The Municipal Elections.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 866, 5 October 1888, Page 29

The Municipal Elections.

- MESSRS BRANDON, ALLEN, WILLIAMS, AND CHAPMAN AT THORNDONMessrs Brandon, Allen, Williams, and Chapman addressed a meeting of .Thorndon ratepayers at the Primitive Methodist School* room, Sydney-street, Monday night. There was a poor attendance, and Mr A. A. Bar* nett, was voted to the chair. Mr H. J. Williams began by saying that the question what a man had done was hardly pertinent when it concerned a member of a looal governing body. The oidinary newspaper reports of meetings of such bodieß as the City Council, were, he considered, the best means of showing to the ratepayers what their representatives were doing. In these circumstances he should only touch lightly on matters of public importance since he went into the Council. With respect to the financial affairs of the city, he said there was a feeling that we were in a very bad state ; that wo were nearly insolvent. He was not disposed to take Buch a view. '-'Gar income last year Wad* £53,000, "* the-., interest’-charges about £27,000, so that really-there' was very little left for ordinary works. The Counoil was in many respects asked to make bricks without straw, for the charge for interest and the cost of drainage were very heavy. To maintain the streets cost last £I6OO (with £l6O extrafor.the electric light); and Bcavengering,. watering, etc., £1613; a total of £11,304. That' he w?s aware, was not enough. To keep aud maintain streets at £240 a mile per annum was, he contended, simply impossible, but since that was all the money at their disposal, that was the reason why more was not done for the streets and for necessary pnblic works. He contended, however, the city was not in nearly such a deperate condition as was supposed, especially when the fact chat money out of general account had been diverted to the purpose of drainage was considered. He was of opinion that the £59,000 that had been spent on drainage should have given the city a thoroughly efficient system of drainage had the money been properly expended. Unfortunately, however, .a. proper system had not been followeo. In his opinion there was no alternative but that the drainage must go into the harbour for some years to come, repulsive as the idea no doubt was to many. He might say he would support the Mayor’s proposal to raise £25,000, principally because it would give them the £14,000 neceßsa.ry to complete the system of drainage. With reference to the disposal of nightBoil, he saw no reason l why they should not adopt the system which had been so successful in Melbourne and other places, of earth closets in places not connected with the main drains. - He expressed an opinion that the Destructor would be of great benefit to .the city, and said that so far as he could learn there was no tangible objection to it being placed in the position now proposed. With reference to the electric light, it might ben “fad’' or not; but if that “fad” had the effect of efficiently lighting the city that was all they wanted. (Hear, hear.) He claimed equal connection with the Mayor in this matter, remarking that he believed the origin of the proposal was in a conversation he had with the Mayor on the subject. He claimed that he had taken as much interest in the Thorndon recreation ground as any member in the Council, having done all he could for years to obtain such a ground. HU own pet idea had always been tbe Thorndon reclamation, but as that was not available he would do what he coaid to support the present proposal. Something must be done to remove the burial ground from its present locality, but when that was done he thought it would be as well _ to diaouss the advisableness of establishing a crematory in the city. He was in favour of the City Council taking the Botanic Gardens over, provided they got an allowance from the Government for the purpose of maintaining them j for he held that these gardens were a colonial and not a local pro-

perty. He was also in favour of beautifying the city as far as possible, and suggested that a drive round the Peninsula would be an attraction to the city. With reference to reorganisation of the Corporation service, he did not see it possible to effect any retrenchment of importance. An all-round redaction might be made, bub it would be at the cost of efficiency. He condemned the Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Act as one of the most absurd ever passed. It was unworkable and most unjust to. large cities. He considered the rates under it should be levied on all persons on the electoral roll. With reference to the consolidation of loans, both Sir Harry Atkinson and Sir Julius Vogel had said it was impossible, except at a loss. He disapproved rating on frontages. In conclusion, Mr Williams eaid lie had no personal motive or interest in the election, and he took the opportunity of saying that he had never seen in the Council any of those rlng3 of which they had heard so much.

