THE MAYORAL ELECTION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 6791, 20 November 1883, Page 3

THE MAYORAL ELECTION.

MR STREET AT THE QUEEN'S' , ~ THEATRE, _ .Mr W. P. Street] addressed.a, .njeeting of ratepayers at the Queen's Theatre last ovcnipg. Notwithstanding the weather, there were over

a hundred present, among them some ladies, Mr T. Moodie was elected chairman, Mr Street, who was well received, said as this was not the first time he had appeared before them, he would have nothing further to say with regard to matters of a personal nature and with regard to the false charges circulated about him in connection with tho proposed purchase of the Gasworks. His reasons for coming forward Were plain. He was anxious to ba their Mayor, believing that he had the time and the ability to perform the duties of the office to their satisfaction, aud also that he possessed a large percentage St the confidence of the citizens. There were many uiatters Connected with the Gas Department that balled, for further remarks than he had yet devoted to the question. That department was Under the special charge of a Committee of which he was now a member, and if Returned S^May.or he wouH, by virtue of his office; still continue to. havp a seat .oii tha,t Committee! Ttia,t Committee, was .composed of some of, the very best,men in, the Council, one of whom, indeed, washisopponentjMrSpedding. When they took office it • was their unanimous resolve to usa every effort to dissipate the dissatisfaction that had been felt regarding the works, and to do their beat to place them m an efficient state. There could be no doubt as to the qualifications of their gas engineer, and all consumers must admit that Bince his arrival the quality of the gas had been greatly improved. — (Applause.) That having been accomplished, the next desideratum was that tha price of gas should ba permanently reduced. After explaining several improvements already made in the working of his department by the engineer to effect savings, Mr. Street went on to say that tho general view ol the gas question which ho took "■. was that the Council had entered iipon what w&3 virtually a commercial enterprise; The Gas Committee virtually'occupied tho position that 'directors do in an ordinary company. \Va3 it iiot; th'en, merely lettering; a triiifjm to say that they should so manage th'a concern.as to get the,greatest possible return from the investment ? With this object in view, when they Bad raised the plant and appliances to such an efficient state.as to be prepared to meet an increased demand, they should have the sale of gas pushed in every legitimate way by means of canvassers, and by offering every inducement to probable consumers. The present condition of the Gasworks did not, however, warrant him in entering into details on the subject of enlarging or increasing the consumption. Undoubtedly the most important question which municipal representatives had to face was th.t of city drainage. At the present time the drainage of Dunedin was undertaken by the city alone, and the sewage was conducted by means of five outfall eewers running through Manor street, Stuart street, St. Andrew street, Frederick street, and St. David street into the harbour. These sewers were separate and distinctive from each other, and each drained its own district. The proposals of Mr Mirams, the city engineer, as set forth in his report, were to intercept all these outfalls by a main trunk sewer, and so to convey the sewage across the Flat to the Ocean Beach. All of the municipalities around Dunedin were more or less vitally interested in the solution of this problem, and it seemed to him that the proper method would be for them to join with Dunedin in the undertaking. They should bear, according to a ratio to be fixed in regard to area and population, their share of the annual charges for interest and working expenses, and also their share of the sinking fund for repayment. The cost of the present system had been so far £40,000. It was merely part of the proposal now enunciated, and to complete it would absorb the further sUm of £100,000, besides the annual charges for management. This was a large sum of money, but they must remember that the present drainage works could not be regarded as at all adequate to meet the requirements of the city; and we were now beginning to feel that ill-results must follow its continuance, and that as the city grows with years the evil must be aggravated; Should it be deemed advisable to carry out this scheme in its entirety; or with modifications, it would' be necessary to Obtain power by means of an Act of Parliament; which in his judgment should provide for the establshment of a drainage baard, and be composed of representatives of Dunedin and the suburban municipalities. He considered that as the work was one not for this generation only, but for all time, they should not be in a hurry to repay. That was a privilege in which the Unborn millions of Sir George Grey should be jjermitted to share. It must not be thought f hat he waS wedded to any particular scheme, Others had been propounded; arid among them that of Mr Burt was especially worthy of note. Mr Burt's proposal was based on the principle of deodorisation. The various proposals required serious and careful consideration before the city was committed to any. He would now proceed to the consideration of another municipal undertaking which demanded some attention— the question of water supply. One of the difficulties which bad beset the Council—namely, the supply of water to the higher levels of the city—would shortly be remedied. The High Ward upper levels would be served in a month ortwofrom a tank which would be filled atnight, when the pressure was at its highest. The water which filled, the tank at night would also supply the high leveta during that time, while in the day time the tank, which would contain 10,000 gallons, would afford an ample flow of water to! all. The 12in pipes which were laid for this purpose at present failed to "effect this object, but with the new 14in service which was now being laid and the tank he had spoken of ( there could be no doubt but that the residents in the upper parts of the city would have no further gfoiind of complaint. He anticipated that this arrangement, which would cost some £7000, would obviate the unfortunate necessity which had arisen of late years of occassionally withdrawing the supply from water - engines. The Council, acting in conjunction with the suburban municipalities, had & bill prepared for Parliament conferring powers to take water from the watershed of the Upper Taieri for the use of the town and suburbs. The peculiar recommendation of this proposal was that they had an excellent opportunity of acquiring for very little most valuable rights. The land from which the supply was to be drawn was largely in the hands either of the Crown or the Otago University. The claims for compensation which, were the property in private hands, would spring up like mushrooms along the water-race, were not likely to be proffered. The cost of the Silverstream race was £61,3010s Sd, while the amount of claims for compensation settled amounted to no less a sum than £13,185. And they were not done yet. In this case, however, there need be no reasonable anticipation of anything further than nominal cost. The proprietors, who would really not be injured, would not profess to be, and the property of the city would be greatly augmented. In addition to the Silverstream works, they had also what was known as the Rosa Creek supply. The total cost of the whole water concern amounted to something over £200,000. The revenue from water was steadily increasing every year, but he had hopes that they would be able to reduce the water rate in a few years. But if they could not reduce it, it might at least be some consolation to know that they could not increase it, as they had now reached the utmost limit permitted to them by law. A question which had been frequently before the Council was the establishment of public baths for the city. It could not be denied that baths were urgently desired by a large number of the ratepayers, and that it was to be wished that facilities should be provided whereby the youth of the city might acquire the art of swimming. The' Council was practically unanimous in an agreement to push onward the baths; but the two great difficulties which opposed them was wore a site, and the funds— or rather the want of them—" that eternal want of pence which vexes public men." First, then, as to funds directly available for baths. They had what was known as a Baths Heserve, and as a good des.l of misapprehension existed ao the position of this reservo he would quote tho vasting Ordinance •''Tha Dunedin .Reserves Management Oruinance 18G7," amongst other things, vested in the Corporation reserves for pound, reservoir, cemetery, wharves, quarry, depot for metal, public baths, market, &c.; and enacted (clause S) to manage and lease the said lands, and (clause 4) to apply the rents of the said lands as provided by the"olth section of "The Otago M\micipal Goporations Ordinance 18;'>5," which last named provided that the funds from the rents of the said lands should ba applied towards

the expenses incurred for the public boneflt, such tlia as repair.of. streets, soworap;e,. lighting, and ;he ether improvements, Accordingly,' tbu pro-, ire cooda from the bathn ressrve had been-hitlntfto 'ha treatod aa for gsner.il revenue) purposes; The nd yearly rovonuo from routs of baths reserve tor ainouted to £10015s. The total rents received of to date amounted to about £1315. Largo sums ;ic- had been expended to adapt tho ground lor loasice ing, auuh as reclamation, road and footpath forto mation, kcrbing, &c.; also, considerable sums he had beon paid to subsidise the baths, ng It would thus be seen that though the Batha ad Committee might not be legally entitled to the ■er income from the reserve, it had at all events a is right to expect iv common fairnoss that tho ey net income should be placed to its credit. That og he estimated at £190 a year, Beforo ho entered into any particulars as to cost, it would be necessary to indicate tho various proposals that had been suggested. There appeared to be three schemes for the erection of permanent batha. Tho Council had at ' present a site of two acros at Logan's l'oint, " which was granted some years ngo by tho Harbour Board; This place was not deemed GtiißeieritJy central if the baths were to be iteed . largely by thoco whoso sparo time was limited; " and Mr Kobiu and he were recently appointed by the Baths Committee to find some other mora suitable and central locality. After several interviews with Mr Blair it was arranged that they should apply to the Harbour Board for the grant of a section at the foot of "' St. Andrew street. This application they duly made, and tho Board oxpressed their willingness to place this allotment, com- " prising half nu acre, at tiieir disposal, ' at a nominal rental of £10, for a I term of yearsj to be heroaftor arranged,— (Applause.) To render this section available , for the purposes of permanent swimming baths > it would bs necessary to excavate and put in a " concrete tank of. ah. area of 140 ft and ?3ft. This work, with necessary buildings, caretaker's house, &c, would cost £3000. Tho , baths on this site must bo artificially supplied with water. If salt water was brought from Forbury head, pumped up with a windmill, 1 tho estimated cost would be £3800. If salt water was brought from Black Jack's Point along the railway reserve, tho estimated cost would be £1000. He had the authority of the engineer for saying that the bAths could not bo supplied with fresh water from the city supply. If fresh water were taken from the Water of , Leith (i.t.i from below Royse's mill, Great King Btrest) the estimated cant would bo about £,1150.. But they might put.this, otit of the ■ question; as the riparian propietors were certain to object, and it was questionable whether the water would be clean enough in the heat of summer. The main objection to bringing salt water from Logan's Point was that it would be so dirty, while the difficulty in conveying it from Lawyer's Head was that it would be so dear. He thought on the whole that the Ocean Beach scheme was the most feasible one, but he thought that it should bo managed in such a way that tho baths should be self-supporting. From past experience here/ and from tho experience of other towns, he had not the slightest doubt but thatj with reasonably good mahageniehtj this ond could be attained. A small fee should be charged except during certain hours of the morning and evening. He would make this reservation, so that boys might have every opportunity of learning to swim, and all who chose might occasionally enjoy this health-giving luxury. He held that evory bjoyj at. lease iii the public schools; should be taught to swim. It wad a singular, anpmaly, that ,iv a city_ situated as Dunedin was, with, water at its very doors, they should .be without public baths., One of the chief causes for regret, that the municipal purse was so empty was, that they were unable to expend the necessary sums to put their beautiful reserves in such a condition as would render them still further a source of pleasure and health to the citizens. He would like to see that magnificent endowment known as the Town Belt planted with thousands of English trees, so that in tho not too distant future the younger amongst us may enjoy the lustrous splendour and grateful shadow of waving pine and quivering aspen. With regard to the financial condition of the town, he might say that they were practically at the end of their tether in the meantime. Taking tha Municipal Department first) the leading sources of revenue were: Kates, say £19,000 ■ Ireuta, say £12;000 • licenses, say £9000. The principal expenditure was for interest on loans and payiiient to sinking fund, together amounting to £20,000, and moro than absorbing the whole of the rates annually levied, leaving the proceeds from rents and licenses to meet disbursements for city works, including street cleaning and lighting, and for other charges. The Municipal, Department owed the Bank £11,280 on the 30th September last. The experience of the past two years showed that the revenue, being now confined to ordinary sources, having neither balance of loans nor Government subsidy available, barely kept pace with constantly increasing expenses. The present total indebtedness of the town to the Bank was £17,000, or about half the sura which they were permitted to draw before the personal liability of councillors became the Bank's only security for the excess. Their j accruing interestsjand the other demands upon j them rendered it idle for them to count upon having more than a few thousand pounds available for works. It would thus be seen that if new works of any magnitude wero to be undertaken, they must borrow money elsewhere to carry them on. That was to say, that before they could further pledge the revenue or increase the rates of the city they must obtain the sanction of the ratepayers to that line of conduct by means of a plebiscite.—(Applause.) The revenues of the city in the Municipal Department were at present subject to _ a debt of £300,000—the annual charge for interest and sinking fund amounting to over £20,000. In the opinion of many the municipal rate at present imposed— viz., Is 3d in the pound—was unduly heavy ; but there could be no doubt but that it was all actually required to keep the municipal pot boiling. Taking next the Water Supply De-

