THE MAYORAL ELECTION.

Evening Star, Issue 7354, 28 October 1887, Page 4

THE MAYORAL ELECTION.

MR LEA.R.Y AT THE CHORAL HALL. Mr R. H. Leary, Mayor of Dunedin, who is offering himself for re-eleotion to that office, addressed a meeting of the ratepayers in the Choral Hall yesterday evening. About forty were present; Dr flislop oecupying the ohair. The Chairman said: For the first time in my life I find myself in the ohair at an election meeting. I assure you I have consented to occupy a position so little in ac°° rda . nc ° ™ h my nature and habits solely because the knowledire I have gained as a member of the Lity CoLiland ofthe Finance Committee unpresses me with a deep sense of the grave responsibility restbgupon the ratepayers, of Dunedin with Scoto the forthcoming Mayoral electioalandofthe great necessity that exists for our seciuing tho services of a man equal in all respects to the efficient performance of the important and difficult duties required of the May or in tho present financial position of the City. Speaking from experience as a City councillor, I feel bound to say that, in my opinion, the credit and the financial soundness of the Corporation and the interests of the citizens generally demand that we should have a tried man at the head of our municipal affairs at the present time-no mere tyro, but a man of proved sagacity and of large experience in monetary matters and in the administration of public business, and in whose firmness of purpose and maturity of judgment the citizens can place the fullest confidence. I have no hesitation in giving expression to my decided conviction that our present Mayor (Mr Leary) has given most satisfactory proof that he possesses in a high degree tho qualifications essential to the proper discharge of the duties of Mayor. I know that during his term of office Mr Leary has devoted much time and attention to municipal business, and has brought to bear upon the transaction of that business an amount of ability, technical skill, and practical sagacity, that has proved of immense advantage to the citizens. As a member of the City Council, I can bear testimony to tho tact and good feeling with which he presides at our meetings, and an a member of the Finance Committee I have been led to form a very high opinion of Mr Leary's sound judgment and great skill in the treatment of financial and other business brought before that important Committee over'whose deliberations ho so ably presides. If Mr Leary were to consult his own personal interests only, I am sure ho would be a great gainer by being relieved of the duties of Mayor. It must, I think, be extremely gratifying to all who take an intelligent interest in the welfare of the City to learn that he has thrown personal considerations aside, and has consented, after muoh persuasion, to allow himself to be again nominated for the Mayoralty. Of his re-election to that office I have no doubt. Gentlemen, I would, in conclusion, claim, on behalf of the City Council, the credit of having set about several important reforms in the administration of municipal affairs under Mr Leary's presidency during the past year. I am sure all the councillors are animated by a sincere desire to do our very best in the'interests of the ratepayers, on behalf of whom we devote so large a portion of our time and attention. It is i xtremely necessary, however, that we should continue to have the valuable assistance of Mr Leary to direct us in our further efforts to complete the reforms that havs been initiated during the year now coming to a close. I would therefore urge upon the electors of Dunedin their duty and interest in appointing one to preside over us next year In whose ability and judgment we can place the fullest trust, and with whom we, as City councillors, can ci-operate with credit and success in placing the finances of the Corporation in a sound and healthy condition, and in keeping down the City rates at the lowest possible figure. I now call upon Mr Leary to favor us with his promised address.

