MAYORAL ADDRESS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume III, Issue 722, 2 August 1878, Page 2

MAYORAL ADDRESS.

<j> Before proceeding to business at the Municipal <Ji>n;.oil meeting last evening, his Worship tne Mayor said it was usual, on the occasion of the first .meeting of the Qouncil after the annual election, for the Mayor to make a few remarks with reference to the principal matters likely to come before the Council during the year, and to sketch out a policy which it was advisable fqr the Council to pursue.. His remarks would be very brief for "tworeasons—firstly, because he was working with practically the same Council as last year, and there was therefore very little to explain ; secondly, because there was no policy to lay before the Council, except that of keeping steadily in the course which had been pursued during the past year, and taking care not to overrun the constable. Until the waterworks had been carried to a successful completion, ii would not be desirable to enter upon any other large works. Of course it would be necessary to carry out street repairs. The construction of the waterworks had so far been performed out of ordinary revenue, or credit on the ordinary revenue, and before undertaking any fresh large works it would be desirable to repay the amount obtained from the bank. This would be done so soon as the proceeds of the loan were received. One large work which the Council might fairly consider, though not at once, had already been mooted in the public prints. He referred to the desirability of erecting a Town Hall. This was a matter which, in the interests of the ratepayers, they would have to consider. At present there was only one hall in which public entertainments, &c., could be held, and this would shortly be turned into bedrooms. Of course the "Volunteer Hall would be available for public meetings, but there were many things for which it was not adapted. There was a difficulty about the erection of a Town Hall. The land on which the present Council Chambers stood had been granted for the purpose, and if they had the money to expend there would be no difficulty in carrying out the work ; but there were no funds available, and as the Council would have to borrow, it would be necessary to see that the probable revenue from the Town Hall would be at

st L3OOO, the interest on which would '>e L 240 or L 250 a year. By erecting shops underneath the hall, it might be rendered self-supporting ; but the question had been raised as to whether the Oouuoil had the power to erect shops, and let them. In his own opinion the Cotinoil could do so without infringing the Act. However, there was little probability of tho erection of a Town Hall being undertaken during the present municipal year, but the Council might fairly look carefully into the matter in the meantime. Another- large work which would have to, be undertaken at some time was tho connection of Tyne and H.mnber streets by a bridge. This was a work which was necessary to, Facilitate access to Humbcr-street, and relieve the traffic on Tham.es--»treet. It was not likely that the work wonld be carried out during the current municipal year, but the Council might enquire fully into tho matter, so that tiie work could be undertaken Jit hny time the Council was in a position to perform it. These were the only large works likely to come up for considel'tion. He concluded by expressing a hope that the proceedings of the Council would be conducted in the same friendly manner as they had, b.y,c>> during the past year.