MOUNT EDEN AFFAIRS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17754, 13 April 1921, Page 7

MOUNT EDEN AFFAIRS.

REVIEW BY THE MAYOR.

PROGRESS IN 15 YEARS.

A public meeting in support of the candidature of the present Mayor and a majority of the councillors of Mount Eden in the forthcoming municipal election was held last evening in the Presbyterian schoolroom, Mount Eden Road. The building was filled, the Mayor, Mr. Shackelford, presiding. He was supported on the platform by Messrs. A. M. Bryden, T. T. Garland, W. J. Hamill, J. P. Hooton, L. Joll, W» H. Nagle, J. M. Melville, E. H. Potter, J. Smith, and G. L. Taylor, all members of the present council. "In Mount Eden," said the Mayor, " we belong to a borough of which we are proud." He referred to the progress during the last 15 years. The borough was a byword at one time for "bad and dusty roads, while now it boasted the finest roads in Auckland. In his recent travels, as far South as Invercargill, he had heard praise of the roads. The population .of the borough in 1907 was 6866; in 1916 it had increased to 12,551, and he anticipated that when the census was taken this month it would run into 15,000. In 15 years, therefore, the population had nearly doubled itself. The valuation of the borough in J. 907 was £58,737, while in 1921 it was £157,1/9, nearly three times as much. The revenue in 1906 was £7506, in 1921 £32,938. The most important question was drainage, bjft the chief trouble was finance.' Thev had arranged for £20,000 to' be raised for drainage with the assistance of Mr. V. H. Potter, member for the district, but £45,000 more would be required to complete the drainage; £10,000 had already, either been spent or allocated for roads. Referring to electric light, he stated that the Auckland City Council was prepared to light the borough when and where it would pay it to do so. In the very near future hydro-electricity would be here; and the borough must have some of the benefits. The tramways were not satisfactory, he stated, and they would endeavour to get better treatment for the borough. Potter's Park was being <J)ut into order, and a children's playground provided, with suitable apparatus for the enjoyment of the children. A motion of confidence in the Mayor and the councillors with him, moved by Mr. Ralph Potter, was carried by acclamation.