MAYORAL INSTALLATIONS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11303, 22 December 1898, Page 2

MAYORAL INSTALLATIONS.

;,.. ; . ,;;-Y- : 4^HE^OTTY. '-^f; .*■>■ -^ r ■V The installation ofvthe ribwly-elßctecl-.Mayjir Cpf Dunedin City, 'Mr^W.'Swan, took place in the Council Chambers,1" Town Hall Buildings,'; at noon yesterday. Mr E. B. Cargill (the retiring mayor) presided, and there was a --large, attendance, .including a number of;;ex- fl :mayprl"'and i'other" representative citizeriß."f Amongst those present were: Mr H. J. Walter, Mr 0. S. Reeves, Mr N. Y. A. Wales,. Mr 0.-R. Chapman, Mr J. B. Thomson, Or J. Carroll, Cr 0. Haynes, Or W. Dawson, Or J. Gore (ex-mayors), Crs A. Solomon^ J. A. Parlc!,-:,.Chisliolm,,.-.P. Miller. H.:...CruSt, the Hpifs.'W." H.''Reynolds'and W; Mv- Bolt, M."3fcG;"§; Messren*:. Sligo' andrJames'TAiren, M.H.R,'s, the.Revs.; W,-;He\vitson and J. M. l'raser, Inspector Pardy, Messrs Cole (mayorelect of Caversham), H. F. Hardy, M. Cohen, G. C. Israel, W. Hutchison,.Mirams (city engineer) ,F. Peti;e, ]R, Hudson,.. J.T. Mackerras, i\ R. ehapman1 ,0. 0. Graham, J>7R. Sinclair, James Green, A'V G. Christoplier, AY. Wright, C. E. Haughton, W. Stevenson, P. Black, R. ..Wilson, William Reid, and H..E. "Mollorr'fmaypr-olec.ttof RavensbourijeJ.'.Applo--gies were received from Mr Justice Pennefathei, Cr G. L. Denniston, JDr Hislop,Messrs Mercer, K. Ramsay,':Ji:;-Raberts, AY. Robertson (mayor-elect of Maori Hill), E. T. Clarke (mayor-elect of Mornington), M. J. S. Mac- , kenzie,:.MiH.R.,.,.t]ie< Hon.';-R.;-Oliver,- and* Lieutenant-colonel AVebb.