partment: With a revenue of £21,500 they had a debt of £200,000, the interest and charges on which absorbed nearly, £14,000 of the annual income. In the Gas Department the amount of indebtedness was £100,000, and out of the revenues thero arising they had annually to put aside some £7000. The revenue of the city from all sources was, at September 30 last,

£9(3,222 03 sd; and out of this sum £42,251 8s lOd had been expended in the payment of interest, bank charges, and sinking fund.

For street-lighting alone the sura of £4382 8s 7d was paid, salaries £6277 2s 2d, fire Brigade, £360; while street maintenance, drainage, channels, and all the works undertaken in con-

nection with the Gas and Water Department, and the wages, materials, and expenses neces-

sary to the management of all three, absorbed the balance. He would like them to remember that new works meant more rates, unless some scheme for further retrenchment could

ba devised; and he would point out that retrenchment was worse than useless if the

efficiency of the Corporation service was im-

paired thereby. Assuming a penay rate to produce £1000, every £10,000 borrowed would

impose on them a yearly burden of £700, and it would be for them to say whether or not their burdens were not now more grievous than they could bear. Looking at their financial position generally, with the eyes certainly of one interested, he must say that on the whole the funds at their disposal were wisely spent, and that their present Council was eminently deserving of their confidence and support, — (Applause.) Now he had done. He had reviewed, though perhaps somewhat briefly and cursorily, all tho departments of the municipality, and had drawn their attention to such matters as might seem to deserve their interest. He had not

attempted to laud himself or to bbw his own

trumpet. He would merely say that he was the senior councillor seeking election. As some ,of them were aware, he wa3 not a great speaker —" I am no orator a3 Brutus is " —but he trusted that his actions in the Council and

elsewhere had been such as to command for

him their respect and confidence, and that on the polling day they would place him in the proud position he earnestly coveted.—(Loud

applause.) "After Mr Street had answered a few questions,

Mr John Matthews proposed and Mr Jaiies Tybee seconded a motion to the effect

—"That Mr Street was the most fit and proper to represent the citizens as Mayor," The motion was carried unanimously.

MR SPEDDING IN LEITH WARD.

Mr Spedding, one of the candidates for the Mayoralty, addressed a large meeting of between 70 and 80 electors at the Northern Hotel, Water qf-Leith, last evening. Mr John Marshall was in the chair. After explaining his views on municipal mattere pretty fully, and answering several questions to the satisfaction of the audience, it was moved by Mr Jno. !Fbew, jun., and seconded by Mr Christopher Smith, that Mr Spedding was the most fit of the three candidates to hold the office of Mayor of this pity for the ensuing term, and this wa9 carried unanimously. A strong working committee was formed, and Mr George Mitchell appointed chairman.

ST. KILDA.