Mr George Allen explained his reasons for coming forward as a representative of the town which he bad helped to found. He expressed an opinion that the building regulations, although they had been modi fieri, were strict, and if elected he should endeavour to get further modifications. With respect to the electric light, he favoured the project, because they had sufficient water to supply the motive power. He thought they would find the Destructor an expensive luxury, because it would cost a great deal to keep the fires going. As to reorganisation, he was not opposed to a little of it, and he remarked that he had some time ago opposed the proposal to ent down labouring men’s wages. He deprecated the extent to which expenditure was given to Cook Ward. With reference to the Thorndon recreation ground, he claimed equal credit with others for having taken part in this movement many years ago. He thought the Mayor’s Bcheme a very satisfactory one, and would support it being carried out immediately. He thought they might have a little more money spent at this end of the city—on the Botanic Gardens, for instance, for he did not think they would get any money from the General Assembly. He strongly approved Mr Williams’ proposal for a general tax for charitable aid.

Mr A. de B. Brandon said that as they had a new candidate to address them he i would not detain the meeting, but would simply say that he had done his best to act the part of a critic, not that of a reformer. (Applause.) Mr MartinChapmaii,who was wellreceived, said several questions had been mentioned which would presently assume great prominence. That of the removal of the cemetery was the moßt important of them. To his mind it was a scandal, not only to have a cemetery in such a place, but also to have one so full as the present one was. The fact that it had been in use ever since the city was founded was sufficient to warrant its removal. He held that the future cemetery must be outside the town. His own opinion was that there should be two cemeteries. There should bo one for the south end of the town, while the Manawatu Railway* gave suitable facilities for another for the Thorndon end. An Act of Parliament would no doubt be necessary, and it would be muoh better to get land at a suitable spot and pay for it at once than run the risk of larger expenditure in the future. With respect to the streets on the Thorndon reclamation, he admitted that the town had been badly treated by the Government, but thought the Council should lose no time in taking the streets over and getting them out of a condition which was a disgrace to the city. It was hopeless now to expect the Government to do anything iu the matter, and the Council ought to at once endeavour to put the streets into a condition fit for traffic. He could not now pledge himself to any definite course on financial questions, tut he could give his impressions. The city was in debt, though not so heavily as other cities in theColouy.and theyshould stopborrowing assoonas possible, though they might have to do so for such important work as a new cemetery. Where borrowing could be prevented, however, he would oppose it; for his own part he would prefer an increase of rates with a prospect of their reduction in tho future. That would bo very much the same thing, because if they borrowed the rates would have to go to pay interest and principal. (A Voice : Give posterity a show.) Mr Chapman said he objected to saddling posterity with a heavy debt. At thß same time he would not be in favour of raising the rates too high. The necessity for a recreation ground at Thorndon was one which could not be denied, he thought, and if any proper means were shown of obtaining it, he would support it. At present, however, he would not pledge himself to it. As to the proposed site at the head of Sydneystreet, he preferred to hear what the engineers had to say about it. He had been told that it would cost £4OOO, and again that it would take £20,000. He did not think £4OOO would go far in filliug up the gully. However, he would not, as he bad said, give any decided opinion at present. He would not then go into questions of works, though he thought it possible that economy might be effected in the maintenance of the streets. With reference to Corporation leaseholds, be did not care to give his ideas on that question, for lie bad so far been a leaseholder pure and simple, and now, of course, he had to look at the matter from another point of view. As a leaseholder he considered the Mayor’s proposals acceptable; now he had to look at it from the other side. In conclusion, he asked the ratepayers to look upon their votes not as privileges of their own, but as something held in trust for the benefit of the community. (Applause.) Mr Brandon, in answer to Mr J. Burnes, said the Mayor’s scheme embracing the Thorndon recreation ground seemed to be a good one, but he was not prepared to pledge himself on it until it had been discussed at the Council table.

Mr George Anderson said the filling in of the proposed recreation ground could be done for 5d a yard. • Mr Brandon said he would be in favour of calling for tenders to ascertain what the work could be done for. From what he knew of these matters he should be very sorry to have to do it at 5d a yard. |lu

answer to Mr Eiilminster Mr Brandon sa the building by-laws were made on the recommendation of experts, but if sufficient reason were shown he would be in favour of relaxing the restrictions. MrMaginnity, in moving a vote of thanks to the candidates who had addressed the meeting, expressed regret that Mr Orr, thß other candidate, had not been included among those who called the meeting. This was carried, and on the motion of Mr Chapman a vote of thanks was given to the chair. This concluded the meeting.

