BROOKLYN’S NEEDS

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 32, 1 November 1932, Page 10

BROOKLYN’S NEEDS

Protests to Council “CINDERELLA” OF CITY Electors’ Association Meeting The Brooklyn district would appear to be the “Cinderella” of the city according to the discussion at the annual meeting of the Municipal Electors’ Association last night. A recommendation was made that the city should again revert to the ward system so that. Brooklyn may be directly represented on the City Council, it being alleged that none of the present councillors took an interest in the district. “It has been a lean year,” said the chairman, Mr. G. W. Slade, in reviewing the annual report. “Every time we go to the City Council we are told they have no money.” There had been other activities during the year, but he lamented the apathy of the district, which was as bad as ever. It was time that some of the younger people came forward to help in the work of the association. A sum of £lOO had been spent on the paddling pool and drinking fountain from the play area fund, and there was a balance of £42 to be dealt with. Good work had been done in the soup kitchen during the winter, but he understood it was now being closed down. "In regard to the Civic Commission,” proceeded the chai" :«n, “there is not much to report. It cost £lBOO, money which might have be,n better spent.” He extended congratulations to the Mornington Association upon having erected its own hall. It was the realisation of a dream of 17 or 18 years, and had been brought about by hard plugging and careful finance. Washington Avenue. The condition of Washington Avenue was discussed, and Mr. J. I. Goldsmith urged that the association should suggest to the City Council that the bus should discontinue running through Washington Avenue owing to the clouds of dust raised. Also, that the watercart should be constantly up and down the street and that the street should be tar-sealed. For the amount of rates received from Brooklyn the district was getting a poor return, he stated. “We have no one on the council who will interest himself in our little district,” proceeded Mr. Goldsmith. “We are a district comprised mainly of. working people, and none of the council will take any interest in us. “Mr. Semple came along and made all sorts of promises, but unfortunately they were only promises. I think a suggestion should go forward that we should revert to the ward system again, so that we can nominate our own representatives who will do our work and see that the streets and other needs of the district are looked after.’’

The speaker also urged the removal of Tills Corner, prophesying that a serious accident would happen there unless something was done to remove the danger.

The need of a footpath on Brooklyn Road was stressed by Mr. H. J. Newton, who said Brooklyn was about the only suburb where there was no footpath on the road giving access to it.

Mr. Goldsmith: Have you been to Wadestown? Mr. Newton: No. But there are footpaths at Kelburn. Mr. Goldsmith: You are talking now. See how many councillors live there. The Chairman: I know Brooklyn Road is a bit of a nightmare to motorists at night-time. The condition of McKinley Crescent and Todman Street, and the prevalence of the dust nuisance in those streets, was also mentioned. A fish shop and milk shop in Todman Street were constantly clouded with dust, it was stated.

Later in the meeting Mr. Goldsmith said Councillor W. Appleton had said he was prepared to look after the interests of Brooklyn.. He would go round the district, take a list of the requirements, and do his, best to get the City Council to carry them out. He moved that Councillor Appleton’s offer be accepted. This was carried.

Mr. Goldsmith further moved that a deputation wait upon the Finance Committee of the City Council to submit the list of requirements, drawing attention to urgent matters, Washington Avenue and Todinan Street in particular. The motion was finally adopted, several other items being included in the list to be specially mentioned. Ward System Wanted. Mr. Goldsmith then moved that, the association approach the City Council to ask the .Government for permission to go back to the ward .system again. Most of the councillors, he said, lived in one district, and in the district in which they lived the work was done, and those districts; having no representative on the City Council could get nothing done. It would require an Order-in-Council to bring it about. Mr. H. Rubenstein seconded. The chairman said there were three organisations issuing tickets at election times, and an outsider had no chance of election. Mr. H. R. Wright agreed that it might do good to revive the subject, although the system was abolished some years ago. The motion was carried. Election of Officers. The election of officers resulted as follows :—President, Mr. G. W. Slade; vice-president, Mr. H. R. Wright; hon. secretary and treasurer, Mr. J. M. McArthur; committee, Messrs. H. J. Newton, J. I. Goldsmith, G. Yates, H. Rubenstein. K. C. McCaull, E. Dixon, W. G. McPhun, F. G. Fendall, and Dr, B. Wright.