THE MAYORAL ELCTION.

North Otago Times, Volume CV, Issue 13861, 23 April 1917, Page 5

THE MAYORAL ELCTION.

- !,' .- ; '- ' r '-. ... Ladles and ' ' ';''',' '" • lu view of the Municipal Election 'on Wednesday I again place before yon my. views upou.several mat teiy which will require Hie attention '.' of thei incoming Council.:• '.. - ; ,A ' ';' IV." , - )V i . ..n '-' .i •'•',■. ' . '">■-. ' ; •'■ '■ '• '■ ' •'.''*''' •'.■ ■ : FINANCE. The redemption of the consolidated loan amounting to £173,800 due January ,Ist,. 1920, will require considerable .forethought, and careful attention, before tho. expiration of the next Council's term, of office. To'speculate on tho probable condition of-tho money market, ns it will he nearly threo,.years hence,",would bo preaiimptuoits in tho oxtremo. The highest- authorities on finance within the Empire would certainly not presume to bo able to foretell whether interest rates will ■rise or fall at tlie close of tho War. ■ Thero are, however, several factors which inspire a calm confidence in the future so far as tho probable position 'of this Borough is concerned regarding the discharge of our obligations; and, in that confidence L appeal to ratepayers to rest, in contradistinction to a state of panic which a section of tho community might create, those factors briefly stated, bcinj as follow; ' (1) Wo have as the Borough's Bankers the strongest financial institution of the Dominion in the Bank of New Zealand. There fore, we have access .to the highest expert advice obtainable in our land, to ignore which would be unpardonable on the part of either Mayor or Councillors. (2) flamaru is fortunate in that the redemption of the loan is so far off, and there is every reason to believe the termination of the War will be reached long before the time when definite arrangements must be entered into regarding the new loan. (3) The Dominion of New Zealand occupies at the present time, and will continue to occupy for a considerable period to come, a most favourable position in the eyes of Britain, and while not suggesting for a moment that our obligations thereby become .; lessened in any. way; we are "assured in-consequence' thereof of the best assistance and guidance of our own Government, if such becomes necessary for our support, in addition to the assistance assured, from the Borough's Bankers. (4) I respectfully submit, ladies and gentlemen, that in your choice of twelve Councillors, your judgment in such will be'a'guarantee to theoecupant of the Mayoral Chair of the best assistance the town is capable of providing, and upon those Councillors will devolve a fair, share of service in all matters financialand Otherwise, and to whom wijl also.be due .alike share of the credit for whatever; good may be accomplished. ] - ELECTRICITY SCHEME. W-

It is regrettable that, but for the unavoidable delay occasioned at the inception of the scheme, it might have been completed ere this and earning revenue; instead of. which the supply of water necessary .for., generating current for lighting, etc., haying been provided, is now running, to waste, while we are forced to spend large sums annually in the •purchase of coal for gas manufacture. ■' . The Council should insi'Bt on the enforcement of- their fullest rights' m tho earliest possible completion of the work, and in the event of representation to. the War Office failing to secure to us the shipment of plant reqihred from England,; then an immediate effort should be made to procure the balance of the required plant elsewhere. As a strong supporter of the scheme from its commencement, I consider: the 1 position d ? m H 3 *JJ e wholehearted' support and tireless efforts of the Mayor and Council. • • .„ ■ DRAINAGE.- - - '• ' • , , , Modern drainage appeals to every" rlght-thiiikinV' citizen," ahd' 5 ?««?■ ! eStimated Co3t: of a com P ,ete scheme > approximating i 40,000, ut at present impossible, it may be possible in the near future to. complete section of the drainage scheme, and provide interest and sinking fund for such section or sections from time to time out of profits accruing. from : the electricity scheme. I consider the new Council shouid keep a close watch on this matter and any practicable movement in this direction would receive my wholehearted support. In any case r howover, thesanction-ofihe ratepayers must be obtained before 1 any such scheme is proceeded with either complete or in part, ' TOWN. MAINTENANCE. While care in expenditure is necessary, it is fitting that'the utmost consideration should be given ratepayers on. the, outskirts of'the town.! sq that the great, improvement brought-about lighting the back streets with electricity may-be accompaniecPwith nil possible progress, in Street and footpath formation, and improvements' to which eonsidera'-' tion is due to those ratepayers who live in the outer areas. BEAUTIFYING AND RECREATION... Oamaru is fortunate in having a society such as the Beautifying Society, the members of which from purely unselfish motives give their services so freely to the town, vThe Council should continue- to dooperate most heartily with this society in the continuance of so laudable a work as enhancing the beauty and attractiveness of Oamaru. The possibilities along the foreshore from the boatsheds southward, to which I drew attention a considerable time ago through the press, should not be lost sight of, and provided the matter of erecting dressing rooms for bathers receives the combined support of the Harbour Board, Borough Council, and Beautifying Society, there is no reason why the foundation of a most pleasant resort for the public—especially ladies and children-should not be laid in the near future, and possibly without seeking aid from the funds of local bodies, GENERAL. _ The place of honour among Municipal Gardens in this Dominion, which has been so long held by Oamarn, should be jealously guarded, ihe valuable asset of our water supply in its revenue-earning capacity should be kept well to the fore. The great improvement effected in Thames street by tarring and sanding as a means of coping with the dust nuisance should be extended immediately material is available. • I remind Electors of the fact that I have already served the town tor spine six years as Councillor, and believe the experience gained during that period will be of value to the town at the present juncture,

mill I assure ratepayers Unit, wherever prad'ii'iibkyauy niovuiNonJ; of :a progressive nature wuiild loneive 'iiiy. hearty i|ii[i|iiiii and eo-opcraliuii; '■'■■' From thii standpoint of health ami eiiucation, Oainaru lias long beeii recognised as far in advance of other towns of New Zealand, It will be my duty' and. special effort, if elected, to further advance our enviable reputation in "these respects, hi order that new residents and visitors may be' Attracted; and the revenue of our Borough thus directly increased. I am, Ladies and Gentlemen, Yours Faithfully, WALTER E, SEARLE.