LIVELY MEETING OF SUMNER BURGESSES

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 63, 16 March 1931, Page 5

LIVELY MEETING OF SUMNER BURGESSES

dissatisfied with WORKING OF BOROUGH

At a special meeting of the Sumner Burgesses' Association on Saturday evening, at which there were many hectic interludes, a list of proposed candidates in the Borough Council elections was submitted by the executive; and, after a long discussion, it was decided by seventeen votes to six to support those nominated. The nominees were Messrs Douglas Smith, J. E. Tait, F. J. Edwards, H. E. Kennett, F. J. Adcock, Colin Hart, L. J. Hulston and J. S. Barr. Mr _ Douglas Smith (the chairman) explained the purpose of the meeting, and read out the list of names. He said that it was submitted with the idea of receiving the approval of the association, after which preliminary work would be undertaken. Mr J. S. Young asked if prospective candidates would indicate in which way they were opposed to the present council. Mr Smith said that because these men were standing it was not necessarily an indication that they were opposed to the council at all. In his opinion, if the present council approved of the recent re-laying of the sewer along the beach, that was * sufficient to condemn their regime. Mr F. J. Edwards said he felt dissatisfied with the manner in which the borough was being administered. There were numerous works to be carried out, and the money available could be spent in a better way. Roads and water reticulation needed attention, for which a further loan would probably be necessary. Mr Barr said that the money which the council had to spend amounted to about £BOOO. Protective works should not be constructed out of revenue, and all contentious matters should be put before the ratepayers. Mr Longton: Why don’t the candidates outline a definite policy and show in what way they will benefit Sumner? If they can’t, then they should not be considered. The chairman said that it was impossible to say that they would do certain things. Mr Longton: We pay twice as much as any other local body for our electric light and 25 per cent more for gas. Let them tell us how they can provide cheaper services and if they can’t they’re not worth worth considering. Mr H. E. Kennett said that his main planks would be the gas supply, the price of electricity, and the necessity of having the sewage system put in order. Mr G. F. Allen said that it was news to him that the sewage system was in a deplorable condition. Did Mr Kennett know that Dr M’Kibbin, Director-Gen-eral of Health, had stated that if half the big cities were as well off as Sumner he would be satisfied? Mr Tait said that Dr M’Kibbin had been carefully piloted round and shown ■what he should see. He could bring witnesses who would say that men were employed using chloride of lime before the visjt to make things look respectable. Messrs Colin Hart and L. J. Johnston, the two other candidates, also addressed the meeting. Mr R. MacLachlan moved “that this meeting approves of the candidates as submitted.” This was seconded by Mr C. E. Merry. Mr Allen moved as an amendment, “that the matter of the selection of a ticket be referred back to the committee for the purpose of defining its policy

more clearly.” This was seconded by Mr N. Ryan. The amendment was defeated by 13 to 8 and the motion carried by 17 to 6. y Further discussion ensued during which Mr Longton was asked to withdraw a reference to “hole and corner” work on the part of the executive. r . R- MacLachlan moved that a meeting of friends and supporters should be held to-morrow evening and this was agreed upon.