THE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 16 April 1907, Page 2

THE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

Mr C. J. Harley's Mayoral Election Committee will meet in the rooms of Messrs Adams and Harley this evening. The business is important. A meeting of Mr Piper's Mayoral Election Committee will be held in the Cc-operative Hall, Hardy-street, tomorrow, at 8 p.m., when a full attendance is requested. ! Cr. M. Lightband has been nominated for re-election to the City Council, his nominators being Messrs J. Boon and F. St. John. Mr J. K. Johnston has been nominated by Messrs W. J. Bray and T. H. Lukin. It is understood that Jlr Joseph Robertson, of Robertson Bros., wil be a candidate. Messrs Ed. Webley and J. C. Mercer, who have been spoken of as likely candidates, have definitely decided not to come out. Mr Moller has not yet made up his mind. Mr Thomas Field and Mr Robert Snodgrass are among the "probables." Mr C. J. Harley, a candidate for the Mayoralty, will address the electors at th» Theatre Royal on Thursday evening it 8 o'clock. a

Strong language hung hko a fleecy blue cloud over the deliberations of the Dunedin City Fathers on Thursday evening, says the "Star," and caused the Mayor to frown, the councillors to hold their breath, and the reporters to push their pencils with extra zest. It arose out of the sardonic suggestion by one representatives of the ratepayers that another representative had, on some occasion or other, been "squared." The putative object of the "squaring" was on his feet in an instant, and he flung strong expressions of scorn at his traducer. Among the more merciful of his expletives were "Liar," "Unmitigated liar," and "Dastardly lying scoundrel" — a pretty crescendo movement. The Mayor very properly made the accuser retract his accusation, and the other councillor to take back his cumulative epithets.

To the Editor.

Sir, — I have read with considerable interest your leader jn this evening's issue re present rating and city finance, and heartily commend its general tenor. If you can permit me to trespass somewhat upon your space I I wonld like to place some actual figures before the ratepayers, as I understand : a speaker at the Druids' Hall meeting | mentioned i. 3s 9d rate as being in sight for '■> 'ong-suifering ratepayers of Nelson. For the >«ar ending March 31st. 1907, the actual rates collected was at the rate of 2s 94d in the £, and this included 4d on account of the drainage lean. This latter I hold in the interests of good city finance should never have boon struck, as I hold in works of this description the first ( year's interest should have been paid out of capital, and the old sanitary rate collected until the ratepayers could avail themselves of the new system. When the drainage scheme is completed the total rates, including the loan raised 'raised for 'bridges (and supposing it necessary to strike a Is ) 9d general rate), will be 3s 4A'd in the i £, but after allowing say 3d" for the ' present sanitary service it wonld be, say, 3s lAd maximum. Place the gas supply, abattoir, and water supply upon an equitable basis, fund the present overdraft, or at any rate the major portion of it, and T do not see why the rates cannot be kept well within a 3s limit and yet raise all that is required to keep the city in j good condition and do some little each year to increase its attractions as the finest residential centre in New Zealand. This would compare very favourably with the other centres of population in New Zealand. For the year ending 1905 Auckland was p^ing 3s Id, New Plymouth 3s' Id, Napier 2s 30rl. One thing' should not be lost sight of, viz., the fact that present rateable values are much lower in Nelson than the majority of New Zealand centres, the total still being under £70.000. which for a township containing 4800 acres is very moderate. And without being too optimistic let us hope that in the not distant future the legitimate advance in real estate values alone will enable the Council to reduce the rate in the £, atlhough, of course, it will not reduce the amount required to be collected. But it must not be overlooked that the higher values of land in other centres alter considerably the value of the apparent rate struck. I am, etc., WM. SPENCER HAMPSON. Nelson, April 15, 1907.

To the Editor.

Sir, — Please allow me to correct a slip of the pen in my figures of Slowey's schedule in my last night's letter. Instead of 1000 c.y. No. 1 concrete 5 to 1 851 c.y. No. 2 concrete 8 to 1, it should have been 851 c.y. No. 1 concrete (5 to 1), 35s £1487 10 0 3000 c.y. No. 2 concrete (8 to 1), 32s £4800 0 0 Thanking you in anticipation, I am, etc., 16-4. '07. j. PIPER .

To the Editor.

Sir,— Your admirable leader last night shows the urgent' necessity for fresh blood in the Council. Every new candidate who comes forward just now deserves the thanks of the ratepayers. What we want in the Council is a new | Enn— lock, stock, and barrel. As for "the immortal six," may they live — in our memory. I am, etc., AUTOLYCUS.

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