EXPENDITURE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XX, Issue 4682, 22 December 1898, Page 2

EXPENDITURE.

The retiring Mayor then installed Mr Hugo Friedlander m the Mayoral chair, and after the usual formal toaata he proposed the health of the Mayor (Mr Hugo Friedlander) who, he was sure, would at the end of his term of office, be able to give a good account of his stewardship. The toaßt having been duly honoured, the Mayor (Me Friedlander), returned thanks. He thought the present custom of holding these meetings at 12 o'clock was open to two objections ; che first waa that there was not 'time to do justice to the good things provided, and the second was that most of those attending were business men who could ill spare the time. He believed that it would be better to have the iormal installation at 12 o'clock, and the festivities later. (Laughter and hear.) He might biiefly refer to one point m the statement of the ex-Mayor as to the work dene, and although he admitted his right to take all the credit he could, he (the Mayor) thought one matter was open to question and that was he (Mr Reid) had included the next three months m his statement. That did not seem to be sound finance. He would not deal with any other portion of the statement, but would cay that he would do his best to conserve the interests of the ratepayers. He would not have ootne forward on his own account. He was asked to do so, and the ratepayers had chosen him. He hoped that now there would be nothing but the best feelings between himself and the retiring Mayor. He referred to the remarks made by him at his meeting prior to the election and hoped that anything he may have said then which some councillors may have objected to might be put down to his interest m the welfare of the Borough. (Applnuae). The Mayor then proposed the health of the retiring Mayor, and m doing so said he always gave him credit for doing his beat. Mr Reid bad given a great deal of time to the work, and had shown great ability m the way he had filled the position of Mayor. He waa sure that if some of those who criticised the action of men holding the position understood its responsibilities, they would be careful m their criticisms. The toast was drunk with musical honors. Mr Reid m replying said he was much gratified at the reception given to the toast. Although going out of office he would always have the interests of the town at heart. He congratulated himself upon having been m office on the inauguration of the freezing works. He referred to the remarks criticising hiß including the three monthß extra m his estimate. He said it was always the custom to include the three months following the installation m euch documents. Mr C W. Purnell said he was asked to propose "Ex Mayor's." It was certainly a tax on any business man to hold the position of Mayor, and he thought that no one should be asked to do the work required without enumeration. (Hear). There waa a great deal to do and no one could be expected to do it without charge. The question of Borough finance had been much discussed, but he saw nothing m it, there was only a limited revenue and a certain expenditure, and he did not see how things could be different, under the circumstances, from what they were. It seemed to him the general rate did not provide more than enough revenue to meet current necessary expense?, and left nothing for special works. He coupled with th,e toast the names of all the Ex Mayors present. Mr Williamson replied, and said that all the Mayors for the past twenty years were etjll alive whjch was very satisfactory, and they were living m, and around Ashburtop. He must say he did not quite approve of the overdraft), and hoped that there was now a, prospect of its being reduced. Then they would not only have the money to Bpend, bub they would save the interest. He thought, however, that Mr Friedlander waa really the father of the overdraft. (Liughter). Mr R. Friedl&Dder had much pleasure m following Mr Williamson. la his time he was never afraid of a few thousands of an overdraft. (Laughter.) He thought the gentleman who said the present Mayor was the father of th 6 overdraft was a little astray, but ha doubted not ' that the gentleman referred to could defend himself. As to his experience of the position of Mayor he always got on well with his Councillors, and if everybody did the same every thing would go on all right. (Applause and laughter.) Mr T. Scaly also responded, and aaid* that m spite of all that had been said of the overdraft, he thought it was the making of the Council. On all occasions this overdraft was trotted out, but he considered that there was