STATEMENT BY THE MAYOR.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14811, 31 October 1913, Page 5

STATEMENT BY THE MAYOR.

"As far as the result of the poll is concerned," said tho Mayor (Mr H. Holland), when tho figures wero announced, "I am not at all disappointed. The disappointing fact is that so small, a percentage ot ratepayers recorded their votes. I consider that a very regrettable thing. I think tho Council did the proper thing in giving tho ratepayers tho opportunity of saying 'Yes' or 'No' to the proposal, and as they have said 'No,' wo, of course, bow to their decision.. At the same time 1 think they havo made a mistake, and feel sure that if they had all the information the members of the Council possess they would have voted differently. When the matter is advanced again, as it will havo to be sooner or later, tho cost will bo very much more than what it would be now." "Will the Council go on with the widening of Stanmore road and Antigua street, the two most urgent cases, out of rates?" Mr Holland was asked. "I am not prepared to say," ho replied. "I do not see how it can. There is no provision made for this work on the estimates. The Council, however, will have to refuse nermission to erect buildings within 33ft of the centre line of those roadways, and will have, m somo way, to find tho money to pay compensation for the land so thrown out of use. If any widening is done, it will only bo in cases where tho Council Has been given the land free, or in respect of little bits of land here and there where permission to build has been refused." "I do not think," added Mr Holland, "that tho present Council will place any alternative proposals before tho ratepayers in respect of street widening or libraries, but I hope very shortly to give the ratepayers an opportunity of voting on the Town Hall proposal.' The Mayor (Mr H. Holland), before making his congratulatory speech at the birthday celebration at the Queen's Theatre last night, announced that the loan proposals had been defeated by a two to one majority. He said that he supposed they would bo glad to hear that the proposals had been defeated, and that they were so because the majority had voted against them. He, himself, was sorry that tho loan was not carried. However, tho ratepayers had decided tho question, and they were the best judges. He regretted that only about 10 per cent, of those qualified had recorded' their votes.