MUNICIPAL MATTERS.

Evening Star, Issue 14036, 17 April 1909, Page 2

MUNICIPAL MATTERS.

FROM THE MAYOR’S VIEWPOINT. The Mayor (Mr J. M’Donald) delivered a mayoral election address in the Howe Street Hall last night. Mr T. A. Maitland, who presided over a large attendance, referred to the efficient manner in which Mr M'Donald had occupied the mayoral office.

Mr M’Donald, w*d was well received, said that he had never been more worthy of support. He was not egotistical. Referring to the speech of his opponent in the same hall on the previous evening, he contended that the speech would not have helped him more if he had written it. —Why He Sought Re-election.—

Referring to his candidature for the mayoralty, lie said that hitherto it seemed to have been an unwritten law in Dunedin, though the practice did not obtain in other cities, that the office of mayor should bo a rolling one, and consequently not held two years in succession by the' same individual. Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Timaru, Invercargill, for example, had never in any way entertained such a rule, and nearer home St. Hilda was represented no less than fourteen consecutive years by the late Hon. H. Gourley. Personally, he somewhat favored the 'rule, for it afforded councillors who had faithfully served the citizens for many years a chance of the crowning reward of receiving the appointment of chief magistrate of the City. But circumstances rightly alter cases, and he thought the present somewhat exceptional, and the electors alone had the right to say whether the rule should be rigidly adhered to or not. He was the recipient of a large requisition, containing no less than 1,200 signatures, asking hinp to again contest the mayoral chair, and in addition innumerable friends had verbally made the same request, which indicated a very prevalent desire among the electors to see him occupy that chair for a second term, and he felt that ho would be wanting in a proper respect to the citizens if he paid no attention to this widespread wish. The Late Finance Committee.—

t When he assumed office in May last this Committee, consisting of Messrs .-Small (chairman). Keast, Rutherford, Shacklock, Stewart, Sullivan, Taplev, and Walker were appointed. Four months after the appointment _ the City was surprised to learn that this, the most responsible of its departments, feeling aggrieved at tin: publication of reports in the Press concerning the finances of the City, had suddanlv resigned. The question of publication afforded no justification for such a highhanded proceeding on their part. If they had any grievance the proper course was to have come to a meeting of the Council and asked for a suspension of the standing orders, when the matter could have been debated. Instead of doing that, they held a secret meeting at Cr Keasfs office in Hope street and formed this indefensible decision. “And." continued Mr MTlonald, “I hold the opinion that I am in dutv bound to oppose any one of these gentlemen who may aspire to the dignity of the mayoral chair, us I feel certain that the citizens will in no way tolerate its occupancy by one who has thus given annoyance to and attempted to cast d.scredit on the mayor ihx! have elected.”

—Gas and Water.— Xo department would require more careful management than the gas department. [' to compete with the electric lighting, which was becoming very popular in our City. Possibly 50 per cent, of the houses were not consumers, and the constant- aim of the management would have to be to so popularise gas as to make it desirable, by low prices and good quality, that it would conic within the reach of everyone for lighting purposes, and’ also cooking, etc. The new gasholder was now completed, the new retort-house and retorts, coke-handling plant, coal charging and discharging, at a cost of between £50,0(X) and £60,000. Our gasworks were thoroughly equipped, up to date, and he trusted that the lime was not distant when they would be ono of the best ; aying in the world. The water department grew with the growth of the City. Forecasts of the future demand were difficult to make. Possibly a storage area in the Upper Leith was desirable, but opinions differed as to whether this reservoir could be built on account of the nature of the ground. One containing 100,000,000 gal erected there would minimise all fear of drought. A decision would have to be arrived at, and if the above scheme be impracticable, other fields would have to be sought. Lee Stream had been suggested, a visit having been paid by himself, in company with Or Scott, Mr Stark, and the town clerk. A report would shortly be received from the engineer, and he would refrain from expressing his opinion meanwhile. —Encouraging Sport.— He was glad to announce that £l5O had been placed on the allocations for improvements on the North Ground, King street, and the small reserve opposite the Botanical Gardens. In consultation with Mr Tannock the Council had decided this year that £I,OOO should be spent to provide one bowling gi"*en, four croquet lawns, five tennis courts, and a football ground. The cost for wages, etc., would amount to £2OO per annum, and interest and sinking fund £SO per annum—a total charge of £250. This undoubtedly would be one of the finest sports grounds of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. To make this self-supporting, they proposed to make certain charges for the use of these courts, etc., such charges to be as low as possible. For example, 5d per hour for the use of a tennis court-, 4d per hour for a croquet lawn, and say Is per hour for a bowling green. He would ask me Tiamways Committee to grant a subsidy of £25 per annum to this ground, and in addition a good income should be provided by means of moonlight concerts. Immediately they could get this ground into working order their attention would be turned to dealing evith the 10-acre block between Cargill road and Macandrew- road. If properly drained or in, this land would provide similar facilities to that of the north end reserve. This treatment of our reserves undoubtedly served as a feeder for the trams, besides providing the muchdesired breathing spaces for all classes.— (Applause.) At the conclusion of his address Mr M‘Donald answered several questions. He announced that he did not ask for a motion, but accepted with pleasure a vote of thanks, moved by the chairman and heartily given by the meeting.