MAYOR’S CAMPAIGN

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 641, 18 April 1929, Page 7

MAYOR’S CAMPAIGN

MANY ACHIEVEMENTS CLAIMED FIRST ADDRESS GIVEN V ater supply, Civic Square improvements, provision of sports areas, sewerage, relief of unemployment, and general development of the city, were discussed by the Mayor, Mr. G. Baildon, when he opened his campaign for reelectio nlast evening. He spoke at Grey Lynn Library to an attendance of some 250, presided over by Mr. M. J. Coyle. After reviewing his public career from the age of 27 onwards, Mr. Baildon said that there had been a considerable amount of destructive criticism levelled at the council, but he hoped to convince citizens that, in fact, there had been a great deal of achievement on far-sighted lines. Augmentation of the city water supply had been a most pressing necessity during his stewardship, and for the first time Auckland was now assured of an adequate supply, the demand at the outside being about 11,000,000 gallons daily*, while at the end of this year the heightening of the Waitakere dam and the building of the Tiuia dam would provide 14i million gallons daily*. The Water Commisson had endorsed the Watakere scheme, whch had been brought down a few months after he became Mayor. TRAFFIC CONTROL Mr. Baildon dealt with the traffic outlet proposals calculated to relieve Queen and Upper Symonds Streets, detailed the underground crossing proposed for Upper Queen Street, under Karangaliape Road, and said there was a prospect, with the new Government in power, that High Street could be continued through the old post office site. The speaker detailed all the work that had been done in improving reserves, and the considerable increase in playing areas, such as those at Ft. Chevalier and Western Springs, all arranged and carried out during his term. Among other vital achievements he mentioned the acquisition of Motuihi Island as a marine park for the city. Tie claimed that with the Civic Square he had developed a practical scheme of commercialisation, with the result that the city was receiving £ 10,000 a year from lessees, with more in view. Action taken in respect of unemployment relief, the aid given to the War Memorial Museum financially and in aiding legislation to secure the cooperation of oilier local bodies, and the establishment of lectures on municipal government, were other matters on which lie claimed suffrage. No one could say that the present civic government had been idle or that it had not planned for the future. He stood for no party, but for the welfare of all. OPPONENT CRITICISED Remarking, in conclusion, that lie would refrain from personalities during his campaign, Mr. Baildon said he yet could not allow his opponents to ride over him roughshod. A mayoral candidate had stated the other evening that the present City Council had proved itself “the most incapable, futile and disastrous council which had had charge of the city’s affairs for many years.” That observation had been made by a man who had sat under the speaker on the council and who had returned to sit under him again, but without uttering one protest against “the inaction of the council.” Furthermore, that candidate’s only constructive idea had been the building of the workers’ dwellings at Grey Lynn, and the council to-day wished itself rid of them, for a great many of the tenants were far behind .in their payunents. After answering a number of questions, Mr. Baildon was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence.