CITY MAYORALTY

Evening Star, Issue 18256, 21 April 1923, Page 3

CITY MAYORALTY

GR TAPLEY'S ADDRESS. A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW. Cr Taplev opened his campaign last nip-lit in the Salvation Army Hall, Gardens, North Dunedin. Though the audience was not a large one, it was attentive and appreciative. Cr Tapley spoke for an hour and a-half, and covered a vast amount of ground. Mr R. Ferguson was in tiie chair, and introduced the candidate in a few well-chosen words. Cr Tapley thanked the chairman for his complimentary references to himsoli, and said that if' he could only convert the majority of the electors to those views ids return was assured. There were evidently some citizens who were sufficiently interested in civic affairs to come to the meeting, but there were, unfortunately, a large number who were content to read all about it in next day’s papers and to form their views from the reports. IflFv QUALIFICATIONS.

ITo wished to say at the outset that it had not been his intention to stand for the mayoralty this year, hut all he had received so inanv requests from all sections of the comnmnitv that he felt he must give hood to them, and that was why ho was standing for the highest position that it was in the power of the citizens to bestow upon him. His term of service on various public bodies was sufficient, he thought to justify his offering himself for this position. "He was elected to the Citv Council in 1907, and left it in 1911, being again elected in 1921, and serving till the present time. This was a total of seven rears, and not two, as a correspondent in the paper had stated. On the Hospital Board he had served from 1907 to 1911, and on the Harbor Board from 1913 to 1920. At the end of his eight, years’ sendee on the latter body he had been elected chairman. Ho had also been for two years a member of the Smith Dunedin Licensing Committee. He intended to conduct the election in a fairminded way. Cr Hayward and Cr Larnach were both personal friends of his, and he was sorry he was opposed to them, but bo intended to win the election in a fair, straightforward way. He mentioned that he was a candidate for the mayoralty in 1910, when he stood against his old friend, the late Cr Cole, who had defeated him. He felt that had he stood the following vear he might have hecw successful, but'business precluded him contesting the election that year. DIFFICULTIES OF FINANCE. The speaker said that he noticed that most of the councillors in their speeches had told the citizens what the council had done. What he proposed was to tell them what, in his opinion, the council should do. His policy had always been, and always would be, one of progress, and he would proceed to give them his views regarding various improvements which could be made with a view to increasing the happiness, comfort, and convenience of the dwellers in our beautiful city. As a candidate for mayor it was necessary to refer to the finances. On March 1, 1922, the council had loans maturing to the tune of £516,200, carrying an average rate of interest of 4.3 per cent. In that year tho country was faced, as it happened, with a wave of depression that had perhaps never been equalled in New Zealand before. The chances of floating the necessary redemption loans, therefore, seemed very blue. They had been advised by their bankers that they could not look to London for the money under 7 per cent. They could imagine what that would be. Private concerns were paying to 8 per cent, for their money, and tho New Zealand Government was also floating a loan of five millions at 6 per cent., with a 4 per cent, discount and an option of repayment in fifteen years, which meant that if it exercised that option the cost of the loan, with interest ami redemption, would bo £6 16s Id per cent. Yet the City Council wont on the local market, and succeeded in raising £425,500 at 6 per cent, at par. All this was obtained in New Zealand, and the greater portion of it in tho vicinitv of Dunedin and in the city itself, which went to show the great faith the people had in the stability of their local enterprises. At that time the council's intention had been to extend some of its trading concerns: but, in view of the state of the money market, it held off. Borne might think them a little “slow” in so doing, but they would agree now that their judgment was correct, in that by waiting they wero able to float further loans on favorable terms. For instance, tho tramways loan of £21,000 at 5 per cent., the works loan of £46,550 partly at 5 per cent, and partly at 6 per cent, the E.P. and L, loan of £122,800 at 6 per cent., the drainage loan of £BO,OOO at 6 per cent., and reducing loans of £85,600 at 5 per cent, and 5 per cent. This made a total since tho 1922 redemption loan of £353,750, and a grand total of £780,050, floated in the dominion, which was very commendable for our city and city councillors, and went to show what a splendid feeling there was throughout New Zealand concerning the Dunedin City Council finances. In this connection Cr Tapley said ho wished to pay a tribute to tho town clerk (Mr C. A. Lewin), who was deserving of great credit for the wise guidance he gave the council in the matter of flotation. HUGE TRADING CONCERN.

