MUNICIPAL ADDRESSES.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 758, 10 September 1886, Page 26

MUNICIPAL ADDRESSES.

COUNCILLOR FITZGERALD AT THORNDON.

Councillor W. Fitz Gerald, the retiring representative in the City Council of the Thorndon Ward, addressed a meeting of the ratepayers in the Sydney-street schoolroom last night week. There was a fair attendance, and Mr George Fisher, M.H.R., occupied the chair. Councillor Fitz Gerald began by apologising for calling the ratepayers together on such a night, more especially as it was not the custom for retiring Councillors to address meetings. He must say, however, that in his opinion the members of the Council bad not assisted the ratepayers as they might have done; and in this ward especially there was a great lack of interest in municipal matters. He pointed out that many letters were written to newspapers on municipal matters which would not have been written had it not been for this lack of interest evinced—letters which showed that the writers knew little or nothing of the subject of which they wrote. Councillor Fitz Gerald went on to say that very few people knew what an amount of work had to bs done in the Council, and how little credit attached to It. A great deal of important work, he said, had been done in the Council during the last three years. One of the undertakings he went into the Council to assist was that of reforming the staff of the Council. He was at that time strongly in favor of a solicitor town clerk, and such an officer having been appointed he claimed that the change had been a great success. Another Important question was that of the Glenbervie-terrace cutting. He pledged himself, when he was elected, to support that, and everyone must agree now that it was a most valuable improvement to the town, though it had been rather expensive. As to the questions now at issue, one of the principal ones was a recreation ground for Thorndon. This matter had not been lost sight of in the Council, he might say. With reference to the two sites—that at the top of Sydney-street, and the one on the WellingtonManawatu Railway Company’s reclamation— Councillor FitzGeraid said he thought it likely that the recreation ground would be made at the top of Sydney-street. The trustees, he could say, of that land would not stand in the way of the site being acquired, and they would not ask the Council for compensation. He would advise the ratepayers not to make the recreation ground accessible at all times to the public as the other reserves were. He thought the Council should be able to use the ground so as to make out of it some revenue. In that case there need not be the dead loss of £SOOO and the interest on it, to the Corporation. Farther, he advocated a charge in the interest of manly sports. Such, sports, they knew, were opposed iu the Council sometimes. He claimed, however, that it was absurd to say that breathing places should not be given. Referring to questions of more general interest to the city, Councillor Fitz Gerald said no one had been more earnest in seeking to bring abont amicable relations between the Council and the Harbor Board, or to conserve the interests of both than he bad. He would point out that the interests of Te Aro were not identical with those of

