NORTHCOTE MAYORALTY.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVI, Issue 106, 5 May 1915, Page 9

NORTHCOTE MAYORALTY.

MR CEO. FUASER INSTALLED. The first meeting of fee Northcote Borough Council einee the recent election was held last night. There were present the Mayor (Mr Geo. Fraacr), Councillors B. Van Veen, J. B. Tonar. John Broady. H. il. Hunt, E. Stilwclt, A. W. Millar, G. H. Lyon. R. H. P. Hopkins, aud VY. S. Daniel. The councillors took their allotted scats after making the usual formal declarations under the Act. Mr J. B. Tonar was elected DeputyMayor and installed Mr Geo. Fraser as Mayor for a furtheT term. After congratulating Mr Eraser upon his reelection, Mr Tonar assured him that never in the history of the borough was there a council nuore fitted arid desirous of rendering him assistance and support in all his undertakings on behalf of the district. He had pleasure in asking Mr Praser to resume the occupation of the Mayoral chair. (Applause. I The applatise was renewed as Mr Fraser rose to reply. He expressed his pleasure and thanks at the renewal ot the ratepayers' confidence, and said: — "Our borough is steadily growing in population and residences. Cur rental values are now £17,500 —an increase from previous valuations of some £ 1,000. Our waterworks plant has been doing good service, and the Aoount is in a satisfactory position, although it had to be faced with the renewal of build ing and repair of plant, caused by fire. The lowering of the Lake supply is certainly a matter that will have to be considered by the united boroughs in the augmenting and the apportioning ol [supplies. Tbe Waterworks Loan Account rei|uircs placing on a more satisfactory basis by creatine; a sinking fund [or the purpose of extinguishing or converting as a State guaranteed account, which would provide its own siakin.g fund. It has been approached by previous councils, but has not reached the desired position, and I ask that this Council should see that it is brought about. No loan should be made without providing a sinking fund. The position of public works to-day is that we have practically finished all work as set out in previous loans, leaving the finish of the wharf of approach until lilling-in is consolidated: also Bay View Avenue, which had too little money allocated to make good work by its expenditure. This work must receive first consideration in any further loan for road improve ments. You have had brought under your notice the purchase of the site next to the Council Chambers, and also the reserve property (.Luther's), which was bought over two years ago, and has just been paid for. This has not bad the effect of making the finances of the borough in a worse condition, but simply means the transferring of this liability to overdraft. These eventually will come out of a future loan, and 60 relieve the General Account. The purchase of I these properties out of a loan carrying \ a sinking fund would place them in the : proper position of finance. That section ', of land at the corner of Princes an.l I King Streets belongs to the borough. I and the outgoing Council arranged to J have it offered for lease at the most favourable opportunity. The great question of to-day is that of drainage, and I ask that this Council will continue to further the considerations that t.he ■ past Council has carried this question 1 to. A propose.! drainage scheme has been set before the last Council, eetiimated to cost £'22.000. The scheme embraces the whole residential area from j Northcote Point back to Kauri Cully, land indluides Sea Vjew and Sulphur I Beach. Much has yet to be considered by the Council, both as to scheme and '.cost, before placing same before the ratepayers for loan approval. The que? tion of drainage is becoming more imperative as time goes on. Many part.' are a menace to the district, and it is necessary that this Council pives its earnest consideration to the question and shape for early realisation. Our crude sanitary method is costing £100 per annum. This capitalised at 6 per cent equals £B,ooo—a good start for drainage. Notwithstanding the war. there are indications that money will be available in New Zealand for local investment in the near future, so that it is necessary to get all preliniinary matters for a loan to be brought to a head in readiness for launching same. The financial position that is practically to -be faced each year is as follows: 'Hospital and charitable, aid, £108: interest road loan. £346: interest water loan, £472; lighting, £00; administration, £275: fire brigade. £50; public works, maintenance, etc. (approx.). £1,000; total. £2341. To meet this the following rates are collected: Oeneral rate, including subsidy, licenses, etc.. £1,401); j hospital and charitable aid. £200; road | loan, £346; water loan, £472; total. £2,418. The water supply and present sanitary accounts are not included in the a.bove figures, as they are selfsupporting and outside the ordinary I rates. It will be seen that, the public j works amount is the main point of administration to be-dealt with—about £I,ooo—that is. after seeing that inter est on loans, etc.. are provided for. The matter of lighting is a growing amount, and if further lighting has to be considered it may necessitate a special lighting rate. At present it represents an equivalent of ltd. Any work outside I the repairs and maintenance, etc., of ! permanent value must of necessity be j provided for out of loans. It is con tcmplated that before very long a motor bus company will take the place of the present 'buses. This is a step towards progress, and will add very much to the convenience of the people and h-elp the borough forward. No doubt we will be called upon to give, further attention lo our roads. We cannot stop progress. The policy set for this Council is that of steady progress -with careful administration. With these remarks, I can only hcrpe that onr two years of office will see something done to the .satis- I of ourselves and the ratepayers." 'Applause from the councillors anal public.) After the installation ceremony the Mayor entertained tho&c present, tho following toasts being honoured:—"Kin" and Empire," "The Mayor and Mayoress."' '"Deputy-Mayor." 'The Council." "Town Clerk and Staff." "The Northcote Hoy-, at the Front," and "The Pre~M.''