MAYORAL INSTALLATIONS

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11648, 9 May 1901, Page 6

MAYORAL INSTALLATIONS

THE CITY CEREMONY.

DR. CAMPBELL ENTERS ON OFFICE.

ADDRESS BY THE RETIRING MAYOR.

POSITION OF CITY AFFAIRS.

The installation of Dr. J. Logan Campbell as Mayor of Auckland took place in tho City Council Chambers yesterday afternoon. Mr. D. Goldie, tho retiring Mayor, took the chair, Dr. Campbell being seated at. his right hand. Mrs. Campbell was also present. The councillors present were: Messrs. Hannan, Haume, Itosser, Stiohbury, Howson, Patterson, Grey, Parr, Julian, Glover, Garratt, and Masefield. There was also a largo gathering of citizens, including Messrs. .J. H. Upton, Graves Aiokin, E. B. Parsons, Dr. Bakewell, W. Beehan, 11. Gorrie, Roberton, lv. Salmon, R. Tudehopc. T. Morrin, K. Hobbs, C. C. McMillan, J. MeLachlan, J. M. Shorn, G. Dunnett, G. Iliggins, Dr. King, \Y. Ledinghatn, J. Batger, Greshain (coroner), Seymour Thorns George, Dr. A. G. Purchas. O. Mays, G. i'owlds, M.11.K., Woodward, C. Hanson, Thos. Finlayson, J. J. Holland, Von Stunner, A. J. Allom, the Rev. AY. E. Gillam, and C. Arnold. MR. GOLDIE'S SPEECH. Mr. D. Goldio, the retiring Mayor, said: —Gentlemen, —In vacating tho position of Mayor, which I have held for nearly two and a-half years, allow mo to thank very heartily those of you who have been councillors during tho period referred to for the very courteous treatment that I have rereived at voiu hands. The work we have together engaged in for the benefit of our adopted city has been of a very trying and arduous nature, more especially during the past 18 months, when so many things altoLfctlnvr unexpected have crowded in upon up, so much so that at times it seemed almost impossible to cope with them; but with tho loyal assistance so generously given by you, we have managed, I think, in a fairly satisfactory manner to perform the duties thus thrust upon us. Till-: CONTRACT SYSTEM. V. hen I undertook lie- duties of Mayor I informed you that I considered it would be well foi you to do as much of your work as possible by contract, and from an examination of what has been done I have no hesitation in sayini, that it is in every respect a better system than the other. Whilst not prepared to recommend the dismissal of those at present- employed. I should certainly advise that none other should lx» engaged, believing, as I sincerely do, that you will find it far more advantageous to let by coni tract all work exceeding in value £20. taking care, of course, that all such work is done 1 under proper supervision, for contractors need just as much, but not more, Watching than the ordinary labourer. PROPERTY VALUATIONS. I also stated when 1 assumed office that I believed that with a fair valuation of all the properties in the city it would be j possible to carry on all the duties devolving upon you without additional taxation being thrown upon an already overburdened I people. The experience f have gained during my term of office has proved conclusively that in this matter I .was right. 1 [ am pleased to say that, with the assistance so generously given by you, the old state of j things lias been nearly terminated, for although not yctiitisfied that our valuations are all that they ought to be, yet we are pleased to inform you that the ratable value j lias increased during the time that I have presided over you by £49.759, giving you an additional annual revenue from this source I alone of £5701 9s. Of this increase of revenue from"" valuations £3393 3s has been obtained from a readjustment cf old values, and £2.303 6s from new buildings. Nov.-, altiior.glTTht?se- results are very encouraging, I am not satisfied that we are adopting the proper course in employing one officer to perform the duty of the whole city. I have come to the conclusion that it would be to your advantage to let the work to bo done in valuing the city properties out in wards, or other subdivisions, to experts such as your leading land agents, gentlemen who aro daily disposing of property, and who in consequence are brought continuously in touch with tho truo selling value of real estate, and who could therefore base tho ratable value upon either the capital or rental value as they deem best in the interests of all concerned. RATING ON UNIMPROVED VALUES. Tho question ol rating upon the unimproved values has been l>ofore you during the year. At the risk of being thought presumptuous. I would suggest to those gentlemen who I think conscientiously believe that this taxnig on the unimproved values