other parts of the town in this matter. He held that the more, open they couid.keep the harbor—the less it was reclaimed or interfere* with—the better for tlTe city at large. People, at Te Aro, however, wanted more, reclamation, as calculated to improve business and the value of property at that end. After describing the questions of difference between the Harbor Board and the Ci y Council, he said he was sorry to See the Board give up - the question of the eight feet line of reclamation. He could not see the harm in postponing the matter now at issue between the two bodies as they had done, because the HarborBoard could not act as they proposed without legislative sanction. He should he only too glad, however, to ses the City Conned fallinwith 'the Harbor Board in restricting reclamation. He thought, too, that further should be stayed till the question of railway extension to Te Aro was settled. The whole of the reclamation might be taken for that railway, and the Government could takeit and pay bare compensation. He had avery clear opinion about this railway question, and he thought it would be a public calamity if it were made. There bad been an agitation about it, it was true —got up by persons living in streets that would abut on the line, and by persons who had a strictly personal interest in the matter. Why one member of a deputation to the Conned in the matter said he would save £SOO a year by the line beiug made. Now, were they to make a railway line in order that private personamight save £SOO a year ? He did not think: the ratepayers realised what it would be te have a railway line ail aloDg the foreshore, shutting out the sea frontage except by gales. It would be an intolerable nuisance and a great danger. It had been tried in many places, and had always been a failure. Some day the railway would be made if it was necessary ; but it was a long way to look forward to, and he did not think if it were made next day it would yield £lo' a year extra. Ccuocillor Fitz Gerald then referred to the Cemetery question. In this matter he did not think people looked far enough ahead. In most large towns the cemetery was some distance out, and it was essential that the present cemetery should be closed. There was a feeliDg agaiast this new cemetery at the other end, he knew. The ratepayers of Cook Ward did not at all object to beiug. buried in the middle of Thorndon, but the people of Thorndon should object to it. It was a very serious matter. He might say that the Council had arranged for funerals to be conducted cheaply by rail. The only question now was that of finance, which, to his mind, bad been satisfactorily settled. This, he ought to tell them was due to Dr Newman, who had taken a most active interest in the matter all through and to the city members generally. Another important question was that of the condition of the etreets. The Council, he was happy to say, had decided to use only the beßfc class of metal. They were also proposing toimport a steam roller, and he hoped that would be agreed to. With regard to the drainage, the city had been “ working off a dead boree ” for some time, as they were aware. Drainage had had to be done out of general account until the drainage loan liahility was wiped off. Next year he believed there would be sufficient money to carry out important works at this end. Io conclusion, Councillor FitzGerald said he felt it as the duty of a citizen to take an intelligent interest in city affairs, and he had, with that view, taken his turn in the City Council. He congratulated the ward on its selection of a successor to him. The difficulty in the City Council was the narrowness of localism of some of its members, who were not able te take a broad view of municipal matters. Various proposals werehiade for works, which the Corporation could not make, by the representatives of wards in which these works were asked. He disapproved of this, remarking that he had often voted against works asked iu his ward, because he knew there were not funds. Another difficulty was that of voting against works to benefit different persons. He went on to allude to a case in which the Corporation, after prosecuting twosolvent gentlemen for eighteen months got judgment for £l4B ; and subsequently the matter was btought up again and again till the Council agreed to take only £59. Now it seemed to him that it was just as wrong to do this as to give the people acheque out of the public funds for the amount. He also referred to the case in respect to abalcony in which the gentleman prosecuted, being ordered to remove the balcony, came to the Council —having prohably a good idea of their weak-kneedness —and asked them, sincethey had beaten him, to allow the balcony to remain ; and the Council agreed to this. He (Councillor Fitz Gerald) was of opinion that the Council should show more strength in its decisions. He again urged the ratepayers to evince a greater interest in municipal matters. He thanked the ratepayers who had elected him, and given him tntir confidence during the past three years. (Applause.) Mr George Anderson said, as a ratepayer, he had watched Mr Fitz Gerald’s career in theCouncil, and that gentleman’s actions had commended themselves to him. He believed the people of the ward were sorry to lose that gentleman’s services, (Applause.) He proposed three cheers for Mr Fitz Gerald, which were giveD. Subsequently he moved a vote oS thanks to Mr Fitz Gerald, Mr A. de B. Brandon, jam, in secondingthe motion, expressed a hope that he should be able to serve the ratepayers as well as Mr Fitz Gerald had.

The Chairman expressed the pleasure with which he put the motion, and eulogised the conduct of Councillor Fitz Gerald in the Council.

The motion wa3 carried by acclamation, and a vote of thanks to the Chairman closed the meeting.

COUNCILLOR WILSON AT NEWTOWN.

Councillor A. Wilson, a candidate for reelection for Cook Ward, addressed betweea 40 and 50 burgesses at the Alhambra MusicHall, Adelaide-road, last evening week. Mr G„ Collier occupied the chair, and stated that he bad watched Councillor Wilson’s actions very closely while he Lad represented them in the Council, and was pleased to say he was satisfied with him.

Councillor Wilson said he ought to apologise for not addressing them before, but he might say that it was owing to the late-