Mr Leart, after acknowledging Dr Hislop's remarks, explained that he had called the ratepayers together thus early in consequence of his immediate departure for Wellington to attend the Municipal Conference. It would be remembered that last year the ratepayers of Dunedin roused themselves, and having come to the conclusion that municipal affairs had not been properly managed, determined to see whether new rr,cr> could not initiate some reforms. He hoped to Lj able to show that evening that these expectations had been fairly realised. Although he could not show, unfortunately, that municipal affairs were in a flourishing condition, he hoped to show that the position was much better than it would have been but for the intelligent interest taken in the elections last year. Previous to the return of the three new councillors at that time, an effort at retrenchment had been made by the old councillors by the appointment of a committee, the outcome of whose deliberations was a recommendation to reduce the salaries of certain officials so as to effect a saving of L 892 a-ycar in the municipal department. That was their idea of retrenchment. But scon after the new councillors took their seats, another committee was appointed who went into the question in a businesslike way, and recommended alterations in the conduct of business that would result in a saving of L 4.000 in the municipal department in addition to the reduction of salaries. He proceeded to explain the four banking accounts kept by the Corporation, and the provision by which the Legislature had limited the amount of overdraft and liabilities that could be incurred by a corporation in any one year to the amount of the previous year's income. The position the Council had found themselves in was that unless retrenchment was effected, at the end of the then current year they would have exceeded this limit, and rendered themselves each and all liable to a fine of LIOO. He was pleased to be able to say that they would avoid being fined during the current year, not so much because they had been able to reduce liabilities in the ordinary way a3 on account of a windfall of between L 9.000 and Llo.oooreturned by the Sinking Fund Commissioners. He (the speaker) had no idea at the time of last election that affairs were in so bad a condition, and that it would be impossible to keep the expenditure within the ordinary income. To show the rapidity with which we had been going to the bad during recent years, he had prerared a statement giving the progress of liabilities. For the year ended 31st March, 1885, the overdraft and current liabilities were L 32,700: at the same period of 1886 they were L 35.800 ; of 1887, L 39.300; and on the 30th September last they were 1/32,300, for municipal account only. Taking the whole of the three accounts—municipal, gas, and water—the fissures at the same date were: In 1885, L 48.488, less L 1.700 to credit of gas account = L4b',700; in 1886, L 48.900, less L4OO to credit of gas account = L 48.500; on 31st March, 1887, L 50.300, less L 2.200 to credit of gas account = L 48,100 ; and on 30th September last, L 32.300, less 1.6,800 to credit of gas account = L 25,500. Ho that on 31st March this year the liability was L 48,100, and on 30th September list it was reduced to L 25.500. —(Applause.) But it must be borne in mind that at this time of the year nearly all the revenue for the year was collected, so that on the 31st March next there will be very little more income received, and the expenditure would have been going on at the same rate. He would give an idea, therefore, of what our j probable position would be at the end of the financial year. From pretty reliable data he estimated that the overdraft and liabilities on 31st Maroh would be L 42.000. This refers to the municipal account. In order to show what it would have been, it was necessary to take into consideration the amount saved by retrenchment, the falling-off in the income, and one or two other items. They had managed to save at the rate of L 5.000 a-year; but as the full benefit of all the savings would not bo felt this year, all that he could lay claim to at present was retrenchment to the amount of L 3.700. Next year, however, it would be about L">,000. Unfortunately, the income had fallen off by L 2,100; the contributions to charitable aid and hospitals exceeded that of last year by L 35 0; and the case Sargood v. the Corporation had cost L 63 9; so that had it not been for the retrenchment effected the overdraft and liabilities, instead of being L 42.000 on the 31st March next, as he expected, would have been L 48.780. So that the City was in a better position by nearly L 7.000 than it would otherwise have b3en.—(Applause.) He would now deal with the gas department. Many would remember that soon after Cr Lee Smith took his seat he devoted his attention to this department, and in the speaker's opinion the citizens were very much indebted to him for his labors. In a memorandum conspicuous for ability, which he addressed to the Council, he recommended a new polioy with the view of increasing the business, and fortunately succeeded in getting the Council to agree to it. But when he (Mr Leary) came into office he found nothing had been done except to lower the price of gas, and that unless something else were done there would be little hope of any §ood results showing themselves. He therefore eemed it his duty to lay before the Council a memorandum on the subject; and the Gas Committee having considered it, reported generally in its favor. The confirmation of their report was however deferred, and it soon became apparent that a section of the Council objected to it for reasons which were no doubt good enough to their mind, but which the speaker failed to Bee. The report when aotually pat w»b only adopted by his own vote; and if he had succeeded in doing nothing else but put the gas department on a satisfactory business footing, he thought he should have earned the thanks and rapport of the ratepayers. (Applause.) Now, what was the position of the gas department? The works were purchased by the Corporation on January 1, 1876, at a cost of L 49,400, and there had since been expended upon them the large sum of L 77.500, or about L 7.000 a-year, «xolusive of repairs and maintenance paid,,out of revenue. As the greater paH ! 6f this expenditure had been inside

