Page 4 Advertisements Column 3

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 252, 24 April 1912, Page 4

NEW PLYMOUTH MAYORALTY. TO I'HE RATEPAYERS. AND GENTLEMEN,— I have the honor to inform you that at the request of a large number of ratepayers and electors, I am offering you my services in the Mayoral capacity at the election to-day, when I trust I may be favored with your support. I am one of those who recognise that this town is on the eve of developments of very great moment to us all, and that the present time offers the opportunity to so lay the foundations of the city of the future that there may be no great errors to rectify when the city shall have outgrown the limited provisions of the past. The experience of most of the big cities of Australasia, and indeed of nearly all the cities of the old world, has been that the present generation lias had to spen enormous sums rectifying the errors of their predecessors. New Plymouth has not yet readied that stage of development that has involved the civic fathers iu any errors of magnitude, but unless a farseeing policy is now adopted, and advantage taken of the errors of growing cities throughout the world, irreparable loss for future generations may be committed. New Plymouth lias the opportunity now of laying the foundations of a city that will stand with but slight modification the changing conditions of time, and it is to that end as much as to the needs of the present that the municipal authority should unsparingly devote itself The first step towards realisation of the laying of that foundation is the culmination of the Greacer New Plymouth scheme, which has my heartiest endorsement. The inclusion of new and extensive suburbs in the borough area that must in the near future carry large population, makes it necessary' that a definite policy of town planning should be adopted immediately. The by-laws should be altered in the direction of making it impossible to build dwellings on less than a reasonable area of land. The evils of overcrowding unnecessarily are already, unfortunately, in evidence in this young Dominion, and every care should be taken that reasonable precaution for the health and pleasure of the community of the future should be taken now. I am in full agreement with the proposal to provide New Plymouth with an up-to-date tramway system, believing that not only for the convenience of the present population, but as a factor in deciding leisured people to make New Plymouth their home, no greater modern convenience can be offered. The immediate prospect of a profit from the installation is not thp factor to be taken seriously, as I am convinced that any small direct loss at the outset will be much more than compensated for by the indirect gain to each and everyone of the community. The time has now passed for a mere discussion of the scheme; the time is ripe for deeds and not words, and if honored with your confidence at the forthcoming poll, it will be my duty to place the tramway proposals before you at the earliest possible date. The extension of the electric lighting system to meet the ever growing demands in continuation of the present policy is one that I would vigorously pursue, and the matter of inducing manufactures and general users of power to more largely avail themselves of this most conveniently handled of all motive powers is one that should receive more attention than it has had in the past. The time has come also when some more comprehensive system of renewing roads, and maintaining them in better repair must be tackled. Granting that | as much as possible under the present road-making system is being done, it is certain that with the ever increasing traffic some other system must be tried if the cost is not to be allowed to become prohibitive. 1 believe comprehensive experiments should be carried out with a view to demonstrating the value or otherwise of tar or oil spraying as a means to reducing the cost of the upkeep of the roads, and further that within a short time, when it again will be necessary to re-lay Devon street, and other heavy traffic streets, that full tarred macadam or some other modern system should be adopted, in order that the at present short life of our main streets may be considerably lengthened. I am certain that the additional initial cost would be over and again saved in the reduced cost of the annual upkeep. I see no reason why some comprehensive effort should not be made to adopt a definite scheme of town beautification. Good work is no doubt being done, but after all it is to some extent aimless. What is wanted is a report bv an expert (and we have gentlemen possessing the necessary qualifications in the town), covering the possibilities of town planting on Vacant spaces, and general beautification. Working in conjunction with the officers of the Pukekura Park Board, it should be easily possible to get such a report prepared, after which work could be gradually carried out by the borough staff, under the direction "of an expert, in order that every little improvement made should be part of a definite scheme. No town offers greater possibilities in this direction than New Plymouth, and the time is now ripe to embark on a definite scheme that need not be at all expensive if carried out over a term of years. As there seems to be some doubt on the matter, I would like to mention that I served as a Borough Councillor for sonic years, and therefore have had experience in borough matters. In conclusion, if elected to the high office of Mayor of the town, I can assure you it will be my pleasure and duty to devote myself unsparingly to the' advancement of the municipal undertakings of the borough; to the improvement of the town generally, and the betterment of its people; and finally to see as far as I possibly can that the very best use is made of the borough revenue, and that every work shall as far as possible be of a permanent character. "With this general outline of my policy, I leave my, candidature with confidence in your hands. Yours faithfully, J. S. S. MEDLEY.