;.,.Tlio retiring Mayor (Mr.E. B. , .Cargill) said V Gentlemen,4-My-year ofi office has come' to an end, and I have now to vacate this ..ohair,:.wliioh.-.J',"have,,occupied '■ "its' coursed In'doing' so T'may be permitted to refer shortly to my personal experience in association with you.^. Coming among you as a eb'iriparative s'trangelj^-rfb.r;althbiighl had pre; 6 viciiisly ',been?in tlieifcouiieil,■ .it was too': : long"; P[gQ: (some 25-years)).to ierve.'as an introdiio-" ■tioff to my present position—Pmust gratefully* acknowledge the kind and respectful consideration you one and all from the first accorded to me. No-jarring incident has occurred during my term of office, and I carry away with me only the most pleasant recollections and the feeling that you have throughout workedj harmoniously .with me in ttho earnest'effort to fulfil:our duties to 'the: eili zens; : and, I must not qjnitto liiakd very special :,riieritiori of the /valued aid I' have throughout 'received from • our most efficient and indefatigable town clerk (Mr W. B. Taylor). I much regret that illness prevents him from being present here' to-day to receive: my.t acknowledgment in person. I desire to bear testimony, to the excellent manner in which, the business of the'"council in its several departments is conducted. I have been much impressed by the careful and assiduous attention given by committees to the matters referred to them, and the good spirit pervading- their discussions.- The executive is efficient and well organised, the system of accounts is .excellent, and in my opinion the business'"of?the oorppratibmin all its;.detajls is/cdnducte^ in a-iianiier .wljjch is quite; exerii :Plary,i, '.The; j'ear.-:bf;my, office has beeift even W ' ful. It was my privilege to officiate at the celebration of Otago's Jubilee, in special view. ,of 'which.,-the citizens conferred upon me the great honour nf 'electing me to the mayoralty. The' 23rd day of March marked the completion or' 50 years from the landing ..of ..thel'first party of, colonists from t!ie'oldland, under'-the leadership of Captain Oargill,, upon the. shore of-this city, then, withiwllthe country around, in a' state of primeval wilderness. His Excellency the Governor of the colony and his lady were present and took part in the celebration, which,' favoured with bright weather, was a splendid success. The turn-out of the pepple-r-to my mind, always ths; most interesting and_ impressive of sights ■—was magnificent. Great numbers had come in from all parts of the country, and the densely packed crowd of men, women, and children filling every available space in- the jvling^of the , ..procession—all happy, iiwell.1' ! dressVd, and' perfectly 'orderly, the front ranklargely composed- ( of small children—made up. a'jspSfitaclSMwJicli was'truly..-! beautiful' arid.' must have raised emotion in the most phlegmatic of . pfljookers.- .oGaptain ~ Brown, , v -.ofc If.MiS.■■''TauVanga,' came to me afterwards^ and'said, that he had been in all parts of the: .world and had seen crowds of all ;.sorts 'of'people, but had never- looked upon' such' a/ beautiful crowd as that. It was quite a re.;' markable feature that a large number "of tho very early settlers—those who had ar-', rived in the first and shortly succeeding ship's, —put in .an appearance. '-Without question' the' ccilobrs-lion 'fiO-uek'a' chord in the'; heart of tW whole people; reviving old memories ahd'proI-""'1 mo'ting 'kindnesses;'and 'it will live, hi the" memories'of all who^vitnessed or,'though no^' present, 'sympathised "\vith-'"'it: "It' was " my; privilege also to officiate at the opening of the! city, abattoirs,'" the ""erection "of which; lies;; lar™"lv -to the credit of our' ener.getic mayor,'" the late HrES. Fish,'and forms, a. standing' monument to His memory."' The: erection ,oT the:abattoirs' has; been very- properly 'the stife*'' . jeet-.of - congratulation to the whole of :lhe" citizens, and'has been. heartily supported by"' the trade. A' very sufficient' reason 'for "thegeneral satisfaction appears ' iff the fact that' during tho' period from sth May;: 1898, when1 ;the;abattoirs-: were opened -for wo"rk,'n'6'• less, than-: 355 " animals , (159 cattle; • 159- • sheep" andlambs;" 25 'calves)' and 12 'pigs) have been-' c'on-J demned as:unfit for human food, which wouldotherwise have found their way into the shops and-been sold to consumers. The inspection' of dairies; a matter of'equal importance as afr' feetingth'e health "of tho citizens, has had attention; and : will' be effectively carried ' out in- the future. I-now desire to make reference; to those questions of the very first importance; to the;city,' which have more or.less engaged' the'attentipn-of Jhe council, but upon which? np'dKtinct'action'has yet been' taken—nam'ely^ .Water supply and. drainage. -I put water? supply 1* iii "the sfifst:;'place, because an abun-; dant supplys of'pure water'is the first'and ■ greatest necessity for 'the comfort and Health' :of the.inhrvbitaiits-oftha-eity/and for.proteeItipiV from fire.'''Happily,'this question is;not hampered by financial difficulty, as the water': rates are sufficient to provido or raise funds' for any reasonable projects. The city is. al; ready very fairly supplied with water, and it is only in periods of unusual drought that there have been fears of insufficient quantity 'for the present population. But with . the ever-increasing population of the city and suburbs, it is imperative that an increased supply be provided for the future, which shall include also the higher suburbs above the-level of the present service. All this is admitted, but. the question has been practically livtiig up by strong differences of opinion as to the sources of supply and modes of utilising'them. I have understood that the council are com;, mitted to the opinion that a comprehensive1 report upon the .whole question by competent .professional authority,, outside all' existing re-, ports-and opinions,, should'be procured... I Blrdrigly urge this course, and I ..believe ■ the; council, cannot do. p ..better, than, carry out, the '; recommendation of the Water Committee to; obtain for.-the purpose-.the-..services ■■ of.-Mr Mostayer.-whose past experiences confer upon him special fitness for the work, while his professional reputation will be an ample protection to the council iii the course to be adopted. The cost of obtaining- sueh:a report will be a mere trifle^in view of the importance of the question./. I am of opinion that no time should bo lost in securing for the city_all the. water supplies within reasonable ■ distance, and, if possible, possession or control of the lands through which. it leads.. And now I come to tho question of the drainage of the city. How do we stand in regard to that? When- I came into office it was generally granted that it should be undertaken as soon as possible, and in the letter written by-me to the Government, by direction of the council, on 25th January, it was stated that ' -it) is beyond question that-the time has arrived when it is imperative to deal adequately with this important question," and that the council: had passed the following resolution: —"That this council'approach the' Government with a view to the introduction of legislation proclaiming a drainage area'and'the appointment' or election, of a drainage board.". Again, on' 29£h: June,, the .council resolved—"That the town clerk be instructed to write to the Government and the Otago Harbour Board that the council have taken the drainage of the city into their serious consideration, and hope to be able to arrive-at'a definite' conclusion withhva month." I quote these to show that the council' are committed .to proceed with the drainage of the city without delay. lor m'yMf,l have/ as you know, acted up to what :I 'believe to be ,my "duty/in pressing the : question.upon tliecbunqil from time to time. On the 9th June'l;presented to the coymcil sa memoranduni,;expressing my .views'pretty fully,' which was relegated: to the General Committee,. where it still remains. I tried, but failed, to-get a special meeting of the council to consider it. Meantime.there is the action of the Harbour Board going on, which may result in forcing the council to drain the city.1 As the last step we--have the report of Mr Mestayer. But; again I; say, gentlemen, how do-we stand?. Is the council determined to proceed with the drainage? Or is it, notwithstanding its assurances which I .nave quoted, inclined, to postpone it indefinitely.' Next to the water' supply. I consider it to be the most important .work incumbent upon.the ccuncil. --The, cleansing, of our houses and conveying,away.the,:filtli is surely one of,,the prime "conditions of a oity's maintenance up v to the standard of the times, and an indefinite postponement would mean the failure of-the. corporation in ' one of its most • important functions. But I hear itsaid it will involve an additional rate; Of course it. will, and why not? Are "all necessary things ;to be postponed till they can be'had without.a'rate? The rating power is given to facilitate the raising of funds for necessary purposes.. Is it, in place of that, to be used only as a bogey and -i, perpetual bar.to all improvement? Gentlemen, I have no patienoe with this talk of ■ rates'and ratepayers. The city does not exist for;the exclusive'benefit- of ratepayers-and:property-holders, and'this council are not created'for their special, protection, but to carry out- all that'-is needful for the health, comfort, and convenience of-all'the lnhabi-tantß^-menV'rWpmeh'arid children^ or every t

class—whether,ratepayers (or not;;,and doubt ; upon that.point'.oan'.-but/lead speedily to a further extension- of the imunicipal franchise, arid properly so. - Tlie.;mi,inicipal ratevat pre.,--sent, apartfrom'water; isi2s^-surely mode^ate eliough in:..view", of ; ;the: works' involved in the'fprmajEion oi''the,city and of the vast consequent increase in tlie value of city' . property, much of it held by absentees and by persons who have contributed nothing to'the city's growth. ,' According to.Mr Mes-.-tayer's reppr'tir-th'e cost.to the city of its part 'of "'the general^systemf of drainage^will be £87,000. Interest upon a loan for, that. ■ amount will be £34-80 (at 4 per-cent.), .andmaintenance of works and expenses will cost £2011, making"s'total 'anmalr "Bluil-ge -of £5491. Upon!';- present city, valuations this ■ ■ •wouldsrequire-a-rate-of sid-; : arid this would; ndS be required: at'once. :If even the w°rks ; we're .gorie about now-arid .pushed- on vigor-, pusly 'they would probably;.requiro :three.'.or four years' for-their completion;' apart -from any delay in getting an amendment of the, act. At the end of that time an addition in' the city valuations may be looked-for, _ which would mean a corresponding reduction of rate. The whole of the money for construction would not need to be raised at once, but only from time to time as, the works proy'grossed.,; !;'And,'dt;Js,l an, important;: consideration that the bulk of the-expenditure would be for labour and'local manufactures, so that tlic money would for tho most part remain in the country. Is it to bo said under these circumstances that the City of Bunedin *wciild, rather than face a 6d rate, be content to stand out of the forward movement and reiDpse into a condition .-of-,-filth? I cannot ■believe .that wouldl'be'Uie ,'true -voice of the, ' city. Next to water und drainage comes lighting. The city is fairly lighted. I don't know that, as things go at present, there is much reason to complain of tho gas supply; but I understand that an extensive reconstruction pf-the works/to bring them up to-date-'in" efficiency and economy, cannot",.-be long delayed. tHappily, this department : is not" hampered' by 'tlie -question of -'.funds; Through the persistent efforts of Cr Hayues to rectify the incidence of the rates considerable relief has been given to the consumers by allowing a reduction of the execssivo price heretofore charged to them, the loss being made up by an additional 9d in the city .'rates. ■ I.hope it will not be long ero the city gets the benefit of electric light,which the advance of scierit'o has, brought within reach, and which is now coming more and more into common, use in'all nibdern. cities and towns. Lastly, city tramways. These .have taken such a place in our city life that it is difficult to think'how we could do without them.; For my part, I would fain see them acquired by .the .corporation. But, in view of ihe large amount which would be required for purchase and substitution of mechanical for horse haulage, I fear that cannot be ' accomplished. Failing that, I trust the council will be able to secure that needed improvement and tho thorough adaptation of the tram service in all. essentials to the growing wants of the public. .And, now I take my leave. May my sufleessor. jtave a good' time in .his/.term. t p£ cjffico. .jAnd I.'wish'you.all, .ihdividualj-^j'atiid' ixs a^ouneiV'a.'" Merry:' Christmas "i v(t6 use the old world phrase) " and a happy and prosperous JSfew Year." ?

