LOCAL ELECTIONS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume II, Issue 377, 26 April 1915, Page 3

LOCAL ELECTIONS.

THE MAYORALTY. MR HOLLAND'S CANDIDATURE. A REPLY TO CRITICS. An address in reply to recent criticism was delivered in the Methodist Schoolroom, Sydeuham, 011 Saturday evening by Mr IT. Holland, candidate for re-election to the Mayoralty of the city. Mr G. E. Good presided. Mr Holland said that the statement, of Cr McCullough, to the effect that he had endeavoured to keep the SocialDemocratic members of the council off the various committees was not strictly accurate. There were seven committees, and only live Social-Democrats, but evory committee had at least one representative of the party. When the Town Hall Committee was set up, Mr McCullough himself was appointed chairman. With regard to Mr McCullough's accusation that the council had failed to fulfil its promise to instal electricity and sell fittings, Mr Holland pointed out that all fittings could now be bought in the council's shop in Manchester Street. The council had so far not been able to do house wiring, as the reticulation of the streets had not yet been completed. It would be absurd to take men off this work and set them to house wiring. Mr McCullough had also complained that the consumers were being exploited because housewiring was charged for at 25/- per point. If the contractors were charging that price, they were certainly not being exploited, as the council had been advised by its own engineer that it could not do the work for less than 24/per point. There was something wrong with Mr McCullough's information to the effect that the work could be done for 20/-. It had been said by Mr W. Millar that Sydenham and St. Albans were being rated to provide street-widening in the Central Ward, whilst special loans had to be raised for the carrying out of similar works in these districts.

The candidate said that Mr Millar ought to know that there was 110 loan for street widening and extension in Sydenham. The loan for that, purpose had been expended before Sydenham joined the city. A vote of thanks and confidence was carried without dissent. Mr Holland's general committee met at the Central Rooms on Saturday evening. There was a good attendance, and the reports submitted indicated that the. candidate would receive substantial support in each of the wards. Arranjgements were made for scrutineers and outside workers on Wednesday. An 'optimistic spirit prevailed, and the committee look forward with confidence to the result of the poll. MR SORENSEN'S NATIONALITY. ; Mr H. B. Sorensen, candidate for the Mayoralty of CJhristchurch, addressed a meeting in the Waltham Hall on Saturday evening, there being a good attendance. Mr Harvey presided. The candidate dealt with; questions of finance, water supply, road-making, and the Town Hall, on the lines of his previous addresses. In reply to a question as to his naMr Sorensen said that he was. borA in 'Denmark, but he had been in. New Zealand for 53 years. The Danes had every reason to hate the Germans, and had never become reconciled to the loss of the provinces of Schleswig and Holstein in 1864. When the present war broke out, 140 of the leading residents of Schleswig had been imprisoned by the Germans, and were still in confinement. iHe had no sympathy with the German butchers, and if he were young enough he would be glad of the opportunity to fight against them. A resolution was carried expressing the hope that Mr Sorensen would be returned at the head of the poll.

THE SOCIAL-DEMOCRATS. MB J. McCOMBS AT LINWOOD. There was a large attendance at the Leyden Street Hall, Linwood, on Saturday evening, when Mr J. McCombs, M.P., a candidate for re-election to the City Council, was the principal speaker. Mr D. G. Sullivan presided. Mr McCombs said that the marked increase in the rates during tlio last few showed that the affairs of the city were not progressing in the best interests of the citizens, and it was time a change was brought about. This could not be effected unless the Progressives were returned to the council in sufficient numbers to make a reform possible. Lake Coleridge current should be supplied to the consumer at as near cost price as possible. The people could not possibly benefit by the short-sighted policy of making profit out of themselves. The true test of the value of a municipal undertaking was the value of the service rendered, and not the profit extracted. The necessary reform in the city's financial arrangements could never be carried out until it was decided to adopt the system of provid-i ing for permanent works out of capital instead of revenuo. The candidate showed that Linwood had received its fair share of attention in tho matter of municipal enterprise and expenditure. He also explained the effect of tho legislation passed last year by Parliament, conferring on the City Council tho power to establish markets, and said that tho carrying out of the scheme now rested with the electors. A vote of thanks and confidence was carried without dissent. THE SYDENHAM CANDIDATES.

The four Social-Democratic councillors for tho Sydenham Ward, who are alb standing for re-election —Messrs F. Burgoyne, 11. Hunter, J. McCulJougli, and VV. Millar —addressed a meeting at the corner of Norwood and Fisher Streets, Beckenham, on Saturday evening. Each of the candidates spoke for lialf-ari-hour, dealing with the party's platform, and explaining what course will be followed with regard to tho city's finances, "when a proper majority is obtained on the council." The party's candidate for the Mayoralty, Mr ){. M. Speirs, also spoke. A vote of thanks and confidence was carried ori the motion of Mr Martin, secoudod by Miss Robinson.

NEW BRIGHTON. A meeting of electors was held on Saturday evening at tho Ozone Cafe, North Beach. Mr J. 11. Coates occupied the chair, and there was an attendance of over (50 persons. Mr J. A.

Flesher, candidate for the Mayoralty, and Messrs Ashley, Buxton, Christian, Cox, Goodwin, Holland, Leaver, Light, and Wyatt addressed the meeting. Several questions were answered, after which a vote of thanks and confidence was proposed by Mr Cooper, seconded by Mr A. 11. Webb, and carried unanimously. Speaking at North Beach on Saturday evening, Mr J. A. Flesher referred to the activity of the North New Brighton Burgesses ' Association. During Mr Flesher'» term as Mayor the association had offered many valuable suggestions to the council. It had never indulged in '' pin pricking,'' nor was it an election committee. It held its meetings frequently and had accomplished a great deal of good for the district. SPREYDON. Mr T. Woods will reply to Mr G. Whiting's statements and figures at a public meeting to-morrow evening in the Barrington Street Hall (Presbyterian Sunday School) at 8 o'clock, FUTURE MEETINGS. Mr H. Holland will speak to-morrow in the Waltham Hall at 7.45, and in the Leyden Street Hall at 9. Mr H. B. Sorensen will speak this evening in the Methodist schoolroom, Selwyn Street, at 7.30, and to-morrow evening in St. Matthew's schoolroom, St. Albans, at 8. Mr R. M. Speirs will hold final meetings in Victoria Square and Sydenham Parle to-morrow evening. All the Social-Democratic candidates will speak. CANAL LEAGUE'S CANDIDATES. Tho Canal Leaguo announces that it is supporting the following at Wednesday's Harbour Board election Christchurch —C. Allison, A. Kayo, Joshua Little, and Dr Thacker. Woolston, New Brighton, and Combined Districts —J. J. Graham, Mayor of Woolston.

Mr E. Teelc, candidate for the Sydenham ward, addressed a large meeting at the corner of Lawaon and Colombo Streots on Saturday night, dealing with the water supply, electric lighting scheme, and other matters. Tho candidate received a splendid hearing, and a hearty vote of thanks and confidence was carried, there being only one dissentient.