is the more excellent way, that before attempting to take a poll of the ratepayers upon the subject they endeavour to get the law altered, so as to follow somewhat on tho lines laid down by the Borough Councils of New South Wales, where special provision is desired to be made by them in the Act for the special taxation of -pipes and train-rails laid upon or under the streets, and all lands held by the Government in the district. As the law at present stands with respect to taxing upon unimproved values in Now Zealand, the revenue obtained from these companies could not be collected, and the burden taken off their shoulders would be placed upon those of the ordinary ratepayers. THE FIRE BRIGADE. The question of a new fire brigade station and up-to-date appliances have met with veryearnest consideration at your hands. We have not perhaps moved as rapidly in this matter as under other circumstances we might have done. Perhaps tho strongest reason for delay was caused by the neglect of tho Government to give effect to our wishes, and that of sill the municipalities in New Zealand, and, in addition, many of our.infmraiico companies, by introducing and carrying a Rill, and their subsequent failure to support the Bill prepared and introduced by ourselves, making it compulsory for fire insurance companies and themselves to contribute with the borough one-third each towards the; establishment, equipment, and maintenance! of fire brigades. This is the law in all the Australian colonies, with the exception of Tasmania, and ought to have been long ere this the law in New Zealand. Feeling, as you did, strongly upon the injustice of the position here, you did not fee* justified in committing the ratepayers to an expenditure of something like £10,000 or £11.000 in the direction indicated, without doinjr all in your nower to get the burden equallv distributed. Notwithstanding (he action taken, the Bill oid not -ret beyond the first reading last session, and under these "circumstances* you determined not to delay any longer the erection and equipment ot a station. Having f .one this it will be necessary for von to', '•/!"' inserted a clause in the Fire Brig.-uloil »'!! v.-hc-h you hone to pass next session leaking lie expenditure that you have incurred. and will still further incur, a charge | upon the funds of the united Board. ; SANITARY MATTERS. Ihe qc.e tiou cf sanitation ban received very earnest attention. So far von have let .-...tr.icts " the value of £12,000. and von wil. have the second instalment of the loan. 10.000, 1.-1 rrmtiimo the work next summer, • ess the £3000 winch will be required towards the expenditure upon the fire brigade land and buildings, the intervening months bei wen now and spring being used by your engineer in the preparation of the neeessarv plans and specification toi the work T should like to emphasise (Ids fact, that all the money needed to cnmnlete the drainage of your city is included in the loan you authorised. unless you unwisely trv to force the work to completion too rapidly, and so raise the value of I.dour. With respect to the removal of nightsoil, I fully expect that the present plan of removal will speedily give place to the best of all known systems, viz., that or wafei carriage. You have done well to resolve that as soon as your auxiliary water supply is introduced, "that you will at once reduce lie cost for water for closet purposes to Jsi-per annum, instead of the 30s now charged. This will bo a great boon to the citizens, and an ever-in-leasing source of revenue *o yourselves. WATER SITPLY. In the matter of your auxiliary water supply, I think (lie ratepayers might well be complimented upon the scheme now being worked out, for which we are so largely indebted to Mr. -Atkinson, not onlv for the able milliner in which lie submitted the scheme to the consideration of the Council and the ratepayers, but also for the public spirit which has prompted him to give so much of his valuable time, and in addition section of his land, to further the scheme, the whole be-) i'.ig done, without receiving or even expect-: ing to receive the slightest recompense. In the scheme itself I think there is not the slightest doubt but that we have not only solved the question of an auxiliary water .supply to supplement the water now being obtained from the Western Springs, but in the no very distant future to supersede it alto'/ether. This must soon become a necessity fioin the continued pollution of the catchment area in proximity to the Western bxjrinjis through the increasing number of

