MAYORAL INSTALLATIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13171, 8 May 1906, Page 6

MAYORAL INSTALLATIONS.

DEVONPOIIT.

STATEMENT BY MR. ALISON

The installation of the Mayor of Devonport took place last evening at the Council Chambers at Devonport. There were present: Messrs. E. W. Alison, M.H.R. (Mayor), R. Logan, jun., C. P. Murdoch, 0. 0. Dacie, W. N. McLean, E. Ford, \V. U. Timewell, and W. Handley. Mr. Handley was voted to tiro chair. The returning officer (Mr. Webster) advised that Mr. Alison had been re-elected Mayor unopposed.

Mr. Handle}' said it gave him great pleasure to again install Mr. Alison. He referred to Mr. Alison's interest in the borough, and the ability shown by him in the conduct of his affairs.

Mr. Alison thanked the ratepayers for his re-election, and the councillors for their support. That was the ninth occasion on which he had been installed as Mayor, and he felt it an honour to fill the office in such an important borough as Devon port, and it was a further pleasure to work with councillors, who worked for the advancement of the borough. He would endeavour to further promote the progress of the borough, and advance as far as possible the general welfare) comfort, and happiness of the people. The indebtedness on the general account had ' advanced from £2656 4s 8d to £3396 lis, an increase of £740 6s 4d for the year. Negotiations were proceeding . for the raising of a special loan of £2500 for paying oil" the existing bank overdraft. 'In future, if the loan >f £2500 authorised to be raised by special, order was borrowed, the Council would be restricted by law from incurring an overdraft on the general or any other , account in' excess of the annual revenue for that year payable into such account. t The general' account showed a debit balance, of £3396 lis, tho waterworks account. a credit of £494 4s Id, the special (Nos. 1, 2, and 3) accounts a credit of £741 'is Id, and the Ran to to Island Domain Board a credit of ss. The sum of £3885 16s M was raised in rates during the year. Loans had! been incurred as follows: — Waterworks ..loan, 50 years from 1903, £15,000; drainage loan, 21 years from 1899, £17,500; drainage, etc., loan, 21 years from 1900, £10,000; and waterworks, "etc., loan, 20 years from, 1905, £16,250. • All '-.' of the ■ Council's undertakings hud been successfully completed. The waterworks was giving much, satis- . faction. The total cost for water pumped during the past four months was £214 135,".,.0r about lid per 1000 gallons. It was proposed to spend the surplus of £494 4s Id on the waterworks account by laying larger reticulation mains where required, and Mr. Metcalfe had been instructed to report as to the best means of increasing ' the water pressure throughout the borough. The erection of a stone-crusher, which was turning out about 60yds of metal per day, besides screenings, would effect a, considerable economy in the cost of production of metal. After completing the several undertakings authorised, there was a surplus of £835 7s 3d over the estimated cost. Of this £525 would be spent for the purchase .of land for waterworks purposes, ( and- £310 7s 3d spent in filling in and improving the old Admiralty reserve, ■■~ and v Marine Square, - and cutting down : Spraggori's corner. The Harbour Board had transferred about 19 acres of land in Shoal Bay for the use of the public as a domain, part,' and recreation ground, conditionally, on the Council extinguishing the riparian rights of owners of land affected. , Councillors were unanimously of opinion that suitable and up-to-date bathing-houses should be provided, and plans and specifications had been prepared. Three sections of land fronting Calliope Road and the sea had been conveyed to the Council as a public reserve' by Mr, Logan and other gentlemen. An up-to-date water-cart would be purchased. Seventy houses had been erected during the year, and the population was increasing. '■' : ■,' .--:; -' V ' Mr. Handley moved : " That the Council tenders' its hearty thanks to the Mayor for the capable and thorough manner in which the business of the borough has been conducted during the past year, and extends its congratulations on his -re-elec-tion, and desires to record, its appreciation of his clear and instructive address, and that the address be printed and forwarded, to the ratepayers and burgesses of the borough."' ". . Mr. Murdoch seconded the motion, and complimented Mr. Alison on his work. The motion was carried unanimously, and the Mayor briefly returned thanks.