TAKAPUNA COUNCIL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23999, 24 June 1941, Page 9

TAKAPUNA COUNCIL

Sir, —Your correspondent Councillor Holyoake is misleading your readers in asserting that the five members who walked out at a recent special meeting of the council could have fixed the rates at any figure they desired. '1 hey could only have given notice ol intention to strike a certain rale at a future meeting, and by that time I would have had a majority to counteract the high figure Councillor Holyoake has suggested. and which was absolutely unwarrautcd. Kurthermore I never swore at any councillor although I had to listen to all sorts of criticism and political abuse for over three hours. 'I he previous council had already paid the metropolitan E.1'.5.0. the allocation,s demanded and the amount upon the draft estimates was sufficient for minor future requirements. The usual amount, L'lsoo, was allowed for maintenance and the Minister had already advised that a subsidy of £•'! 10s per man per week would be available.

Financing portun 110111 worlcs out ol revenue would ix» too expensive and work only in favoured streets could he undertaken. The cost of constructing a reservoir and new reticulation was a matter for a loan and interest and sinking fund provision need not he considered this year. The ratepayers have endorsed my policy ol keeping rates at a minimum at every election held and I intend to keep my pledge given to tliem. With a hitter war on this is no time for squandering the ratepayers' money. The opposition party really wanted me to take the initiative liv increasing the rates and were afraid to face the ratepayers themselves. In any case I always rely upon my own experience and judgment in such matters and evidently the ratepayers approve of mv actions. John (I i'inivkn, Mayor of Takapuna.