Mr William Swan then signed the statutory declaration, and was introduced as mayor.

Crs Haynes, Gore, and Hardy then congratulated the mayor upon his assumption of office, aifd'referred in laudatory terms'to the services he had already rendered to the city.

;:; "His Worship, in replying, said: I do not think that this meeting of the council, which, as you are aware, is held in accordance with the statutory provisions for the purpose of offio'ially installing the mayor for the coming year, is one at which it is expected or desirftblo that the incoming mayor should mako any lengthy remarks, nor do I intend to do co. The year just ended has brought to the mayor and council its ful' budget of responsibilities and work, and I am quite sure that -mayor and . councillors' nave conscientiously endeavoured :\b act in,the m'aii'y matters' coming before them from time to time for the best interests of the i Ratepayers-and citizens. In tho coming year ' there will be many matters affecting the wellbeing and interests of the city and its inhabi- ' 'feints." Sdirie" of/them, as you aro aware, are of a weighty character, as to which the council will have to decide what action shall be taken.' I am sure the-'councillors will bring to the consideration of such matters, and to the business of the city generally, the same anxious energy and care that they have devoted ,to municipal matters in the past. For myself, • I can only say that I am deeply sensible of : the high,honour done me by my fellow-citizens in-placing.me,in this chair, and I am equally: 'sensible of the very important duties arid ■ responsibilities -attaching' to tho office to .which : the.f have,elected me. I.assure you that it is imy earnest desire to perform the ; duties Of the .office in as satisfae- ; tory a manner as I possibly, can ; and, with the . active and cordial'assistance of the members of the council, in such-a'manner as will enable , me;at the end.of the yesir to feel that nothing, has'b.een done or said which can cause any of us one. pang of regret. ; The year lies before us. and. may it,' indiyiduaily- and collectively, socially aiid municipally,-for all of us, be a bright,; ..happy,: and prosperous one.—(ApA plauso.),, . - .", . '■-..'; ' ' Cr 'Carroll then moved—"That the-thanks' iof tho council are due'to the retiring mayor (E. Bi ;Cargill, Esq.), for the efficient, courteous, and pairistakirig manner .in which he has discharged the duties of his important office during the past municipal year. It being the Jubilee of the province of Otago, the celebrations in connection therewith imposed additional responsibilities on the mayor : and, in the' opinion of this council, they were performed by him in a suitable and dignified manner. -Further, that this resolution bo recorded on-the'minutes of the council, and that - a" copy thereof be forwarded by. the, acting town clerk to Mr Cargill." ; . , ..-.;-,■.. ' -.Cr Solomon, seconded the resolution,. and; said- that under nil conditions . and circum- ; stances Mr QargilUiad, been a courteous and dignified gentleman. Mr Cargill, in; .Ins speech, had made reference to what he thought should be done in regard, to water supply and. drainage.', He - (Cr, Solomon) did not, think it was desirable- to introduce discussable matters at such functions ; but some councillors were of opinion ..[that rates1 were, a bugbear. He would like to see improvements made, but he was sure that, if: the council's affairs .were carried out in the magnificent manner mdi-: cated in Mr Cargill's speech, they would, m a few years, be in'liquidation. .Councillors had "iven as much,attention to those matters as they could; and had done as-much as they could do consistent, with then-. duty to conserve the best interests o£ the ratepayers from a financial point of. view., So long as he w in tho council he would not go,in for. any magnificent schemes that the ratepayers could •notafford.—(Applause.) .. ...... ■ Tho motion was put and was adopted unani""iVlr. X B. Cargill said: Permit.me"to .thank my- friend Mr Carroll and ijhe council gene-ra-llv for -the.resolution that ;has.just heoij passed. I iam glnd to find that my conduct peiwrally has met with the approval of the council.' I do not.know how far Mr Solomon Bpeake for the council at large in what he- says, or. whether I am really thought to bo inelftiedto push tilings ahead rather too much. Possibly it may be.so. However this is not the time, to discuss that; but_l liope the.council will take for their motto in future not " Sit down," but ' Advance Dunedin," under all circumstances. The company were . subsequently entertained by the nowly-installod mayor.' Ihe following'toasts were honoured:— -His Worship the Mayor," proposed by. Mr A. Sligo, M.H:R.. and responded to by Mr Swan; ' " The Retiring. Mayor," nroposed by Mr ! Swan, and responded to by Mr CaiT,"l;. . Exmayors." proposed- by Mr James Allen, and responded to by Mr H. J. Walter j- " Subur,- - ban Mayors," proposed by Mr 0. S Reeves, and responded to by Mr Cole; The Councillors of Dunedin," proposed ■by Mr N. Y. A. AVales, and responded to by Cr Carroll; "The Corporation Staff," proposed by Mr 15 B.- Cargill, and responded to by Mr H. AA'ilson (acting town clerk);, and, .The Parliament of New Zealand," proposed by. .Or Haynes, and responded to by the Hon. W. HI. Reynolds',' The proceedings terminated with tho National Anthem.

