MAYORS INSTALLED PETONE

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 106, 6 May 1915, Page 3

MAYORS INSTALLED PETONE

MR. H'EWAN'S LONG SERVICE. Last night the statutory meeting of the Petone Borough Council was held for the purpose of installing the Mayor and councillors. There were present the Mayor (Mr. J. W. M'Ewan), and Councillors A. Anderson, C. P. Brockelbank, W. Cox, W. E. Forsyth, R. C. Jones, J. M'Dougall, >J. W. List, D. M'Kenzie, and W. Trueman. After the usual declarations had been made and signed Councillor List congratulated Mr. M'Ewan on being returned unopposed. The fact that Mr. M'Ewan had been returned with a big majority on the Harbour Board also showed that his work was thoroughly appreciated. lb was not a time for speech-making, bub the speaker urged j that it would be necessary' to go very I slowly. S Councillor Brockelbank also congratulated Mr. M'Ewan, and said lie was particularly gratified to know he would remain in the chair for a period of two years. By the end of that time it. was probable that the drainage system would be completed, and in the meantime it would be inadvisable to have a change. Councillor Cox, in offering his congratulations, said he was reminded of Tennyson's Brook. It was a case of "Councillors may come and councillors may go, but M'Ewan goes on for ever. 1 ' Petone residents were thankful that Mr. M'Ewan had been spared to carry on his progressive policy, and thab he was ■willing to do it. Seveml other councillors spoke, some of them urging caution. Councillor Anderson said that the council could go too slowly. He hoped they would not be afraid of launching forth on propositions which would pay for themselves. For instance, although the time was not yet ripe, before the two years were over he intended to suggest the establishment of tepid baths. Councillor M'Kenzie supported the baths idea, and also urged the desirability of purchasing Percy's Gardens as a' reserve and also as a high school site. Mr. M'Ewan. thanked councillors for their congratulations, and stated that he was first elected to the council in 1902, and to tho Mayoralty in 1908. In turn he congratulated the councillors on their election. Regarding a - programme of work for the coming year, Mr. M'Ewan said the moat important work was in connection with the sewerage. That work had reached a stage when it was necessary to approach the ratepayers for a big loan to complete the work. He offered no apology for the fact that the original estimate had, been exceeded because the system was going to be more thorough and more efficient. The matter of raising the loan should be left in the nahds of a speoial committee, which would decide upon the amount and other particulars. As to the improvement of the foreshore, , he hoped that that work would be sufficiently advanced within a few months to enable the people to enjoy the advantages to be derived. Matters connected with the proposed motor'bus service had been disappointing, but the war alone was to blame for the delay in the delivery of the chaseis. The latter might come to liand within a few months. It would be necessary to improve the sunning of the town clock, which had given so much trouble^ It was desirable to do away with the present dry battery system. Tho waterworks during the past year had given satisfactory results, and it. , had „, been proved that there was an ample supply for the sewerage system. The general maintenance of the streets and works of ' a similar nature would engage the council next month, when the estimates were brought down. The widening of Udy-street, from Nel-son-street to Richmond-street, would also have to be considered. Mr. M'Ewan thought it would be advisable to establish a permanent Works Committee. An important branch of the council's activity was the gasworks and the ' incidental coal business. Certain matters in this connection would require attention. With regard to the financial aspect, he had previously placed full particulars before Uib council, but once again he wanted to draw attention to the fact that so much Government land, reserved for workers' dwellings, was non-rateable. Mr. M*Ewan suggested a, big deputation from the combined local bodies in the district, all of whom were suffering. During the years past the council had discussed proposals to establish a fish market, to arrange for the sale of bread, and to provide a pure milk supply and other like matters, but the council's powers were restricted. The question of having the powers enlarged was worthy of consideration at some future time. "Let us make a success of everything we undertake," said Mr. M'Ewan ; "then we will have the confidence