dwellings, with no adequate provision for drainage being erected upon it. In passing it might Ik; well to say that as soon a* the Government have appointed a district health officer, it will be imperative that the whole of tho catchment area of tho Western Springs should be carefully examined, and steps taken to prevent the pollution of the water for the time we may still further need to use it, by bringing into operation the very drastic clauses of the new Public Health Act, which effectually deals with tho question. Under all previously-suggested schemes of obtaining a supply of water from Nihotupu, the idea seems to have been to 'intercept the water somewhere near the bridge, where you have a flow in the driest summer of some 1,200,000 gallons per day of 24 hours. As this was very far short of pre-ent requirements, it was proposed to build largo storage reservoirs to con erve the winter flow for summer use. Under the present scheme the water is taken from a point very much below the bridge, just above the top of the 100 ft fall. To this point, from surveys now made, it is found to.be possible to bring the water from the upper reaches of the Huia River by gravitation to connect with the Nihotupu and the other streams, which will be conveyed from there to Titirangi and then on to the reservoirs of I'onsonby and Khyber Pass. The Huia water, flowing over a rocky bed, is very pure, and although the season lias been such that it has been impossible to determine what quantity there would be in an exceptionally dry summer, still, we believe we are warranted, from the gauging* taken, after making a most liberal allowance, in estimating that not less than 4.000.000 gallons can bo depended upon. This, with tho 3,400,000 gallons from the streams between Titirarrji; and including Nihotupu, would, without any additions, meet the needs of Auckland for many years to come. This will be readily perceived when you remember that our present requirements are about 2,soQ,o.Q.Q_gallons per day, with an additional annual increase of about .50,000 gallons. This annual increase will no doubt be augmented by the large quantity that will lie required when all the closets in the city are connected with (he drainage system, but notwithstanding this the margin between 2,500,000 and 7,000,000 is so large that even .if you bad to depend upon the Huia, Xihotujju, and intervening streams, you would have a superabundance. But in addition to these streams your engineer is now busy with a survey of the ranges in the direction of the Waitakerei Palls, with a view to see whether it is possible to bring these waters, and that of other streams or» tin? line of route, by gravitation to the same point on the Nihotupu to which the water of the Huia will be brought. These investigations will continue, as at present arranged, until thoroughly accurate and reliable data of all the streams upon tho Waitakerei watershed, alwve the 500 ft level, have, been tabulated. It will then be the duty, I take it, of the Council to purchase all lands above the level of the points from which the streams can be made to gravitate to the city, so long as such can be purchased at a fair and reasonable rate. When you have accomplished this you will be absolutely free from the possibility of the water being polluted for all time. Having obtained by next summer your auxiliary supply, you must not rest at that. Your object must Ik; as quickly as possible to abolish the use of the water from the Western Springs' as a supply, and so save the cost of the 5000 tons of coal annually used in raising the water there to the reservoirs. with all the other charges incidental thereto. This can onh be done by laying down a second line of pipes from the reservoii at Titirangi to connect with tho ?.lin main at the Western Springs. These two pipes, connected with the pipes above referred to. will supply all the needs of the city, so far as water is concerned, for many years to come. When this has been accomplished. and I think it can be very speedily, and without further borrowing, bv taking the balance or the cost after expending your loan money from the surplus revenue obtained from the sale of water, which stood to credit on March 31 last at £12,430 6s 3d, provided in doing so you watch the iron market, and buy to advantage: and even supposing that the present surplus is used up* in giving you the auxiliary supply, with careful finance in other directions it will very soon accumulate again, and when all is complete you will then have. I venture to say, one of the cheapest, and best water supplies in the world. STRKETS AND TRAMWAYS. Considerable complaints havo from time to time licen made as to the condition of your streets, but in this I think the public have been somewhat unreasonable. A cry has been raised that better men ought to come forward and look after such tilings, but I four that those who desire this will not have theii wishes gratified, oven if it were possible to do so. So long as public men who axe doing their best at considerable loss of time .and money, and in some cases health itself, are subject to such continual misro-p-osei.tation at the hands of those who know very little about the difficulties the Council have to contend with, and who care less as Jong as they can gratify their bent for grumbling, but who take very great care when an opportunity presents itself of standing for the position of councillors to refuse, notwithstanding the superior knowledge which they believe they possess, but which they are not at all willing to prove, if it means making the slightest sacrifice in the public- interest. The public must be prepared to allow improvements to proceed at a fairly rapid rate, as they are now doing, or els? be prepared to submit to an immediate and very largely-increased meed of taxation. The expenditure upon streets during the past 12 months has been very much larger than that of the previous year, notwithstanding the stupid cry of some who ignorantly state tliat the streets are being starved, and that the Mayor is doing this to swell the balances. The street expenditure for the year 1898 was £17,351 in 1899, £13.291: ' vear 1900, £17,125": and the year ending March 31, 1901,— just closed, £17,993. More might have been spent but there were two difficulties in the way, the first being the fact that all the streets upon the line of tramway must at a very early date bo broken up. and in some cases the whole of the present crown removed to enable the Tramway Company to lav their rails, and block the " streets, where arranged for, between, and for some distance at each side of, the rails. To attempt to do expensive work in placing these streets in tile condition one would like them to be in would have been a mistake, especially as, according to our agreement with the company, it was thought that long ere this a considerable portion of the work required of the Tram Company would have been completed, tho agreement with them providing, amongst other things, that the rails were to bo laid between Queen-street and Ponsonby, via College Hill, and between Queen-street and Parnoll, on the eastern side, before June 1 next, and a further condition is made that if substantial progress is not made before the date referred to in tho works that they have undertaken to perform, then they forfeit to tho Council the sum of £1000 now held by us. The Tramway Company not only forfeit £1000 if they cannot show that they have made substantial progress by June 1. but they also incur other serious penalties if the whole of their work within the city is not completed within the time fixed by the deed. To save these penalties they will, as soon as the steamer arrives with their rails, bid for all the available labour so as to press on their work to a conclusion, so that for u. time at least men employed in this class of work will be scarce and expensive. It may be necessary, therefore, for you to somewhat husband your resources, whilst at the same time keeping your reels fairly passable until that class of labour gets back to its normal condition. The second^reason why you haves not spent as much upon your streets as you might have done has been the difficulty of obtaining..juetal through the demand for labour for your drainage and auxiliary supply works, coupled with the fact that you have never been able to do much in the way of repairs to streets in the summer time, when repairs to any considerable extent could not Imi undertaken because of the scarcity of water. Without a copious supply.. of water repairs cannot be successfully performed, but all these difficulties will be surmounted before another summer, when, with an abundance of water and your appliances free to do their legitimate work, and with the addi tion of your now stone breaking machine and new road roller, you should have no difficulty in placing youi streets, and keeping them when bo placed, in such a condition that the most fastidious will be satisfied. There is one special matter in connection with Queen-street which will need special attention. In your Lor, Bill you have set apart something like £11.010 for the. blocking of Queen-street, the intention being that tho work should be undertaken after all your drainage works had been completed. One reason for delaying the blocking was that it was considered that (lie water pipes which are laid on each side of the street ought to be renewed before covering them up, as their life has nearly terminated; but. in tois you have forgotten t ha fact that with the electric tram cat system it will not be prudent to have your water pipes anywhere near the line of the tram rails, so that if vout block's are at once laid, and it is in a few years' time found necessary to renew the pipes, you will, no doubt, he found following upon the lines adopted by the (lan Company, and will lav them under the side wa'Ws. leaving the old ones, after disconnecting them, "where they are. Under these circumstances I think it is of the utmost import >»•«•- flint ran «honld make an attempt to eomnlelc the blocking at the same time as tho Tram

