MUNICIPAL POLITICS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 810, 9 September 1887, Page 30

MUNICIPAL POLITICS.

MR. COOMBE AT THE ALHAMBRA. Mr J. Coombe, who retires from the representation of Cook Ward in the City Council by effluxion of time, but offers himself for re-election, addressed a meeting of ratepayer* at the Alhambra Tuesday night. The attendance was rather small, and Mr Fraser Jones was voted to the chair. Mr Coombe spoke for half an hour, com-mencing-by pointing out that a great many important matters had been transacted by the Council during the past year, such as street improvements, settlement of the reclamation difficulty, &c. Referring to private streets, he said he thought a clause should be inserted in the • Municipal Corporations Act providing for expenditureon these streets of rates collected from them. He also referred to the waterworks, which, he said, would be highly beneficial to the oity. They had now an efficient supply of water, and he was given to understand that an equal pressure to that of the Wainui could be obtained shortly from Polhill Gully. A proposal had been made to light the oity with electric light, but whether or not it would be adopted- he could not say. No doubt there was room for improvement in this way. The rates were gradually creeping up, especially since a poor-rate was levied. However, the assets of the were improving very much also. Drainage hitherto had been carried out piecemeal, but he did not think a drainage loan would be advisable. They would have to carry out drainage as they could,.and improve it wherever practicable. He pointed out that Cook Ward had received £1133 in drainage during the past year, from which they would see that their representatives had not been idle. On the other hand, this ward contributed £3237 in rates, and was- second highest ward in that way. He considered that the insurance companies should contribute something to the cost of the Fire Brigade, since they were greatly benefited by it. Going at some length into the finances of the city, he said the Council had done its duty, well in the past, and he had no doubt it would also do so in the future. Im conclusion, Mr Coombe said that it behoved the ratepayers to elect the best meu they could get to the City Council, and if they thought he had done his duty in the past he asked "them to support him in the future. (Applause.)! Mr Monaghan asked -how the Council was getting on, with, the Tramway Company now.

Mr Coombe said the Company’s lease expired in December next, and they would then have to ask the Councihfor new terms, and it would be for the Conncil to deal with the matter. Mr Antrobus said: he hoped they would do away with the sixpenny, fare.. On the motion of Mr Howell, seconded by Mr Antrobus, it was decided * * That Mr Coombe is a fit and proper person to represent Cook Ward in the Council.” A vote of thanks to the ChainßiD concluded the meeting.