of the public behind us, and we will be able to do greater things. We must not put heavy' burdens on our ratepayers, the majority of whom are working men." The council then set up Works, Library, Reserves, and Gas Committees. The Mayor and Councillors Trueman and Forsyth were appointed representatives on the Petone Fire Board, and Councillors Brockelbank and List were elected to act on the Hutt Park. LOWER HUTT MAYOR ADVISES CADTION. Mr. H. Baldwin', who was re-elected Mayor of Lower Hntt unopposed, was officially installed last evening. The following councillors were present : — Councillors Hobbe, Ball, Purdy, M'Dougall, Clendon, Meldrum, Carver, Hodgins, and Brasell. In congratulating the old members on their return, the Mayor said that the ratepayers were apparently satisfied with the manner in which the work of the borough had been carried out during tho last two years. He also welcomed the newly-elected councillors. Regarding the estimates of the borough, the Mayor 'said that the principal work during the year was in the -way of street improvements. They estimated to come out with a certain debit balance which they had rather exceeded. The reason for this was that several works had been carried out which were not anticipated. On the whole, however, the work had gone on satisfactorily, and they had nothing to be ashamed of. For the future he had to advise caution. Th© bank overdraft was as high as they could possibly let it go. Councillor Purdy: You said that last year. Mr. Baldwin: "Yes; but several thing 6 cropped up which wedidn't expect." On© of the most important works for the coming year, he continued, was the erection of a Town Hall. They paid in rent no less a sum than £150, while the River Board paid £60, making a total of £210. Tho £210 would pay interest on very nice buildings of their own. "I am a great believer," ho said, "in having my own castle." Other works which they might have to do were the extension of a certain portion of the water supply and the procuring of a road grader. Finally. Mr. Baldwin Temarked that ifrey wouKI have £0 practise economy and do their bret for the borough. Councillor Purdy said: "It behoves v«, a* a council, to oongratulato the Mayor on again being elected to thef chair. I have been in the Hutb a long r fcya«, and.. I most £f£ that it jvas jo

eye-opener to me to see what a great deal of interest councillor© took in the borough." Councillor Clendon fcpoke on similar lines, while Councillor Ball. expressed a hop© that something would be done this year in regard to electric light. Councillors Hobbs. M'Dougall, and Carver also spoke; one sneaker advocating the construction of swimming baths. In his reply, the- Mayor stated that one of the things the council had to go into this year was the question of the Hutt-road contribution. MIRAMAR A HEALTHY BOROUGH. The installation of the Mayor and councillors of the Miramar Borongh took place in the offices, Miramar, last evening. The following newly-elected council was sworn in :— Messrs. F. Townsend (Mayor), S. M. Stone, S. H. Underwood, H. Hawthorn, M. Tracy, AY. H. Green, and James Pollock. The Mayor extended a hearty welcome to the two new councillors (Messrs. Pollock and Green). At the same time he regretted the loss from the council of Dr. Huntly and Mr. H. A. Smith. At tho conclusion of this ceremony the Mayor entertained the councillors, ex-councillors, and others. Among those ' present were Messrs. V. R. Meredith (of < the Crown Law Office) and W. H. P.. Barber. The gathering was a most enjoyable one, many congratulatory references being made to the work of the Mayor and councillors. ( Councillor Stone proposed the toast " The Mayor," and in doing so referred to Mr. Townsend's good qualities. A lot of important work had gone on since Mr. Townsend held office, and it had been successfully earned out. Finances bad been nursed and all moneys spent had been spent judiciously. The fact that Mr. Townsend had been re-elected was sufficient evidence of the confidence of the ratepayers and residents in their Mayor. Eesponding, the Mayor thanked those present for the hearty manner in which the toast had been drunk. "There is one thing that I can say — I hay© done my best for the borough, not only on this occasion, but on former occasions. I have invariably found that I have given satisfaction. The ratepayers and residents have done me a 1 great honour in returning' me unopposed. The important part of this term is that I am here for two years instead of one as before." (Hear, hear.) Continuing, he said that the duties cast upon the council had been hard, and ma*y difficulties had been experienced, but in spite of this