Company. To do this you will either have to allow your drainage works to stand in abeyance for a year or let a contract fo - , the work, possibly "to the Tramway Company themselves, who, when doing their part, may cb the whole so long as their price is a fair and reasonable one, on the understanding that you either pay them in instalments extending over three years, at the end of which time your drainage scheme will be complete, or pay the whole sum then with fair interest for the time they have had to wait. PARKS. Mr. Gohlie next referred to the improvement of the Albert Park, speaking of the erection of the band stand, the presentation of seats to the park during his term of oflVp tho proposed erection of a drinking fountain to the memory of the late (I. M. Reed, and the statuary to be obtained under the bequest of the late Mrs. Boyd. He also suggested the erection of a tea kiosk and the illumination of tho park in the evenings. Reference was also made to tho improvements to the Domain. WAII : METE CEMETERY. The improvement of Waikumcte Cemetery was also referred to in detail, Mr. Goldie stating that tho cemetery was now paying its way and leaving a small margin, which was being used to beautify the grounds. THE LIBRARY. Referring to the* Public Library, Mr Goldie stated hat at March 31 there was a credit balance of £7.12. _ Of this, he thought it would bo wise to expend £300 in books, part of the balance being needed in making additional accommodation.

ELECTRIC LIGHTING. Referring to electric lighting, Mr. Goldii said:—We have the power either to light th< city ourselves by electricity, and in additioi suj)ply such to the citizens, or to give tin privilege to others upon conditions made hi ourselves, but. this lattor cpurse I feel sun would bo a. mistake. Since this power ha been obtained by us one or two in forma appeals have been made to obtain this right but the terms proposed have been such tha it would have been absolute folly to thin! for one moment of entertaining them. I is a good thing to hold, and if needs be to borrow a sufficiency of money to light the city with it yourselves. I feel sure thai if you do so in a very short time you will ■find it as profitable to you as your water i; to-day. It is expected that in the not verj distant future electricity will be produced in London at seven-eighths of one penny pei unit, and in the northern parts of England, where coal is cheap, at id per unit. It is well for you to keep yourselves posted up upon this question, for it should be dealt with by you almost immediately. FINANCE. Proceeding to finance, Mr. Goldie said: With respect to the question of finance, 1 think you may compliment yourselves upon tiie improved position of affairs. By the successful floating of the first instalment of your loan you were enabled to pay off your over--1 draft, and thus at once save l\ l _ per cant. interest upon the amount then owing, this , being the difference between the 4 per cent, at which we lion-owed and the 5£ per cent, being paid to the bank as interest upon overdraft when I became Mayor. You have also made a saving in another direction by paying off during the year a sum of £11. of an old loan, which was bearing interest at 6 per cent., and substituting it by another loan for the same amount, borrowed at 4 per cent., thus making an annual saving of £222. The finances of the Council might have been very much easier to-day if one could only have seen in the year 1879 that in these latter years money would have been so cheap. _ At that time wo had various loans in existence, amounting in tho aggregate to £195.000. The Council desiring to obtain an additional loan of £55,000 for waterworks purposes were not content to go upon the market, and borrow the sum thus required by them, but must needs determine to consolidate existing loans, and by adding the £55,000 to them make it a loan of £250,000, and when so doing extend the period for tiie loans then existing with that which they wore about to borrow for a period of 50 years from December 10, 1879. The first of tho loans for which the Council was then liable would have fallen into our hands in ! eight years from that date, and the balance at different, periods, tho last instalment of i £25,000 falling due in tho year 1926. When the Bill passed the Legislature tho Council foolishly, as it. now appears, began to ox-, change the short-dated debentures of the £195,000 loan for those of the more extended currency, and in a very short time mast of them had gone. _ Hut at last, a gentleman entered the Council who could see much further into the future than those who were at. that time guiding the finances of tho Council. Tie ft once saw tho hr.go mistake that was being made, and urged the Council to stop the exchange of any further debentures, and thus allow them to run their natural course, leaving future Councils to deal with