ME T. OER AT THORNDON. Mr T. Orr, one of the candidates for the re* presentation of Thorndon in the City Council, addressed a meeting at the Sydney-street schoolroom on Tuesday evening. There was a fairly large attendance, and Mr J, Burnes was voted to the chair. Mr Orr (who claimed indulgence on aocount of a bad cold) referred first to the question of the Thorndon recreation ground, expressing an opinion that such a ground was very necessary. He hoped those gentlemen who were moving in the matter would succeed. The necessity for a removal of the cemetery was also very great. He did not think it wise to have too large a cemetery, for scientific opinions were strongly against burying too many bodies in a small area. Two, or even three, cemeteries would be much better tban one. .. Our road metal cost us at oresent about Ss a yard, and he believed it could be obtained for half the cost. The meana of bringing the metal into Wellington, by horse and cart, was very primitive and expensive, and a great deal coma bo saved by using a tramway. r Had the money spent in the Destructor been spent on a tramway to Island Bay or Ngauranga the metal could be brought into town for Is 6d a yard. The system of contracting for metal was also unsatisfactory, because the contractor had to be able to supply 2000 or 3000 yards of road metal when it was wanted, and consequently he had to charge more for it. The tramway that brought the metal into town would take the rubbish out, and the nightsoil could be removed by it in close tanks. Unfortunately the money was not available for these larger works that were necessary; and with respect to the Destructor, while he did not for a moment say it would not be of value, he suggested that the money might have been more profitably? spent elsewhere. He disapproved this dabbling with so many things at once. Reform might also be made in street-cleaning. With respect to the building regulations, ho ridiculed the provisions of clause 20, dealing with brick chimneys. He considered,. also, that some of the regulations as to. additions in brick were impossible. The object. —that of preventing the perpetuation of lines of old buildings—could be achieved by regulating the amount to be spent in improving buildings of a oertain age. Speaking on the question of the reclaimed land leases, he held that the principle of tenant-right could not apply to them. He disapproved compensation for improvements on these sites, preferring a lease of, say, 99 years, with valuation for rental every 15 or 20 years. With reference to the Mount Cook prison, he thought one of the greatest mistakes the people of Wellington ever made was in allowing that prison to be erected, Hecould not find language with which to condemn that. The city had no_sites to spare that it could give such a one as that for such an object. The prison ought to have been put some distance away—on Somes Island, for instance. How different it would have been had a college or an observatory been erected there instead ! Mr Orr, who had frequently been applauded,’ concluded, after speaking for half an hour, by expressing his willingness to answer questions. Mr G-. Anderson quoted the opinions of various mayors on the subject of the Thorndon recreation ground, and asked whether Mr Orr would, if elected, do all in his power to obtain that ground. Mr Oxr said he would do his best to bring the movement to a successful issue.

In answer to further questions, he said he thought the electric light question was problematical as yet, because he was not sure the water supply would always be efficient. At the same time he should be very glad to see the light a success, and since the contract had been let, the best thing they could do was to wait till they saw what came of it. With respect to drainage, he deprecated the patching system, which had been attended by very bad results in other parts of the world. He preferred doing as was done on Mr Maginnity’s motion eight or nine years ago—making careful inquiry into the proposals, so as to ascertain whether or not they were proceeding on scientific principles. The Chairman, speaking on the cemetery question, deprecated the dread of the dead generally shown in this city, and pointed out that there was a large area still available in the present cemetery. He denied that there was any bad drainage from the cemetery. What was wanted was a better system of drainage. He asked Mr Orr’s opinion on the Mayor’s scheme for dealing with these matters, and with the . recreation ground. Mr Orr said he would be strongly in favour of achieving these objects, but he could hardly say at present whether or not he would support the Mayor’s scheme. He warned the Thorndon people not to be too sanguine over that scheme, which was sure to be opposed at the other end of the town. As to the Botanic Gardens, he considered that those who had had charge of them had done a great deal of good without any reward ; and for himself, he did not care who had the care of the gardens, provided they were improved and made attractive. The Chairman thought the gentlemen who had managed the Gardens deserved little credit for it, for they simply supplied plants to members of Parliament,, and had used the Gardens as nurseries for their own gardens. Mr Orr would be iu favour of getting the Gardens put under better government, but he maintained that if the City Council had charge of them the work that had now been done would not have been done at all.

