MAYORS INSTALLED.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXI, Issue 104, 4 May 1911, Page 4

MAYORS INSTALLED.

KARORI. The nowly-ekcted Mayor of Karori (Mr. C. Cathie) was installed in office at a. meeting of the Kaiori BorongTi Council hold lastSjveniug. There present:—Mr. C. I. Daaent (retiring Mayor), aad Councillors W. T. Hildreth, W. J. Bradnock, J. A. Frost, A. Hamilton, E. J. Standen, J. 1\ Horn, W. H. Nimmo, B. M. Anderson, and B. G. H. Burn. Mr. Daeent eaid it gave him great pleasure to sea the new councillors assembled at the table, and he was certain they -would make a satisfactory showing at the end of the yeai-. The principal business he had to perform was to introduce Mr. Cathie as the first citizen of i£arori, and it was gratifying to see in the position such an experienced councillor.- He (Mr. Dasent) had done a lot of work in connection with the borough, and he ' lelt that he was leaving borough affairs in a satisfactory state for the new Mayor. He had always endeavoured to uphold the dignity of the poeition of Mayor, aaid perhaps Mr. Cathie would be even more successful. He himself had a record which he was certain Mr. Cathie could not deprive him of. He saw by the census returns that Karori's population contained more females than males, and yet it had been presided over by a bachelor Mayor. (Laughter.) Mr. Cathie said he desired to welcome the new councillors and a few of the old, afld to thank the ratepayers for returning him unopposed. They would have to go slow for some time, and it was only at the council table that they found -. their limitations. The recreation ground required much improvement, and he would look to the Works Committee to- make improvements which would be for the benefit of ratepayers and attractive in the eyes of outsiders. One great work which was required was a standard survey, and the planning of streets.' Ac they were aware Karori was an old- \ settled borough, originally consisting of sheep and •qattle farms, but it had been cut up, and new arrivals were clamouring for- up-to-date conveniences. Unfinished footpaths would have to receive attention, and a public hall wa6 a necessity. The latter might be considered a luxury, but he was strongly of opinion that- they must not deny ratepayers rea.sonable enjoyment,, and the matter would be placed before ratepayers fortheir consideration. In conclusion, he said he looked for the council's support, and was sqre that all were so versed in the amenities of public life that they would respect the ruling of the chair. (Appla-use. ) Councillor Hildreth added his congratulation, and said Karorr^jould not stand still while other boroughs were advancing.' The following committees were fhen set up : — Finance, the Mayor and Councillors Horn, Frost, Nimmo; Works and Recreation, Councillors Burn, Hildreth, Bradnock, Hamilton; Tramways, the Mayor and Councillors Burn Hildreth, Standen; Compensation, the Mayor and Councillors Standen, Hildreth, Horn ; By-laws, Councillors Anderson, Nimmo, Hamilton, Burn ; Library, Councillors Anderson, Horn, Hamilton, Frost; Lighting and Sanitary, Councillors Anderson, Frost, Nimmo, Bradnock. AT PETOHE. WOKKS FOR THE FUTURE. At Petone, the Mayor (Mr. J. W. M'Ewan), and Councillors J. Piper, W. I Trueman, S. V. Burridge, G. V. Louder, W. Cox, C. P. Brocklebank, J. Wakeham, J. W. List, and R. W. Short, were duly installed in office last night. Opportunity was taken by the Mayor (who has been returned unopposed for the fourth time) to congratulate councillore upon being the choice of the electors oa "this important borough of Petone." SEWEKAGE toCHEME NEEDED. Outlining the future policy of the j council, Mr.- M.'Ewam said the first important question was that of a, sewerage scheme. Some years ago Mr. Mestayer had submitted an important report dealing with the Shone system of, sewerage. The cost was in the neighbourhood of £50,000. The . proposal was, at the time,_ considered- premature, and was practically pigeon-holed. Since them an idea somewhat different to Mr. Mestayer's report' , had_ been broached' in the shape of a ischeme on similar lines to that being installed at Lower Hutt and the one at Christchurch. Laet year the borough's sanitary service cost about £1800, and this year it would involve .little short of £2000. ' That sum would pay the interest on a very large sum of money — perhaps equivalent to the cost of a sewerage scheme. a Tho paat council had had before it »ilie