SOUTH WARD ELECTION.

Evening Star, Issue 7307, 3 September 1887, Page 4

SOUTH WARD ELECTION.

MR KIMBELL’S ADDRESS.

Mr A. C. Kimbell addressed a meeting of ratepayers in St. Matthew’s school-room last evening as a candidate to represent South "Ward in the City Council. There was but a small attendance, about twenty gentlemen being present. Mr James Gore (who presided) said that there never was a time when the finances of the Corporation wanted more careful administration than at present. The overdraft was very large, and would have to be reduced. _ Mr Kimbell addressed the meeting as follows : The balance-sheet of this City for the year ended March 31, 1887, is not pleasant reading. The flowing tide of prosperity which once enriched this City has for a time ebbed, I trust shortly to return with increased volume. At present we are, in common with others, in the shallows of adversity, and our property has suffered a decline in value. Owing to reduced va'uations the balance-sheet shows a reduction in our revenue from rates of L 986 6s lOd; from , licenses, L 193 8s 6d; from water supply de- * pertinent, L 694 Is 9d; from gas supply department, L1,15111s 8d; making altogether a loss of revenue in four chief items of L3 ; 025 8s 7d. Naturally, in times like these, governing bodies, or the gentlemen who compose them, have to perform difficult and unpleasant duties. To the retiring councillors, therefore, as a citizen, 1 desire publicly to convey my warmest thanks. I may be asked : Why do you oppose the retiring councillor for this ward? My reply is this, that I consider in municipal government it is desirable that a ratepayer in a ward should, if possible, be the representative of the ward. Further, I have a claim to your support, and I think a strong claim, on the grounds that lam a resident amongst you, and have been a resident or ratepayer for the past seventeen years. I have fixed my stake with you, and your welfare is bound up with mine. Ido not propose to speak to you to-night as a partisan of either party in the City Council, for lam not one. It is difficult for an outside person to form a correct opinion of their opposing policy. Fortunately, perhaps, the Council have not a ‘ Hansard/nor do they publish what are known as ‘blue books.’ To consult cither party, or both, would be of little use, I therefore think it best to submit my own views on city matters, independent of the counsel or guidance of others. I will first deal with the Public Bodies’ Leasehold Act. This Act, to my mind, embodies a vicious principle —viz., the benefit of the few at the expense of the maay. It is a one-sided Act. Some rentals are lower than even present values. The Corporation have no power to raise them, and justly so. Now, if deliberate bargains or contracts are not to be kept by those able to keep them, I ask what confidence or security can any p rsou have in any contract or bargain ? No, gentlemen, until the Legislature devise juster mtcr’s than this Act affords for relieving person ■ from the consequences of unfortunate bargains, I must oppose its introduction. The unfair responsibilities thrown upon councillors will deter our best citizens from accepting a public position in which such powerful influences and enormous pressure could be brought to bear against or upon them. The amount recently released by the Sinking Fund Commissioners I consider should be applied to the reduction of the overdraft. Jiy doing this, interest to the amount of L7OO a-year will be free to carrry on necessary works, and this method will also exercise another beneficial influence by increasing banking resources to the amount paid off the overdraft, from which citizens generally will benefit. As to the merits of the rival sources of our water supply, until I have had an opportunity of further invistigation and observation, I cannot express an opinion of any value. It is possible there may be other means cf obtaining a plentiful supply. If elected, I will investigate the question, Drainage is a question in which all are deeply interested, and will before long require serious attention. At present, I believe, no danger is apprehended from the system in force, but I consider it to be the duty of the Council to seek an improved method, so that, with improved finances, better drainage may bo obtained. The question of the city possessing a free public library has ray warm sympathy, but in view of the fact of the serious reduction of our revenue I cannot promise that in the event of my election I will obtain my desire. But if any arrangement can bo made by which any person desirous of consulting the reference library and reading-room of the Atbcna-um may be allowed to do so, such an arrangement will have my earnest support.—(Applause.) I have placed last, but I do not consider it the least of subjects of interest to you, the question of the desirability of putting to use the gigantic municipal infant, that useful monster known as Barnes’s Baby. Like other babies, it sometimes roars ; but it makes good roads, and on humane and economical grounds I am in favour of allowing it to perform its useful and necessary functions. It may cause temporary annoyance to some; the useful service it renders is of permanent benefit. Every person walking over uewly-spread road metal has felt the discomfort of so doing. To horses the result is painful and damaging. Therefore, on the grounds of humanity and economy I am in favor of its use. I have briefly stated my views on matters in which you are interested. As a private citizen I have taken an interest in public affairs. A few years ago I strongly opposed the proposed disposal of the Gasworks, and in a short letter to the Stab I pointed out the value of residual products, which I believe has led to their utilization to some degree. With prudent management the'finances of this City in a short time will be in a prosperous condition. Beduced valuations and reduced price of gas have at present reduced our revenue. There are signs of better times, when, with the return of prosperity, the splendid reserves set apart for this Ciiy will yield to those occupying them a liberal and generous return. I ask your support. I have lived amongst you for many years ; my all is with you ; this is my children’s home. Should you honor me with your choice, I promise to devote my earnest attention to the important business of this enterprising City to the full extent of my ability.—(Applause ) In reply to a question, the candidate expressed himself as favorable to having the town refuse utilised for the purpose of raising the level of the cricket oval at the south end of the town, so as to have that reserve made a pleasant and wholesome place of public resort. _As to the Town Belt, he had been told that it was being destroyed by the growth of gorse. It was a difficult thing to eradicate*gorse, and it had occurred to him that something might be done in this way ; boys might be allowed to go round the Belt, cut the gorse, and put it under proper supervision. He thought the Corporation .might give the different schools a bonus for the purpose, and encourage them to go in for technical education of that kind. He knew of no better technical education than the eradication of weeds.