them as they matured, believing that money would become, cheaper as the years went by. Hie result of the advice so wisely given has shown itself in the saving before mentioned, and on an earlier instalment of about, onehalf the sum, viz., £110. What the. Council has already lost, and will continue to lose, by tlie mistake then made will run with interest and compound interest into an enormous sum. Of course, that cannot now be remedied, but it shows the absolute need for ratepayers sending as their representatives to toe Council gentlemen who have some knowledge of finance, and who, from the experience they have gained ill dealing with the funds of large ins lil 1 'ions, can lead the less-experienced members of the Council upon financial questions into a safe patii. The arrangement given effect to last year, by which the special rate was made collectable in one sum, as provided for by the Rating Act, 1896, has enabled us to collect the rates due much more promptlv thnu~for-~ mecly, "with the result that we have earned from the bank a considerable amount in interest upon the daily credit balances, the stuns being £239 7s upon ordinary accounts and £139 0s 6d upon loan account. That such could be earned can be readily seen when I inform you that on March 31 last, which is the end of the financial year, you had to your credit the following balances amounting in the aggregate to £19,113 19s sd', made up as follows: General account. £3279 5* lid ; Domain trust recount, £655 16? lid • Free Library account. £712 10s l£d; Waikumeto Cemetery account, £4 14s lOd : water supply Recount, £12,430 6s 3d; charitable aid account, £972 5s Id. From these figures you will perceive that, although wo borrowed less than one-half the money that we needed to complete our auxiliary water supply (seeing that it was borrowed with the intention of bringing the water from Onchunga and not from the Waitakerei Ranges), yet with that prudent and careful finance which has characterised you for some time past, there should not be the slightest need either for further borrowing (except, of course, thai which the ratepayers by their vote have determined to borrow for the Victoria Park, viz., £8000), or for he creation of another overdraft. We have also gained consider- [ ably by the leasing of some 30 endowment leaseholds, and the releasing of others which during the same period have fallen into our hands. From these two sources some £414 annual increase to our revenue has been obtained. One other fund which has made an abnormal advance is that ' the water account, and this, notwithst the extreme difficulty of keep ire- _ supply last summer because of t lie drought. In 1895 your receipts from the sale of water were £14,323, which, after meeting the expenses, you were enabled to transfer to in terest account from the profits made th° sum of £8641. For the year 1896 the figures were—sales, £14.572, the profit, £7860; for the year 1897 the sales were £15,328 the profit carried to interest account £7560; for 1898 Iho sales had increased to £16,303 15s sd. and the residue, aftei meeting expenses £7703. The year ending March 31, 189'/ when 1 assumed office, showed the sales for that: year to have been £16,807 17s lid the innn' 8276: , for tlu * y° Br ending March 31 ro-eV s a.l e s were £18,036, (lie profti £9.86: and for tho year just closed, notwithstanding the drought, we had to eontend with in (he earlier part of the financial year. the sales were £20,291 0s lOd, wit], a balance standing to credit after meeting „ r dinary expenditure of £11.719 6s 7(1 'Phi* ball, was reduced by inordinary expenditure by £1438, made up as follow, House for engineer, £297: compensation for accidents at Western .Springs, £1000: ««, I & of , Messrs. M.•stayer ami Metcalfe Mil. making tno net hManee for the ve-,,' £10,281 6- 7d. From the very satisfactor, increase upon the various accounts, it will be clearly seen that your annual revenue lias been augmented to (he extent of some" tiling like the following since 1 took office two and a-half years ago:-From increased valuations. ~?i0l: additional dog registra- ™ i V '/ !frt!;ls Y n watcr '"venue, -3183; from leasing and releasing of on downy nls, £114; from savir-r on the ll.lof of debentures from a 6 per cent, to a 4 n,.r cent, interest, £2.22: total. £9998. THE NEW MUNICIPAL LAW There are many other matters of * m ; nor importance that to me are exceedingly in. foresting, and may lie so to you, but') vvi l ' not weary you with them, and so for tie present will leave them and finish what I have to say by referring to a matter o> very great importance to at least the rate' payers m the South, (frafton and Ponso'nbv Wards It is this: By e!au,e 160 of ,ho now Municipal Corporations Act it is , )ro . vided (hat after certain general charges are provided for, the balance is to be retained and spent in the ward in which it is raised.

