THE MAYORAL CONTEST.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 6789, 17 November 1883, Page 3

THE MAYORAL CONTEST.

1 fchould occur the water-rate could not be increased, as the Council had now reached tho utmost limit allowed under tho Municipal Corporation Aot. To cover any deficiency, money would have to ba borrowed from the municipal account, and the chaucos wore that this would load tn an increased special rate of municipal tax. To supply the water-engines in town as far as possibls, mid at tha sanio ttino to accommodate the ratepayers on tho hill, the Council during last summer hud a large concrete tank ereoteil, by way of experiment, on tho highest part of tho city. This tank was supposed to be filled during the night, when tho pressure was at its greatest, and would be sufficient to supply those residents in the high level* during tho day, but the plan did not work well. Tho original roservoir at Ross Creek had year by year been diminishing in its supply, and to counteract as far as possible this deficiency they had now raised the northern reservoir somo 2ft or 3ft, thereby collecting some three

or more million gallons, and wore also laying, al

an expense of from £9000 to £10,000 pounds, a lino of Win pipes which would receive tho water from tho Silyerstream at the Caversham tunnel, and carry it direct through tho city to the higher levels. This would save the friction caused by the drawing eff in supplying CaverBham and South Dunedin, and if this direct supply was not sufficient to supply every house in the highest portions of tho city, it would, at all events, keep filled tho present, and perhaps other similar tanks, which could bo tilled at night, and from which sufficient water might be drawn during the day for all the requirements of tho residents. Should they still be unable to satisfy tho requirements' of the ratepayers on tho high levels, or should the supply of water be curtailed at any time to tho city, there was

another chanco loft of getting an increased supply at a small cost. This was to bring the water from Powder Greek direct into the Silyeratreaui race at a coat of about £-1000. This proposal had already been before thu Water Supply Committee, but shortness of funds had kept them from recommending the scheme to tho Council. It might be well, before discussing other matters, to give some idea of tho financial position of tho Corporation, tho indbetedness of which was £600,000 in addition to the amount of the overdraft at tho Bank. Our indebtedness on municipal account was £300,000; on water do, £200,000; on gas do, £100,000. Each year they required to put aside for sinking fund and intorest as against these amounts—municipal, £20,210 ; water, £13,091; pas, £0080; in all, £39,387. To show the funds annually at disposal opposite) the payment «f this heavy liability he might mention that from the municipal department they received—Prom Corporation rents, £12,600; from general 13 rate, £15,186 ; from special rate, £1)796; sundries — fines, licenses, &c,-£11,205; —total, £42,757; so, after deducting £20,210—which must be set aside annually,—there is only left tho sum of £22,071. Out of this balance they had to pay —For lighting street lamps, £4300; for salaries, £3860; for bank interest and law expenses, £1500 ; —total, £9600; which would leave a, balance to work on during the year of only £12,911. This amount had to cover street maintenance, drainage, channelling, dust carts, watering streets, cemeteries, Fire Brigade expenses, printing, stationery, and other outgoings. This sum was inadequate, but tho Council had power to borrow from the bank by way of overdraft a-sum equal to the preceding year's municipal income, exclusive of special rates, and this was generally dorm. If, however, the Council's overdraft exceeded the limit fixed by the Act, tho councillors became individually liable for tho moneys wrongfully obtained. Bearing in mind these facts, they could readily understand how the hands of the councillors wero tied, and how they had to hoar and bear many complaints for not doing things the citizens thought necessary, but for which the Council had no funds available There was no question in the minds of tho councillors that baths were necessary, but there were many difficulties in the way of providing suitable baths One proposal was to construct temporary baths at Logan's Point, at a cost of £300 or £400, and another was to erect baths on a lease from the Harbour Board of land near the foot of St. Andrew street. It would cost £3000 to construct baths on the last-mentioned site, and another £4000 to bring water in from the Ocean Eeach. This matter would soon be discussed by the Council, and the question for consideration appeared to him to be whethor it would be wise to spend so large a sum of money on a site that could only bo held under a lease. Baths at Logan's Point would only be available for a small portion of the citizens; and as it appeared that salt water would have to be taken to the baths artificially, it appeared to him it should be brought to the most 'central site available If practicable, he thought tho permanent baths should bo on the land immediately at the back of the Council Chamber, and that temporary baths should bo made at Logan's Point, or the old baths at Vauxhall Jetty «overed in, and a small steamer employed, at a cost of about £200 for the season, to convey bathers across the harbour free of charge. On the question of drainage, he expressed the opinion that Mr Minima' scheme of conveying the sewage by a main trunk drain to tho Ocean Beach was the most feasiblo plan before the Council. Already there had bean oxpended on drainago in the city £40,000, and the engineer's plan would cost £98,000, and involve an annual outlay of £3550 as working expenses. Dunedin was quite as well off with regard to drainage as Sydney or Melbourno, or as any New Zealand city, with the exception of Christchurch, but still a proper system of drainage was necessary. Money, however, would be required to provide either baths or drainage, and the question was were the burgesses willing to give it. Drainage could not bo undertaken without further borrowing, but in order to provide baths, as Mr Robin had said, it was only necessary that they should bo content ■to pay an additional rate of one penny or one halfpenny in the pound. Had times been better, ho would have suggested tho advisability of borrowing £100,000, but the question was, would tho ratepayers be willing to tako upon themselvos additional burdens, for, as all were aware, money could not be borrowed without their consent. If power to borrow were obtained, he considered that debentures should be issued in suin3 of £25,000 or £30,000 yearly, so that the increase in taxation would fall gradually, and he also considered that the suburban municipalities should join in carrying out a complete drainage scheme, participate in its advantages, and bear a portion of the liabilities in connection with it. In concluding, Mr Spedding roferred to the great improvements effected in Dunedin during the last 20 years, and expressed his belief in the future prosperity of the city. A number of questions were asked and answered.

Mr Bastings delivered a highly complimentary speech, at the conclusion of which he moved — "That in the opinion of this meeting, the clear exposition of municipal matters made by the candidate this evening proves him to be eminently fit for the office of Mayor, and that we pledge ourselves to give him our support."

Mr Gbkig seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously.' The candidate having returned thanks, the usual compliment was paid to the Chairman, and the proceedings closed.