CITY MAYORALTY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21466, 13 April 1933, Page 12

CITY MAYORALTY

MR. HUTCHISON'S TERM GRATITUDE OF CITIZENS SUPPORT AT ELECTION WARM TRIBUTES PAID A large and influential deputation, representative of a great many interests in the city, waited upon the Mayor, .Mr. G. W. Hutchison, at the Town Hall yesterday to "assure him of support in recontesting the city Mayoralty. Sir George Fowlds, on behalf of the deputation, said it had been learned with satisfaction that in response to a request by 17 of the 21 members of the City Council, Mr. Hutchison had consented to accept nomination for a second term as Mayor. The deputation wished, therefore, to assure him ot their whole-hearted support. "When Mr. Hutchison entered upon his first term as Mayor a great deal was expected of him; we have not been disappointed in any single particular, said Sir George. "He has had two very strenuous years in office—probably the most difficult in the history of the city and he has come through them in such manner as to earn the respect and confidence of his fellows. The K r ea body of Auckland citizens has watched him discharge his duties with admiration for his sound judgment, good tact and consistent dignity. Auckland is very fortunate in having as Mayor a mail possessing such wide general experience and capacity. A Popular Mayor "We realise," added the speaker, "that the conscientious conduct of the city's affairs, which has always marked Mr. Hutchison's administration, involves considerable personal sacrifice, but by complying with the request of his fellow-citizens he will render a great service to Auckland and will be remembered as one of the city s greatest administrators. It is one thing to be popular when money is plentiful and increases in salaries and staffs are the order of the day; it is quite a different matter to sustain that, popularity when retrenchment and economy become the vogue; yet that popularity Mr. Hutchison has managed to retai'j." Sir George also paid a tribute to the Mayoress, Mrs. Hutchison, who, he said, had won everyone's admiration for the quiet dignity and conscientiousness with which she had conducted the responsibilities of her office. Miss Ellen Melville, chairman of the National Council of Women, said the women of Auckland solidly supported Mr. Hutchison when he first contested the Mayoralty and they would do so agaiu Mr. Hutchison's Reply Replying, Mr. Hutchison said it was encouraging to feel he had 'die sympathy of those he represented and the backing of the major section of the citizens. He had come to the mayoral chair feeling that the municipal administration, in the present difficult times, was top-heavy. The first step was to select as chairmen of committees persons who had the necessary ability and energy to see that efficiency and economy were increased. He had not been disappointed in the choice. He doubted whether, under a system of popular vote, men of higher average suitability could be found to discharge such important duties. Another fix-st step in his administration was to co-operate by conferences with the adjoining local bodies in matters of metropolitan concern, he wished to thank their representatives for their willingness and helpfulness. In the matter of social services, an enormous amount of work was being carried on in the city of which the citizens were only partly aware, and it had always been his endeavour to secure the greatest possible degree of unification in their activities. All social effort in the direction of assisting the unemployed, both men and women, had now been concentrated to prevent overlapping. City's Unemployment Scheme One of the most important steps taken in the Dominion to cope with unemployment was the city's plan to divert men from No. 5 scheme to work of a more permanent nature at higher rates of pay, such as storm-water drainage in the city area and the construction of a new reservoir, continued Sir. Hutchison. He was glad to say that one contract would commence in a week and would keep a number of men employed during the winter; another would start as soon as the legal difficulties were overcome. He was eoivinced that if the Government adopted a similar policy, even if it meant supplementing the Unemployment Board's funds, great assistance would be given not only to the unemployed, but to all those other pefiple, for instance, landlords, who were indirectly suffering from the prevailing lack of work. Mr. Hutchison repeated his intimation that, if he is elected, it will be his last term as Mayor. MOUNT EDEN CONTEST SUPPORTERS OF THE MAYOR A full "ticket" of 12 candidates has been selected to contest seats on the Mount Eden Borough Council at the forthcoming election as supporters of the Mayor* Mr. T. McNab. The candidates are Messrs. S. E. Chappell, R, J. Mills, J. A. Steele, C. Cowan, T. Davidson, F. S. Battley and G. W. S. Clark, all members of the present council, and Messrs. 11. Hay, J. H. Walters, W. Ji. Gatenby, J. K. Johnston and K. Buttle. Mr. McNab is being opposed for the Mayoralty by Mr. J. J. Mulvihill, a councillor and the nominee of the Mount Eden Ratepayers' and Householders Association. POSITION AT DEVONPORT AVOIDING ELECTION COSTS In order to avoid the expense of an election, a conference was held 'at Oevonport last evening of representatives from the North Devonport Ratepayers and Householders' Association and the Devonport Property Holders' Association. Mr. S. Kennedy presided. Several candidates voluntarily withdrew and the following names were unanimously approved:—Messrs. ,T. Curtayne, H. J. Hutchings, S. Kennedy, T. P. Gilfedder, A. E. Aldridgo, G. Harnett, G. D. Hardy, E. 11. Littl« and C. Farquharson. BIRKENHEAD COUNCIL CANDIDATE ANNOUNCED Mr. William Hall has consented to bo a candidate for one of the nine seats on the Birkenhead Borough Council.