the fences of the works, It might beexpeotedj that they would tow be in a satisfactory condition ; but he. was sorry to say this was far from being the case. The ratepayers would be surprised at the dilapidated and unsatisfactory condition of the works. The new Committer finding that this expenditure upon so-oafled improvements had produced no satisfactory results, put a stop to It; and the works now looked in as good condition as before, or better, although not Ll5O had been spent on them on capital acoount during the last nine months. The expenditure had been going on not properly under the oontrol of the Council, and it could hardly be seen where a great deal of the money had gone to. The Committee laid it down that the Engineer,should not be allowed to order what he liked, but should report as to what was required, and give hie reasons, and not go into any expenditure without first getting the consent of tho Committee. Consequently the Engineer had now to send in a requisition to the Town Hall, and if approved of, the speaker, as chairmen of the Committee, appended his initials to it, so that if anyone was to blame it would of course be himself. This, he thought, was a proper way of doing business, and to this rule he believed they were indebted for the large saving in so-called improvements of doubtful utility. Although the memorandum referred to was adopted in February, we had not yet felt the full benefit of the change, but it was apparent that it would yieldgoodresults. Forthcthreeyearspreviousthe works bad progressed at the rate of eighteen new consumers a year, while since February (before. the appointment of canvassers), by the energy of the secretary and his officer?, they had secured no leas than 300 new consumers. Comparing the past half-year with the same period of 1886, he found that the profits wore only L 250 less, notwithstanding tho fact that they had sold gas at L 1,350 less ; so that by comparison the position had been improved to tho extent of Ll,loo, But it was only fair to say that part of this improvement was due to coal being cheaper—tho saving on this was L7so—yet still he thought the figures were sufficient to show tho wisdom of the new departure. Referring to other troubles in connection with the Gasworks, the speaker went on to fay that he had not been in office more than a few days when ho found that there was friction between the Engineer and the town department. He endeavored to mduce therr. to work in harmony for the good of the concern ; but a fresh outbreak occurred, and, all his efforts to keep the peace having failed, he deemed it his duty to lay the whole matter before the Council, to that they could lay down rules to prevent the continuance of such a state of things. It would be remembered that there were one or two scenes in the Council in this connection; and he had no doubt if there were a prospect of entertainment in the shape of a scene between himself and Cr Fish that evening the hall wnuld be densely packed, but when questions affecting the pockets of the ratepayers only were at issue it seemed to be everyone's busiDes l , and consequently no one's. To resume, Mr Griffon made certain charges against the Engineer, and appealed for his (Mr Leary's) protection ; the Secretary also complained; and as chairman of the Gas dmmittee the speaker thought it light to state the circum stances of the Council, which he did in a memorandum published at the time, and which lie would now read to the meeting, in order that theymightbeinformedof the position of matters. That statement he laid before the Council, and he regretted to say that the complaints were treated by some of the councillors as frivolous, and as requiring no inquiry at all. As to tho water department, there was a difference of opinion as to reinstating No. 3 section of the Silverstream race, but he (the Chairman of Committees) ami other councillors had vis'tcel the place, and the impression they formed was as given by them in the Council. He was opposed to the reinstatement, believing that another flood would prove as disastrous as the last. His idea in connection with the water supply was that they should take water from tbe Leith on Sundays, which would furni»h a good , supply and not render the Corporation liable for compensation to mill-owners. However, the Council in its wisdom decided to accept tenders to put No. 3 section in repair at a cost of L 2,000. Tho calling for tenders had to be deferred, as we had not the means to pay for the work. Then, fortunately, the Corporation got a windfall of some L 9,000, as was well known, and that d'fficulty was gut over; still, he afraid that the water account would have hut a small credit balance in the immediate future. As to this account and the {.as account, he would like to fee it laid down that they sh'.uld bitreated as separate concerns, and that they should not take any money from ono to support the other—fach should .stand on its own bottom. —(Applause.) With reference to the charge for interest on the Corporation's overdraft, he had suggested that they should get the money they required bj means of fixed deposits from people having money awaiting investment, if it could be done legally. They could get it at 5 per cent., and thus save LSOO or L6OO per a'uium Their liabilities would then he pprcad over a number of people, instead of tho Corporation being indebted tocnecreJitorintheshapeofabank. The Council agreed to his proposal, and an Enabling Bill was introduced by Sir R. Stout last sos.