MORNINGTON.

The installation of the Mayor of Morning., ton took:place in the Council Chamber at.*? p.m. Mr W.'Dawe (the retiring mayor) presided, and there .were nresent—Crs Arnold. Anderson, -Reynolds, Wood, Armand, and Sparrow, and an apology was received from. Cr Gow. ■" • ••.■.-• ■ :■•• ■;-■■■ , MrDawe, the retiring mayor, delivered _o short address, in.the course.of ; which he said he thought tho councillors might-congratu-late ■ themselves upon the satisfactory wo/lc that had been done during the year. Some of that work had-been.a little expensive, but he was pleased to Bay the overdraft was now less than it was twelvemonths, ago,-. The Finance Committee Bad been vigilant, and he thought the finances of Mornington would compare favourably with .the finances of. other boroughs. During the year they had taken part in the celebration of the Jubilee of Otago. and in that respect he thought had upheld the dienity of the borough. They had had the question of water supply put before the ratepayers during the year, and he thought the ratepayers -had made a.'mistake in rejecting the ,proposals, but for that the council was-not -to'blame. -: He thanked the vcburieillors for the courtesy, they had; shown to him during his.term-tif office. ; ■.:.-, .. ,-. ■ The Mayor-elect (Mr-E. T. Clarke) made the usual declaration'-and-took-his seat. He thanked the - councillors for . receiving him with cordiality, arid" in respect of the works of the borough; he expressed the opinion that ■ the sanitary-contract: was one of the best schemes ever inaugurated, -but - Expressed much regret that it had 'not been/satisfactorily carried :out. He: complimented;'.the' retiring mayor .upon 'the piomnt and efficient discharge 'of his" duties,' and bn: behalf of the .council presented him with a very handsome marbls 'clbck^, '•'btoing the following inscrip-

tion:—" From" the: .' Mornington ;B6rdugh Council," to" William" Dawfe;': ;;EBqf:*MftybrJ' 1897r98.':.'.";v.v'-' "".■ .;'■ -X.;"' '/;? t ::-'vV' ■'!'-V-- .-■?'; :■; r/E';- J ,^,?jM. ■" I' All the."cquficillors:.present; spoke:pf; the- re'-1; tiring.'.maycnr intcb'mphmejita^ PaweV thanked,,them'forJ:their^k'ind!:opinions.' and<^od.-,wißh: i^j;-andiexprffls'ed\th'j9 i ii6i p'e':;that! tho/igood,feeling..that.had existedjwouldjcon;: tinue,-.and; that on l some:;futip'e;6cpasi6n.'Jlie, jvOiild return tothefcounpiljasa councillor^,,., ! ■■':•;': ■;-,>■ '■."'' iOnpiNABT> : BUsiNEBB;'.' v V-V»:v-.i,;-i'r.:' ! The' ordinary lm.eeting-i.of.the:t;eouricili.wasr then held;'there being .present:, : i MT.;E..'T..: Clarke, (mayor) and Crs Arnold,. -Reynolds,.--[Anderson,;Wood,.:Anriand, and Sparrow.-.:■/. ; Tho Works Committee - recommended that 'the tender" of "Mr J:f:O'Connell"f or-widening-Napier street (£2l 12s 6d) be accepted, and • submitted four tenders for the formation'of streets in Mollison's'sub-division.—^The report 'was"'a"d"opt6d',~thi3"loweßt tender (Messrs' Halli=" ganand Campbeirs;for,;£26'l6s 3d) being ac : cepted.- :' .-'•■.';'■ ,;:'!; ' 'f. . ■■'■1- :•:'-. .^'-'. : Accounts;amounting;to £28.7s .were,.passed' for payment..... : : '..!.',,.... ~,;.;,...;'. : It. was resolved, on tho m otion of, Cr Arider-1 son, thr.t theidog registration fee should,bei 10s for the forthcoming year, payable at the Council Chambers. . -:■.;■ ''.'■ -,-':' , Cr Ward moved—".That a week's holiday on full pay should be.granted to the council's ■foreman "■;-.but,--ori'th& suggestion of Cr Rey-. nolds, 'amended his'motion to provide'that' each of the' cdrporation daymen should be entitled to one week's holiday onfull paydufihg" ;the year. . ■ • ! .'■ On the motion of Cr Annand, the town clerk was authorised to call for tenders for carting; Sand and screenings, and for the supply of dog collars—the"tenders to:be referred to the AVorks Committee for acceptance. ; A letter was received from Mr Hugh M'Neil asking for attention to the.footpath in front of his property at Eslinton. —Referred to the inspector,-with power to act. An. infojwal discussion took place, in the courso ofWhich Ore Wood, Anderson, and Annand expressed a high' appreciation of the; valuable services rendered to .'the. borough by tho town clerk (Mr F. B. Smith), and at the closo a resolution, was. suggested by '.Or Annand, and adopted unanimously, to the effect that "the chairman of each committee form a special committee to consider the best way of showing the . council's appreciation of the towii clerk's services."

PORT CIIAL.NrERS.