The amount involved in the corporation trading concerns was very large. A sum of £2t)5,000 was invested in the tramways (including the recent £21,000 loan); E.P. and L. £631,015 (including tho recent £122,800 loan); gas £108,000; and water £270,000 —a total indebtedness of £1,314,015. These trading conccflis showed a very satisfactory profit, tho total from them ail being £59*,974 for the past year, a net return on the capital value of 4|- per cent. When it was considered that tho trams, electric light, power, gas, and water wero lower than was the case in any other municipality, it was a highly satisfactory state of affairs. Added to the indebtedness on tho trading concerns was £1,056,642 on other departments, white brought the total indebtedness of the city to bondholders up to £2,370,657. This included the Drainage Board figures, which were £665,000. The total revenue received by the corporation from all sources was £560,000 for tho year. Having hoard these figures, said Cr Tapley, his hearers would agree that it was essential that they should see to it that the very best men were sent to represent them on tho council, because such a huge trading concern required the most careful attention. TRAM SYSTEM UNSATISFACTORY. Tho speaker then proceeded to deal with other matters which, ho said, wero of a more controversial nature. ’Die trams, for instance. Ho was afraid that, even at tho risk of offending some of his brother councillors, he must express tho opinion that the present system of team management was not at all satisfactory. The manager (Air Mackenzie) was a most excelled and capable man, but in the speaker’s opinion tho tram manager should be a qualified electrical engineer, with both electrical and cablo experience. Further, ho should report direct to tho council and attend meetings of the Tramways Committee. He should also be responsible for tho rolling stock, lines, and plant, and report on proposed extensions. Mr Alackonzio was purely a traffic man, dependent on outside advice on tramway extensions, for building of plant, etc. Before any extensions were put in hand the council should feel sure that they were adopting tho proper routes and grades. Other systems were being adopted in other parts of the world. In Birmingham, for instance, they wore taking up the lines and going in for trackless cars. He was not advocating this system for Dunedin, but merely mentioned it to show how necessary it was to have an up-to-date engineer who could advise the council whether it was wise to go on with the present system or adopt some other.

With regard to the council’s late engineer, Mr Payno, Cr Tapley said he had fought that gentleman’s battles, and had always the feeling that the position as between him and Mr Mackenzie was not gatiafactoiy* Mi, ghould, have been

authorised to report direct to the committee Instead, his reports went through tho manager, and Mr Payne never attended committee meetings. The present engineer was of tho highest qualifications, hut ho (Cr Tapley) maintained very strongly that tho council should have an electrical engineer. Before they had an engineer the tramways department depended on the worthy city engineer, Mr Henderson ; but ho had his hands full of other work and could not attend properly to the trams, with tho result that hundreds of pounds had been wasted owing to certain faulty curves. THE ROSLYN LINE.

