MAYORAL ELECTION

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIII, Issue 113, 27 April 1933, Page 8

MAYORAL ELECTION

THE HASTINGS CAMPAIGN MB. MADDISON'S OPENING. •'INITIATIVE WITHOUT EXPENSE” A big gathering of citizens of Hast Ings West was addressed in th? school by’ Mr'G. A. Maddison last evening when he opened his campaign as caudi date for the Hastings Mayoralty. Mr 8. J. McKee presided. Mr Maddison opened his address by briefly referring to the improvements and changes effected during his six and a-half years as Mayor and pointed out that due to the tremendous increase in the number of motor vehicles it was essential to have serviceable roads. During hrs term of office 101 miles of permanenty formed bitumen roads were laid down. By making the work of a permanent nature a saving was effected in maintenance costs of more than the interest and sinking fund charges on the loan borrowed.

The cost of laying down 34 miles of concrete curbed and channelled footpaths was more than compensated for by the avoidance of tearing up permanent roads for repairs to mains, etc., and by the reduction of footpath maintenance costs. Then again the piping of 136 chains of open drains was a matter vitally affecting the ueai.u ui tno borough and did away with the previously periodical occurrence of d.ph theria outbreaks. >

Mr Maddison pointed out that the Health Department condemned the old abattoir and he had been able to obtain the necessary legislation lor the work to be done under the present system, thereby making a big reduction in the actual cost of living and not saddling tne ratepayers with a loan of £20,000 for a new abattoir. •• Reference was maue to the fact that during my term of office we borrowed £161,800,” said Mr Maddison. ••We did borrow it but we were compelled to do so for work that was absolutely necessary at the time.” Some of it was to remedy mistakes made by previous councils, he added. The loan of £lBOO that matures in two years time was due to having to construct a permanent roof and make urgent alterations to the Assembly Hall and supper room. As a result the revenue had increased from £9O to £320, which was a substantial offset against the loan, which was a matter of urgency at the time.

In 1922 the council was compelled by Aet of Parliament to borrow £28,000 to wipe out the antecedent liability. Then ■gain the reticulation of the borough was condemned and the overhauling of this and the electrical department generally, meant compulsory loans. Then came the enforced changes occasioned by hydro-electricity, tho total expenditure being about £45,000. Notwithstanding all this and the repayment of £7OOO for a previous loan, a substantial reserve of £8,500 was built by 1929 and ineidently, the rate was reduced by £26,500 annually. •‘With all the necessary expenditure and all the improvements effected durthose six years the rate was reduced Som 2.75 pence in the £ to 1.8.” said r Maddison.

Dealing at length on tho finances of the borough, Mr Maddison made the following comparisons relating to 1929, the year he gave up office, and the present year:— Rates levied, 1929 £32,389 (1933 £33,481), credit in district fund £30,943 (£14,384), overdraft, nil (£29), amount of fixed deposit £21,000 (£9000), fire board levy £663 (£1,260), theatre and picture reserve account £5163 (£973). With regard to the latter account he pointed out that during the past four years £6OOO had been transferred to the general account. At the conclusion of his address, Mr Maddison was accorded a unanimous vote of thanks and confidence on the motion of Mr 8. J. McKee, seconded by Mr A. I. Rainbow, both ex-councillors and candidates for the council election. MB ROACH S ADDRESS

MAHOKA SCHOOL MEETING. Last evening Mr G. F. Roach addressed a large and interested gathering of citizens at the Mahora School. Mr C. Lassen presided. Mr Roach in his opening remarks mentioned how pleased he was to sec such a gathering present, showing that an eager and intelligent interest was being taken in the affairs of the borough. He went on to point out what a hard and difficult four years he had to contend with, and wished it known that had it not been for the loyal support of the citizens during the 'qtfite period neither he nor any other man could have accomplished all that had been done since that disastrous time. He, as Mayor, could not and would not forget the assistance given him, and though it meant days of 14 to 16 hours of hard and trying work, he felt it his duty to see the job through at all costs. Reference had been made of the request for the bitumenising of Tomoana road on both sides of Frederick street. Mr Roach said that as the work would cost £6OOO and only £2OOO was placed on the estimates for road work, this particular job could not be done except by raising a loan. He realised that by reason of Tomoana road living a by-way for the carriage of meat it was in the interests of the health of the borough to abate the dust nuisance. He called upon the chairman as a representative on the County Council to have that portion of the road from the boundary to the abattoirs attended to. and assured his hearers that one of the first matters he would concern himself with if re-elected would be to give attention to the portion of the road within the borough. ‘‘One thing,” said Mr Roach, “that may be placed to my credit is the saving to the borough by doing without a commissioner and his staff to administer our affairs, a saving of some £1500.” Durii" these difficult times of depression and ’quake after-effe< ts, when everyone found it extremely hard to make ends meet, it was found that, ‘‘Economy with prudence” must be the motto, and that arrangements must be made to live within onr means and »<•< that borrowing was done without wherever possible. Mr Roach west on to show that work could be done out of revenue to the advantage of all concerned, and that no loans would be nought so far as he was concerned, exrrst for sewerage work which might be

forced upon the borough at any time by the Health Department. Afr Roach then referred to the Fire Station, pointing out that the borough had been able to purchase 1} acres of land on which has been erected an up-to-date station and other necessary buildings at a very low figure, thus securing for Hastings the equivalent of a permanent brigade on a purely voluntary basis. He also pointed out that it was estimated that this service would cost the borough this year only £2B more than the amount paid last year—viz., £llOO. Under the improved fire-fighting conditions Mr Roach hoped that the Underwriters Association would be induced tn reduce fire premiums in Hastings. Touching on hospital matters Mr Roach stated that he was heart and soul in accord with the desire of the Hastings people for adequate hospital facilities and additions, and would do all in his power as Mayor, if reelected, to secure these very necessary and overdue requirements. The question of rubbish removal was next dealt with, and Mr Roach related that a report had been made to the council by the engineer, and the matter has bc.'n referred to tho incoming •muncil. His own attitude on the matter was that he desired the cleanest possible conditions to rule in Hastings, amt was prepared to do all in his power to bring about such conditions. At 'he conclusion of his address Mr Roacti invited questions. Several were asked and were answered satisfactorily. Mr G. Rochfort moved a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Roach for his address, and in doing so stressed the good work done by him during his term of office. This was' seconded by Mr T. W. Smith and carried unanimously amid applause. At the invitation of Mr Roach. Councillor Baker. Messrs F. Bastin, R. Barley, T. Falconer and J. Rigg, all prospective councillors, addressed the meeting and were accorded an attentive hearing and a vote of thanks by those present.