ness of his opponents in announcing themselves. He detailed his action in first taking his position in the Council, and said he had, with othera, set himself to work the affairs of the Council a little more judiciously and economically than had hitherto been done. Having revised the Engineer’s department, they set about getting a lawyer Town Clerk, and also a park at Newtown, in which they had succeeded. He bad long been convicced that the drainage works had not been carried ■out in a straight manner, and that a great deal of money was spent very wrongly in this direction. Before he went into the Council there was scarcely a legal contract made, but since the Town Clerk lawyer was appointed all the contracts were properly drawn up, signed, and sealed by the Mayor and two ■Councillors. A committee had b=en appointed to inspect the drainage works and report upon them, and the result was that it was found that former contracts had not been carried out properly. Ten openings had been made in the drain in Gsorge-street and vicinity, and the work was found to vary from 9 inches to inches, while the mortar used was nothing but sod. The loss to the Council from such work was from £BOO to £IOOO. The Committee had reported to the Council, and the matter was referred to the Public Works Committee, and would come up again at next meeting. He then referred at length to the Te Aro reclamatian and the correspondence which had taken place between the Harbor Board and Council on that matter, and the proposed wharf at the foot of Tara-naki-street. He defended the Council against the accusation of the Harbor Board that it had delayed the construction of the wharf, and justified the Council in refusing to sacrifice the interests of the ratepayers. He ■denied that he was opposed to the proposed railway extension to Te Aro, and was of opinion that they should wait until they saw what the Government intended to do in that direction before they reclaimed any further, as it was only proper that the Government should incur the expense of reclaiming what land was required for railway purposes. His opinion was that the Corporation should go on now with the seawall near the Queen’s Wharf. Referring to drainage, he said he had worked hard for the ward and the city, but the Corporation had been tampered for want of funds. He had also endeavored to get a little asphalting done in the ward, but while the other wards had been well favored the Council refused to spend any money in that direction in Cook "Ward. He bad therefore pledged himself to get a petition signed aud presented to the Governor, praying for the ward to be divided, and would go on with it whether elected or not. A memorial for that object bad been prepared six years ago, but had not been persevered with. He had got the memorial from a friend, but proposed to slightly alter the boundaries from what was formerly proposed, and to make the line of division come from JEllics - street through Buckle - street to Taranaki-street, and so oa by the present boundary. In answer to questions, Councillor Wilson •said the proposed wharf at Te Aro was intended for coal aud timber-laden vessels. He did not think it would affect retail prices much. The drainage works would probably be continued to Rhodes-street in March next, and would cost £4OO. It was his iutention to get the drain carried up to the Park as soon as possible. He thought a duplicate drain would be wanted in Kent-terrace when the population got larger. The drainage in 33rougbam-street could not be in a worse condition than it was at present, and tenders would be accepted by the Council for the work a 3 soon as funds were available. He hoped to see a street made from Kent-terracd to Elizabetb-3treet shortly. Messrs Young and Howe had promised portion of the land required, also monetary assistance, and Mr Travers had promised to , write to an absentee owner on the subject. He believed it was usual to lock the gates of the Basin Reserve during the winter. Mr Capper proposed that Mr Wilson was a fit candidate for election, for Cook Ward. The mottion was seconded by Mr Garde, and carried unanimously.

A vote of thanks to the Chairman ter minated the proceedings.

MR J. li. BACON AT NEWTOWN,

Mr J. L. Bacon, a candidate to represent Cook Ward in the City Council, addressed a meeting of the burgesses last Friday evening in the Alhambra Music Hall, Adelaide-road. On the motion of Mr Bertie, seconded by Mr Hollis, Mr A. Veitch was voted to the chair, and briefly introduced the candidate. Mr Bacon, having explained the reason for ■calling the meeting at an earlier hour than visual, said he had become a candidate because many friends had assured him that there was little probability of the present member being returned, and they were afraid that a less ■eligible person might be elected. The notice in the Times referring to his candidature had been inserted without his knowledge, and on ■seeing it Mr Young had asked him if he intended to contest the seat, because if he ■did he (Mr Young) would not. After a few ■days he telephoned to Mr Youngthat he would stand, and notified the newspapers to that •effect. Mr Young afterward thought he was mot acting vigorously enough, and then came forward himself, He (Mr Bacon) would not have stood against the present member if he "thought the ratepayers were satisfied with him, but having entered the field he would go through to the end, and it now rested with the ratepayers to say who was the most proper person to represent them. In young and rapidly growing communities there was always a difficulty in finding suitable men, and in the past the ■serious mistake had been made by those elected -of not providing for future wants. He did not want to find fault with those who represented them many years ago, but he might say that in ■any small town in America the main street was three times the width of Willis-streefc. Another mistake was made when the land was sold fronting the bay by not securing the ! foreshore rights. That mistake had been the cause of serious trouble to Wellington, and might cost the city yet Jmany thousands of pounds. It was their duty to endeavor to avoid such mistakes for the future by returning men who would look better after their interests. With regard to the dispute between the Council and the Harbor Board, he would certainly try, if elected, to throw oil upon the troubled waters. If the bickering went on and got into the lawyers’ hands it would be disastrous to the city. The bad state of the streets was duetto the roads not having been properly made in the first instance, owing to inferior material being used. He had always advocated thejuse of the best material, and he was glad to see that men in the Council agreed that only the best material should be em-