Mr H. Gourley, who seeks re-election to the office of Mayor of St. Kilda, addressed a meeting of ratepayers in Mitchelson's Hall yesterday evening. The speaker commenced by describing very fully the financial position of the borough. When he took office he found the bank overdraft amounting to £1498, and as it was discovered that they could not legally borrow money to pay oil an overdraft, the Council entered into an agreement with the bank to reduce the sum by £400 within the year. During the year the receipts had amounted to £1468, and the expenditure to £1075, and £393 had been paid towards tho reduction of this overdraft. The liabilities of the borough to the end of March next would be £397, and to meet that there should be an income of £546, leaving a balance of £149 to keep the streets, &c, in proper repair. He thought, then, that they would agree with him that the position of the borough was not very bad. He had pleasure in saying that the councillors had worked willingly with him during the year to try and retrieve their lost ground, and he had never worked with men who seemed more anxious to do nil they could for the welfare of the borough. If they were satisfied to go on as at present for a couple of years, the overdraft would be entirely liquidated, and they would then be able to commence some permanent works that were needed in the borough. But he would recommend nothing of this kind until thn overdraft \va3 cleared off. Tho borough would then be in as good a position, or better, as any other in New Zealand. Ho might mention that during the past year not one application for any small repairs had come in and found no response. If the applicants had not got quito all they wished for, they had got all that tho Council were in a position to afford. A report had been circulated to the effect that ho had said last year that if

elocted ha would not stand for the position of Mayor again. This had no foundation1, in frto,t; and fjuch a question was never asked him. At tho timo Jio ha.d ao, particular wish to be Mayor, but.tv requisition had boon signed .asking, him to stand, and ha hud doiie so, thinking, that perhaps a change would mtiko m&ttew look dilferont. He thought their mondy was spont perhaps not quite so judiciously as wns possible, and that ho might bo able to show tho ratepayers that tho borough could bo worked and made to pay. Ho thought he had kept his word.—(Applause.) Mr Gouulky thou answored several questions. As rogarded a special rato, ho was of opinion that undor favourable circumstances it would bo a dosirable step, but circumstances were not favourable, The present rates could not bo got in ■without difficulty, and another ono could not thorefore bo levied without coining to the ratepayers and getting their consent.

On the motion of Mr Brady, seconded by Mr Siurwoin-ii, it was unanimously resolved that Mr Gourloy was a fit and proper person to hold tho office of Mayor.

LAWRENCE.

At tho nomination for the Mayoralty yesterday thero was very littlo oy.citoment,' tharo boing only ono candidate, Mr M. l<Yaer (tho present occupant of tho civic chair). This gentleman was proposed by Mr John MonmaoN, and seconded by Mr P.'Mili.uk. Alter the Re-turning-officer (Mr P. Uren) had duly declared thecandidatoelected, Mr MomusoN made a few remarks deploring tho apathy which was being displayed in public matters. ( Ho referred to the gentleman he had noiuinntod in high torms, but ho said, without any dlpnragemont to that gentleman, that ho would have been better pleased to have nominated some other qualified person, as he had always been of opinion that th'o office should be a rolling onp. A fow ". breezes',', had, occurred during the last 12 months, but these were forgottiu outside the Council Chamber, and all worked for the general good of tho community. . : Mr Frakh returned thanks to those present for tho honour conferred upon him. He would take it that he had given satisfaction in tho past, seeing that no ono had been brought forward to oppose him. However, he would like to have seen some one of the councillors —of whom he could mention two or three in particular— come forward, and had anyone expressed his intention of standing he would have been willing to withdraw. Some important works—for ihstaflce, the drainage channel —had been undertake^ during his tenure of office, and probably it was thought that.he should be allowed^ to finish them. Mr Fraer remarked that this was the seventh time he had come forward on similar occasions, but the first in which he had been returned unopposed.

The usual compliment to the returningofficer concludod the proceedings.

[By Telegraph.]

AUCKLAND. Mr W. R. Waddell was returned aa Mayor of Auckland without opposition. ABKOWTOWN. Mr H. B. Smith was eleoted Mayor without opposition. TiiiAßt;. Mr John Jackson has been re elected Mayor without opposition;