BROOKLYN AFFAIRS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8734, 16 May 1914, Page 2

BROOKLYN AFFAIRS

ELECTORS’ ASSOCIATION COM TLA 1 NTS ABOUT “ A DISGRACEFUL ROAD.” Tho annual meeting of tho Brooklyn Municipal Electors’ Association was held last night, Mr T. Graham presiding. Owing to the inclement weather, there was only a moderate attendance. The president referred to tho good work that had .boon done throughout tho year. .Mr M. A. Robinson explained tho position of tho baths scheme, and Mr Graham asked for more general assistance from the committee next Arbor Day. Tho annual report, tho substance of which has already been published, waa read and adopted. Tho balance-sheet showed a credit balance of £4 10s 4d. Tho amount received during the year in subscriptions was £4 17s 6d. Tho election of officers resulted as follows :—Chairman, Mr G. Read; vicechairman, Mr H. R. Vilo; secretary, Mr J. Burton; treasurer, Mr W. Webb; committee, Messrs J. Gittings, A. Fortune, M. A. Robinson, J. Rose, and A. Turner; auditor, Mr J. F. Hopkinson. Mr J. Gittings complained of the condition of Reuben avenue, saying that in its present state it was not lit for a cattle track. The mud on it war ankle-doep, tho street was not channelled, and no improvement had been made for several years. The chairman said that under the original plan of Brooklyn tho City Council could not legally spend any money on Reuben Tho upper end was properly formed, hut tho entrance to tho road did not come under tho council’s jurisdiction. If the Mayor’s loan proposals were carried,, there might be some hope for improvement. Before beautifying the city was talked about, it would bo more reasonable to make a street —that had boon in existence for twenty years—lit, for traffic. Mr Fortune pointed out that tho householders were prepared to pay a quarter of the cost, and that the council had decided on a definite policy, which had not been carried out. THE LOAN PROPOSALS. A discussion on tho loan proposals ensued. Mr J. Burton said that tho proposals embodied most of the demands of tho Wellington districts. An important question was whether the money should bo secured in one sum or spread over a term of years. The City Council’s term was only two years, and succeeding councils might not be of the same mind as the present one. He was of opinion that the whole £300,000 sliould bo spent at cnoe. It would bo no use for half the works to ba hanging fire. Tho chairman differed on this point., and said he thought tho Mayor was right in declaring .that the expenditure of the loan money should be spread over several years. This would keep a' number of men employed for a long time. There was no question of earmarking, and the council would set the most urgent works going immediately, the others to follow in due course. Mr Fortune moved that the association approve generally of tho action of the Mayor of Wellington with regard to the loan proposals, and of tho method by which it was proposed to raise the money. This was carried unanimously.