MR. BARTON OUTLINES HIS MAYORAL POLICY TO MARTON ELECTORS

Wanganui Chronicle, 9 November 1950, Page 2

MR. BARTON OUTLINES HIS MAYORAL POLICY TO MARTON ELECTORS

An outline of hiH policy he intended to pursue if re-elected Mayor at the local body elections next week was given by Mr. T. E. Barton last night. Mr. Barton is being opposed for the Mayoral seat by Mr. W. Meads, a present member of the council. Salient points from Mr. Barton’s policy speech were: To increase the storage capacity of the Marton reservoir by an additional 40 to 50 million gallons; to continue and expand, where necessary, the installation of water meters; to pursue a progressive programme for construction of footpaths; to continue, and if possible, extend the present system of rubbish collection which is optional on the householder; to introduce a sales campaign with the object of interesting householders in the use of gas and its advantages over other means of cooki’ng and heating; to place the gasworks on a sound business footing; to give greater consideration to the requirements of residents in the expanding Marton Junction area ?n regard to roads and footpaths. Mr. Barton said he did not intend to parade his qualifications or the help given by his wife and himself to all worthy objects—cultural, social and sporting—during the 38 years’ residence in Marton, but if his work as Mayor during the last two years and nine months commended itself to the ratepayers, a vote of confidence on November 18 would enable him to cnmnletn essential work which was of' vital interest to the citizens and the borough. GROWTH OF TOWN There was ample evidence in the town of steady growth and improvements. Criticism of its former administration was unjust, and showed a lack of appreciation of the services given by many able citizens in the past. ‘We, the citizens of today, are reaping the benefit of their prudent 1 management as is evidenced by the very low public debt which, at March 31, 1950, amounted to £20,311,” said Mr. Barton. “It is our duty to rebuild our services which have become inadequate for our steadily increasing population.” Marton, said Mr. Barton, was the centre of a very wealthy district, and ideally situated for the establishment of secondary industries. The present drawback, however, was water and sewerage. When the suggested improvements were completed, a. greater acceleration of growth should i take place. Mr. Barton said that oh assuming] office he found an accumulation of] work which had built up over the war years, due to lack of staff and! material, but above al!, lack of fin-i ance. The council was then collect-! ing a maximum rate of 2d in the £• capital value allowed by law, and to | overcome that difficulty a minimum | water closet rate of 10s was introduced. Many boroughs and cities in! the Dominion i'n financial difficulties! adopted the same method. Dealing with the water situation,' Mr. Barton said he proposed to increase the size of the main from the upper dam io the filters and to do] whatever was necessary to ensure al continuity of supply for all purposes by the summer of 1952. It was also proposed to appoint a permanent caretaker, and if necessary, build a residence on the filter station property. SEWAGE DISPOSAL

The borough’s consulting engineer had been requested to submit a report to the council regarding up-to-date sewage disposal works and extended reticulation to cater for a considerable increase in population. If on the receipt of the report, and providing the cost did 'not place too great a burden on the ratepayers, Mr. Barton said he intended recommending its approval. Referring to the Marton Gasworks, with particular reference to the renewal of retorts, Mr. Barton said he intended to place in a reserve ac-' count an amount each year so that! whe'n renewals were required suffi-j cient capital would be available In’ the past, renewals had been spread over a period of two years, and the drain on the general account had been too severe with the Jesuit that general work around the borough had been restricted. Householders and ratepayers had considerable capital tied up in this public utility and Mr. Barton said ho would not con-j sider any suggestion other than the council continue to make the works’ efficient so that any drain on the J general account would be of a di- 1 minishing quantity. The average] payment from lhe general accou'nt to the gasworks account since the works were established in 1929 amounted to the small sum of £96 yearly, said Mr Barton. ; I LAND ACROSS STREAM | Mr. Barton said he was not in favour of the borough council acquiring land east of the Tutaenui Stream for subdivision, as he considered the interest and sinking fund charges would be a ro’isiderabl.' burden on the ratepayers and it would be years

before a return of capital could be | expected. He would, however, give; every assistance, including the pro- j vision of access, to any land develop- j ment company or group of in-' dividuals who would be interested in : developing the land. I He was in favour of the borough ’ contributing towards a superannua-j tion scheme for its employees, said i Mr. Barton. Ho considered that superannuation had a stabilising influence' and its adoption would be in the Dublic interest