Now, it will bo apparent that such a system is manifestly unfair, for this, amongst other reasons: When the endowments for city purposes wore set apart, it was declared that the area of Auckland City was to have been of considerable magnitude, and so was munificently endowed. But by some means whilst retaining the endowments in their entirety, the area upon which the revenue from them was to operate was so curtailed that your city for many years only consisted of ■ a little over 600 acres in extent, this area ; being divided into North, South, and East ! "Wards. Upon the improvement of this' I small area the whole of the endowment rej i venue for many years was spent. Not only I so, but for some considerable time there I was paid by the general Government a ' pound for pound subsidy, amounting to ! C vor:J thousands yearly, which was also ! spent upon the roads in the same limited i area, with the result that very little more was ! needed to make the North and East Wards i almost perfect. So much was this the case, | that when, in 1884, you took in the I'onI sonby, Karangahape, and Grafton Wards, j and borrowed £200,000 for drainage and forI mation works, the North Ward, which had | it? <bare with the others, did not know what to do with it. and so to-day, after the lapse of some 16 or 17 years, it has yet a portion of that loan to its credit. If, therefore, the=o two wards, which provide consider-) ably more than one-half the whole revenues/ of the city, must «pcnd what they raise with-] in themselves, then a grave injustice will bej done to the other three wank which for; so mum- years allowed these two to monopolice the whole of the endowment revenue., It seems to bio that the only cure for this state of things will be for you to_*Jbolish tho waiil .system altogether. If this is not done, and done at once, then _ the outer' - wards will be starved, whilst the inner wards,! whoso needs are small, but who will hold t.iej > larger portion of the revenues, and whilst not} j requiring them, will not be allowed to help) 1 those who are in greater need than thcm-l selves. The necessity therefore to changei this state of things without delay is im-| perative. CONCLUSION. And new let me say in conclusion, that the work before you for several years to come will be of a very arduous nature, and will necessitate a very groat deal of careful and earnest attention bestowed upon it if it is to be successfully accomplished. This attention 1 sincerely trust you will give unj srruclg-jiiglv. If, after I have had a rest and change, you desire assistance from ma, I may bo able to see my way clear to servo you and the citizens on some of the commit "tees of the Council. And now I have very great pleasure in requesting Dr. Campbell, tho Mayor-elect, to make the usual declara tion, and assume the position which you have so loyally assisted me to fill during the last two arid a-half years, and which he now. by an overwhelming majority of the votes of the people, has been elected to, and I trust that you will extend to him the same loyal service which you have so generously given to me. THE INSTALLATION. Dr. Campbell then took the declaration, all in the room standing, and Mr. Goldie retired from the chair and invested the new Mayor with the chair and insignia of o fit re, amid loud applause. SPEECH BY DR. CAMPBELL. Dr. Campbell addressed those present as follows:It having pleased the burgesses of Auckland to elect me their Mayor, 1 desire to express my grateful thanks for tho honour which they have conferred upon me. The position of Chief Magistrate of this city has been filled by many able and distinguished citizens, but in listening to the comprehensive address of my predecessor, I feel convinced that no ono more worthy and painstaking than he has ever filled the oil'iee. Mr. (loldie, by bis clear grasp of the city's requirements, his masterly knowledge of its finances, his intimate acquaintance with tho departmental work, and, above all, by his dovotiou to tho duties connected with tho office of Mayor, has mado it. indeed, difficult for his successor to equal what lie lias accomplished. For his kind reference to myself I cannot too heartily thank him, but- such eulogy raises the question within me. Can I be worthy of it? lam pleased to think that the councillors who have worked with Mr. Goldio for the last two years have recognised his labours by the presentation of an address, which, I am sure, wil always be highly prized by him as the spontaneous recognition of those best able to estimate and appreciate the arduous work which he has performed. With regard to myself. I must be permitted hero to remark that I am not insensible to the fact that my advancing years with their attendant infirmities, will preclude me from attempting to emulate Mr. Goldio. 1 gather from what he has told us in his most lucid resume of the year's work, that every attention will bo required during the coming i year to tho extensive works to which tho city i is pledged. An intimate knowledge of these ' works and their past and present history is absolutely necessary in order to steer to a safe anchorage the municipal ship over tin many shoals which may await it. Of sue)' knowledge I am not the possessor, and it, i therefore becomes necessary for mo to inti mate to you (councillors of the City of Auek-j land) that one of the first duties which will devolve upon you will bo to elect one of your number as Deputy-Mayor. Whon the requisition asking my consent to bo nominated as Mayor was presented to me, it was especially mentioned that the- rcquisitionist.?, numbering some 4000, recognised that in consequence of my having retired from all active, work, they did not expect me to undertake) the routine duties connected with the office.i I therefore feel no compunction in asking! yon to weigh carefully the merits of Mr. Alfred ; Kidd—(applause)—who, as one of the oldest councillors amongst you, is by his intimate knowledge of the affairs and wants of the city in every way especially qualified for the office, of Deputy-Mayor. I confidently bespeak for the Deputy-Mayor the same ; courtesy and attention which, lam sure, would have lx>en extended to me had I presided at your deliberations. You no doubt know that I am taking a deep interest in the preparations that are now being made to give • a fitting reception to the Duke and Duchess : of Cornwall and York when they honour our city with their presence. The,so preparations, I am glad to inform you, are proceeding satisfactorily, and I feel confident that when i the time arrives we shall, in conjunction with j our Maori friends, be able to give our Royal visitors a welcome, not only unique, but which will be as hearty and loyal as any they are likely to experience in their visits to other cities. (Applause.). Ladies and gentlemen, permit me to again thank you for the honour you have conferred upon me, and to assure you that my best services, whether as Mayor or as a private citizen, will ever be cheerfully given to the fair city which I have lived to see grow from a few tents and hreakwind huts on the fern-clad shores of the Wnitemata. to the stately city of to-day— future queen and capital of all the federated isles of Oceania! (Loud applause.) THANKS TO THE RETIRING MAYOR. Mr. Stiehbury moved a vote of thanks to Mr. Goldie, tin- retiring Mayor. He said lie felt when Mr. Goldie ("lisle into office a little biassed against him, but after having worked witn Mr. Goldie his feelings were altogether different, and he was satisfied that Mr. Goldie deserved the best thanks of the citizens. The vote was carried by acclamation, and Mr. Goldie returned thanks.

