MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXX, Issue 14979, 27 April 1909, Page 7

MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

THE MAYORALTY CONTEST.

MR LOUGHNAN’S CANDIDATURE. Air H. H, Loughnan, a candidate for the Alayomlty of Christchurch, addressed a 'fairly well attended meeting of electors at tlie Choral Hall last evening. Dr Thacker, who was in the chair, briefly introduced the speaker, referring to his good record as a councillor of thirteen years’ standing. Mr Lougnnan, who was enthusiastically received, dealt with the canal project, which, he said, Avas so closely allied to the interests of the city that it was necessary for certain parties to take sides over it, and for the city to take a lead in advocating the proposal. Compared with Auckland, Wellington, Timaru, and, to a great extent, with Dunedin, Christchurch, stood at a disadvantage by reason of the high railway freights between port and city, and the Gollan’s Bay scheme would do nothing but increase that disadvantage, as, in addition to an extija railway mileage, the interest on the cost of a harbour there, some three-quarters of a million, sterling, would have to bo paid. There Avere no engineering difficulties in constructing a canal, and its cOiistruction must involve a reduction O? tho freightage between the city and the shipping. The Harbour Board did not represent the ratepayers of its district. If Christchurch joined in, the movement initiated in Wellington, where the Halfboard Board itself petitioned to be put on a basis of election by tho ratepayers, it might not ho long before Parliament took action on the question in a general Avay. In regard to. the Waimakariri poiver scheme, he said that tho Government had now taken over all rights to utilise Avater pOAver, and the Council might be able to get a delegation of those rights. If it did not, it was possible that private enterprise might step in, as it had done in tho matter of gas lighting and tramways. Mr Allison was still doubtful in regard to the ' Avater power, scheme, and he Avas only willing to submit to the election two alternative schemes, namely, the original scheme, and one with an. intake further up-stream, at Woodstock. That Avas no use. The public should be given a lead ono way or the other.. Tile speaker advocated the acquisition «by the city of a quarry, if a suitable oue could be purchased. It was especially difficult to keep roads in repair in Christchurch. To try the highly expensive systems which would really ppt the roads in order could not be done out of rates, but it might be possible to treat those streets which w'Cre subjected to the heaviest traffic in, the centre of the city. Vitrified brick of AAood block pavings seemed to be Avliat w r as required.. Lie had .been asked to state his attitude on the half-holiday question, hut he was not going to do so. If he was elected Mayor it would be his duty to have no bias on the .matter at all. The question would be settled by the electors themselves, for the next two years, on Wednesday. If he promised to assist either party lie Avould be acting dishonestly, as he knew ho could do nothing at oil. (Applause.) Air Louglinan answeired several questions, and the proceedings terminated with a vote of thanls to the speaker, moved by Mr H. J. Otley and seconded by Air C. Samuels, and a similar rote to the chairman. THE CITY COUNCIL. AIR J. J. DOTJGALL’S CANDIDAi TURE. Air J. J. Dougall, a candidate for a seat on the City Council as a representative of tho Central Ward, addressed a meeting at the Caledonian Society’s Rooms last evening. There Avas a small attendance, and Air H. J. Otley was in the chair. „ Air Dougall advocated the use or Avooden, blocks for street paving, and said that the cost would not be very great. In that connection ho Avould also like to see a municipal quarry obtained. Alunicipal markets had not been altogether a success, and he failed to see Avliere tho city Avould get the rents necessary to pay for the cost_ of their construction. There Avere perhaps rings for the control of the sale ol fruit and fish, but he did not think that the city would bo warranted in building markets to compete with them unless it was clear that interest on the cost of construction Avould he assured. Ho advocated a cool chamber ill the city, in a central place, to ivhich all meat killed at the abattoir could.be taken. The question of amalgamating some of the local bodies should also be considered.. Thero Avere many small bodies that could ho absorbed by the Council, and he thought that the Hospital and Charitable Aid Boards and the Domain Board should be amongst them. The public should have direct control of the parks, and if thev had there wore many ways in whioh the grounds might be made much more popular. Tne question of .obtaining poiver from tho Waimakariri was one for the future, and he did not think that there were enough manufacturing industries to warrant the expense at present. Ho was a strong supporter of the canal, and though he would not say that it should be commenced at once, there Avas no doubt that it would have to come in a few years. The city could never be a great manufacturing place with the double handling that, at present took place. The stumbling block was the Harbour Board, winch was the most conservative body that could ho found. The Council should make one of its_ first acts during next year the formulation of a Bill to alter the constitution of tho Harbour Board. The candidate was accorded a hearty vote of thanks and confidence.

Air F. W. Bartrani, Avho is a candidate for the representation, of the Central Ward in. the City Council, addressed a meeting at the corner of Montreal and Conference Streets yesterday evening. He spoke pn the. linos of kis previous addresses, and received a A-ote of thanks and confidence. Air R. J.Ecroyd, a candidate for St Albans Ward of the city, will address a meeting of electors at St Albans Park ivt 7.30 p.in. to-day. Air James Wilson, a candidate for tho Limvood Ward of the city, will address a meeting of electors at tho corner of St Asaph and Phillip Streets, Linwood, at 7.30 p.m. to-day. Alessrs A. D. Hart and H. Hunter, candidates for the Sydenham Ward of tho city, will address the electors at the corner of Ruskin and Selwyn Streets at 7 p.m., and at the corner of ( Hannan Street and Lincoln Road, at' 8 p.m. to-day. Mr G. Armstrong has been re-elected without opposition Alayor of AkaroaThe Borough Council has also been, elected Avithout a contest, the members being Alessrs C. Armstrong, T. Lewitt, J. R. Newton, L. J. Vangioni. A. It. Alunro, J. W. HaUiday, F. Alichell, FW. Roche and J. J. Walker. Alessrs. Arastrong. Lewitt and Newton Avero members or tho previous Council.