Tho statutory meeting of the Port ChalnYerß Borough Council was held at noon yesterday, and attended by Messrs J. Mill (mayor-elect),'-Councillors-. Weir, Pedlow, Inverarity, Murray, Innes, Tait, and J. AA^atson. jtiri. Cr AT. M.. Innes, who was voted to the chair, said he had much pleasure in introducing to the counoil Mr John Mill, mayorelect for the ensuing year. He assured both Mr Mill arid the council of his loyal-support. From all-he knew of Mr Mill that gentleman would conduct the affairs of the borough in a. straightforward and business-like manner, and so long as he continued to-do that lie' (Cr Innes) would give him, every support:" He had much : pleasure in instal-. ling Mr Mill. :•' :' ■'■ '', ' ■ Mr Mill, having made the usual declaration, said he was obliged to Sir Innes for his remarks. He assured both that gentleman and' tl'o resf.-'oB the council that nothing on his part would bo left 'undone which would tend to promote the interests of the town. He would act as a gentleman should, and fell assured the members of tho council would do tho same. Matters'of great importance to the community would come before them during tho coming year, and he relied on the cordial support and co-operation of the council in bringing them to a nroper issue. He thanked Cr Innes ifor installing him. ' GENERAL BUSINESS. Several tenders for tho supply of horses, sand, and carting were received from,Mr A. Perry. Mr G. Ross tendered for the collection'of the dog tax for 1599: Mr J. Smith for the custody, of tho weighbridge; Messrs Maxwell and 00. for the supply of dog colilars; and Mr Lee for1 the valuation of the jtowtt' properties.—Mr Lee's tender for the valuation v/as accepted; and. on the motion of Cr Pedlow,. it was resolved to refer all the 'other tenders to the Works .Committee, with 'power to accepti ..Or J. AA Tatsou. juu., considered it was,.unwise to call tenders .for-the office of valuator, who he' considered was an officer requiring,)<. special knowledge, and should not be interfered with. —It was moved by Cr Weir and seconded by Cr Tait, that the dog tax for 1899 he fixed at 7s 6d.—Cr Innes moved as an amendment, and Cr Pedlow seconded, that the tax be ss.—Cr Murray moved, and Cr J. AVatsonj jun., seconded, a further amendment that the tax be .fixed at 10s.—The amendments were put and lost; and the motion that the tax be 7s 6d was carried. '-•"Or Murray congratulated tlie mayor on his assuming the chair: for-the second year.—lt .was Unanimously resolved that a month's h'uve' of absence "be granted the town clerk (Mr A. Leek).—The meeting then adjourned for one month. .„• ....

SOUTH DUNEDIN.

The annual statutory meeting for the installation of. the.mayor-elect was held in the South Dunedin Council Chambers last night. The meeting was attended by the .Mayor (Mr Fisher), arid.', Ors ,: Holley,• Botting,, Cronin, Scott, .M'Curdy, Osborne, Marlow, M'Key, ' Shaddock^, and.Fiddis .(mayor-elect). ■■■'■, The retiring Mayor said the principal business ,was the installation of the mayor-elect, and he would like to say that Mr Fiddis was a young man whom they should welcome to the chair. He thought it desirable that young men, should be'encouraged to come to the front. There ■wiis;;a national spirit abroad, and he knew no! better school for fostering that spirit thany local, bodies. It was .very gratify ing to see,, so many young colonials around the council table. 1 ;'Several other councillors spoke in terms of I commendation, and welcomed the newlyi elected mayor, who thanked them in a. few well-chosen words.

After tho minutes of the previous meeting were passed, the retiring Mayor said that he had i been their mayor for three consecutive years. Three of their members had gone over to join the great majority. They had taken part in the celebration of two jubilees. He also referred to the- various public works that had been accomplished. . From a state of chronic impecuniosity the borough had arrived at a highly satisfactory state of finance. The last balance sheet'showed a credit balance in nearly every: "item. That was due to the slriet economy -and careful administration which the councillors, one and all, had endeavoured to carry out. He counselled them to go on along the same lines for the future, and South Dunedin ,w.ould become the model borough, of Now Zealand.; In thanking them for the kindness and. courtesy always extended to him, ho asked a like favour for his successor. He also spoke in terms of eulogy, of the energy and competence of the town clerk (Mrßahkin). ":- '■■ ■■ : ■ ' ' •The Mayor-elect having signed the statutory i.iVcl-u-ation,: was declared duly installed for the ensuing term,- and took the chair. He thanked the councillors for the kind' welcome they had extended to him, and the ratepayers for placing him at the head of the poll. He had besn a member of the council for 15 years, and evidently the ratepayers were satis: fled with his services. He would endeavour still to merit the confidence they had reposed Cr Holley moved a vote of thanks, to the T_etiring mayor, and several councillors spoke-in flattering-terms of. the manner, in which he had carried, out .his duties as mayor of the borough. It was resolved to record the.vote of thanks'on the minutes, and send a'copy of the same to Mr Fisher. . The vote was carried by acclamation. ■ ■ ORDINARY BUSINESS. After several councillors had welcomed Mr Fiddis to the chair, the business of the ordinary meeting was proceeded with. Thomas' Pitts wrote complaining that the night-soil contractor had not called at' his place for a couple of months.—R. P. Bolting, made a similar complaint.—Received, the matter havinc been attended to. William Johnston wrote asking for a rebate on the rates on his house of £1 17s 9d, as lie was charged for two houses in error —Referred to the Finance Committee. The Manager Dunedin- City and Suburban Tramway; Company wrote disclaiming responsibility for damage to a. lamp-post.—Referred to the mayor and the inspector to deal with. Messrs Reid and .Maxwell wrote offering to make dog-collars at last year's price.—The town., clerk to bo authorised to get tho collars the' same as 'usual.' •""■■' ■ '■"'"■ ' ■ Accounts'amounting to £72 were passed for payment. 7 . ' '.' '.'",' ' . , ' The''towri" clerk was autliorisod to notify ratepayers by advertisement' that all but; standing rates not paid before the 31st January will be sued for. After voting the town, clerk and dayman a holiday, the meeting closod. , >

ST. ICILDA

CAVlißailAil.

NORTn-EAST VALLEY.

■ Mr T. S. Culling, who was re-elected,mayor of the-Borough of St. Kilda, was yesterday duly installed to tho office. .. ■• ■ Cr Gourley, who presided, referred in very high terms<-to the satisfactory, manner in which Mr Culling had acquitted himself .during the nast year, and congratulated him on his re-election. ,■- ... ' Mr Culling thanked Cr Gourley for the complimentary remarks ho had passed con'oerninfe'hitn, and- expressed the pleasure hn had experienced in acting in the-capacity of mayor. He also thanked councillors for tho way they hadsecondedhis offorts to promote the advancement, of the borough, and spoke in'high praise of tho .manner'in which Mr Gore, -'towri clerk, had carried out the duties pertaining to his office. ' '.

WEST HARBOUR.

■' 'sTlie;:statut6iT mefeting qttlie West; Harbour, "Council- for'"tho purpose.of '. installing ..the inayor'-eleet, Hvas held last; evening,. ,and afc ~t'ended.,by tho:retiring*mayorl:(Mr Ross), Crs , Maurais, Cray;" Binnie,1' Sankeyy. Gree'nslacle,1 Barker,"Boltbri, .Doncari, o,'Donriell,' and the 'maybr-e}ect (Mr Mbllsi'). '" ,'. .