The Roslyn tram question was a burning one, Cr Tapley continued. Ho was afraid here, too, that he would incur the displeasure of some of his fellow-coun-cillors. but. without wishing to cast any reflections upon them, he must pay ho thought that when tho Roslyn line was taken over a proper report should have been obtained regarding the undergear and tho whole position. When tho trouble came they had called in Mr Hunter, an ex-engineer of the Kaikorai Tram Company. He reported, and it was not surprising, in view of the’report, that there had been a break. He (the speaker) had been astounded at tho report. The Bnllifant was one of tho best make of rope, and would have been all right under proper treatment; but, in his opinion, i had not received proper treatment. For one thing, it was carrying too full a load ; tho undergear got too much friction. With broken rope, no wheels whepo wheels should be, and the rope running over instead of under the wheels, it was no 'wonder that there was too much friction. Ho could sympathise with the council, however, because at tho time they had not the necessary money available for proper repairs. They were now getting a, new rope and bad been advised that the undergear had been put right. So that the Roslyn people should soon have nothing to complain of. EXTENSION ADVOCATED. With regard to tramway extensions, he thought it did not speak at all well for Dunedin that in twenty years there had been none at all. Tho council seamed to think that before a line could bo extended it was necessary to see a lot of dwellings and buildings in the district. His opinion was that tho papulation would follow the extensions. He quoted Wellington as an example of this, extensions to Karori, Seatoua, and Brooklyn having benefited those districts wonderfully. Jf Dunedin adopted the same policy, and ran trains to areas where people could obtain good-sized sections and have their gardens and plenty of fresh air, the population would go there all right. When this was done cheap fares should he offered. The first extension undertaken should bo to Opoho. Ho was surprised it had not gone there long ago. A more pleasant, place to live in could not be conceived. This extension was to be made, and. if elected, ho would push it on for all ho was worth. Another extension ho favored was a lino up Pitt street to Maori Hill via. Drivers road. This would divert a lot of the present Roslyn traffic. Later the lino could bo continued towards Wakari. The line from Anderson Bay to the Anderson Bay Cemetery must be put down at an early date. Hundreds of people went to tho cemetery. Tho lino could also be used by the numbers of picnickers who patronised Tomahawk Beach. Other extensions ho would like to soe was one up to Look-out Point and from there along tho back of tho Industrial School towards Mornington. This would be fully justified. The Tramways Committee, he thought, should consider the question of building liamway depots at the various termini. One advantage of this would be to spread the council's risk in tho case of fire, and another was tho convenience to conductors and motormen, who at present hail to walk to their homes in far suburbs after putting in their last cars. SUPERINTENDENT OF PLAYING AREAS. Concerning playing areas, it was his opinion that the city could not have too many. He was out to encourage all kinds of games, being of the opinion thaf outdoor sport was tho very essence of health. He would lay himseftf out to have plenty of grounds provided, and to make them up to date and playable. At present there were forty-one playing areas, and Mr Tannock was looking after them. But they had complaints from tho Rugby Union and other bodies that they were not doing enough. His feeling was that Mr Tannock, whoso duties connected with tho beautifying of our city took him all over the place, had not the, time to attend to tho playing areas also, and tho time had come for the appointment of a. superintendent of playing areas, a man who understood tho laying down of cricket pitches, tennis courts, football grounds, and so on. If better facilities were ‘given to the sports bodies they would no doubt be prepared to pay a little more, and 'he additional revenue would more than pay fo' the new superintendent. Then the reclamation of Lake Logan should bo pushed on to completion and reserved entirely as a recreation ground. There had been a big stir over this matter a little while ago, but it seemed to have died down. He would like to see it revived, and the Harbor Board persuaded to complete tho reclamation. It might be, however, that the area would bo required for the exhibition in 1925; that remained to be seen, but if it wasn’t, the work should go on at once, ns it was possible one of the other recreation areas might bo needed for tho site <jf the exhibition. OUR SEASIDE PLACES.

Another important matter was that of iho St. Clair beach. Dunedin had tho finest beach asset in New Zealand. Tho swimming baths had been allowed to go to rack and ruin, but tho council was going to spend £2,500 to bring them up to date and to increase the number of salt water baths and renovate tho caretaker’s residence. There was a hand rotunda and shelter at St. Clair, but ho thought there should be something more, and advocated swings, sec-saws, tennis courts, and such other attractions as were provided at Caroline Bay. While ho did not think all this should be dorm by tho council, he considered more might bo carried out by community effort. In Timaru they held Mardi Gras, and there was no reason why it should not bo done here. Ho was sorry to see that the hilly section at the comer of Forbury Victoria road had been levelled. This had been used by hundreds of people, and tho city might have acquired it and kept it for a reserve,

The Domain Board was doing its best at St. Clair, but its funds were limited, and very much help could not be expected from that quarter. He hoped one day to see a road from St. Clair to Lawyers Head, with seats, from which people might enjoy the sea breezes. If Auckland or Wellington had_ our natural advantages they would quickly seize upon them. He thought that a wall built out from the baths for a quarter of a mile would do away with the erosion, and, incidentally, the unsightly groins._ This had been the result of the building of _tho wall at Caroline Bay. Later a pier might be built from the end of Forbury road. THE WARD SYSTEM. Cr Tapley said he favored a return, to the ward system of voting. It was, in his opinion, mo-re satisfactory to the ratepayers who desired to approach _ councillors regarding their particular district. Numbers of ratepayers did not know the majority of councillors. Another reason was that councillors could not be expected to have complete knowledge of the streets in all the districts when the list came up in connection with the estimates. Again in connection with the council elections, a great number of voters didn’t know one councillor from another, and simply voted for the first twelve on. the paper —and perhaps the best wore at the bottom. PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT METHODS. He was not satisfied! with the system of administration of the wotlrS department. There was an apparent lack of proper supervision, and leakages were going on that should not occur. Public tenders should l be called for the sale of scrap iron, instead of an official going around, and finding out what this or that firm was prepared to give for it. Mr M “Curdy had done great work for the city, and 1 the time for his retirement was drawing near. It was his (Or opinion that the

