TAKAPUNA ELECTION

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 749, 23 August 1929, Page 11

TAKAPUNA ELECTION

MR. WILLS URGES NEED FOR BRIDGE ESSENTIAL TO PROGRESS “For good government it is necessary that enlightened and well-informed citizens should interest themselves in questions of public interest. For that reason it is gratifying to note the interest being taken by our citizens in our local affairs.” said the Mayor of Takapuna, Mr. J. W. Williamson, in introducing Mr. C. H. M. Wills, a candidate for the vacant seat on the Takapuna Borough Council, at a meeting of electors held at the Picturedrome, Milford, last evening. rjUTE Mayor said that although he regretted the necessity for the byelection, he was pleased that a citizen with the ability possessed by Mr. Wills had offered his services. It was his personal opinion that Mr Wills was eminently fitted to assist in the carrying out of good government in the borough. “He is of the right type to make good, and if he is returned oil Wednesday Milford’s representation on the borough will be in safe hands,” said Mr. Williamson. Mr. G. C. Malcolm presided over a large attendance. HARBOUR BRIDGE “The district has so many natural advantages, and is such a picturesque locality, that it must be a matter of only a very few years before the borough becomes the leader of Auckland’s many line suburbs," said Mr. Wills. He added that despite much real progress in material improve-

ments, Takapuna is at a disadvantage concerning transport facilities, compared with other suburban districts situated on the southern side of the Waitemata. This factor was obvious to all observers, and was the deciding factor in his decision to throw in his lot with those working for the construction of the trans-harbour bridge. As the honorary legal adviser to the Harbour Bridge Association, he had put a great deal of time and energy into the affairs of the association. “It is not too much to say that the preliminary work in connection with the bridge may be started very soon after Christmas of this year," he said. For many years the water supply had been a pressing problem.in Takapuna, and it was becoming more acute as the years went by. Takapuna had no pumping station of its own, but purchased its supplies in bulk from Devonport Borough. IN HANDS OF DEVONPORT It would be a good thing if the residents of Takapuna woke up to the fact that their borough was in the hands of Devonport as regards the all-essential matter of water suppl3r. Last summer, which happened to be a dry one, Devonport had considered it necessary to apply restrictions on the use of water by residents of that borough. With the completion of the sewerage scheme at present in course of construction, the demand for water would be greatly increased. As Lake Pupuke was at present fully five feet lower than in August, 1927, despite the continuous rain of the past few months, it would be realised that the problem was a pressing one. It had been proposed that a strip of land two chains wide should be acquired around the entire lake, this having been advocated ns a means of ensuring the purity of the supply. As this would involve compensation amounting to perhaps £200,000, he was of opinion that the proposal should be strongly opposed, as it was obvious that the lake would have to be abandoned as ’a source of supply within a few years. “The only real solution of the water problems of the North Shore —indeed of Auckland as a whole —lies in the adoption of the metropolitan water board proposal as advocated by Mr. E. H. Potter,” said Mr. Wills, scheme was worthy of a thorough investigation, as it was claimed that it would provide unlimited supplies at a greatly reduced cost. CHECK ON SPENDING Referring to the comprehensive footpath work at present in hand, Mr. Wills said that much had been accomplished by the present council during its four months of office. Nevertheless, it was of vital importance that the closest scrutiny be applied to the financial side of the scheme. Over half of the borough revenue was absorbed by interest charges, and any further lavish expenditure must result in an increase in the rate burden. As it was, it looked as though an increase of perhaps £d to 3d in the £ was inevitable next year. Tar-sealing of Shakespeare and Taharoto Roads was also advocated. In this connection the North Shore Transport Company should be approached, on completion, for a reduction of fares, in view of the saving in repairs and maintenance that must result from the improved road surfaces. In support of Mr. Wills, Cr. J. F. Colegrove said the candidate was a young and virile man, and one "who was destined to make his mark in the borough. “With all due respect to his opponent, Mr. Collins, who is an old and esteemed friend, let me say that he is like myself—far too old to be a councillor of Takapuna,” Mr. Colegrove concluded amid laughter. A unanimous vote of thanks and confidence was accorded the candidate on the motion of Mr. A. C. Prentice.