realty nothing m it. (Hear, Hear.) i Mr D. Thomas bad likewise to thank them , for the manner ip which they had treated the ■ toasti He had sat under a great many j Mayors and he agreed with Or. Scaly about the oyerdrafb. He considered that the reduction of the overdraft on a permanent baßis was siniply an absurdity. Jf they did all they were askes to do, they would have a muoh larger overdraft He could not agree wjth ftjayqr Friedlander's diptum as to book-keeping. When he made up a balanoe sheet he made it up for twelve months, not nine. But even if he was wrong he did not care. He had no objection to the overdraft. Or. Bird said they had all been talking about the overdraft. He referred to the pipe aflfoir, and said that personally either as Mayor, Councillor, or ratepayer, he would be very pleased to. see no overdraft, but aB long as a Councillor was founc| to support an application (and there always was one} there must be an overdraft. He had a grievance against the present Mayor as to the manner m which he had left him (the speaker) to j arrange the Borough's finance when last he gave up the chair. (Langhter.) M" A. Opr had been asked to propose " The Ashburton Borough fjouneil." He had been a member of the first Borough Council, and he was quite sure that all along the line, even since tha.t time, all the Mayors and Councillors bad done their duty. He hoped the present Mayor would take up the question of union of Hampstead and the Borough. He was greatly m favor of that. He had no sympathy with the cry about reducing the overdraft), and said It would be false economy. He thought this was a model Borough, and when asked on visiting the North Island if this was so had replied. " Yea, certainly. When they atarfced a cemetery m Ashburton they had to kill an. old man to make a beginning. " ( Laughter ) Mr Orr then paid a high compliment to the' late Mayor, and galled upon Crs. Collins and Paul to respond. l Cr. Collins replied. So far as his experience went everything had been done decently and m order. He thought the ratepayers had been well Beryed by the gentlemen who had teen asked to represent them on the Borough Council. (Applause.) Cr. Paul thought) he had the honorof being the oldest contiguous Councillor present, and be could Bay without fear o! being challenged* that there was no other municipality haviqg such advantages as Ashburton.' He would like to express his hearty appreciciation of the very able manner m which the ex-Mayor bad discharged hia duties. (Applause.) He would also like to welcome the present Mayor to the position, although he did not think he would do as much as some persona seemed to expect. Or Davis congratulated Mayor Friedlander, but he would much rather have seen DmC l ? fe Mayor jo. ijie ojiajr, (Laughter.) A great deal had been said about the overdraft. Ha reminded thorn $hat there constant applications ft»r works to be donp f but they knew that those that were moat favored got the work done. (Laughter.) He thought that all the Councillors had done the beat they could, and he would always work loyally: with the new Mayor. ] (Or. Pauling also teiponded, saying that although a young member, he should always do his duty without fear or favor. The Mayor propoted the •• Bouse of Representatives," and m doiDg so took oocaßion to say that) they were much indebted to itß members for the work done. Ha would, m paeßing, refer to the remark of oca gentleman about) his connection, wibb originating

the overdraft. (Oh ! Oh !) He said the gentleman who charged him with sayii g there should be no overdraft, was the very one who m his private affairs acts strictly up to the principle. If » man wants to be successful m hia own business he surely ought to live within his income. lie gave I them his word that he would do his best to extinguish the overdraft. If the Councillors are determined to wipe out the overdraft it will be wiped out and the Borough will ha no worse for it. ( Applause.) Mr Purnell replied, and also toot occasion to say that he thrught the ver.7 long sessions held lately would tend to prevent suitable men from trying for a seat m the House. I He expressed a hope that a 81l would ba introduced next session securing more independence m the position of the Boroughs. (Hear, hear.) .Or Thomas proposed the "County Council." He was of opinion that the Oouncil administered the affairs of the County m a most satisfactory manner. The Borough Council had a small tiff with the County Counci jusb now, but he had nob the slightest doubt everything would be settled up satisfactorily. (Applause.) MrD. William on returned thanks. He was glad to hear there was little or no