MUNICIPAL CAMPAIGN.

Manawatu Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 7959, 21 April 1904, Page 3

MUNICIPAL CAMPAIGN.

Op Haydon's Speech

Mr Holben's Maiden Effort

There was a fair attendance at the Lyceum Theatre last night to hear Cr Haydon expound the grounds on which he is seeking the suffrages of the rate-

payers. Mr W. T. Wood, M.H. R., presided. AN OLD HAND.

The candidate, who was applauded on rising, said he was not coming forward as an untried man. He had been work, ing for the public on the Council for the past nine years, and only last year he was returned at the head of the poll. He evidently had the confidonce of the ratepayers then, and he believed ho had not lost that confidence. Ho had been pointed out as an obstructionist and a non-progressive. He was going to prove that was an unfounded accusation. He had always done his best for the Borough, though, of course, like other men, he may have made mistakes.

FINANCES. <..:He then read a detailed statement of the financial position of the Borough. Total receipts in the general account for the year, exclusive of the £10,000 received from the Government reached £14,66418s 7d, and on that amount only £20 Was outstanding in rates. The total expenditure on the general account was £9538 l§s Bd. The debit on the general account was £7246 18s '4d, but all the other accounts were in credit, which accounted for the fact that the overdraft had not increased. The overdraft for the financial year ending 1903 was £4483 la. 4d, compared with £4149 18s 5d this yeax. That was satisfactory, but the rates had been higher this year by id a £.

MR MESTEYER'S SCHEME. The candidate then proceeded to show lhat in his opinion the Council would have been well advised to have employed Mr Mesteyer in connection with the water works. £425 was voted to Mr Bastin to get the work tor ward, and then an extra honorarium of £75. There was then the increased salary to Mr Jickell, and additional clerical assistance, altogether making JE1646 without extras. He was afraid the whole scheme would eventually cost nearer £2000 than the £1650 for which Mr Mesteyer undertook to take the whole responsibility. Thoge figures proved he had been right in supporting Mr Mesteyer.

FAVOURS LONGBURN. " I may tell you right from th 9 jump that I have always been in favour of going to Longburn," said Mr Haydon, proceeding to deal with the burning question of abattoirs. "The advantages are so apparent that anybody but a. blind man could see them." The old Council were in favour of Longburn, but delay arose in connection with the preliminaries, and the matter was left for the new Council to continue. Well, it wag now common history what had taken place, and it was hardly necessary to disouag the matter. Referring to the " much - talked of Shailer'i site," he told them he was afraid it was now the property of Palmerston. (Shame). He was practically certain of that, but to ma^e sure asked the Mayor at the meeting on Tuesday and Mr Dunk replied " I suppose so." Tb.9 burgesses of Palmerston had been ignored m the matter, the Mayor having carried out the behests of the majority in the Borough Council against the interests of the ratepayers. " There has been a ring in the Council •nd it has been a bit too strong; the sooner it is broken up the better for Palmerston." (Applause). The candidate went on to refer to the manner in which the resolution was passed, sanctioning the purchase of Shailer's site, and recounted the objection he voiced in the Council. " Even if the purchase money has not been actually paid, the" Council has been placed in such a position that the sale will have to be completed," he added. Continuing, he dealt in detail with the action taken in regard to the racecourse reserve, condemning the Council's action, and then passed on to the

OPERA HOUSE. 415: he sooner you get a new Mayor %tA Council the better;" he remarked by way of preface. He thought the ratepayers should be asked to say by poll whether they would sanction a loan for a building that should be a credit to the town and not a "superior drillshed!" He was in favor of a combined town hall—with large stage—opera house, »nd offices. The library could be let for £1 a week and the Council Chambers would fetch a like rent. That £8 would pay 5 per cent, interest on a loan of £8,000, so that they would get their Opera House for nothing. He did not believe the present scheme of an Opera House would pay, though it would have a better chance now the Theatre Royal was closed. H* then passed on to the deadly subject ot THE MORGUE.

That was over now, so it was no use discussing 'it. However, he might say he objected to its present site. There ".were plenty of other sites where it could have been placed without doing any injury to property.

THOSE VOUCHERS. Dealing with this matter he said: " I don't want to use strong language, but it was an abominable transaction - .that's mild. When it was agreed to pay Mr Bastin £425 it was understood the preparing of the plans would be under- i "'taken''by some engineers m Invercargill. However, they did not do that. We don't know who prepared the plans, ox what they cost. I do not for a moment 'suggest Bastin made anything out of it, but I do object' to the Council paying tway any money without first seeing the vouchers. (Applause.)

RIVER PROTECTION was the next question dealt with. He was certainly in favour of the protective work being done. "We have some newly acquired land there which we must be very careful to protect—until we dan get rid of it." (Laughter). He would help all he could in the matter. The candidate passed on to the

FITZHERBERT BRIDGE. He contended that the Council from the first should have made the bridge as strong as possible. However, the Council decided, at the urging of the Fitzherbert Road Board, not to expend the £2500, which Mr Metcalfe estimated for. They put Mr Bastin to do the work, and arranged to pay Mr Metcalfe £175 —to do nothing. Now, however, they had decided to let Metcalfe do something for the money by having the cylinders braced, so that perhaps most of the original estimate might yet be expended. Something ought to be done to strengthen the bank. WATER SUPPLY.

He dealt with the necessity of an extended service, aud expressed himself in favour of a loan of £20,000, the interest en:-which could be paid by the revenue

from thn w,ii,m- workß. Therefore they could g i ih- water supply for nothing — iilu> t.! ( «.Opera*Hoii6e. In conclusion he .pledged himself, if returned, to bring the matter before the ratepayers at an early date. , ■:..- .;- '■;.

QUESTIONS. After some unexciting questions as to sewerage connection. Mr Gascoigne caused some amusoment. After, several questions he .inquired, "Can you not propound some achomo to pave tho ratepayers something in interest, by the issue of debentures, for instance, to help to wipe off the overdraft ? " " You certainly can't in tho present state of tho market," replied the candidate.

Mr Pickering asked the candidate's opinion in reference to the Town Clerk's position?

Mr ■ Haydon replied that it was not fair to ask his opinion on a question that was sub ]udicc. The report had not yet been before the Council. He would give his opinion privately. Mr Haydon then referred to the Goige Bridge question. A vote of thanks was then accorded him and ho sat down.