-ion, but its progress was stopped by the dissolution The great question was tho observing of an equilibrium between their income anil expenditure, and the ratepayers should exercise gri at care in considering the qualifications of candidates who came before them in connection with municipal affairs. It was necessary that they should support men who were qualified to deal with their financial affairs, bearing in mind that bad management meant loss, and loss meant high rates, which of course seriously affects the value of property. As to himself, he was much gratified with tho expression of approval of the way in which he had filled his high office of Mayor, as shown by the requisition that he should stand for the ensuing term. A year ago he had given his opinion of the state of the Corporation's affairs, and tho duties and respunHibilities of the Mayor, and he took leave to say that he had made an honest attempt to carry out the views he then expressed He hael ever been mindful of the responsibilities of his position, and thought that his endeavors in the interests of the citizeis had met with their approval.—(Loud applause). He had endeavored to preserve tho dignity attaching to his office ; and when in his position of Mayor he received the Governor on his visit to Dunedin, he did so, he believed, in a manner that was quite to His Excellency's satisfaction. It might be asked why he had again offered himself for election, and he might answer that he had an equal right with any other ratepayer to do so ; but he might also say that he would not have offered himself for personal reasons that he need not explain. However, representations had been made to him that his services were required by the citizens, and he felt that it would be wrong for him to retire while the work which he was originally returned to do had not yet been completed.— (Applause.) At any rate, the arguments used to him were so strong that he did not feel at liberty to refuse his accord. As to lvs claims for support, he did not profess anything; but if the ratepayers thought he had served them faithfully in the past, he might put that forward as a claim for that support. The question was Did they want his services ? If they did, he would do his best to servo them, as he had dono before, and he would remind them that it was their duty to consider the interests of the citizens, and not to exercise their votes merely to gratify the vanity and ambition of the candidate. 11 was claimed on behalf of the other candidate that he was, by term of service, entitled to the office of Mayor ; but he would say that no one man was entitled to the office. It was said by tome that the office should be a rolling one; but he would say that the ratepayers should vote for the man they considered best fitted to direct their affairs. If he should not be elected, he would have no Muse to complain, and would respectfully bo-- (their decision; but if they elected Mm", hs would take it as an expression of their approval of his conduct in tho past, and aB an encouragement to him to persevere in his endeavors to merit their good opinion and approbation. —(Loud applause.) Mr K. Ramsay moved that Mr Leary was the most fit and proper person to hold the office of Mayor. Mr Shacklock seconded the motion, which was put and carried netti. con. The Chairman said: Before I invite ratepayers present to put questions to Mr Leary, would you kindly permit me to say a word or two about the cry usually raised at mayoral elections, that no one should serve as Mayor for more than a year. I admit that in the case of Borne men election for one year would be simply twelve months too long, and that as regards others a year would be quite long enough. But suiely, in the name of common sense, I would ask whether, when the citizens have secured a man of approved ability and fitness, it is not truo wisdom to obtain his services for a further term, especially at a time of perplexity and difficulty? In my native city of Old Dunedin, tho tenure in the case of the corresponding office of Lord Provost is three years. I remember that when Cr William Chambers, whoso portrait_ adorns our Council Chamber, was about to finish his term of office as Lord Provost, the citizens prevailed upon him to continue his services for some timo longer that he might complete the important city improvements begun by him. Similarly, I oousider it would be true wisdom on the pait of tho ratepayers of Dunedin to secure the continuation of Mr Leary's services, so that he may aid and direct the Council in completing the important reforms it has begun. No questions being put, Mr LffARY said that he was greatly obliged to the me.iting for their vote of confidence in him, and hoped that the ratepayers would make vigorous efforts in his behalf. He had heard that a great deal of money was to be sp; nt in behalf of his opponent, while he himself had only to rely on tho spontaneous assistance of the ratepayers. A meeting of Mr Leary's Committee was afterwards held, and the first meeting of the General Committee fixed for this evening.