difference between the two Councils. The County Council never seemed to think there was anything seriously between them. He was sure the County Council had a desire to work araioably with the Borough, and Ihe was pleased to hear that the recent difference was approaching settlement, (Applause.) MrT. Scaly proposed the health of the Borough Council officers. It gave him pleasure to propose the toast, as it was m his term of office as Mayor that Mr Fooki . had been appointed to the combined offices. He was of opinion that no matter how ably the Council was conducted, things would not go well if the officers were not efficient. He was of opinion that the Borough had a most efficient staff. (Hear ) Mr C. E. Fooks said it was just twenty years since he was first called upon to return thanks, and ten since he had taken the combined offices. He had endeavored to do his best (applause), and hid given all his best energies to the service of the Borongh, although hie son had taken the heaviest part of the work off his hands. He would do his best to act m the future as m the past. (Applauße). Mr Purnell also replied briefly. Mr Collins proposed " The Neighbouring Bodiei." He thought the time was coming when Borne of the neighbouring bodies will become united with the Borough, and m this way reduce the expenses. Some of them were anxious to join. Mr Maynard responded, and said he was Borry the Chairman of the Hampstead Town Board could not attend. He was very much m favor of the amalgamation of the bodies round about Ashburtop, and his views had been strengthened by an article he had read that morning m the Press* He then went into the sanitary reasons m favor of concentrating the power of local bodies by amalgamation, and expressed himself strongly m favor of the proposal of Cr Collins that a conference should be held m order to disease the question. (Applause). Mr T. Scaly (Tinwald), responded. He agreed entirely with what Cr Maynard had said with regard to amalgamation. If thii were an accomplished fact, the districts would all have more influence. He pointed out some directions m which this would affeob the Banitary question ; and instanced the meat and milk supply, saying that without amalgamation it was impossible to deal deal with the subject. Mr C. Reid pointed out that the limit of population m the new government Bill was 1800. Mr R. Friedlander desired to expross his high appreciation of the services of the late Mayor, although for obvious reasons he had voted against him m the late election. (Laughter) Ib was the first time he had done bo and ib might be the last. He proposed "The Pastoral Interests," remarking that there had never been better prospects for the district than there were this year. Referring to the Freezing Works, he thought that within tvt o months the farmers would be able to have their sheep frozen close at hand. (Applause). Mr Williamson briefly acknowledged the compliment, and caused Borne laughter by references to the manner m which the drays of the grain and wool growers were kept waiting at the stores. Mr T. Rollitt also acknowledged the toast, He believed the bright prospeots of the incoming harvest would put everybody m good humor. The proposer of the toast would (to judge from the appearance of his crops) get from £4 to £6 an acre, and no one could grumble at that, (laughter). ° Cr. E. J. Paul proposed "The Asb.bur.ton Freezing Works," coupling therewith tfofl name of the originator, Mr Hugo Friedlinder. . Mr Hugo Friedlander acknowledged, remarking that whatever a man did for the welfare of the district m wb,ich he lived, was also for his own interest. There was no question of philanthropy about ti^is. Bub there was no doubt at all that the establishment of the freezing works jn the district was a great boon to the farmers and producers. Last year the highest average price paid for lambs was 104 63. On account of the freezing works m the district the competition had already raised the price f nlly Is 6d a head. (Hear, hear). ' • " Or. DaVis naxfe propose^ the 4*' Preps '■'■ m &. few remarks that showed he fully appreciated the power and influence of " the Press." The toast was acknowledged by Messrs IS. Sauuders, E. j. Paul, H. Willis, and E. Protheroe, and the proceedings wound up wifeh the Usual tribute to the Queen,,

Salaries ... .« - 80 0 Domain account .. ... 50 0 , Wages 150 0 Charges, advertising, etc. ... 20 0 Library account ... ... 50 0 Fire Brigade ... ... 10 0 Hospital and charitable aid ... 60 0 Interest on overdraft ... 45 0 Contingencies ... ... 100 0 565~~0 Overdraft December 31yt98 .... 1774 0 2339 0 Difference between revenue and expenditure ... _ 278 0 ']