THE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS. COUNCILLOR MAGINNITY AT THORNDON.

Evening Post, Volume XVI, Issue 210, 4 September 1878, Page 2

THE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS. COUNCILLOR MAGINNITY AT THORNDON.

Councillor Maginnity addressed a meeting of the ratepayers of the Thurndon Ward at the Princess Hotel last night. Mr. G. Anderson presided. Mr. Maginnity referred at some length to improvements iv the Ward, which had been carried out at his suggestion, and the course he had taken with reference to the inquiry respecting the offi.-ial staff of the Corporation, adding that he was very glad to say that the city was now in possession of as good a staff as it was possible to have. Referring to his motion preventing the tramway from going down the avenue between Kent Terrace and Cambridge Terrace, and the £130 paid by the Council to the company, the speaker said that the City Solicitor told him that if tbe auditors pa«sed the amount they would be very remiss in their duty. Speaking of the tramway, he was inclined to think that although it might be a great advantage to the travelling public, it would be a very costly thing to the ratepayers. Ie had already cost Lambton Ward £3000. After observing that credit was due to C mncillor Fisher for the manner in which be exposed the looseness with which the waterworks contract had been carried out, Mr. Maginnity referred to the drainage question. He did not think that Mr. Climie was fairly dea't with. He was heavily handicapped with conditions — the cost not to exceed £80,000 j the drainage not to go into the B3y, and the pumping station to ba on the other side of the hill — while Mr. Clark was asked to devise a scheme, and given carte blanche. He thought Mr. Climie's scheme would have met the requirements of the city for many years to come, but the Council had decided on the other, which would cost nearly £160,000, and instead of the pumping station being beyond the hill, it would be only just beyond the gasworks. He mentioned that he had given notice of motion for Thursday night with reference to the necessity of a market for Thorndon Ward, and stated what bad been dope with reference to the Te Aro reclamation. With regard to the purchase of the Thorndon reclamation, he expressed the opinion that the city might have purchased it before the abolition of provinces at a very much less cost. Political circumstances^ had altered cases, however, and when he found the newspapers taking the matter up he immediately tabled a motion that the Mayor should enter into negotiations for the purchase, knowing that it would be one of the greatest endowments that the city could possess. A great deal had been said about wharf management, and he was bound to admit that the newspapers were perfectly right. Facts of such a glaring nature had been brought before the subcommittee that they immediately acted with a view to improve the management of the wharf. He was not prepared to say what their plans were, because it would probably affect a change which was likely to be made. They discovered that the revenue of the wharf was not what it ought to have been, owing to the mismanagement that had taken place. Referring to the Corporation banquet, Mr. Maginnity said that it happened to be a private meeting of the Council at which the matter was first brought forward. The Mayor spoke about the necessity of entertaining the delegates, and Miid he would pay the cost out of his own pocket. The Council, however, said it was a public matter and ought to be paid for out of the rates. The whole of the councillors, except Dr Diver, were present, and acquiesced ia this view. He (Mr Maginnity) put it to the meeting whether, considering that they flattered themselves on being the Empire City, and these del» gates had come from all parts of New Zealand on ths public business, it would not have been an everlasting disgrace on the Corporation if they had allowed them to depart without extending to them the right hand of good-Mlowship acd hospitality? (Hear, hear.) He did not suppose the cost to the ratepayers would amount to more than a farthing a head. Mr Maginnity then gave some figures with reference to the financial pos tion of the city. In reply to questions he expressed his will'ngness to table a motion with reference to rates being levied on frontages instead of, as at present, on rateable value. He also expressed himself in favor of the removal of the cemetery to Jerninghani Point. Mr Grig moved and Mr Burrett seconded a resolution to the effect that Mr Miginnity was a fit and proper person to represent the ward. The motion was carried unanimously, and the proceedings then terminated.