MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CV, Issue 12481, 22 April 1901, Page 3

MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

■ THE VIEWS 01' CANDIDATES. The Burgesses’s Association sent o ut the following circular to eighty-three candidates, and up to Saturday had received twenty-five replies:—• If elected,- will you vote for, and use your best endeavours to promote the reforms set forth in the following questions. Kindly give your answers in writing, with any remarks you may deem necessary:— r--1. The formation of a “ Greater Christchurch ’’ by the amalgamation of the suburban boroughs with the city. 2. The acquisition of all gasworks and tramways; the inauguration of an installation of electricity for the supply of light and power, and of a high-pressure water supply.

3. improved sanitation, by providing a complete system' of drainage; the prevention of over-crowding, and a system of food inspection and analysis; the demolition of insanitary premises, and the erection of suitable dwellings -when required, 4. The providing of open spaces for children as playgrounds ; the improvement of public recreation grounds, and where not already provided, the acquirement; the removal of all obstructions on public roads, and the throwing open to the public of all public reserves from which the people -art now excluded. 5. The providing of' public recreation and • reading-rooms where necessary; the improvement of the present charitable aid system, including a more careful inspection of the houses in which children are boarded out. 6. The adoption of a minimum wage of 42s per week of forty-four hours for all municipal adult employees. 7. The beautifying of all waste places, and the compelling of owners of sections to fence the same, and to remove all rubbish and noxious weeds from them. The following are ithe replies receiv--6 ‘ CHRISTCHURCH. Mr C. M. Gray.—(l) Yes; I think it very desirable and very necessary. (2) Ye®; I am in favour of all these projects. (3) Yes'; absolutely necessary. (4) Yes; but I think Christchurch is already well supplied with open’spaces. (5), Certainly. (6) Yes; our Council has already adopted 42s as'the minimum) wage. (7) Yes. Mr G. Payling.—(l) The'consummation of such a scheme will prove of mutual benefit to the city and surrounding boroughs, and will lead to the more economical working of our municipal system of government. The many large schemes which have been mooted and must be carried out, such as water supply, drainage, etc., can only be effectively accomplished by amalgamation, and the burden will fall lightly and evenly on all the districts benefiting thereby. The proposal has my hearty approval. (2) I favour the municipalisation of all gasworks and tramways, but not by confiscation. They should be token over > at a fair valuation. The need for a n installation of electricity for the supply of light and power, and of a high-pressure water supply are daily becoming more apparent. These proposals have my approval and support. (3) Yes; 1 in the interests of the health of the community, too much importance cannot bo attached to this. (4) Yes., While giving every credit to the Domain Board for the work accomplished by that body with the small means at its disposal, I am strongly of opinion that many improvements might be effected in H-agley, Park, which would make it an ideal recreation ground, and attract the people to make more use of it. (5) Ye>s ; I am strongly of opinion that the strictest regulations should be drawn up. for the careful and. frequent inspection of the houses in winch children are boarded. (6) Yes. (7) Yes. ’’ Mr J. M. Taylor.—(l) Yes, (2) Yes; bub with respect to trams, if the concessions expire in three years there will- be nothing to buy, and if electric power is brought in the plant will be obsolete. (5) Yes.V) Yes. (5) Yes. (6) Yes; for ablebodied men, but provision should be made for those -who; have become old in the Council’s service. (7) Yes. ;.. Mr Henry Wood. —(1) Yes. _ (2) Whilst I am in favour of municipalising all such works as gas and tramways, I do not think the present is an opportune time for considering these questions. I would wait till the harnessing of the Waimakarm is accomplished. I will support the installation of electricity for light and_ power, and high-pressure water supply. (3) Yes; tbe provision of a complete system of drainage wilt receive my strongest support. (4) Yes; but if it is found more are required I shall help them being obtained. I think the suggestion that the city and surround-ing-boroughs should assist, the Domain Board with contributions to improve Maglev Park a good one, and I shall support this proposal. (5) Public reading-rooms are a necessity, and if not sufficient_at present, more should be provided. The inspection of houses for boarding-out children should be very carefully attended to. If this is not done satisfactorily now the methods must be altered. (6) .This is practically the minimum rate of pay adopted by the Council lately. (7) Yes. SYDENHAM. Mr Shaw Billcliff.—(l) Personally, I am in favour of an amalgamation, ■; but consider this a question that should be decided by the burgesses, and not by the Council. (2) I am in favour of municipalising all public services, and therefore answer ves to this question. (3) It rests with the Counsil, they having ample power under the new Act. (4, 5,6, 7) Yes. All these reforms can be carried out without waiting for a Greater Christchurch. ; Mr Charles Taylor.—(l) I am in favour of Greater Christchurch. Until amalgamation takes place any comprehensive, scheme for the improvement' of city and suburbs will be impracticable. I also am or the opinion that all municipal works would be carried out more economically. Would only support. amalgamation on a majority of the burgesses having decided in favour of the proposal. (2) Will support this proposal, (3) I agree , with this proposal. Our present sanitary arrangementsi being a menace to the public health. (4) YYi support this proposal. Reform in This direction is urgently required. (5) Yes. (6) Yes. (7) I thinks there is room for improvement in the direction indicated in this proposal. • _ : ' . Mr W. Miller.—(l) No scheme being before the ratepayers, I cannot give a decided answer. I think the ratepayers should decide. (2,3, 4,5, 6,7) Yes. Mr John Hadfield.—ln reply to the circular, Mr Hadfield sent his circular, in which-he deals with the questions as follows:—The large and important questions that have been brought prominently before burgesses recently, such as Greater Christchurch, purchase of Christchurch Gas Company, municipalisation of the tram, service, high-pressure water-supply, electric lighting, etc., are of such importance' that they cannot be entered into here, but I should strongly oppose the Borough: Council taking- upon itself the responsibility of deciding on its own motion for or against any of the above-mentioned proposals. The' duty of thei Council,. I take it, in all important questions of this kind, is to obtain the fullest information possible, such information to be placed before the electors, who shall, through the ballot-box, intimate their wishes on the question at issue to the Council, whose duty it would be to see that the desires of the majority be carried cut, Mr J. B. Sim.—(l) No, not so far as it applies to Sydenham. In carrying out such works as are mentioned in plank 2, I think that co-operation is desirable and necessary. (2) Yes, excepting the acquisi-

