OHAKUNE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 109, 11 May 1938, Page 10

OHAKUNE

MAYORAL CONTEST. At a meeting held at the Plaza Theatre, Ohakune Junction, on Monday, Mr. L. W. NATION, Mayor of Ohakune, who will contest the mayoralty to-day (Wednesday?, against Mr. H. Delamar, spoke In furtherance of his claims to be electee, for the new term. Mr. L. G. Taylor presided. Mr. Natian said:—On taking office some 41 years ago I said that my policy be one of progress with as much permanent work as possible without the raising of loans, and such has been the case. Since then I claim to have been instrumental in having two miles two chains of tar sealing (carried out on the Raetihi Road boundary to the Junction Post Office, and the erection of a concrete bridge on the road above White’s Corner at a cost of £750 to the borough and this is being paid out of revenue annually at the rate of £194 for 5 years and two payments have already been made. The tar sealing of this road has meant that where £BOO a year was spent on it in maintenance, it now requires about £6O to £BO a year to Keep it in order. The past council can claim to have been one of the most progressive and yet economical councils that Ohakune has ever had. We have succeeded in obtaining the full cost of the erection of the new Tohunga Road bridge and a further piece of tar sealing from White’s Corner to the railway crossing on the Rangatataua Road. These two works actually cost the borough nothing. We have also carried out extensive concrete curbing and concrete footpaths throughout the business areas. When one pauses to think that the total income in the general account of this borough from rates only amounts to £BOO a year and it is necessary to find £llOOO to pay the wages of the ollice, and road staffs, i running of the borough truck, mainI tenance of the office, etc. and to carry : out any necessary work on the roads. lit will be realised the magnitude of the job as well as the efficiency needed to keep things going. The next important work of a permanent nature I want to see carried out and if re-elected it will be ray aim is to have a tar-sealed footpath from the town to the Junction. A subsidy ;of £1 for £1 has already been promised from the Highway Board and if we can finance our share from revenue there is no reason why this work should not be carried out this year. The old bogey of where my interests lie still creeps into being and I have been told that I am more interested in Raetihi’s prosperity than Ohakune’s. Yet in Raetihi I own one section and a business and pay under £9 a year in rates, while in Ohakune I own four business premises and sections, a house and section as well as 15 acres of market garden, and pay a little over £54 a year in rates. Am I bound up in Ohakune’s prosperity? I think so and very much, 100. I venture to say that to-day the borough is in a better position than it has ever been and this has only been brought about through good management. In 1935 our public debt was £30.920 13s 5d and at the closing term of March 1938 had been reduced to £23,110 2s 2d (a drop of nearly £8000). Finally I want to mention the question of a water supply for this borough. It is not perhaps widely i known that with the exception of the stream above the power house all the other streams in the borough have been condemned by the Health Department for the use of drinking water. This is a serious matter, and the question of some suitable water supply must be taken up. The past council has already made a move in the matter and an expert from a reputable firm in Wellington has made a survey at no cost to the borough, and a report is expected before long. My idea was to combine a hydro-electric scheme with high pressure water, but this is a very big and costly matter, involving probably £20,000 and the borough is not in a fit position to go in for any further loans at present or increase in rates.” Pressure of space has necessitated omission of considerable portions of Nation's address, after which the speaker was accorded a hearty vote of thanks and answered several questions. son returned thanks to Major Armstrong on behalf of her fellow members. Afternoon tea was served by Mesdames Humphrey, Harvey, Llitcheli, Low, Baxter, Kendrick, and Miss Nicol. The competition for sultana cakes resulted: Mrs. Lewis 1, Mrs. H. Matthews 2, and Mrs. J. Kendrick 3. The meeting closed with the singing of the National Anthem. The next meeting is the birthday and there will bo a competition, for the daintiest pincushion. The hostesses are Hodgetts (chief), Hainsworth, McDonald, Linklater, Lound, Lewis, thc Misses Emers and Hoffman. Those for the floor are the Misses Lorimer, Winter and Sicely. LADIES’ HOCKEY The ladies’ hockey competition under the jurisdiction of the Rangitikei Hockey Sub-Association will commence this afternoon. The draw has been announced as follows: Halcombe A v. Kia Ora, at Halcombe (referees Rev. W. B. Cuming and Mr J. Heir); Halcombe B v. United-Tutaenui at Marton (Messrs A. Grade and W. H. Coles). Members of the association will tonight visit Hunterville and endeavour to interest the ladies in that district in the game of hockey in order that they may affiliate with Rangitikei. Should the delegation be successful, five teams will be contesting the championship. RANGITIKEI RUGBY UNION THIRD GRADE COMPETITION May 14.—Bulls v. Hunterville, al Bulls; Rata v. Flock House, at Flock House. May 21. —Bulls v. Flock House, at Bulls ,at 1.30 p.m.; Rata v. Hunterville, at Hunterville, at 1-30 p.m. May 28. —Flock House v. Hunterville, at Flock House; byes, Rata and Bulls. Marton Old Boys have withdrawn from the competition