MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

Evening Post, Volume XVIII, Issue 52, 29 August 1879, Page 2

MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

DR. NEWMAN AT THORNDON. Dr. Newman addressed a largely attended meeting of the ratepayers of Therndon at the Metropolitan Hotel last evening. - The chair ? was occupied bylhe Hon. G. M. Waterhouse. Dr. NaWMAN began by informing; tbe mooting that he had been objected to on a previous occasion because he was hot a ratepayer fur the Thorndon Ward, but since then he had settled in the ward and had paid bis rates. Therefore that objection was removed. His opponent had said that he brought him (Dr. Newman) out at the last election, but that was altogether iacorroct, and Councillor Fisher's memory must be very defectivo on that point. The fact was, tbat after ho (Dr. Newman) had been nominated on the previous oocasioo, he held meetings at some of which Councillor Fisher spoke, but from tbat timo until now they had had nothing to do with each other. When he last met the ratepayers it Beemed to bo almost certain that the Thorndon reclamation would be handed over to the Corporation, and if that had been done they would have been able to raise £400,000, which would have been sufficient to pay for drainage and water works, and after that was done there would havo been a balance left of £100,000 to spend on the roads. They did not get the reclaimed land, however, and the very man whom they returned to Parliament assisted in depriving them of their rights. Ho thought that the finances of the city were not properly managed, and that money was borrowed in too piecemeal a manner. By the time they had raised tbe loan which was recently authorised, their total indebtedness would be £700,000. He thought that in the event of their borrowing they should go into the London money market and ask for one large sum instead of a number of smaller ones. At present the total indebtedness represented five separate loans. He advised the City Council before borrowing 'any money for carrying out tbe Wainuiomata water scheme to consider whether or not they would require more than the sum at present authorised, and if they did they should borrow tbe whole at once. He pointed out tbat the interest which would have to be paid on loans next year would be double that which was paid last year, or, in other words, about £40,000. Hbw were they going to pay that amouiit without inconvenience ne could not say. He considered that it would be a mistake to borrow £100,000 for streets, when money was so urgently required for drainage and waterworks. If they elected him, he would give hia special attention to the finances of the Council. Dr. Newman tben proceeded to show that a good deal of money was wasted in laying street crossings and tben taking them up again, &c. He was strongly in favor of having an increased water supply, but he considered tint the drainage should be begun with tho water supply, so that they might he worked together, and the money required for both might be borrowed in one sum. He held that the present water supply was sufficient, the only fault being that owing to the smallness of the mains tbe pressure obtainable when a fire occurred was not sufficiently great. He considered tbat they should turn their attention to reducing their liabilities, for if they increased them the rates would have to be increased also, and, in his opinion, the rates were already quite heavy enough. Keferring to the drainage scheme, he expressed the opinion that Mr. Climie should bo paid for his past services and allowed to go. He would like to see an engineer specially trained, as regarded sewerage, brought out from home to superintend the drainage of tbe city. Dr. Nowman then expressed the opinion that the Hospilal should not be removed from the present site, but that the old building should be renovated. He promised that if elected he would endeavor to get a branch telegraph and post office for the ward. He also referred to several other works that might be proceeded with for the benefit of the citizens, and in conclusion promised that if they returned him he would do his best to serve them faithfully and fearlessly. (Applause.) The i hairmak said he had observed a letter in tbe Evening Post signed by Mr. T. K. Macdonald, in which it was stated that certain moneys which had been borrowed for a special purpose had been absorbed into the general account. He was at first inclined to believe that this was not correct, but that morning he went to the Corporation Office, and found that Mr. Macdonald's statement was correct. It appeared that £40,000 out of £60,000 borrowed for the drainage of the city had been carried to the general account and spent on ordinary works. Credit was given in the Councils books for the money ; but it had been spent, and the Council could not refund it if they were suddenly called upon to do so. The same thing might happen again, and they should see that more caro was taken of the money borrowed for special purposes in the future. He asked Dr. Newmin whether he would take a firm stand against anything of the sort being dote. Dr. Nbwmam said he had read Mr. Macdonald's letter, but was waiting to see Councillor Fisher's reply, which would appear ia next evening's Post, before ho made any remarks on tho subject. He might say now that he could not understand how Councillor Fisher could take any credit for what had been done. It appeared that the

monoy had been tranbferwd because Mr. Waterhouse had threatened to prosecute the City Council if they did not reduce their overdraft. If elected, he certainly would not countenance anything of the sort. The Chaibmaw remarked that though there was an apparent saving of 1} per cent., the fact remained that the drainage fund had been taken and spent. Referring to the Thorndon Reclamation, he expressed the opinion tbat the land should have been handed over to the Corporation, and thought the ratepayers should take the matter up, and bring the question wider tbe consideration of Parliament. Mr. G Ahdbrbov moved, and Mr. J. Cattbil seconded— "That Dr. Newman is a fit and proper person to represent Thorndon Ward in the City Council." a„_ 4 Mr. Orb moved a* an amendment, "That this meeting has no confidence in Dr. Newman." • • • A show of hands was then taken for both motion! and amendment, but the confusion was so great that it- was impossible- for the Chairman to decide how the majority voted. Before he could count the hands there was a general clearance from the room, and consequently neither motion nor amendment was carried. This terminated the proceedings-