MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10439, 19 April 1912, Page 1

MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

CENTRAL WARD,

MR R. HOPPY AT RICHMOND,

Mr R. Hoppy, the Labour Party's candidate for the vacancy in the representation of the Central "Ward in the Christcliurch City Council, addressed a meeting last night at the cornel of Stanmore Road and London Street. Mr W. Taylor, president of tho Avon branch of the Labour Party, presided, and in introducing the candidate said that they had to thank the Labour Party for infusing life into the municipal politics of the city. Mr Hoppy said that he was out to advocate tne progress of the city as a whole. They nnd bevon told at che pr£~ vious election that business men were wanted to run tho affairs of the city. He was a business man, but he also had the interests of the Labour Party at heart, and, if elected, he hoped lie would be able to help the Council to do better things. The Council should endeavour to make tho city the best in the dominion. At present it had to take a back seat when compared with Wellington, Auckland and Dunedin, because there were no workers to push Christchurch ahead. If they took Richmond as an example, they must see tho necessity that existed for better street lighting. Stanmore Road was a disgrace to any city, and it should bo widened. He observed that the candidates were now advocating many of the planks in the Labour Party's platform. Some of them now favoured a Metropolitan Board of Works, a reform for which the Labour Party had been working for more than twelve months. Such a Board would prevent the overlapping which was associated with the present system of divided authority, and the upkeep of the streets would be greatly reduced. He thought the Council should obtain the road metal for the city from its own quarry at Birdling's Flat,* sis there seemed no good reason for going elsewhere when it had available a good supply of its own. He advocated tho work of the Council being done by day labour, and the payment of the workmen at the rate of Is lid oer hour, which was no more than a living wage. He considered that a fish and fruit market was badly required for the city, for if steps were not taken in this direction Christchurch would soon be overrun by Chinamen. The'only way to keep the Chinaman out was to provide other means for working men to obtain cheap fruit and fish, and a city market would supply the want. Cold storage was another necessity, as the present system of carting meat, especially in hot weather, was most unhealthy. He was in favour of compelling drivers of motorcars and taxi-cabs to pass an examination to show that they were competent to drive, and that in other ways they understood their cars. Ho was opposed to the proposal to build a Town Hall while there were so many other necessary works requiring attention, but he thought a site should be secured ready for such a purpose when the proper time arrived for building. Tho roads must be attended to, and without delay. They had heard a lot about tho road schemes brought forward by Mr Dougall and the late Mr Taylor. He, had carefully studied Mr Taylor's scheme, and thought it was in every way suitable. He urged his hearers to take an interest

in the affairs of the city, and tn show their interest by voting. • Councillor Millar also addressed the meeting, outlining some of tho work that had been done by tho Labour members since they had been on the Council, and making a strong appeal for the support of the public in assisting to carry out the programme of the Labour Party, which aimed at making Christchurch a healthy and a clean oity. Votes of thanks were passed to the candidate and the chairman.