BOROUGH OF OTAHUHU.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 15110, 28 September 1912, Page 8

BOROUGH OF OTAHUHU.

r • THE ELECTION TO-DAY. The candidates selected by the Otahuhu Ratepayers' and Citizens' Association for the eight seats on the Borough Council addressed a largely attended meeting in the Public Hall on Thursday evening. Mr. T. Whiteley, chairman of the Election Committee, presided, and in opening the meeting, said the- Ratepayers' Association had selected the best- men they could get to represent them in the new Borough Council. The association had been represented as in favour of rating on the unimproved value, but ho wished to assure the electors that that proposal formed no part of their platform. Mr. S. «T. Harbutt was the first candidate to address the meeting. He said that the days of scoria roads were past, and they would have to go in for more permanent material. He was strongly in favour of a uniform improvement of the village, but it should be a gradual process. Mr. J. Wilson, chairman of the Ratepayers' Association, said that if lie were returned to the Borough Council he would do his utmost to make Otahuhu a thoroughly up-to-date suburb of Auckland. Mr. James Atkinson said that the Road Board which bad just finished its course was not responsible for the increase of the rate. Mr. Tattersall spoke of the necessity for better roads. Mr. Salt answered some charges which i had been made against him, and strongly i supported the platform of the Ratepayers' I Association, which was one of general proj gress. Mr. Saunders expressed him.«elf strongly in favour of a recreation ground being provided. In reply to a question, Mr. Atkinson stated that the Board's revenue was not nearly enough to carry oil tho work. Mr. Harbutt also answered a number of questions, and the proceedings closed with a vote of thanks to the chairman. The election will take place to-day. 'Hiere are eight vacancies to be filled, arid there are 14 candidates. The Masonic Hall is the polling-booth, and it will be open from nine a.m. to seven p.m.