Dunedin Council should advertise all over tho world' for tho best engineer available. They would lia.vo to pay him a liberal salary, doubtless, but a man would save tho city the amount of his salary over and over again, because ho would be up to date in his methods. One thing ho wished to see the continuing of the road paving with asphalt, the principal roads first, then others as means became available. He would like to see the whole of Crawford street done from Rattray street to Anderson Bay road. This would be the means of diverting some of the traffic from Princes street. It was scandalous to iliink that road paving had to bo abandoned this summer because the foreman and gang of trained workers were wanted at the Southern Reservoir. He (Or Tapley) and others had protested against this action by the committee, but it had been useless.” If the city engineer had a knowledge of paving lie should have had another trained gang ready. Tho mains on the waterfront was another matter that required attention. So far as the Citv Council was concerned, its responsibility would end with the laying of the water mains. There was at present only a 4in main along Rattray street to Victoria wharf, and from there to the. end of tho wharf a 3in main. What was wanted 1 was a 6iu main right through.

Tho speaker dealt with the question of tho removal and treatment of fish offal and offal from tho abattoirs, advocating the erection of a digester at the abattoirs. TOWN HALL NEEDED.

Dunedin, he wont on to say, baaly needed a Town Ball. There was no building in tho citv where large meetings could ho’ held. Other centres had their town halls, and he trusted that when the vote on the question of raising a loan for the purpose was taken in May next the people would authorise it, OTHER MATTERS.

He thought tho City Council should coordinate more with, the Harbor Board. Both bodies were out for tho good of Otago, and by working together could help it along. . . in regard to the forthcoming exhibition, he felt sure that it was going to stimulate trade and tho tourist traffic. The cutting out of tho steamers which used to call at this port had caused tho South Island tourist traffic to Languish. Tho Union Company should be induced to resume the sailings. lie would 1 like to pay a tribute to the Expansion League and tho Chamber ol Guimucrco in connection with their efforts to get Justice for Otago. r l lie speaker touched on tho municipal milk supply scheme; tho necessity for a destructor, and other matters, and concluded by stating that ho was not standing for any particular class. He was as much in sympathy with the workers as with the employers, and would always give everyone a square deal. If returned fie would do all in his power to forward tho interests of the city and to make the conditions of life for the citizens even more pleasant than they were to-day. (Loud applause.) A few questions having been put and answered, Air G. W. Lumb moved a resolution to the effect that Cr Tapley was a fit and proper person to fill the mayoral chair. Tho mover said' lie had watched Or Tapley’s career for thirty-five years, and was glad to note ho had “ climbed the ladder like a man.” Tho motion, which was seconded by a lady, was canned unanimously and 1 by acclamation. [Extended Report by Arrangement.] ME LARNACH’S ADDRESS. Cr D. Larnach, who is a candidate for tho city mayoralty, addressed a meeting at South Dunedin last night, Cr Larnach said ho had been prepared to stand down in favor of the present mavnr if lie would consent to offer his services for a further term, this being duo recognition of the excellent work Mr Douglas had done during his present term under adverse conditions. Had either of his opponents agreed to a similar view, ho had not tho slightest doubt but that Mr Douglas would have again offered his sendees as mayor. Ho did not wish to decry his fellow-aspirants, but they would agree that when a councillor gave his attention to his municipal and committee duties he qualified for the higher office, and lie claimed their vote and support on that ground if on no other. TRAMWAYS. The tramways department had of late been the cause of a great deal of discussion, but when they considered the fact that the tramways were the cheapest in the dominion, the committee was deserving of some consideration. In Auckland ami Wellington each charged 2d for tho first section, 3d for two sections, and 4d for three sections. Christchurch charged a minimum of 2d, which covered the journey up to two sections, tho charge for three sections being 3d. Dunedin was the only one of tho centres charging a minimum fare of Id. Then we had the concession ticket of fourteen one penny sections for one shilling, children up to five years were carried free, whilst halffare was charged up to fourteen years, and free travel given to a great many returned soldiers. The profit for the year was £10,405, which was rather less than 1920, when it was over £14,000. The profit for last year was made up as follows -City tramways, £8,824; .Mornington, £1,171; and Roslyn, £420. During the last two years considerable progress had been made. Twelve new cars were now in operation, and six trailer cars were under construction, one of which would bo on the road in a. few weeks’ time. Destination signals on tho number system would bo affixed to tho cars very soon. Tho duplication to Anderson Bay had now been completed, and was in operation, and the Opoho extension would bo proceeded with on receipt of the Order in Council, which was expected at any moment now, sufficient material being in hand to proceed with the work. The Pitt street route to Maori Hill had been delayed, the Government requesting particulars of two routes: From George street to St, Andrew street, Filleul street, Scotland street, and Royal terrace, and from George street to St. Andrew street, Scotland street, Horiot row, and Cobden street. Other extensions were to Kennuire road (Mornington), Richardson street (St. Kilda) to Forbury Park, and Anderson Bay to tho cemetery. Look-out Point was another projected extension. The Pelichct Bay residents would be looking for an extension in their district, more especially when the railway deviation took place; but the ratepayers would realise that this required a certain amount of borrowing. GAS DEPARTMENT. Mr _ Larnach dealt with tho extensions now in progress at Waipori, and then pased to the gas department, which, he said, had been showing such good results that tho department had been able to reduce tho gaa by 5d per I,oooft. Notwithstanding this reduction, it was anticipated that there would bo a substantial profit next year. Tho department had contracted very favorably for a supply of coal for the next twelve months. The gas here was the cheapest in tho dominion. Electricity was to replace the gas lamps all over the streets of the city. When that was done it was intended to offer better facilities to the ratepayers on favorable terms for the installation of gas in their houses for cooking purposes. The profit for last year was £9,500, being £2,590 over tho previous year. WASTE OF WATER. ■Cr Larnach said lie would say very little about tho water department, ns Gr Begg, at his meeting, had given a full and comprehensive report. Tire Southern Reservoir excavating was expected to be, finished about the end of September, and the whole work in about nine months. The cost per yard in the first cut was 3s sid, second 2s 9jd. These charges included payment for plant. The estimated cost was 2s 6d, but it had risen greatly in the meantime. Allowing value for the plant, the funds voted would finish the work. The daily consumption was about 5,009,000 gallons—an average daily consumption per head of seventy-five gallons. Some time ago the engineer figured out tho waste. as 12,000,000 gallons per day. The chairman was having an extensive investigation mode, as there should bo no necessity for such waste. With increased storage on the sites available, the present supply could be considerably augmented,