MAYORAL BANQUET. After the installation Dr. Campbell invited the members of (he Council and friends to the .Mayor's • room, where refreshments wore served by the Strand Cafe Company. Dr. Campbell presided. Mr. Goldio gave "The Health of Dr. Campbell," which was enthusiastically pledged, all present joining in singing "For He's a .lolly Good Fellow." Dr. ( ampbell suitably responded, and proposed 'I he Health of Retiring Councillors," to which Mr. 11. SrJmon anil Mr. Craves >\ickin responded. Mr. .1. H. I'pton gave the toast ol "The Retiring Mayor." which was heartilv pledged, and Mr. Goldie responded.

GREY LYNN. Mr. Robert T. Warnock, re elected Mayor of the borough of Grey Lynn, was installed in the Mayoral tdiair yesterday afternoon the ceremony commencing at three o'clock at the Borough Council Chambers. The others present were: Messrs. Donald Parre!!. Lover, Hall, Foster, and Booth, members of the Council, and Mr. .!. Oniric, town clerk of the borough. Before making the usual declaration, Mr Warnock briefly reviewed matters rel'atiir' to the welfare of the borough. tie said that during the 27 years that he had been associated with the district, holding various positions, including those of trustee, chairman, councillor, and Mavoi, the welfare of Grey Lynn had always been his first consideration, and he had watched with the keenest interest the rapid <?rowlh and progress of the borough since the Surrey Hills had first been placed on the market. The census returns showed that the population of the borough was 4100, a return that would probably place Grey Lvnn in the proud position of having made the greatest advance of any district in the colony, as the figures showed that the population 'had about doubled during the. past five years.' His reason for seeking re-election was due to the desire to see that the necessary attention should be paid to the conservation of tho health of the residents as a whole, the great increase in population demanding attention in this direction, and also to the wish to sue the necessary ways and means provided for permanently dealing- with gully drainage, water extension, tho electric tram-

way system about to be inaugurated, lighting, road formation and footpaths, which required urgent attention. lie had been associated in all these important question? with the late Council, and naturally wished the opportunity of assisting in the carrying out of the work to which he had devoted considerable time and attention in the pa-t year. Steady progress had been made during the past year with permanent drainage, and borough and boundary roads had received all the attention that funds permitted of. while the footpath- had by no means j been starved, as had been recently stated. I The lire brigade was thoroughly efficient, i and had been well managed by- .Superintenj dent Fonlon, the prompt attention of tho { brigade to the two fires that had occurred, j during the year, together with the masterly ! manner in which the outbreaks had been coped with, having led to the brigade being publicly thanked by the Council. He had to thank the members of *lte. Council, the town clerk (Mr. Currie), end other 0.-iieials of the borough, tiie former for their courtesy and hearty co-operation in carrying out matters relating to the ratepayers, and the clerk and officials for the manner in which the work had been carried out during the term just concluded. In conclusion, he drew attention to the success that had attended the system inaugurated at his suggestion of removing the dust and rubbish throughout the borough. This was done at the expense of the Council, by engaging carts to go round the various streets once a week and remove the rubbish, the innovation finding favour with tho residents, and being carried out at comparatively small cost to the Council. Mr. Warnock then made the usual statutory declaration, and the document having been duly signed, he expressed his thanks to tho ratepayers for their continued confidence, as shown by their having returned him to office by a handsome majority, and to the members of the Council for their presence and support at the meeting. This was followed by a lew remarks concerning the future of tho borough, in the course of which the. speaker a rigoroil; and progressive public works policy equal to meeting the increased demands caused by the rapid influx of population. Among the most important matters that would claim the attention of the Council would bo the water extensions, and the permanent drainage of the Surrey and Sussex Wards. To carry out this work lie proposed asking the consent of ilia ratepay- j ers to borrow £6000, which could be done, j in such a way as not to create one single ; penny of additional taxation. He intended j taking an early opportunity of bringing the j matter more fully before the Council, and through them before the ratepayers. In closing, he said that the most unfortunate incident to which he had to refer was the decision of the town clerk to retire from ho position he had so long and honourably occupied. Mr. Clinic had always done his duty to the best of his ability, and had no doubt earned the leisure he was now looking forward to. (Applause.) Mr. Hall said the Mayor had always commanded the utmo-t respect, bad always carried out his duties in an honourable and straightforward manner, and to the speaker it had always been a pleasure to sit under him on tho Council. lie, and no doubt the other members of the Council, gladly welcomed his re-election, and would be pleased to again have him at the head of affairs. Mr. Hall's complimentary references to the Mayor were supported by every other member present. Mr. Donald, who had been in the Council for some 13 or 14years, adding that, he (the Mayor) was a real live man, eminently -fitted for the position, and one who would not spare himself in looking to the welfare of the ratepayers and the borough of ('■ rey Lynn as a whole. The Mayor returned thanks for the kindly expressions made concerning himself by the members. He assured them that he had every confidence that the Council as at present constituted would do their utmost for the borough during the term they were j just entering upon, which was going to lie one of the busiest in the history of Grey Lynn. The demands of the borough called | for- an energetic policy, as lie felt confident I that the increase of population that had j marked tho past few years would continue, I and that in another five or six years the returns would again bo practically doubled. He trusted that the happy and cordial relations that had existed between the members of the Council and himself would continue. (Applause.) This terminated the business.

NEWMARKET. Tho installation of Mr. John Laird MeColl to his second term of office in the Mayoralty of Newmarket took place last evening, the councillors present being: Messrs. A. Shepherd, ,1. Edperly. K. Davie, A. Seeeornbe, and J. Gaston. After making the statutory declaration, the Mayor-elect was formally installed in the Mayoral chair. The 'Mayor then briefly returned thanks for the honour done him. Ho trusted tint during the ensuing 12 months much would be done by the Council towards the advancement of tho borough. Tn the past they had to contend with a small rate, and Newmarket had become a by-word in referent-, to the state of its streets, but he was glad to say that much had been done in effecting improvement in this direction. He was pleased to see the introduction of new and younger blood into the Council, and he welcomed them heartily, and felt that with their aid he would be able to do much towards the advancement of the borough during his new term of office.

DKVONFORT. The installation of Mr. Malcolm Niccol as Mayor of Devonport took place last night, at the Borough Chambers. Mr. C. Macky (the outgoing Mayor) presided, and there were also present: Messrs. Duder, Handley. K. Logan, jun., Mason, Walker, Baulf. and Niccol.

