LOCAL ELECTIONS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22099, 3 May 1935, Page 14

LOCAL ELECTIONS

'AUCKLAND MAYORALTY:

CAMPAIGN OF MR. DAVIS

ORAKEI MAORI VILLAGE

WATERFRONT IMPROVEMENTS

The establishment of a model Maori village at Orakei, the further beautification and improvement of the waterfront road and the preservation of the attractions of the harbour beaches were urged bv Mr. Ernest Davis, the candidate chosen by the Citizens' Committee for tlie Auckland* - Mayoralty, in an address at St. Heliers Bay, last night. Mr. M. G. McArthur, a former chairman of the Tamaki Road Board, presided over a very large attendance. Short speeches were also made by Citizen's Committee candidates for_ the City Council, Harbour Board and Transport Board. After reviewing the main points discussed at iiis earlier meetings, _ Mr. Davis drew attention to the dilapidated condition of the Orakei Maori settlement. "Auckland has become the Mecca for a large number of overseas! tolirists who have not had the opportunity of paining r.n accurate impression of the mode of living and the traditions of tho Maori race." he said. "Tile establishment of a. model village should be proceeded with, so that the existing eyesore may be replaced." ' Settling Land Dispute

"Such a settlement would serve a three-fold purpose, continued Mr. Davis. It would 'assist the natives in maintaining their traditions. It would be a source of intense interest to overseas visitors and also a real adornment to the waterfront road. Mr. Davis said he was not in favour of the matter being delayed indefinitely. A majority of the natives present at a representative meeting tHeld at Orakei last year had expressed their willingness to accept in settlement of all outstanding disputes in regard to the village property a return by the Crown of about 40 Bcres of land, this being the whole of the original Orakei papakianga, in addition to two. acres of cultivation fiatsat the rear At present the only obstacle to a settlement was the attitude of the Xands Department, which opposed any concessions to the natives. In regard to the waterfront road, Mr. Davis said there was room for a great deal of improvement on the inner side of the road, particularly in the vicinity of the railway lines. Ornamental trees and shrubs could be planted on several elopes and areas at present vacant and more or less unsightly. Better Beaches l « "With the construction of the waterfront road, the beaches bordering it have been discovered to be among tin 1 greatest of the city's assets," Mr Davis stated. "Previously they were neglected,. With these beaches, as with the equally attractive beaches on thf western side of the N harbour, it will be my constant aim to preserve their attraction.' A clean, white line from Point Chevalier to St. Heliers Bay will be my objective. Any beach improvement scheme would embrace the entire foreshore." Mr. Davis concluded by touching briefly on the question of amalgamation. "May 1 say that Tamaki, Avondale and Point Chevalier have benefited greatly by their merger with the city," he stated. "It is a fact that the amount the city receives in rates from these districts is not enough to cover their loan indebtedness." A vote of confidence in Mr. Davis was passed.

MOUNT ALBERT AFFAIRS MAYOR UNOPPOSED MR.' FERNER REVIEWS POLICY "I have to thank you for the confidence reposed in me, and which has resulted in my being accorded the unusual honour of being returned unopposed as Mayor of Mount Albert for a further term," said Mr. It. Ferner, reviewing the administration of the Borough Council, in an address to residents at St George's Hall last night Mr. T; B. Clay presided. Mr. Ferner said that the principal planks in .his platform had been the further consolidation of the borough finances, including, the best possible conversion of the boroughs capital indebtedness, no increaso in ratea, and a constructive scheme for employment on public works. 'T am going to confidently make the claim that the policy I placed before you 19 ' months ago has been carried out in ,its entirety, added Mr. Ferner. . Although nearly all ratepayers had a reduction in the rates, some had to meet an increase, due to the fact that, in the rearrangement of the borough valnation the Valuation Department had not given those particular ratepayers the standard reduction ot lo per cent. The amount of rates collected in 1934-35 was 9S per cent compared with 94 per cent in 1933-34 and 91 ner cent in 1932-33. The borough s overdraft to 1831 stood at £34.000 «m it. had been steadily reduced, until Inst, year it had been reduced from L 14,1-*-to £12,829/ . . _ .. "The most notable feature of the borough's employment policy has been the fact that it gave the lead to other public bodies in New Zealand. remarked < Mr. Ferner. The plan of financing public works at standard rates of pav, rather than under relief conditions. was now becoming a rule in the Dominion rather than the exception. This policy had raised the standard of living in the Mount Albert borough. , . , Outlining the policy which he intended to place before the new council Mr. Ferner said he would urge further consolidation of finances and the conversion of th 3 overseas indebtedness of £130.000. He would also press for. the continuation of public works and the extension of the scheme of doing work on subsidy from the Unemployment Board. > Mr H. A. Anderson, chairman of the borough council's finance committee, . and Mr. V. A. Coyle, chairman of the works committee, also addressed the meeting.

OTAMATEA county seats ELECTION IN TWO RIDINGS [BY TELEGRAPH —OWN CORRESPONDENT] PAPAROA, Thursday At the Otamatea County election there will he contests in the Papnroa riding between Mr. J. S. Davidson, the sitting member, and Mr. It. it. Jenkins,-and in the Whakapirau riding between Mr L. Ramshottom, the sitting member, and Mr. D. Fergus. Ihe sitting members have been returned unopoosed in the remaining; six ridings as follows:—Mareretu: Mr. T. Dodds. Wairau: Mr T. H. C. Snellimr. Kaiwaka: Messrs. W.. Littler and R. Hastie: Matakohe: Messrs. R. Coates and W. 11. Betts. Ruawai: Mr. A Preston. Tokatoka: Mr. W. 0. Thompson. , The Otamatea County representatives on the Hospital Board, Messrs. W. Collins, W. A Preston and It. I • Birtles. were returned unopposed. Messrs. R. Coates, W. Collins, and W. It. Betts, the sitting members, and J. S. Davidson and A. Maconaughy, will contest the three county seats on. the North Auckland Power Board,.