ployed. He thought that all the paths should be asphalted, but that hinged upon the question of funds, and they would have to decide whether they could afford to pay more money for this object. If elected he would endeavor to see that the ratepayers' money was spent to the best advantage. The question of the Te Aro railway was one of so great importance, and required so much consideration, that he would not attempt to solve it. He would only say the sooner it was made the better. He thought it would have to go to Newtown before long, and believed its terminus would, perhaps in this generation, be at Island Bay. What would, cost the Government in this direction now a few thousand pounds would cost three or four times as much later on. He thought provision should be made for the widening of Adelaideroad, and he should urge this matter in the Council, if returned. He had been asked by several if he would attach himself to any party or clique, but he said positively that he had no axe to grind, and would act according to his own opinion. In matters on which were not particularly clear he would take the best disinterested authority he could get, Be thought the residents in Pirie, Brougham, and Austin-streets had good grounds of complaint as to the way their interests had been neglected. The whole of Cook Ward required a larger share of the money spent than had hitherto been the Case, and he should endeavor to get the streets and drains as well looked after as in the other wards. If elected he would serve their interest honestly and conscientiously, and would not keep them longer now as he would probably have an opportunity of again addressing them in another portion of the ward on Tuesday next. A number of questions were then put and answered satisfactorily by the candidate. On the motion of Mr J. Bertie, seconded by Mr "W. Richards, the meeting unanimously decided that Mr Bacon was a fit and proper person to represent them in the City Council. A vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated the proceedings.

MR J. YOUNG AT NEWTOWN. Mr John Young, a candidate to represent Cook Ward in the City Council, addressed a large meeting in the Alhambra Music Hall, Adelaide-road, on Monday evening. Mr C. Mclntyre occupied the chair, and introduced the candidate in a few appropriate remarks. Mr Young said before expressing his views on municipal matters he would give some explanation for his late appearance in the field. Soma time ago an influential deputation waited upon him and urged him to come forward as a candidate to oppose the present member, Mr Wilson, at the same time promising him a large amount of support. He, however, thought if some one else could be gdt who had more time at his disposal it would be better, as he never did things in a half-hearted way, and knew that if returned he should devote a large amount of time to his duties. He therefore decided not to stand. He was waited on again the following day and again declined, but upon others asking him subsequently he rang up Mr Bacon, on the telephone, and inquired if he intended to come forward, and Mr Bacon replied that he did not know, but would let him know soon. Mr Bacon afterward promised to stand, but he (the Bpeaker) did not think he was iu earnest as he did not see any advertisements in the papers, nor any other sign except a paragraph in one of the papers stating that he was coming forward. Mr Bacon Baid . it was not worth while spending a lot of money in advertisements before it was necessary, but he (Mr Young) thought there was something more in it. Nomination day- was coming on, and he began to think Councillor Wilson would have a walk over, and that did not suit him (the speaker), so he decided then to come forward himself. He did not approve the milk-and-Water style in which Mr Bacon apparently intended to contest the election, and considered it was not good enough for Cook Ward. Mr Bacon asked for an explanation, and received it, and then showed a big list of names of persons, including the publican interest who had promised to support him, thinking that he (Mr Young) would back out of the contest, but he had not, and did not intend to. After this a deputation waited upon him, and promised to work hard for him if he would fight it out, and he then gave his solemn assurance that he would. Some of the supporters of Mr Bacon had since asked him (Mr Young) to retire, but he did not think it fair after his committee had been, working hard for him, and he was determined to go through with the contest. They told him that he would be thrown over before polling day, and would not get fifty votes, but if his opponents were strong enough to buy his supporters off they could do so, but he would still go to the poll, as he would have a vote of his own to record. He could not understand why the publican interest wanted to be represented in the Council, but Mr Bacon, having secured this, was now trying the other side, as he found that he had got a leading temperance man in the city and Cook Ward to nominate him. Of course during election time all sorts of rumors went about. One of these was to the effect that he (Mr Young) was a nominee of Mr Duthie, and would support him on the Harbor Board, He might say that he andMrDuthiedidnotget on very well together, and had been opposed in a lawsuit once, bo that it was very unlikely that he was going to support him if elected. He was an independent man, and would not belong to any party, but would do the best he could for the interest of the ward. The first subject he would discuss was the cemetery question. The Thorndon people seemed to think they had had enough of the cemetery at that end, and wanted to get rid of it. He had made inquiries, and found that it would meet all requirements for many years yet. The Thorndon people wanted the cemetery to be at Crofton, but if that were agreed to it would entail a large additional cost on funerals, the poorest of which would cost from £2 to £3 extra. He thought the present cemetery would be available for the next five or six years, and considered it would be better to let the matter rest for the present, and allow the Thorndon people to put up with it. The residents at that end of the city also wanted a recreation ground at the expense of the general body of ratepayers, bat he thought the wealthy residents of the locality might well provide the means themselves instead of asking the City Council to raise a special loan for the purpose. They had the Botanic Gardens at that end of the city, and ought to be satisfied. The Thorndon people also said that if the railway were carried to Te Aro the water frontage would be taken away. They had the railway at that end, and did not consider the trouble and inconvenience the