tion- of gas works. To purchase large'gas works along with the inauguration of an installation of electricity would not, in my opinion, he sound policy. (3, 4,5, 6,7) Yes. -

Mr G. 1 J- Parsons.—The_ planks of your platform, with the exception of Greater Christchurch, have, I 'believe, been universally accepted as the ideal all should try: to attain to. I am in favour of Greater Christchurch, but, if elected, would not vote.for it in Council till approved by the ratepayers. WOOLSTON. Mr W. T. Thomas—(l) I think amalgamation would be to the interest of them all. (2) I am distinctly of opinion that the municipalities should acquire the tramways and provide electricity for light sand power also. (3) Yes. (4) I have always been .an advocate of this, (5) In. my estimation this has. been neglected too long. (6) I am in favour of a minimum wage, but think Parliament should- fix hours of labour. (7) Yes. Mr Joshua Beaumont replies as follows: —ln declining to pledge myself in any way , I may say if I am elected I shall always use my best .endeavours to promote reform and improvements generally which I consider an the best interests of Woolston.”, Mr John Gough—(l) Yes. (2) I favour establishing a high-pressure water supply, and 1 the acquisition of -thetramways. ‘(3 and 4) Yes. (5) Yes; where necessary. (6 and ,7)'Yes. Mr J. C. Hobson.—(l)'l am in favour as greater benefit could be given to ratepayers. (2,5, 4,5, 6 and 7) Yes. Mr William Martin— (l) ;Yes. (2) Yes., (3) I believe there is room for _ a great deal of improvement in these directions. (4) I should certainly give my attention to these matters. (5 and 6) Yes. (7) Yes; and should see that the Council w'ere not themselves offenders in this respect. • Mr David Moore. —(1) No I am not in favour of amalgamation with Christchurch. (2,3, 4,5, 6 and 7) Yes. Mr Henry A. Owen.—-Yes to all the questions. . LINWOOD. Mr Joseph Cleworth.—l cannot see my way to support amalgamation at the present time. Will, give the matter every consideration when a definite scheme is p]oposed. To remainder of questions submitted! yes. • ■■ . ■ ■ , ■ Mr W. H. Jordan.—(l) Seeing that there is a great diversity of opinion on the subject, I should prefer it being settled; by means of the referendum. Yes to rest of 'questions. , , , ■ Mr W. H. Seed 1 —(1) I am opposed to Linwood amalgamating, with the city pure and simple, but would be prepared to consider any proposition from the City Council having an equitable basis of adjustment as regards the present rates and. future pliabilities, viz., loans raised for the carrying, out of large undertakings, also the district to have a fair representation. (2) Yes. Shou.d no scheme be approved of for amalgamation of the suburbs with the city, 1 am in favour of joint action being taken for. the acquisition of such control as provided for in the Municipal Corporations Act, Sections 45 and 46. ‘High pressure water supply is of first importance, anil ought to be brought about with as little delay as possible. (3) This plank has my hearty support. with the exception_ of that portion,; viz., “the erection of suitable dwellings. There are of thrifty people who are always prepared to erect suitable dwellings so soon as they can be. assured of getting 'suitable tenants, without the Council entering into competition with them. (4) I would support the throwing open of present open spaces, viz., State school grounds. (5) I am prepared to support the first porl tion o£ -plank if de&iaeA by a majority

of the electors of. the district. I will, support any effort in the direction of improv.--, ing the administration of the charitable / aid system. (6) Yes; a;i regards permanent employees, casual employees being paid by , , the day. ' {7) Yes; lb has my hearty approval. The other replies are from candidate* who are not contesting an election.