;",' The Mayor, said he ..had not come prepared \with'ai^, speech'to .show, in accordance witii ll'thg, custom. :of outgoing mayors, how. much f rosier the finances, of the borough were now than before; they came .into office.,.', They, had 'simply.; been1 going along in,'the old .way of 11 liyiiig within their"'me'ansi' They could, ,per- ; ihapSj" have reduced their!overdraft by ,£2OO ; but their roads 'would have; suffered, and he j was a firm'-,believer that .''a stitch, in time saved nine:". He did not believe, they would iredtibeHheir for some time. He !;,could riot understand why West Harbour, with its natural'beauties, and which was such d, healthful' resort, "was' not'",more closely j; settled '■"'than 'at' present. The only thing he could'put/'it!ddwn ,tp was the inconvenience 'of the present railway communication.'"' He 'thought that 6d voughtto be the maximum rail- • way cliargb-fot the whole" of the Port ChalTiriers; Kite.- If the Railway department ■' rah 'this line like"the'tram lines; and had penny Sections,1 he' was. sure they would have "a big influxl ofpopulation." ■' It' was' simply''owing , to-the:'suieidal policy ;of the* Railway department" that there were so few'passerigers on the "trains. 'Before retiring from the" chair, he Tiad to thank them for the very kind way they had assisted, him during the past two years. Had <it: not been for the kindness of the councillors, ho:was sure his term of office would not have been-nearly so'harmohious'as it had been. :■ In regard .to sthe town fclerk ;(Mr::.Larnach), : he wished/to say a'few.words,as: to l«s efficiency, .andi-the. very-clearway .inwhich lie.put matters beforethem.'..With so many and varied duties1 devolving .upon him,'the clerk h'ad ; a difficult.ppsition, and ..they ought to accord a "certain-amount of '.'give .and take" to-him. . JHe had now pleasure in calling upon Mr^Mol-jer-.to, sign the-declaration;—(Applause.) Mr 1 iMoller-vhad.: served; • a : ; certaiu amount, of: apprenticeship, arid what he lacked in experience he'would, he felt sure, make up in;dis-.-jnter.ested.ness.-arid,.hard work. jEe,.was sure ..tli,ey,-jvpuld.:giv.e-,,hiin the samel' assistance.'as ~they; h ad,granted;h;,m in the past,—(Applause.)

■vA-.The-iVlayor-eleet, .having signed,the declara:,.tion,*and'taken the chair .vacated by Mr.Ross,thanked,the councillors for the kind .welcome jthey'i.had...accorded -him. The ; work of .the bQunoil,had been carried on .very well .during past, year by .-Mr Ross, Who: was a man of 'exceptional ability... He.,did not.think anyone in the .council could have'filled the office so satisfactorily .as the retiring riiayor'had done. Spealcmg for, himself, he-had always'done his lyery;best;!for West Harbour, andhe ".would do ij'.'^m this "future! .'"He'hatl lived and;had/been .educated there, arid most or his .interest was there." When.bis.'term'^bf"office 'was"up, lie hoped th'e'j/' would be able 'to appreciate what ;he had 'done;—(Applause.) " .',', ' y. '.",""•'■

'.'*;Cr Cray stated they 'were under aconsider"able amount of gratitude1 to..'Mr Ross 'for the exceedingly 'pleasantway > in '[ which h'e.'.Kad. fUled.tKe ch&ir. :;He .was a man :of. great;taqt and ■ 'judgment;' When a- difficult question arose,'his easy'tnethod ha/i steered them, clear bf'frittion,: With'regard 'to Mr Moller; lie cordially welcomed him'to the chair, and he hacT every confidence .that under his1 guidance the,business 'of the council5 would- be carried on as' satisfactorily as ''"circumstances-'.: war-ranted.':-He trusted at the end of his' term ;the mayor would not regret having sought the. position^and obtained it.—(Hear, hear.) ._ ;, : 1 'Gr Binnie also spoke a fewl words endorsing what Or Cray had said. He was very sorry, howeveiv Mr I?oss was leavings the council table. Mr RosS" had seta, good example as mayor, and; he ' trusted -his successor': Would f ollow-it.- ■ When;there was-a vacancy.on.the Harbour Board:he hoped they would elect Mr : Boss to it:*-(Hear,;.ihear.)-. He moved—'-', That ithe:best thknks'ofithe council be accorded to .:Mr :Ross forhis •services during'the past two tyeals', and,that .some; itoken of-- esteem,be tendered, himi'iUr :',•<■ c is- ':.•; • .* ,'• •-.'■>-•■'•■•■;■ :■■■ ■' ■-'-^ :,i!Cr:>Maurais secondedthe motion,'which was cftrriedtunanimouslyii.'and ia committee) consisting of the .mayor, Messrs Maurais, Sankey, .Cray,,and Greenslade, was set-up to give effect tp,the,motion., . .-,•'■> ,■ .■• ;r :--. ,;'■:.■. . . ~ ' ~ A letter, fromOr George; expressing his a-p-. preciation.;o£the..services .rendered hy, the re,ijiring,,mayor,. and qorigijiliiilatiii'g^Mr^Moller .xipon;his. advancement to the office of'mayor, .haying been :readr:the...installation ceremony concluded. ~. , '.■",,.'.^ :- .. TPrior. to the installation, 'the'retiring^ 'Mayor took occasion to make,a presentation to Cr Mairais. ~Mr Boss said-in 1893 'Mr Maurais had fillpd'th'e.o'flice of mayor with credit to the borough arid,to himself, and atno^light incorivenience. to himself." At that "time the qUestio"n"cif.*getting":a grant from the Government for the Main road ivas'in an early stage, arid' it was" owing1 mainly lib Or Maurais's ef r loxti that.:that grant''was obtained. For .his servicesit Was'decided by the councillorsLthen that Or Maurais was entitled'to' sdme'inark of fli^ir favour, and it was resolved that a. minute be! written him for'his'services, the same to be illuminated arid handed to.'him. ThatvSvas not'done ttien. /He did; not know .why^probably because it was forgotten,—and •it'-Baid. a great 'deal1-for "Or Maui'ais'suhselfislinessand unostentatibn that he allowed the miitter to drop,r-arid' never once -jogged -their, memories.—(Hear, hear.) .'He had much'plear snrevih ho\V handing an illuminated address to -Cr'Maurais, which,'he >-hopedi 'would-re-mind-him of; his many years' connection with the West Harbour Council.'. "."',',•: • ■■''.'': ■ "The"'address;'which waSa very 'beautiful one; arid;- the,' work -of the •' Caxton. Printing. Coinpanjf,'read as'follows:^- ■-.■■■:■:; ■;-.'.' ', •• -.-■ :t. W/ifauraU, Esq:', Mayor'of the Borbiigh'of ~.■■• .';: West Harbour"for the year 1893./ ' > i 'Dear Sir,—We, the ■ inftm'bers of the Councilof '. West Harbour, desire on the eve of your vacation of the chair to express to you our admiration* of-the excellent manner in which you have fulfilled your difficult: and exacting, duties.as mayor oi this borough. ..:.:■;, ;.. ,:;, • ■:. These ; duties,have not. only called for the fullest display of. tact, but have demanded" a great. sacrifice of your valuable time,,.which, at whatever, personal inconvenience," sroii have never grudged. - ~,. '' . . .■■'•■''' ' ~We. exceodiriglyytegret. that you find' yourself unable to continue your representation of the Sawyers' Bay Ward, for we feel sure".that the retirement from office of one whose, honourable fulfilment of official,duties" has always , deserved/ and: still retains, the confidence of- the ratepayers, is a distinct loss to the council and td'therborough.-- ■■■■■■ ;--.,, : ..! ; :,. . .:, ~.,: . :Thanking.'you agam;for. your : . innumerable services ofr the past, allow, uSc'tof-if/ish you and yours alii reasonable prosperity and unstinted happiness.r-We are,,.etc, , : .' . ■ ','■ ■■ ■■ .n ' (Here follow the signatures of the mayor, and cbunciHors forthe^year 1893.)'.. v' v ■!', '']'/.', ■ ~Cr;:'Maurais said this wasitlie first occasion he had <had. anything 'presentedi'to^him^and of ■ course ou; that account, the- pfesentatioh theyl had now umade shim ".would' be all ,the more memorable. :He .would, treasure it all .his life. The.:position of the borojjgh had greatly";advanced'. Bince the tinje hg wai.mayor, andiwhile there had beena lot of hard Ay6rk, there hod-.been a great; deal of,pleasure in the performance of the. duties .of the xiffi"c*o of councillor, and -.the1- many warm friendships ho had, made: in.the council; had .inqre than