Mr Shacklock said that, as a member of the Ratepayers’ Association, be had, with others, requested Mr Kimbell to contest the present election, and it was principally at his solicitation that Mr Kimbell had consented. That led them to the question of the Ratepayers’ Association. He had heard a complaint in the street that the Association was being run by a clique, and that all ratepayers were not invited to join. Now he had to give this a distinct denial, for the subscription was nominal, and the Association was open to all ratepayers. (Hear). Ratepayers generally were willing to grumble when they found anything to grumble at; and when invited to take part in those measures likely to result in good government, they stood aloof.—(Hear.) The Association had been formed by some citizens who took an active interest in public matters, and who were displeased with the condition of things a year or two ago. Some of those gentlemen forming the Association found that there was no grindstone kept on the premises, and for that reason they withdrew their support.—(Laughter. ) He moved —“That Mr Kimbell is the moat fit and proper person to represent South Ward in the City Council for the ensuing term.”

Sir Fabquhab, in seconding the motion, said that with reference to the Public Bodies’ Leaseholds Act, he recollected that some twenty-five years ago the Manse reserve in Princes street (church property) was leased by auction at per foot frontage, with a special clause binding the purchaser to ezeot buildings of a certain description in stone. A very high zental was obtained ; but to his (the speaker’s) surprise there was no building erected of the nature specified in the arrangement between the church trustees and the leisees The latter asked permission to build in wood, promising in a few years to rebuild in stone. They managed to gain their day, and buildings were run up in \ very poor fashion. The lessees shortly afterwards sold out at a good profit, and tho sub-lessees finding that the rent was too high applied for a remission, and the consequence was that the trustees Were compelled to reduce the rent. Now there was no doubt that had tho conditions of sale been complied with, and permanent buildings erected, the church trustees would have been in a position to refuse to comply with the request for a reduction, for if tho lessees had decline! to pay tho proper rents they would have been told that they could leave the property. Those at the sale bidding an excessive rental had acted unfairly to the man who, like himself, had attended with the bona fide intention of carrying out the clause binding them to build in a certain way. The Leaseholds Act seemed to him to bo one-sided, and lie failed to tee why a bargain should not be made equally binding on one side as on the other. Mr A. Cairns complained of the gratuitous reflections cast on tho Ratepayers’ Association by Mr Fagan on nomination day. It would be a great anomaly and a disgrace to the ratepayers of South Ward if they preferred a resident out of the ward to a resident in it to represent them. Tho Ratepayers’ Association had been formed to meet cases of that kind.

Tho Chairman, before putting the resolution, wished to say lie did not belong to the Ratepayers’ Association or any other association, because he recognised that men holding public positions should keep aloof from them. Now, any association formed by the citizens to watch public matters was worthy of all praise. It generally fell to the lot of one or two to ■ Tryout civic duties, and it was a matter of .egret t' •' more ratepayers did not take part in immicq „i matters. The resolution was unanimously adopted. Mr Kimbell, in moving a vote of thauks to the chairman, said with reference to the remark about cliqueism, people who knew him might rely that he was connected with no clique, and that he was not a person likely to be influenced by anyone in the City.