Mr J. Maginmty thought it remarkable that such a number of nonsensical questions were put to candidates. It was absurd to ask such questions as were asked of candidates before they were acquainted with the

‘financial condition of the city. With respect ifco drainage, he maintained that at least £IOO,OOO would have to be raised to carry out a thorough system. Mr G. Fisher thought a recreation ground could bo obtained for Thomdon out of ordinary revenue. That had been done in the case of the reoreation grounds at the other end, when the revenue was much smaller than now. With respect to the electric light, he said Mr Williams, who said the cost of this light would be £IOO a year more than gas, did not take into account the cost of the water to supply the motive power of the light. He considered, also, that the surplus of water should have been employed in diminishing rates, by selling it to the little townships along thd line of the mains. < Applause.) Mr Maginnity moved a vote of thanks to Mr Orr. Mr Fisher : And confidence ! Mr Maginnity said there were five candidates in the field, and a vote of confidence would be contrary to the spirit of the decision of the candidates not to canvass. The Chairman thought confidence was shown by the numerical strength of the audience. The vote of thanks was carried unanimously, and the meeting terminated with a similar compliment to the chair. ME MOELLER AT NEWTOWN. Mr F. Moeller, a candidate for the representation of Cook Ward in the City Council, addressed a meeting of the ratepayers at Miss Gurr’a Schoolroom, Adelaide-road, on Tuesday; There were about thirty persons present, and Mr T. McDougall occupied the chair. The candidate, who was well received, said he was not going to detain them by snaking a lot of vain promises about what he would do if he got in the Council, because he took it that it was impossible for any man to do any good in the Council unless he had the support of the whole of the Councillors. The most important question the new Council would have to consider was that of drainage. The Mayor had provided a scheme whereby he said he could drain the city for £15,000, and if that was so he (Mr Moeller) would give his hearty support to it. He was in favour of the Council taking over the private streets of the City according to the plans. Referring to the lighting of the city by electricity, he said there was nothing for them to risk, and if it turned out as well as the Mayor expected, it would prove a great benefit to the city. He thought that the city reserves should be laid out, and made as attractive us possible. With regard to the much-vexed question of retrenchment, he believed in paying fair wages for a fair day’s work ; and he did not think the Corporation officials should live in fear of being ousted by every new administration. If elected he would go into the question, and see that every man was paid a fair amount for the work he did. He said he had come forward in response to a request from the ratepayers, otherwise ho did not intend to contest the election. It was asserted by some that he was too young for the position he aspired. to; but he would point out that young men in England had occupied far higher positions than Councillors for the city' of Wellington. Out of the eight candidates for Cook YYard three of them were tried men, and if they were satisfied with them they should return them again, but if not they should give the new hands. a trial. If they saw in him elements of a useful nature he hoped they would support him. Mr Moeller having answsred several ques. tions, Mr Worth moved that the candidate was deserving of their confidence, amt that they should give him their support. This was seconded by Mr P. Coffey and carried. A ratepayer asked what was Mr Moeller’s opinion with regard to the Destructor ; was he in favour of erecting it or letting it lie in the Corporation yard as it was ? Mr Moeller said he would have it erected, as they had got it. What else could they do with it now ?

A vote of thanks having been awarded to the chairman, the meeting terminated.

Mr Charles Worth, whose nomination for the City Council was declared invalid, addressed a meeting at a schoolroom in the Adelaide-road last Friday. There were about 30 persons present, and Mr P. Coffey presided. Mr Worth explained at some length the position in connection with his nomination and his own views upon the matter. He was informed, he stated, that the whole of the other nominations were also invalid, and in the event of there being another election he should offer himself again. The meeting was rather enthusiastic in Mr Worth’s favour, and at the conclusion of his address a motion, expressing sympathy with Mr Worth, and a hope that on another occasion he would be elected, was moved by Mr F. Moeller, seconded by Mr T. O’Loughlin and carried. During the proceedings Mr F. Moeller intimated that he would address a meeting early next week.