MUNICIPAL MATTERS.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 13109, 7 May 1908, Page 6

MUNICIPAL MATTERS.

In accordance with custom, the rnsfral-la-tion of the Mayor of Christchurch last night was tho occasion for the outgoing Mayor to give some account of his stewardship, amd for his successor to refer briefly to tie chief features of Imb proposed policy. Mr Payling was able to point to several important municipal undertakings completed or in process of being carried out, to which he hod given considerable time and labour. Of first importance among (these is *2ie high-pres-suro water supply. It may be said that in this matter Mr Payling reaped whero others had sovroii, but it must bo remembered that previous schemes, though undoubtedly helping to educate the public as to the necessity for a proper water supply, were rejocted- by the ratepayers. There is no doubt that the energy and enthusiasm with which Mr Payling threw himself into the campaign in favour of the Oirty Surveyor's scheme largely influenced the ratepayers in agreeing to the loan proposals, and it was quite natural that ho dxould wish to retain the Mayoralty until the project, which, owed so much to his support, was carried to a successful conclusion. Ho was more fortunate with the municipal baths, another enterprise of which he was a warm and active advocate, and which he has seen begun and completed during his term of office. Owing to caiises beyond his control, he has been unable to advance the proposal to secure electric power from the Waimakariri, an<3 he leaves to his successor the ta&k of meeting moro adequately than at present the largo and growing demand for electricity for power and lighting. Mr Payling took considerable credit to himself last night for 'his economical -administration, and claimed to be the. first Mayor who had gone out of office for many years without a deficit. We are afraid, however, that JMx_.Allisa»_jFas_.griehi

when he said that tho saving had been made at tho expense of tho streets. Mr Payling's economy seems, indeed, to have come about less by choice than by necessity, for it was apparently farced upon him through the inability of tho Works Committee to eecure road metal fast enough. If they had got all they wanted —which even then would have been a, great deal less than is required to put the streets indecent order —tho Mayoral surplus might have disappeared altogether. With regard to a Town Hall, which Mr Payling advocated, the citizens, having refused to purcha«> the Canterbury Hall for the purpose, are not likely to agree to a much more ambitious proposal, especially as workis of more pressing importance will have to be undertaken. Among these is the provision of better accommodation in the Council buildings for tho public and the city officials. The present accommodation is ridiculously, we might say contemptibly, inadequate, and we lteartily agree with Ma , PayLing that an extension of tho buildings is an urgent necessity. The new Mayor was evidently not inclined to put all his cards on tho table at once. Ho made, however, one or two suggestions that hto certainly well worth consideration. The objection, however, to hie proposuil that the Council should obtain power to borrow money for the purpose of assisting ratepayers to connect with tho sewers, is that those to whom tho assistance would bo given would not include all within the drainago area. We have urged. b<rforo that the Drainage Board should come to the aid of tho householders in tlio maner suggested, but the Board, it appeaxs, does not sec its way to do so, and this certainly leaves an. opening for the Council to step in. We still contend, however, that the Drainage Board is tho body that should undertake the duty. Mr Allison's proposal that the Drainage Board should be a.bolislsed and a Board of Works set up in its place is too 'big to discuss at onco. H.is suggestion that the electrical supply should bo increased' by a 1200-h.p. insta.llia.tion. of producer gas near the railway has much to commend - it, but ifc would require, as ho said., to bo reported on by an expert electric engineer. The matter can bo more fully discussed when tho 'Mayor brings forward denmito proposals. Mr Allison's Mayoralty will mot be without considerable benefit to the city if he succeeds in meeting tlie present unsatisfied demand , for electrioity, but there is no reason to think that that -will bo the only project for improving ChrietchuTch that will have has advocacy end support.