MAYORAL ELECTION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 28 April 1925, Page 6

MAYORAL ELECTION

MUNIC!PAL ELECI'IONS Ladies and Gentlemen. — 1 am departing from my usual praetiee of addressing you from the platform. as 1 so recently fullyplaced the Cornell’s position before the public. The statement was an accurate one. both regarding the finances and g; ucral administration. Loans amounting to £50,350 have been authorised by the ratejiayers for various > ity improvements—sewerage extenion. etc. If elected 1 sliall use. my lies endeavours to push forward these works and to ree that tile monies are spent to tin- best advantage, so as to place as light a burden as possible in tile \vn>- if rates. The streets and sewerage extension claim first consideration, being done out of loan they will be a more direct means of rate saving. The baths should mine next, and if the loan is carried, the reserves. In regard to the batiis T would do lay best to have them completed for next season’s use, the Council having decided to take steps to raise the money immediately.

The Trafalgar street- Bridge should not be forgotten. My aim will lie. as in tile past, to make Nelson one of the finest residential cities in the Dominion. This can he done without unduly raising the rates. As an evidence of the City’s propress during the past 4 years, I may state that 232 new dwellings of the value of £152,789 have been erected, in addition to establishing the electric light scheme, which has proved a success.

All tlie City Accounts were in credit at the end of the financial year, and the rates were reduced byfed in the £ in addition to a 5 per cent, rebate.

Tt 'will be my endeavour to keep the rates as low as possible, and at the same time bring about similar satisfactory results. Very great care will be required this year in nlloeating the Estimates and striking the rates. I cannot make any 7 forecast at present, other than to say there is a possibility of making a substantial reduction in the ordinary water rate.

T might add that I have had 42 years’ continuous service on public bodies, of which 12 years has been as Mayor or a member of the Council, which experience should be of some value to the City. ' Fin. LOCK.