GORE MAYORALTY.

Mataura Ensign, Issue 1035, 20 May 1902, Page 2

GORE MAYORALTY.

INSTALLATION OF COUNCILLOR D. Wi McFABLANE. V Last evening the formal oeremonyof in- > stalling Councillor D. McFarlane as Mayor of Gore {or the ensuing year, was performed. The retiring Mayor (Mr A. A. Mac Gibbon) said when he and the councillors tt ok office last year tbey had considerable difficulties before them to be faced. His term had proved a record for meetings, and during the first three months half as many more meetings than usual were held, on acoounl of the bad state of affairs which left them not knowing how to carry on. After financial difficulties were overcome they got on swimmingly. If he were permitted be would like to reply to one of the statements made by Mr Ballintlne at the nomination of North Ward candidates a few davs ago. Mr Ballintine said if he had remained in offioe as Mayor a few months longer he would have got all the money necessary from the Govern inent to pay for the bridge repairs. That was absurd and Mr Ballintine ovidently did not consider what he was saying. The Council had considerable difficulty in getting a subsidy from the Government for the work, nnd no on* else could hAve got more. Tbc County Council bad tried to block the Borough Council in the matter. County Councillor Raymond bad made disparaging remarks about the Borough Council in that connection, and contended that as the County Council hud done the work they should have got the subsidy, but the Borough Council was to gel the subsidy, and the County Council was biund by law to contribute to the bridge. The County Council bad almost blocked the subsidy, but with the help of the member for the district (Mr McNab), tho Borough Council was to get it .after all. The speaker referred briefly lo the notable public events oocuring during his term—the visit of the Prince and Princess of Wales, the return of the fourth and fifth contingents, and the visit of Kir Hector Macdonald to Gore. Tho speaker was elected on a progressive policy, and that policy bad been adhered to. Several matters had been brought to a sueceßßful issue—the erection of abattoirs, repairing of the bridge, and purchase of the electric light works. Other important matters, such as drainage, water supply, and asphalting footpaths remained yet to be i carried out. He drew the Council's attention J to a circular from the Health which emphasised his own ideas as to the 1 necessity for providing iron receptacles for V rubbish, these to be cleaned out regularly. There were many places in Gore which were in a very insanitary condition. The by-laws had just come into force, and thero had been no time yet to enforce them comprehensively. He hoped, however, the Council would see tbe necessity for safe-guarding public health in the manner stated. Especially in the more crowded parts of Main street there were accumulations of refuse that should not bo allowed. Tbey had the plague in the colony, and the Council should do its utmost to keep everything about the town as clean as possible. The speaker went on to refer to the great growth of the town from the point of view of now buildings during the year. At the comer of Main and Mersey -treeU was now a block uf buildings (including the arcade) costing about £IO,OOO, tbe premises formerly occupying 111" same t-iio not being worth mora than £IOOO. A hand nine new courthouse had been opened recently, and a large new post office was approaching completion. In addition to these, dozens of new houses had been erected, showing that tbe progress of the town had been very great indeed. There was no lack of enterprise in tbe direction of putting up new houses, yet accommodation was scarce, and new people coining into the town had to wait weeks before being able to secure a bouse of any description. The sneaker referred to the local custom during holidays of iveryone shutting their shops ii.i.l going elsewhere to spend the time. It was their duty as business people to keep the people in the town. The Coronation festivities were coining on, and tho Council should cull a meeting to Beeure local celebrations. The Government offered to subsidise £ for £ any n mount up to £2OO spent by local bodies, and he thought £2OO laid out by the Council would ensure a much greater return to tbe town. Another important event during his I term whs the change in the incidence of taxation, the pc.iple having adopted the system of rating on unimproved values. He was inclined to think that J under the new order of things the who were better otT would escape lighter than ""* those who could not afford to pay heavy rates. He hoped it would not prove bo, as that would mean thai a demand would be made tor a change back to the old system. Had they been rating on the former system ot capital values to let,this year would have been art-cord one in values. Lust year's ualues showed a great increase, over those of the previous year, and this year the proportion of increase would . have been greater than ever, lie thafiked for their kindness to him during his term. A lot of work had been done, and done pleasantly. It was inevitable that a little friction should arise at limes, but their i friendly relations had not been disturbed on that account. He trusted the incoming Mayor and tbe Council would have every prosperity during tbe coming year, and banded the Mayor tho insignia of office with . the wish that his term of office might bo as successful and pleasant us the speaker's.— (Applause). The newly-installed Mayor thanked Mr Mac Gibbon for bis good wishes, and said he would carry out his duties to the best of his ' ability and for the bentlit of the Borough, and hoped at the end of his term he would have as good a record as Mr Mac Gibbon—- . (Applause.) Mr Mac Gibbon having retired from tbe • chamber, Councillor Poppelwcll moved that ' a very hearty vote of thanks be accorded to Mr Mac Gibbon for his services during the past year, and tint', ho be voted an honorarium of £SO us a slight recognition of those services. The speaker referred to the attention to duty displayed by the retiring Mayor, to his firmness in upholding the dignity of tbe , chair, and his readiness to admit his error , when he took up a wrong position. In tho face of difficulties he had curried out his progressive policy, and the ratepayers eventually showed their confidence in that policy by carrying the loan proposals which they had before rejected. The speaker had stood for Mayor on those lines, and when he was defeated he prophesied that before three years were gone past that policy would be adopted. , And not only had it been adopted, but three times tbe amount of money tbe speaker proposed had been authorised lo be borrowed. V Those in sympathy with the progressive policy m did not desire to plunge. But the finance* demanded that money should be obtained, and the question-was whether they should raise the rates or pay interest on loans. , Ratepayers had wisely decided in favor of tho latter course. , Councillor Macara seconded the motion . and said he endorsed every word so ably an! , eloquently uttered by Councillor Poppelwcll in praise of Mr Mac Gibbon. Councillor Day supported the motion, and , said that though be hud not approved of all ' Mr Mac Gibbon had done, that did not prove , that Mr Mac Gibbon was not right. [ Councillor Sherborne also endorsed Cr [ Poppelwell's remarks and said Mr Mac Gib, bon's policy was everylhirg he could desire. I The motion was put and carried unanimously. The Mayor intimated the nature of * . the resolution to Mr Mac tibbon, who thanked the Councillors for their vote and confidence in bim. He bad endeavored to do what wa§ right, and was glad his efforts had gained thoir approval. It bad been a pleasure to be associated with the present C mncil, and if at . p any future time he could bo of service to the : town in its public affairs be would be only too pleased to place himself at their disposal. —(Applause). Councillor Day referred to the anomaly in the Act which prevented a retiring Mayor from being nominated for a vacancy caused by the election of a Councillor as Mayor. He moved that the member for the dis.rict be asked to endeavor to get the Act amended in the direction stated.—Seconded by Councillor Baker and carried.