MR. DINON, M.P., AND MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9171, 28 September 1888, Page 3

MR. DINON, M.P., AND MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —Having been resident in Birmingham for several years, and learned to appreciate the advantages of th&t type of sound municipal government, which has been gradually developed, and is still being perfected in that city, by the skill, energy, and disinterested conduct of its highly-respected prominent citizens, who take for theiz motto "The greatest good for the greatest number," and who are well represented in our midst in the person of Mr. George Dixon, M.P. for Edgbaston, I desire to make a suggestion, which, if considered proper to be acted upon, I am of opinion would lead to great good, and be of greafe value, not only to Auckland, but also to the whole of the municipalities in New Zealand. Your valuable columns have from time to time been thrown open for the ventilating and discussing of matters which have been the cause of much dissatisfaction and loss to the whole community, and many of which might be traced back to faulty municipal government. Now,*l feel sure that, if approached in a proper manner, Mr. George Dixon will prove not only able but willing to afford much valuable information to Auckland by way of comparison with Birmingham in many of these matters, and although it will not be possible for young Auckland to accomplish all at once what has cost Old Brum years of toil and vast expenditure, still, if once put in a proper groove, much of the costly experimenting and blundering characteristic of the past might be saved, and instead of standing still we might "progress." Space will not permit of my entering fully into the matter, but by way of explanation I shall mention a few vexed questions. I. Municipal representation; householders have no voice in the matter at present. 2. The disposal and utilising of the nightsoil. 3. The working of the Art Gallery, and the Public Library, more particularly the reference and lending departments. 4. The gas monopoly and lighting of the streets. 5. Sanitary regulations and by-laws, having reference to the overcrowding and erection of buildings. 6. The working of the Artisans' Dwelling Act, and the Contagious Diseases Act. 7. Charitable aid, and with it the selection of a site for Refuges—town versus country. 8. The want of, and desirability of, city markets for fish, fruit, produce, &c, &c. 9. Temperance organisations (not municipal, but important). 10. Boards of Health. Of course one could not expect Mr. Dbcon to enter personally into detail in all these matters, but I have no doubt he can have the information supplied. Some of the above are questions which intending and intelligent colonists are sure to inquire about, and are of interest to them as weW as to us.—l am, &c, Johx Mitchell. September 27.