TAR-DISTILLING PLANT

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14660, 8 May 1913, Page 8

TAR-DISTILLING PLANT

Hβ hoped tho "Works Committee would see that a tar-distilling 'plant and asphalt-mixing plant was'provided for on the estimates for this year, a* tho present method was obsolete, slow, and costly. COOL STOKES. Hβ hoped the Abattoirs Comniitteo would not allow the important matter of cool stores to rest where it was, but would call another conference of the butchers, and got the matter settled. Ho believed such a .store would bo self-supporting, and a great convenience to the public.

Thero wore ri'.auy other important work«, especially the electric scheme, which must be pushed on at once. Poles and mains niu«t be ordered without delay. He thought he had mentioned sufficient to engage the l«?st services of the Council for some fewmonths. Regarding the water rate, the Mayor said that during the year a good many complaints had reached the Council with regard to the water charges; The total income from water charges ii« Christchiirch, however, was very much below the income of any other city of anything like n similar size. In Dunedin, for instance, the total receipts from water formed practically 34 per cent, of the total income from rates, whereas in Christchurch tho water charges formed only 14 per cent. In Dunedin the water department showed a profit of over £12,000 for last year, whereas in Cbristchurch the gross receipts wero only £9COO. and when it was remembered that Christchurch was a larger city than Dunedin, and had 12.000 water connections, he thought it would be apparent that the charges hero wero as low as could be expected, and, at any rate, compared more than favourably with the charges in any other city in New Zealand.

THE STAFF. He desired to express his thanks to tho Council's staff. No Mayor ever had a more loyal staff than ho had. Mr Baker had proved himself a thoroughly efficient manager of the water works. Mr Kyle, manager of the abattoirs, had given every satisfaction to all concerned. Mr Billson had proved himself a most capable custodian at the Baths, and the thanks of the community wero due to him for the success of tho Tepid Baths. In connection with tho Coleridge scheme, Mr A. C. Scott had proved himself a most capable and efficient officer. Ke had not spared himself in any way, and all his estimates had been confirmed by experts of the highest standing. His grateful thanks were tendered to Mr Dobsbn and to Mr Smith, the Town Clerk. Christchurch was to bo congratulated on possessing such efficient officers. Mr Smith had denied himself his holiday, and in connection with tho late election he and his staff liad had a most strenuous time, working frequently till 10 p.m. Mr Smith attended every public meeting, and took as much interest in the Lako Colcridgo loan proposals as if the wholo scheme belonged to him personally. Tho thanks of the citizens were due to him. He would move: —''That the best thanks of the citizens be accorded to the Town Clerk and staff for the painstaking services rendered i'u every department of tho Council's staff."

The motion was seconded 'by Cr. Cooper, and supported by Cr. Sorensen, and carried with acclamation.

CONGRATULATIONS. Cγ. Cooper, the senior Councillor, congratulated tho Mayor on his re-elec-tion to the Mayoral chair. He felt sure that the Mayor's second term of office would be of benefit to the Council and of value to the city. . Cγ. Sorensen also congratulated the Mayor on the splendid result he had achieved at tho election. He also congratulated tho Returning Officer, Mr Geo. W. Hulme, on the satisfactory manner in which a complicated election I was conducted. ■ . : ,k \ Mr H. R. Smith' (Town Clerk) re- | tiirned thanks, on behalf of the staff, for tho expressions' uttered, and the motion- carried^ Mayor said it was his desire during the coming year to work cordially' with every councillor, and ho hoped he would have as pleasant a time with the Council this yeait as he had last. The year ahead would be a strenuous and difficult one, but he felt sure that the business wotild be carried on with despatch, and with a desire to promote the interests of the city so that at the end of the year they might all feel that good work had been done. At the close of the former ceremony, members of the Council and others present wero entertained by the Mayor and Mrs Holland in v the Council Library.