MAYOR’S REVIEW

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 79, 12 May 1944, Page 3

MAYOR’S REVIEW

CITY COUNCIL’S WORK SURPLUS IN GENERAL ACCOUNT FUTURE PROGRESSIVE POLICY The main features of the Nelson City Council’s work over the past three years were reviewed by the Mayor (Mr E. R. Neale) at the monthly meeting last evening, which was the last meeting before the elections. In spite of the abnormal and trying conditions brought about by the war the city services had been maintained at a much higher standard than might reasonably have been expected, said the Mayor. However, that result had been achieved only by efficient administration by the Council and the efforts of the staff'. The following figures showed the general and special rates and the total annual council expenditure (with Fire Board levy, which is included in the general rate, excluded) in recent years; 1939-40. the last year before the war: general, 2s 2id; special, Is 29-16 d; total, £31,668. 1940-41: general, 2s 2d: special. Is 2 11-lGd; £31,951. 1941-42, the first year of the present council: general, 2s Id; special. Is 3 11 -16 cl; £32,191. 1942-43; general, Is lid; special, Is 3 11 -16 d: £30,782. 1943-44: general, 2s; special, Is 2d; £30,788. IMPROVEMENT WORKS The council had found it possible, in spile of the increased cost of wages and materials, to maintain the amenities of the city in reasonably good condition and to effect certain improvements particularly in regard to the sewerage system on a rate levy less than that made in 1939 and 1940. That had been made possible firstly by careful and efficient administration and secondly by the fact that both mater ials and labour had been in short supply, with the result that certain works which otherwise probably would have been done, had had to be deferred. In the conditions which the war created, it might reasonably have been expected that much of the council’s normal work would of necessity had had to be neglected. Up to a point this had been the case. Last year, for instance, the council provided £BOOO for streets and footpaths, but for the reasons given it was impossible to carry out the whole of tlie programme proposed. The council had, however, even under these adverse circumstances, succeeded in carrying out the following general works during its term of office:— (1) The Roding scheme was completed and put in operation. During the dry season 1944 for two months the scheme gave an output above the designed value without more than minor troubles. (2) A town-nlanning scheme (zoning) had been prepared and approved and now awaited Government approval. (3) Cemetery extensions had been completed and the building of a Crematorium commenced. (4) A new reclamation scheme by means of refuse disposal had been instituted. The following minor works had been completed:—Large areas of 21 streets had been resurfaced: all remaining macadam streets had been dust sealed, with the exception of a portion of Victoria Crescent, Cleveland Terrace and Stanley Crescent, and two streets had since been ripped up again for resurfacing; improvements to the sewerage in Vanguard Street, and a new sewer in Bridge Street had much improved conditions in these localities, and on the mudfiat: the Hastings Street ditch had been filled in; and new water mains had been laid in Shakespeare Walk and Beachville Terrace. RATE TOLICY "I would point out that by reason of the shortage of materials and labour, the council could have made further reductions in the general rate during the past two years.” the Mayor continued. "It was decided, however, and wisely I think, to keep the rate at a figure approximating, though less than, that levied in former years and thereby to maintain a surplus against the day when substantial increases in the rate were inevitable. By this means it was possible to commence the financial year 1942-43 with a surplus of £3546. the year 1943-44 with £4664. and the new council will now face its first year with a General Account credit of £2559. “As I have indicated, I believe this policy to have been wise—in fact, it is possible that it might have been wiser even to increase the rate instead of reducing it and to have accumulated additional funds.” SPECIAL RATE “It is generally understood that Special Rates are levied to meet the interest and Sinking Fund payments on loans and that trading and other departments for which loans-have been raised are required to meet their respective. loan charges so far as that is possible. There are, of course, certain loans for works and other purposes which are not revenue-producing and still others in respect of which the revenue is not sufficient to meet the full amount of the loan charge. While the council cannot control the amount of the loan charges which are fixed and final, the only way in which it can reduce the Special Rates is by increasing the efficiency of the revenue-pro-ducing departments and this, I claim, is what the council has done, particularly in regard to the Water Department.” THREE NEW LOANS “This council has raised three loans,” the Mayor’s statement continued. “(1) The Cemetery Loan of which £1650 has been raised to date. This loan for the acquisition of additional ground for cemetery purposes was absolutely imperative in view of the fact that the ground available for burials in the old cemetery was practically exhausted. “(2) The Refuse Disposal Loan of £I7OO. I think everyone will agree that in raising this loan for the acquisition of mudfiat areas to the north-east of the city and hillside areas for filling, the council adopted a far-sighted and wise policy. The tipping of refuse will be discontinued on the old area near Haven Road and in the near future the eyesore there will be removed and the whole area improved and beautified. It is a great satisfaction to see this work almost completed. 1 also anticipate that in years to come valuable areas will be made available on the site of the new tip. This area of mudfiat has potentialities for many purposes. Councils of the future will, however, have to carefully consider costs in relation to the results to be achieved. “(3) The Crematorium Loan of £7500. The erection of a crematorium and the principle of cremation itself are subjects on which there are differences of opinion. The fact it. however, that cremation is being universally accepted and adopted and

