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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 16 April 1907, Page 1

In the course of a speech at a meeting of the Dunedin Ratepayers' Association, Mr Connor, a member of the City Council, displayed remarkable optimism regarding the future. He said that if the ratepayers returned to the City Council only men of sound business principles it was possible that in 10 years or so Dunedin might be in the happy position of not requiring to levy any rates. The gasworks were showing good profits, and there was nothing to hinder good profits being obtained from the water supply. The trams were paying, and the Waipori electric power was sure to prove a great asset, while the rents from endowments were improving every year. Without being too sanguine, he predicted that with the right class of men controlling municipal affairs ratepayers were within sight of a rateless Dunedin. Mr Small, another councillor, stated that the interest paid during the year on municipal account was £12,773, on water 15,924, on gas £5880 on abattoirs £470 on trams £14,789, and on the Waipori electric supply £9562. He agreed with Mr Connor that much might be done in tha direction of reducing the rates to a vanishing point. In 1908 there would be a reduction of about £12,000 in interest, and after that the Council could save 20,000 with the greatest of ease. With judicious management it would be possible in time to clear off all municipal indebtedness.