THE EAST WARD VACANCY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 185, 17 August 1901, Page 2

THE EAST WARD VACANCY.

ADDRESS BY MR P. OLIPHANT.

Mr Peter Oliphant, a candidate for the vacancy in the representation of the East Ward in the City Council, addressed the electors of the Ward in Sowerby's Hall last evening. Mr W. Ledingham presided, and about 40 electors were present. Mr Oliphant said that for many years he had heard Councillors say how they were going to pave Queen-street, set up an efficient fire brigade, provide a complete water supply, and attend to other matters. He had thought that if he were elected to the Council he would try to fulfil some of these, promises, therefore he had decided to come out. Another factor in his decision was the Grand Hotel fire. The Council was morally guilty of a great crime in allowing such things as the Grand Hotel fire to occur in a city like Auckland. There was a proposal before the ratepayers to borrow £100,000 for municipal purposes. He favoured the loan of £12,000 for a fire brigade. The pavement, of Queen-street, for which it was proposed to borrow £8000, he also favoured, and thought the ratepayers as a body would vote for that proposal. The next loan was £25,000 for the extension of the water supply, which he considered an admirable object. He was astonished when visiting Waitakerei to see so many houses in the catchment area. He thought it a pity that a sum should not have been set down to purchase the holdings of those within this area. Regarding the abattoirs loan, he thought this a matter for experts to advise upon. It would be a good plan for the Council to have a first-class engineer to advise, especially when large works were to be undertaken. The £10,000 loan for a refuse destructor he considered an admirable proposal, and if elected he would use hia best endeavours to have a dust service twice a week at the disposal of ratepayers. Regarding the loans aggregating £40,000, for the purchase of Philson Square, and the erection of a Town Hall, he thought the city should go in for the necessities first, and the luxuries afterwards. He would not favour the municipality supplying electric light, because while the proposed legislation, which would make electoral roll similar to the burgess roll, was pending, he thought it would be better for .the Council to keep on the old safe lines. The city required a complete drainage system, and the other necessaries referred to, but beyond that nothing should ba done for a year or two. In answer to questions, Mr 01iph_nt said he did not approve of-one man holding the dual office of Mayor and chairman of the Harbour Board. The restriction on the rating powers had been very beneficial to the city, and he thought the Council should have consulted the ratepayers before seeking to have it removed. Mr J. J. Holland moved, and Dr. C. H. Haines seconded, a vote of thanks to Mr Oliphant, which was unanimously carried.