Board provides the town with one of these machines, the matter of town pressure will riot cause him or the brigade any anxiety. One oi these machines can be purchased :oi £ 1.-00, and in the case of Hawera tiie ratepayers would have to find only hall of this amount, the repayment ot which would he distributed over a period of years. Regarding Greater Hawera: If the outside areas are desirous of coming into the borough, then I would not be averse to -their doing so. Re Street Lighting: As the council is working under an agreement with the Gas Company it can do very little in the way of improvement until the T.\piration of the contract —which, as far as- 1 can remember, expires in about IS months. Then, no doubt, the council will take immediate /steps to have the borough brought more up to date with its town lighting. Re Electricity : As formal matters in connection with the forming of a power board have now been given effect to, the formation of the board will, in my opinion, soon be an accomplished' fact, and the matter of electric supply will then, no doubt, receive the board’s careful consideration. Re Lot 37-. Before concluding, there is one matter I would like to refer to, and that is the new sulb-divisioh known as lot 37. As a loan of £15,500 was raised for this sub-division, and there being still so many sections not built upon’, and repeated applications made to the council by the lessees for reduction of rents, I consider it would be in the town’s interest for the incoming council to reconsider the who’e ■financial position and, if possible, arrange to make a rebate of the difference between the unset rental as decided upon by the* council and the amount offered at the time of the sale, •in <-ondition that the lessees built within a given period. To those who have already built I would give the rebate as from March 31 last or other nven date. This, I am,of the opinion would encourage the present lessees to make every effort to build, the result being more revenue to the borough than we are at the present time receiving. This proposal, however, would have t° he made subject to its providing enough revenue to pay interest and sinking fund on the loan subscribed for the area.