repaid; him- .for''the. work he had 'done. He again thanked ■ them for-.the appreciation he had received from 'them.—(Applause.) •■ Tho Retiring.Mayo.r.also. made a personal presentation to" the _ clerk of aft uiiibrellaj bearing a, suitable "inscription,, as^ a token of remembrance of his (Mr Ross's) years of office as mayor in 1892, 1897, and 1898. .;; A business meeting of. the council was afterwards lield, when, the dog'tax for the year was fixed at 7s 6d. Subsequently the mayor and the retiring mayor entertained the councillors; A; very pleasant evening was spent., During the ovening several toasts were honoured, and Mr Ross's graphophone afforded those present a great deal of pleasure. .- : ;

The annual statutory meeting of the Caversham Councillor the purpose of installing the mayor for. the ensuing year was held : last oyoning, and' attended -by Mr' Wilkinson"(retiring -mayor), Mr ..Cole (mayor-elect), ;Crs Searle, Young, R. Wilson, J. Wilson, Crosby Smith," Sidey, Hancock, Raß, M'Gonigai; B;"idgman,'and Ruston. ' ■ .'

■■Mr WilkinsonI,' the retiring mayor, said that this year,' for the first time, the ''council had . - collected '■- a; hospital i arid charitable ■■ 'aid ■ rate in-,placp..qf..the. Wilkie>road:.-rate;-;which ~\vas no.,loi)ger required, Tliisirate amounted ta abou,t .16340, which,had always been- paid oj.it.6f the ; genoral: account. The cpuijcjl thus increased 'its spending power By that,amount. Notwithstanding the many important improvements which the council had completed during the 'past 12 months!.' thking " the balances of the various accounts together j the finances of the borough were in a very satisfactory, condition. They wei-o not without"an overdraft.. It was, however,, less by £404;2s . 2cl than it was 12 months ago. r,,The nqgotiations carried, on for the past 12 years between the Church Board and the.Caledonian Society had . lieen satisfactorily ..concluded, resulting in the coiifcil gettirigjposij.ession of'a strip of'land 14ft 'ivide" for the purpose of widening the St: Kildaroail. The, value 'of this improvement wovild each year be more appreciated. The entrance :,,to Caversliam Rise had . been widened, the .Church Board having generously granted a piece, of land for the purpose. It was to be regretted that more private individual, owners did not recognise the'fact, as the Church Board had done, that their property actually ■■gained in valueby allowing part to be taken by "the council ~for street improvements. The work of widening the Main South, road had.during the year made good progress. The Gas' Company were the only owners who had not.come into line.. They had now- admitted•> an encroachment, and would no doubt,: after, receipt, of advice from their head office mVLpndon,' assist the council':to.''complete this 'work by removing hack their fence. Mr Wilkinson then, detailed the work done in street formation and drainage works,' and said' that good progress had,.:boen made in"1 new kerbing and channel ■formation. ;In his opinion^-the dodjicil!should ,seject a "design for the-, combined concrete kerbing.and ehannellinß.all.over-tlißiboriough , to.be'constructed by practicaj-, tradesmen. „ In concluding his remarks', MrAyiikinson stated that'during the; whole .year;■ there had been 'many "complaints by ratepayers is to the way in which tho nightsoil contractor neglected the'work". Numerous attempts had: been made to get the contractor-to do his work satisfactorily, but without success.- For his' own part, ,he ; most thankfully left the .matter in the hands of his successor, who lie hoped would be more successful with the council -than ho had been\|urmg the past 12' months. Ha thanked Ui<| councillors for the. courtesy and consideration he ' had 'received at "all' times.' He could only say that he had failed in many things, whore ho would have preferred to have ■ succeeded; but whatever"his failing's might have been, ho believed the council would, say that his.,intentions were,honest and true.' .He, had much: pleasure, in asking: Mr ,Coleto take.his place, at the table.—(Hear, hoar.) ■ ;.Mr, Cole then made the usual.declaration aiid took his seat as mayor. He said he ..was taking the chair with the fullest confidence that ho would get the support'of the council. There were seyeral important matters toj'Tje brought before'them that" would perhaps create a little feeling, but he hoped that whatever, feeling might be created that each .councillor would, give his owni ; candid opinion','.'so .that they would not ...have, any of the, bickerings and.personalities he.jhad heard of late. He thanked the ratepayers' for; returning him as.mayor, and he should endeavour to do his duty faithfully. He wantkl them to set up a- mayor's committee,' as'! there were some things the mayor should 'have advice upon. He ho.pedthey would have a pleasant year.— '.(Hearj-hear.) ~-■. •■■ ,i:> -~.i's ,;;-...-i;-. rh^,i--/:M\ .