Before vacating the Mayoral chair, Mr. Macky gave a Lengthy and interesting review of what he termed the busiest and most progressive period in the history of Devonport. Mr. Malcolm Niccol was then sworn in. and in welcoming the new Mayor Mr. Macky said ho did not think they could have selected a. man more suitable for the position. Ho was sure those who knew the past history of the borough knew what a great deal Mr. Niccol had done for the borough as chairman of the Road Board, Mayor of the borough, and also as representative on the Harbour Board.

Mr. Niccol said he was deeply gratified at again occupying the Mayoral chair. He entered upon his duties with some trepidation, because the thorough way in which Mr. Macky had fulfilled the office made it extremely difficult to come after him. In moving that Mr. Macky' address be printed for circulation among the burgesses. Mr. Niccol said he did not think it was always realised what a lot of work had been done, and ho hoped that some steps would be taken by the people to show their appreciation of Mr. Macky. It was unanimously agreed that the address should be printed. Messrs. Walker and Duder also spoke en'ogistically of tho retiring Mayor's services.

Mr. Macky. in thanking the Council for their kind expressions concerning his efforts, said ho won Id like t.he following subjects to be taken into consideration: —Supplying water to Birkenhead and Northcote; revision of the by-laws, and declaration of a brick area; drainage of Stanley Point, and the care of the drainage.

ONEHUNGA. The installation of Mr. Donald A. Sutherland, Mayor-elect of Onehunga, took place last night. Dr. W. R. Closc-Erson, the retiring Mayor, presided. The following members of the Council were present:—Messrs. Vause. Siialdric-k, Kelsall, Sloupe, Collcdge, and Rishworth. There was also a largo attendance of burgesses. Mr. Sutherland made tho usual declaration, and received the keys of office from Dr. Erson. Dr. Erson said he congratulated Mr. Sutherland upon once again occupying the position of Chief Magistrate of Onehunga. He wished the new Mayor a successful and pleasant time of I office, and bespoke for him the cordial support | of (he Council and borough officials. Mr. Sutherland stated that at a recent j meeting of the Council Dr. Erson had been thanked for his past services to the borough, He (.Mr. Sutherland) believed that was a de- i served compliment, which could not be too highly emphasised, because Dr. Erson had always done his very best for the welfare of I the town. On the question of finance, the i borough was a little overdrawn, as, indeed, it was when he formerly took office as Mayor, i The overdraft was then about £200. and at j the end of his first year it was paid off. lie | understood the present overdraft was some , £400, but against that there were valuable assets, as well as license fees (£280) and subsidy (£290) just falling due, and in September the current year's rate would be coming in. He intended to pursue a policy of economy until the present overdraft disappeared, when they could then initiate further new works. (Applause.) Speaking of the sanitation of the borough, he felt that he could take the credit for having initiated the present system. It had certainly been improved upon by Dr. Erson, and it was his (Mr. Sutherland's) intention to introduce still further improvements. Mr. Shaldrick, on behalf of tho Council, congratulated the Mayor upon again assuming office. It was a pleasing thing to know tnat Mr. Sutherland, who had been horn in and grown up with the town, should receive from the electors such a substantial proof of their confidence,

! Mr. Stoupo said he had been asked to - apologise for tho absence of Mr. C. V. Hill, j who was unable to attend, owing to indis- ! position. j The meeting then terminated.

TIIAMKS. [l;Y TEI-EGRAI'II. — OWN" I.'ORRKSrOXDF.NT.] Thames. Wednesday. The installation of Mr. Francis Trembath j as Mayor of the Thames Borough for a second « term took place at noon to-day. Mr. Radford presided. After the usual statutory declaration had been ade, the Mayor eon- j srratulated the Council on the favourable j state of its finances, and trusted they would j lie in the same condition 12 months hence, j To accomplish that object, lie said strict I oii.'v.ny would have to ho practised. as there | was a failing-otr in the gold duty. lie should steadfastly set his face against incurring any bank overdraft for the ordinary maintenance of the streets and footpaths, a- those works should, and must, be provided for out of the ordinary revenue. lie was in favour of doin,; away with the ward system, but if that idea did not meet with the approval of the majority of the Council, then Ik l would do his best to have* tin' present boundaries or representation of the wards altered. lu his , opinion, it was hardly fair that the Middlo ' Ward should lime * population ei;ual to the I North and South Wards, and pay as much I rates as both of (hose wards, and yet Iw ! only represented by throe membors to their , six. lie trusted the Council would assist I him in endeavouring to have the water sup- I ply put into a more eSioient state, especially j as regards the taking of lie statutory supply I from the Thames County. It seemed moil- l st.rous to him that the water ha. wis brought j ;n for the benefit of the Thames people should j be allowed to run down the creeks to the sea after conveyed many miles;, and yet th» inhabitants of the borough be only allowed to draw t'heir supply through a jiin pa. If the Oounlv Council continued to treat the people in that manner, (hen thr* public must write and Iny their grievance before Parliament. and if time was done he felt, sure tho present do*: in- tho-mani/or state of tilings would soon he altered.

NAP! EH. [BY TKLEORM'H. —J'RKSS ASSOCIATION.] N.M'ivr. Wednesday. The installation of M. .1. C. MeVay, the newly-elected Mayor, took place at noon today. and was largely attended. Congratulatory addresses were delivered by Mr. Swan, the retiring Mayor. and all the councillor-. Subsequently Mr. Swan was presented by the corporation staff with two valuable pieces of plate.