and was mffident for many years to come, but this was all a matter of finance, which the incoming committee would take into consideration. Or Larnach referred briefly to the satisfactory position of tho baths, tho library, and the reserves, and then passed on to insurance. After five years of carrying its own accident risks and four years of firo risks, tho council was to be congratulated upon its groat success. For tho five years the accident premiums amounted to £10,858, whilst charges and claims were £2,449, the balance being £8,419. Tho fire premiums and interest totalled £7,010, whilst claims and charges were £515, leaving a balance of £6,495. By the transfer of £IO,OOO from tho general account tho fund now stands at £27,878. GENERAL OUTLOOK. They were asked at times whv they did not engage in a more progressive policy. He was a firm believer in progress, hut to engage in. huge ventures called for large sums of money. This money could be got only by borrowing. Was there a sane and prudent man there who would advocate a big borrowing policy with money at 6J to 7 per cent, for interest? Surely not. The mayor put the position in a nutshell when ho said that it should bo borne in mind that there was a very pronounced limit to the rate of interest that certain public works of a “ non-produc-tive ” nature would cany, and no prudent man of affairs would advocate a policy of extensive borrowing for such works with interest at the high rate ruling during tho past three or four years. To do so would be to impose a burden on the community by way of taxation that would be positively disastrous.” Cr Larnach claimed that the city had not stood still during the past two years. They had been told time and time again of its successful venture in raising well over half a million of money to repay maturing loans, and that of itself was a great achievement. In addition to that, tliey had raised some £271,150 for new works in two yearn. This was for street improvements, for which they had raised £47,350, whilst £122,800 went for the further extensions of the electrical department, and £21,000 for tramway development. This latter sum was used for the duplication of tho Anderson Bay line, and the balance was earmarked for the Opoho extension, which was to he pet in hand forthwith. In conclusion, he dosired to say that his policy would bo to further the progress of the city. We were looking forward to tho great exhibition about the end of 1925, and wo should endeavor to push on our tramway extensions, street improvements, and nil works that would make our city worthy of the best in tho dominion. .Should thov do him the honor of electing him next Thursday his earnest desire would be to work on those lines which wore for tho welfare of the city and the honor of tho citizens of Dunedin. Cr Larnach was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence, after Cr Wilson had addressed the meeting briefly on public works on the lines of his Mornington speech.