question of erecting dressing sheds "on the beach. A scheme — a somewhat elaborate one some people thought — had been brought down by the engineer for jths' building of bathing sheds on a site between Nelson -street and Cuba-street. - The matter 'had been handed down for consideration of the present council. The Mayor also outlined, the present .position of the new pipe and traffic bridge and "its approaches. The cost of Petone's share of the bridge proper and the approaches work was estimated at J87500, which sum could be obtained from the GovernmentiAdvances Office. . , IMPOKTANI' DiIAINAGE'WORR IN VIEW. ' * The eastern drainage scheme was now completed, with, the exception of the exten*ton to the recreation ground, Uuick's land and Cooper's estate. The- cost of these additions, which had not been anticipated in placing the scheme before the ratepayers, was £690. Of this amount the council had in hand £151, balance from Nelson-street drainage' loan, and £300 contributed by Buick estate. The northern end of Richmond and Britannia streets were badly drained, and possibly could be included in the extensions of tha scheme. The application of'th© owners of the Percy estate to connect a" portion of their land with the eastern scheme, would have»to be held over until the foregoing works had been completed. On the recreatiqn ground it was intended to drain grounds 2, S, and 4 at the end of the football j season. Several councillors also made a. few general remarks. Councillor Piper spoke in favour of the establishment of- sub-committees in connection with the varioua borough enterprises and pormanent works. He also suggested — and it was subsequently decided — that in future the council should meet at 7.30 p.m. instead of 8 o'clock. . "TWO YEARS OF DISAPPOINTMENT." Councillor Short congratulated the Mayor npou being again' returned to office. While in. his opinion the council had done all in its power to further the. interests of the borough, still he was bound to say that the last two years had been years of disappointment. ' He referred to the unfulfilled promise of Dr. Valintine, the Chief Health Officer, to provide the valley with an up-to-date motor ambulance waggon, in lieu of the proposed cottage hospital. Councillor List, among other things, advocated the extension of the esplanade four or five chains in the direction of iho pipe bridges, and the reticulation of the sandhills district with the borough water

supply. Concluding, he hoped the present council would not achieve the reputation attributed to its predecessor in ofSce, that of "taking rides." According to Councillor Cox the depression spoken of by Councillor Short waß due to the after effects of the boom of some years ago. Property had a false value. , Other councillors also spoke, and nearly all sounded a note of warning in regard to the future expenditure of the borough. BOROUGH ADVANCING STEADILY. Replying under several heads, the Mayor disapproved of the idea of stagnation, given voice to ihat evening. Petone had advanced steadily. The council will hold its first general meeting next Monday evening. The question of the appointment of committees for the year will be threshed oufc at the meeting. LOWER HUTT. SUCCESSFUL YEAR PREDICTED The installation ceremony in connection with the Lower Hutt Mayor and councillors was held in the * Council Chambers last evening. There were present the Mayor (Mr. E. P. Bunny), and Councillors J. Ball, J. T. Hawthorn, A. J. Hobbs, M. J. Hodgins, H. E. Kempthorne, W. Knight, A. E. Roots, J. W. Stevens. S. Clendon. The town clerk formally reported the result of the polls, after which the statutory declarations were made by the Mayor and councillors. In a, short speech Mr. Bunny said he wished to congratulate councillors on their return, and he also wished to congratulate the ratepayers on returning a council which, he was sure, would do them credit. He felt confident that the result at the end of the term would oe one to be proud of. There were two most important matters to be considered — first, the completion of the drainage work; and, secondly, ( ,tho placing of the water, supply on a sound footing. In connection with the first-mentioned matter the pumping plant at the septic tank would have to be put in thorough working order, and like attention would have to be given to the pumps at the water-works. In addition to these two matters, there was the question of improving the streets within the borough. He