residents of Te Aro and Newtown were now put to in having to tram two or three miles to the station when they went for an excursion into the country. He thought the sooner the railway was constructed to Te Aro — through to Kent-terrace if possible the better. He ridiculed Councillor Wilson’s idea of having a station erected in the Basin Reserve, but thought that as only a passenger station was needed, a long narrow strip of land coaid be gotin Kent-terrace without interfering with the Basin Reserve. With regard to the dispute between the City Council and the Harbor Board, he had interviewed Mr Duthie and the Board’s Engineer, and found that the Board did not wish the Coucil to reclaim outside the Bft line, although they were entitled to go as far as the 12ft line. He considered that it would not pay the Council to reclaim in 21ft of water, and that if it did not give way to the Board, the latter would not construct any wharves at Te Aro, but would erect them at Petone, If the wharves were run out from the 12ft line, the larger steamers would have no room in the harbor to swing, and tugs would have to be employed at great expense to bring them up and take them from the Queen’s Wharf. He thought it would be a pity to spoil so grand a harbor for the sake of a few acres of land. If the Board got what they wanted, several wharves would be constructed. They did not object to the proposed reclamation to the 12ft line beyond Tory - street, but desired room to swing the vessels between Tory and Cuba-streets. He could not compliment Cook Ward on its drainage system, and it would be one of hia first duties, if elected, to see that some attention was paid to this matter. The present drain in Riddiford-street ought to be pushed on at once up to Mein-street and then on to Newtown Park, and he would do his best to that end. Drainage was also badly required in the streets at the back of the Tramway Hotel, where property had become depreciated in consequence of the insanitary condition of the locality. Another drain was wanted in Kent-terrace to carry off the drainage from Elizabeth-street. He had spoken to the City Engineer in reference to the latter locality, and he had agreed with him (Mr Young) that it was urgently necessary and should be looked after as soon as possible. Both Councillor Wilson and Mr Bacon said that if elected they would have the best metal to be gob for the roads, but as no metal at all had been used be should be satisfied if he could get second-class metal rather than none, on the principle that half a loaf was better than no bread. He thought the money derived from the leasing of portions of the Town Belt should be spent in beautifying the whole, and not be put into the general fund. Trees ought to be planted, and prison labor, if possible, be employed to make the reserves attractive to both visitors and residents. Tourists always stayed a few days in Auckland on account of the beautiful drives and places of interest it possessed, but Wellington was singularly deficient in these, and efforts should be made to make it more attractive. Oriental Bay could be made the prettiest place in Wellington at little expense, instead of which the roads to it were allowed to get into such a wretched state that ladies had been known to take advantage of batchers’ carts to get into town. He thought considering the number of people living there, the Council should grant them a little assistance. He agreed that Cook Ward was too large, and thought it should be divided. It had something like 1 400 electors, and was growing rapidly. He would promise not to bring forward any schemes which would increase the rates, as he considered that the ratepayers had quite enough to do to pay the present ones. What he wanted was to keep the rates down, but to see that the streets were kept in fair repair, and properly lighted, and the drains attended to. The other wards had been well looked after, and he thought it was now time that Cook Ward received attention.