there has been a demand by at least a section of the community that a crematorium should be established in. Nelson. The council has had the proposal before it during the whole of its-term and I am glad to say that the building has now been commenced and should be ready for use late in the year.- Besides meeting the demand to which I have referred, the main point is that the crematorium will also postpone the! day when further and more costly pro-, vision will have to be made by the pur-, chase of land for cemetery purposes. ! “As was inevitable, these loans ; have meant further additions to the . Special Rates. The council has, , however, by reductions in other directions, found it possible to meet the charges on the new loans with- ! out making any increase in the to- ! tal Special Rates. The Special Rates in 1.941-42 were Is 3 11-16 d and I anticipate that this year they will not exceed Is 213-16 d. The Mayor then referred to the council’s trading departments, gas, electricity and abattoir. TIIE FUTURE "Wc must prepare for the problems peace will bring. Our soldiers on their return must find us ready to provide them not merely with the facilities for earning a living, but also opportunities and facilities for proper recreation and enjoyment,” continued the Mayor. "It seems to me that the time probably has come for the adoption of a progressive policy in civic administration and that any leeway resulting from war conditions should be made up as soon as possible. The war has compelled us to follow a conservative policy and of necessity our aim has been to ‘maintain' rather than ’develop.’ But no progressive policy can be adopted without a corresponding increase in expenditure and increased expenditure can only be met by increased rates. “This council has maintained the city during the war on reduced rates. It has been economical in its expenditure and has nursed its reserves. The time has come, I believe, when ratepayers must be prepared for increases and I give it as my opinion that the first duty of the new counc\j will be the unpleasant one of announcing what those increases shall be. I suggest, however, that few people on giving the matter any thought, will begrudge a few extra shillings or even pounds, if they are assured that it will be used to improve and extend the amenities of the city. The Mayor paid a warm tribute to what he described as an exceptionally capable and very loyal staff which had been a considerable factor in any success which the council had achieved. For his own part, when he was installed as Mayor, he made only one promise—that the electors could be assured of absolutely honest administration in the interests of all. Apart from civic duties the work arising from the war had thrown a heavy additional load upon his wife and himself and he acknowledged the great help Mrs Neale had been to him in these difficult times. Mr Neale pointed out that he had not made a review of the council’s work at the end of each year during the council s term of office, but he considered that comment on some of the more significant features of the period should be made now in fairness to those seeking re-election. He thanked the members of the council for their loyalty and co-operation. "For the information of the public it is only fair to you to say that in my opinion you have all done well by the electors who sent you here and you can face them again with clear consciences,” he concluded. MAYOR CONGRATULATED Councillor S. W. Street said there was no doubt there had been honest administration and work by the council and its staff. He congratulated the Mayor on his term of office. Mr Neale had been an excellent Mayor and Mrs Neale had been a help to the city in many ways. Councillor N. Rout and Councillor S. A. Gibb s also referred to the Mayor’s service. Councillor Gibbs expressed appreciation of the consideration Mr Neale had always shown the councillors.