did not infer that they were in an unsatisfactory condition now, for they compared very favourably with roads in other New Zealand boroughs. He hoped the engineer and his assistants would be given every opportunity to carry out £he works he had outlined, and in this connection he said that it might possibly be necessary for the council to give that department another assistant. In conclusion, he said he felt certain that the new. councillors would show the same courtesy to the chair as the past councillors had done. Altogether he predicted a most successful year. (Applause.) _ j Councillor Hawthorn congratulated Mr. Bunny on once again occupying the Mayoral chair. He was sure, he said, that the people had chosen the right j man — a man who had the interests of the borough at heart. The council then proceeded with business, and the following, Works Committee wae elected : Councillors Knight, Hawthorn, Stevens, Hodgins, a,nd Clendon. The pommittee's first duty will be to report on the question of land dedication at Whito's-line. The council went into committee to further consider the drainage contracts for No. 2 section. In the course of a statement made prior, to this, the Mayor said that the successful tenderer had failed to find the necessary sureties for the contract. There were, therefore, three courses open to the council — -the next- tender on the list could be accepted, fresh tenders could be _ called, or the ' council could proceed with the work itself. If the latter course was adopted 'the engineer was confident that the work could be done within the estimates. When the council resumed it was reported that the work (section 2 only) would be done by day-labour under the supervision of the engineer. The work is to be completed with all j possible speed. The council wiD meet as usual next Monday. , IN OTHER CENTRES. PROGRESSIVE SCHEME' FOR AUCKLAND. [IT TELEGEAPH — SPECIAL TO THE POST.] AU.CKLAND, This Day. The new Mayor of Auckland, Mr. C. J. Parr, outlined a progressive scheme of city improvement at the installation ceremony yesterday? He referred to the bad state of the streets, which is rapidly becoming a byward throughout New Zealand, and stated that he intended to propose for the council's consideration a loan of a quarter of a million sterling 'for the purpose of improving the streets —£150,000 to be devoted to paving the Erincipal thoroughfare^ and £100,000 to c spent on the secondary streets. Ho stated that the loan could be financed (including interest and sinking fund), and paid off in twenty-seven years, without imposing any additional burden on the ratepayers. Both interest and sinking fund, he 1 said, could be paid out of the council's share of the tramway pro_fits, which now amount to nearly £4000 a year, and to the credit of which there is already' a considerable sum. He proposed that the expenditure should be Bpread over a period of six or seven years. Other planks in Mr. Parr's platform are water service extensions (£68,000), a new park for Ponsonby (£20,000), safß water baths (to be ready by next summer, £15,000), and a new library for Newton district (£4000). Mr. Parr said it would poesibly be jienessary to impose a rate of l^d for : drainage soon, but otherwise the revenues were sufficient. The citizens might safely pursue the policy of progress he had outlined, and thus provide the city with good streets, up-to-date baths, a fine park, and a branch library — things all sorely needed — without fear of any increase of rates now, or of any material future addition to their present obligations. MR. TAYLOR'S POLICY. [E-Z TELEGRAPH — PBESS ASSOCIATION^ CHRISTCHURCH, 3rd May." Mr. T. E. Taylor f< M.P., was installed as Mayor this evening. lie outlined a civic policy for the coming year, including the reconstruction of thirty or thirty-five miles of city streets and "payI ing municipal employees something more than tv minnimum wage, both without an increase of rates. He hoped the completiop of the Lake, Coleridge hydroelectrical scheme would have the effect of attracting population aecl eKcwuraging the establishment of industries. He suggested that the city should obtain legislative powers necessary for the effective establishment of municipal markets and milk supply. . AT DUNEDIN. , DUNEDIN, 3rd May. The installation of the Mayor (Mr. Burnett) took place at noon to-day. There was a record attendance, including Messrs. Allen and Arnold. M.P.'s, and the Hons. Callan and Paul, M.L.C.'s.