MAYORAL ELECTION.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 18865, 1 May 1931, Page 7

MAYORAL ELECTION.

MR ANGLAND'S CANDIDATURE. In support of his candidature, Mr W. Angland delivered an address in the Cullmantown Hall last evening. There was a small attendance, and the meeting was presided over by Mr W. Ramsay. Mr Angland gave an account of his stewardship during the past two years and also gave a resume of work that had been done during his term of office in 1913-14. He enumerated various works and improvements that had been carried out in the borough, and expressed the opinion that the rates, water and electricity charges should be reduced. He promised that if he were returned he would make it his duty to endeavour to have reductions made in each case. At the conclusion of his address he was asked a number of questions. Mr A. Avison said that he had been out at Fairview. and he had seen one place where there was no protection to keep sheep from going into the race. Mr Angland said that he knew that some sheep had got through on to the race. The boundary fence was not good. The Council had had a dispute with adjoining property owners over the erection of a boundary fence. Under the Fencing Act, the adjoining property owners were supposed to pay half the cost of the erection of a boundary fence. The race should be protected. The water had been tested last year, and it had been found all right. In answer to a further question from Mr Avison on the same subject, Mr Angland said that there was a ranger at the race whose duty it was to walk from one end of the race to the other twice a week. There were also men working at the race all the time. The whole Council had travelled out there about six months ago, and found it in good order. However, he would place the matter before the engineer, and ask him to get a report from the foreman. Mr F. Metson asked to what extent the candidate was in favour of a reduction in the electric light charges. Mr Angland gave it as his opinion that a substantial reduction could be made in the charges. In 1915 when the plant was purchased the first year’s revenue was £SOO, and £750 for the second year. Last year/ the revenue was £40,000. The increase in the light revenue last year was £3,000. In answer to a question as to whether he thought the town rating should be reduced, Mr Angland said that he was of opinion that the rating for the main street should be on the improved value, not on the unimproved value. He thought that the more brightly lit a town was the better it was for the town. Mr Metson askpd if the candidate was prepared to ask the ratepayers for their sanction to impose the unimproved value of rating. Mr Angland said that if a petition was presented to him he would have no option. Mr Metson asked w T hat difference was between the old system of rating and the present system. Mr Angland said that there was not much difference in the total. Some areas would pay more and others would pay less. On the motion of Mr Smith, seconded by Mr Avison, Mr Angland was accorded a hearty vote of thanks for his address.