the borough was one of the healthiest in or about the city. Various works had been undertaken and mostly brought to a successful issue. The efforts to secure control of the lighting of the borough had not yet been undertaken, while the matter of cheap tram fares to the city was not being overlooked. The war had caused the borough a great deal of inconvenience, particularly in financial matters. "You need not have any fear," concluded the Mayor, "as to the future success of Miramar, which it is hoped will be made one of the. most populac boroughs in and around Wellington!" (Applause.) Later in the evening the Mayor reviewed tho works which had < been undertaken by the council and the progress made. He also gave a detailed account of matters on hand. Other toasts honoured during the evening were :— " The King," " The Council " (proposed by Mr. m A. Smith and responded to by 'the councillors), "The Past Mayor and 1 Councillors" (by the Mayor, several councillors reolying); "Wellington" City Council; Wellington Harbour Board, and other Local Bodies " (by Mr. Bennett and replied to by Mr. W. H. P. Barber), " The Ratepayers " (by' Councillor Tracy). KAROKI The statutory meeting for the installation of the new Mayor and councillors for Uie borough of Karon was held last evening. Mr. W. T. Hildreth, in installing Mr. B. G. H. Burn, the Mayor-elect, said that the latter had had many years' experience on the council, and was generally acknowledged to be a thoroughly practical man. As chairman of the Public Works Committee, Mr. Burn had done excellent work, and deserved promotion to the Mayoral chair. The time he (Mr. Hildreth) had held office had been a pleasant period, there be,ing a. complete absence of personalities, and if the council during the coming term got on as well members conld look back on their work with tho same pleasure as he did in leaving the chair. A Mayor who had no support from a council was simply a nonentity ; it required the co-operation of all councillors to make any progress and to carry on work satisfactorily. If „ -they had cliques on the council there was certain to be wrangling. Mr. Bum was always actuated by a desire to see things carried on in a proper manner. Of course, there had been differences on the council, bat these generally resulted in good work being done. During the coming tern the work would be principally administrative. There were no big works to be undertaken, for it would be practically impossible to get money to carry them out. Mr. Hildreth regretted the apathy shown by ratepayers in the affairs of the borough, as evidenced by tho non-contested 'elections which had taken place. Such apathy was 'not fair to men who gave their services to tho borough, and it would appear that ■ the only way in which ratepayers' interest could be aroused' would" be to substantially raise the rates. (Laughter.) Councillors would find Mr. Burn a fair man, though probably holding strong opinions, which it was not always wise to force on a council. In conclusion, Mr. Hildreth said he was glad there was a good leaven of old councillors to assist new councillors with their advice. Mr. Burn assured the council that he would carry out the duties of Mayor according to the standard set by Mr. Hildreth. He agreed with the latter as to tho apathy of ratepayers, but pointed out that this equally applied to the city and elsewhere. He hoped tha^, though Mr. Hildreth was leaving the council, he would, by his ability and generalship, assist on the Wellington City Council to benefit Karori. Mr. Burn then took the chair, and welcomed the new councillors. Councillors Raine and Lewer were not, he said, strangers, both having sat on the council before, > and if the new councillors kept their eyes and ears open they would soon pick up the work. As to Mr. Hildreth's remarks as- to his holding strong opinions, he would give every facility to councillors to express their views, and he hoped the business of the council would go on as well as it had done- in the past. (Applause.) Councillor L. P. Davies, in congratulating the Mayor on his election, said it was doubtful if a more practical man had ever sat at the table. He also paid a tribute to the retiring Mayor. Councillors R. Faire, J. G. Raine. J. W. Henderson, W. C. Cooper, and W. Skegg also tendered congratulations to the new Mayor. Councillor A. Hamilton (who was j granted leave of absence owing to illhealth) was appointed Deputy-Mayor. The personnel of the new council is as follows: — Mayor, Mr. B. G. H. Burn; councillors, Messrs. W. C. Cooper, L. P. Davies, R. Faire, A. Hamilton, J. W. Henderson, T. W. Lewer, R. T. Pali, Ji, JB. Eainoj and J7* Skegg, J