In answer to questions, Mr Young said that if elected he would do his best to have the Riddiford-street drain carried on to Newtown Park, and endeavor to get the next tender let within a week of the completion of thß present one, in order to avoid delay until winter again approached. He would do his best to get tbe roads repaired and see that they were kept in good order. He thought the Basin Reserve should be always open to allow people to get to and from town without having to go round it. He would not be favorable to the annual balance-sheet of the Council being sent through the post to each ratepayer, but would, m addition to advertising it in the newspapers, allow ratepayers to get a copy on application to the Town Clerk. If elected he would struggle as bard as he could to get the railway brought as near to the Basin Reserve as possible. He would be in favor of a mayoral residence being erected at a cost of £4OO or £SOO, if the Mayor paid the cost himßelf. He would not be in favor of reducing the Mayor’s salary to £2OO per annum.

On the motion of Mr W. E. Tyson, seconded by Mr J. Pike, it was resolved unanimously, that Mr Young was a fit and proper person to represent Cook Ward. A vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated the proceedings.

MR WILSON BEFORE THE COOK RATEPAYERS.

Mr Wilson, the sitting Councillor for Cook Ward, and a candidate for the seat at the ensuing elections, addressed the ratepayers at the Methodist schoolroom, Courtenay-place, on Tuesday night. There were about twenty gentlemen present, and Mr Collier occupied the chair. Mr Wilson sp -ke for a considerable time mainly in recapitulation of his previous address. He dealt fully with the questions of drainage and reclamation. Referring to public works, he expressed a wish to see a road made from Kent-terrace to Brougham-street, by the side of Elizibeth-street. He asked the ratepayers to consider and judge whether he had done his duty or not, With regard to the election, he said his two opponents reminded him of two school boys wrangling over a lost marble. The gist of Mr Young’s speech was that he (Councillor Wiison) had done remarkably well. Then what had he done to forfeit his claims on the ratepayers ? He asked that he might have the confidence of the ratepayers so that he might assist in carrying to a successful issue the works he had obtained. He did not make any promises -—he was only one man amongst thirteen—bnt he would do his best for the ward. He had lived thirty-one years in the city, and was a tradesman ; aud he thought that if he

was compared with his opponents, the latter would be found wanting. He again expressed a wish to see the railway carried up to the Basin Reserve, The city, he thought, was to be congratulated ou having in the Council gentlemen who looked so well after its interests. He hoped there would be no necessity to strike a poor rate, and thought the only way of dealing with the question of charitable aid was to send the Act back to the Government, and refuse to act upon it. In answer to questions, Mr WiLon said he was not responsible for the sins of his predecessors with regard to the expenditure in law costs some years ag". He had noc voted for the remission of a judgment obtained by the Corporation against the contractors. He would, if elected, support a reduction of the special rate. He would not be in favor of giving £IO,OOO for a recreation ground for Thorndon ; he would prefer that tbe cricketers and footballers should buy a groond for themselves. He would propose as a substitution for the Basin Reserve (to be taken for the railway station) the saddle of the hill from Plrie-street over to Kilbirnie. He did not agree with the propasal for a new cemetery. There was plenty of ground for use in the present cemetery. If a new cemetery was established it should be at South Wellington. He would point out that the Thorndon people already had a recreation ground—the Botanical Gardens—and he would be willing to support an expenditure of £IOO or £2OO to makes football or cricket ground there. On the motion of Mr Gallagher, a vote of confidence in Mr Wilson was carried. A vote of thanks to the chair terminated the proceedings.