THE MAYORALTY.

Waikato Times, Volume 109, Issue 18309, 21 April 1931, Page 6

THE MAYORALTY.

DR. PINFOLD TO STAND

ACCEPTS DEPUTATION’S REQUEST. ■ “ TIME : RIPE FO'R CHANGE.” A deputation this mbrning waited on Dr. F. D. Pinfold with the request that he stand for the Mayoralty at the approaching Hamilton municipal elections. Amongst those present were Grs. W. Bourne and D. D. Wilson, Messrs T. G. Reynolds, Ft Johnstone, G. Hovoy, F. Bullock, 3. Fisher, T. M:Gloin, A. R. Brown, R. Alears, S. Dabh and McL. T. Clephane. Amongst the apologies for absence received was one from Mr F. 11. Clapham. The chairman, Mr F. Johnstone, said that it was felt that the time was ripe for a change, and in Dr. Pinfold as Mayor the 'town would have an energetic and strong man. Dr. Pinfold was not new to local politics, as ho had been Deputy-Mayor and councillor for a term,

Mr T. G. Reynolds maintained that in times like the present new ideas were Imperative. While there was not altogether dissatisfaction at the present administration, and good work had 'been done by it, changed methods were necessary. Personally, he could see no silver lining In the economic life of the country for the next twelve months. Times would be hard for the borough and for the individual, and if it was granted that new blood was needed, Dr. Pinfold was the man. Mr G. llovey said that in past years Dr. Pinfold had been associated with many social activities and sporting bodies, inconveniencing himself and giving up much of his time on their behalf. There was at present an absolute absence of civic pride in Hamilton, and there was no one better fitted to foster civic pride than Dr. Pinfold. Various borough projects gave one cause for 'thought. The Auglcsea Street cutting, at a cost of £16,000, had been prosecuted without any direct reference to the ratepayers. It was not right that it should be left to the council alone to vote such sums.

“ Mad Orgy of Spending.”

In reply, Dr. Pinfold said that since it had become known that he was contesting the Mayoralty _ several forces had been working against him, almost 'to a point of slander. It had been inferred that his professional duties had prevented him while Deputy Mayor and councillor for four years from attending meetings, and caused his retirement during the course of meetings. He had asked the Town Clerk to select any figures he liked to see what the attendances had been. The Town Clerk had selected four periods of six months eacli at random, of council, licensing authority, and works committee meetings of which he was a member. When Deputy Mayor he had been slighted. He was made chairman of only one committee, and • that the cemetery one, which really made it a joke. During the four periods the figures for attendance at meetings were: The Mayor, Mr J. R. Fow . . 108 The 'Deputy Mayor, Dr. F. D. Pinfold 2; Cr. C. Lafl'erty As well as 'this the books showed that lie, Dr. Pinfold, bad only been called away from meetings on two occasions. Continuing, Dr. Pinfold said that he was offering himself purely from a sense of duty. Nearly 80 years ago lie had won a scholarship at the Hamilton school, and since then had worked -hard for, and watched the progress of the borough. His work took him to every corner of Hamilton, and he had a better grip of. the borough than the average man in it. From 1920 to 1981 the moneys collected for borough rates had risen from £27,000 to £63,000. Who was paying the difference? The citizens. It had been a mad orgy of spending, and it was time a halt was called. Of course, some of the works must go on. The improvement to footpaths had to be prosecuted to cope witlmthe mass of pedestrians. A new bridge had to be considered. At present they were dependent on one steel structure at one end of the town. This had already subsided once, and who knew when it would do so again? In conclusion, Dr. Pinfold said he would be very pleased to contest the Mavoraltv, and would give of his best. No'time in the history of Hamiflon had been more opportune 'than the present for a change to take place.