THE MAYORALTY

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXIV, Issue 12751, 23 April 1909, Page 9

THE MAYORALTY

Ma T. H. Battjle, the third candidate for the Mayoral chair, gave his first address last night. His statement,- a plain, straightforward one, was perhaps more in the nature of a review of past event than the promulgation of an aggressive policy, the planks of his platform being more indicated by his attitude on previous occasions than by promises for the future. While this is, in a sense, highly commendable, it would, at the same time, be more satisfactory to know what a candidate's attitude is in regard to the important matters which are pressing for a settlement in the immediate future, for it is the future -that we are chiefly concerned with. Mr Battle is justly entitled ,to every possible credit for his able and strenuous work in connection with the carrying out of the tramway scheme, and was quite clear ia defining his attitude regarding future tramway extension. On the question of water purification he was at variance with the other candidates, but while his proposal is one which has something to commend it, he did not" support it by any estimates. He was also quite decided as to the necessity of the immediate adoption of a better roading policy, and a reform in the system of rubbish collection. With- the exception, however, of one or two minor matters, he did not propound anything else ot a decided nature, He dealt very shortly with the subject of finance, strongly opposing doing maintenance or unremunerative works out of loan, but did not indicate what course he thought should be folowed in regard to the Gasworks. In regard to suburbs amalgamation, Mr Battle did not advance anything as to the basis on which the outside bodies should come into the borough, contenting himself with pointing out what had happened in connection with Durietown. In detailing his own attitude in Various branches of Council work, Mr Battle's speech was, in part, an indictment of the policies of various departments, and while he was clear enough in expressing his ideas for the future in some respects, it would have been expected that so conscienti(fus a councillor would have shown a more constructive policy. Apart from this, the address was a plain and practical one, studiously moderate in tone, and giving clear evidence of the unostentatious, but none the less practical work which has marked Mr BatWess?ser. vice, as a member qf the Council. Mr Battle's many public services in the last few years are well-known to many, but being without the gift of advertising himself ,> perhaps they are not appreciated as they should, he. Ta vse hnrown words, he does not put himself forward as an ornament, but merely as a plain, practical man, and as he has already shown himself to be such, his claims are entitled to respect.