The Mayor. ~tlienmpved»! a:; hearty vote.;.of; I , thanks top..Sir.Wilkinson, for the uijtiriugivay | iii .whioli.ho bad'dpne.his duty,diiring.the,p.ast; i yßar.^ T Thi's'"was secpn'ded'liy 'Cr".'Searlel~wlH)' I tlicught the' amount of Sybrlc1 done *by the council was riiainly diicl to-the energy of'the retiring" mayor.—Crs''Grb6by Smith, Wilson (2), and M'Gpnigal alsdmado'complimentary reinairks^regarding Sirs Wilkinson's' work "as: mayor.-7-Cr .Sidey'gave Mr Wilkinson credit :fo".a deal of the mark he; hadI.'done,, but thought, the.retiring.mayor.had not,shown so much tac.t.in. governing^ the-.,council,asj.he. .'§hoxild. have .done. He w.as,.of j.opuiipnj.that IMr Wilkin^hn" should \ \npt ', liaye,'. in^p'ut-pdi motives to,a councillor., "They had a nghtj to'expect that the : mayor'should recognise, that councillors'1 were asslaniious to'conserve, the; interests of-the borough as 'he vva3:r He,, however,, thought; that the" mayor'had done good work, and he had pleasure in seconding the .motion.—/ The, motipn,-,was then .put and carried unanimously..,..,, . m . ~.,,. ;,...' . i 1 Mr. '.Wilkinson said she, l>«artily thanked i them If or their kindly remarks regarding; himself. ' With regard to what Mr, said about his imputing 'm'otivesY'he denied liaving clone so.- He simply recorded facts 'which \v;ere never denied, and-ho'left councillors to draw, their own conclusions'.- ■. He was ':■ positive that he. had. never imputed motives;'"al-. though he had more than:once.insistedon^a! cpunoillpr taking his seat. ;..-.., :■ • . ; .-V- ■ " "'Ors''Raa, ".Al,'Gtonig'al, Sidey," .Crosby Smith,1 Ruston, Searie,' Bridgman, and E. Wilson then congratulated Mr Cole on' his election as mayor. ■'■'•'• : '■■">■ ;;'.; "■;■"'■;"■'.' -' Mr Cole briefly returned thanks. '.-."'. -; -ORDINAUT BUSINESS. '""■ . . . .The, ordinary meeting of-.' the council' was then held. .- :. ;. - ... -.'.,. ,■■<-.-. .: .'■"■ . Messrs. Callan and Gallaway, solicitors-for Patrick Cotter and Jam.es.,O'Neill, wrote asking thatwater bfe laid on tp" allotments.lß and, 19, block 111, township" of St. Glair, at the' corner of Albert arid Norfolk streets, occupied; by Mrs Annie Brodrick.—Agreed to. :: Mr John Ellis wrote enclosing a recjui6itio_n signed by a large number of ratepayers testi- \ fying to the satisfactory manner-In which the I night-soil had been'removed. :lAs he had not had any eommunicatipn from;the. council i re-: garding, his. former latter, she ...asked, them; to; rescind the:preyiqus motion tp terminate his, contract.-rTCbnsidbrfitiori' postponed till next; meeting^ 0 '-..■'"; '_ "^ ,'''';/, ".' '.'.''.. >J',.'..'V : ' ''■The' mayor was 'empowered 'to'1 sign' thp! borough's cheques for the incoming year.' J ,':-. Mr Wallace's lender of i 66 for the year for: the weighbridge was a:ccepted. • : ■ ' The inspector's report, stated,; in. reference to Mr Ellis's latter.ithat the gate of the house; bn.Fprbiiry road was not locked; ; but. it .was fastened at the bottom. .The. gates of the liouse3, in John, Smith, and George strebte were locked. Those places had ;been' attended to.—Adopted;:-:l -•'■ ■'.-■' '■' ■■ '"•. '■-■'■" :1 ■''■' "The Works\Commi'ttse ■ fepol-ted liaving considered tTie question of the levels J,o' Mr j P. C. Neill's bond, ancHhey decided to refer it | to the inspector, with power to act. -The com- j mittee would inspect the crossing en the Forbury road.. They, recommended that a ..reply be sent to Mr Smith that the council would b" : responsible'for the building of.the stone wall at entrance to Cavershain rise'when'there'is anyjnecessity ;for the work. They further re- ' commended.the council to instruct the inspector to clear off the gorse and broom, on the Main .road, Corstorphine, road, : and Great Queen street,—The. inspeptor wasdnstructed to report to the next meeting of committee the j footpathswhich needed tarring and sandiiig.-r. I Report adopted,' with the exception of-the ] clause re building wall at entrance, to Caver- | sham rise, which clause was referred back to the committee to report to next meeting. "..^The'-'counoil'-then went into 'committee to take into ; corisfderation a. statement of facts submitted, i by, a. Bub-committee re ■nightsoil .contract, . ■~ ■ - •

The installation of-Mr r'John" Campiieli't'o the'North-East- Valley:mayoral chair-took place last night, there being-present the retiring 'mayor .(Mr. "J. Evans);1; Crs --Anderson, Green, Rishworth, Bailey.■'.Longwoi'th, Botting,. Scoones, ,and Macandrew. . -

Mr Evans said this was the last occasion on which he'would preside, as.theySyeremet.for the purpose of installing his. successor (Mr John Campbell); but, i before vacating' the mayoral chair, he would like to make a few remarks, showing the progress of the borough during1 his connection with the council. It was now six years since he entered the council, and it must.be admitted that the affairs, of the borough were then in an almost hopeless state of confusion: in Tact, the council was.on.the verge of bankruptcy. However, with the reforms initiated by a majority of .the then councillors, and prudences and economy,' he was .happy .to be able to say that now the borough was in a sound financial condition. l'He> had actively supported all measures., brought forward to place the borough in a sound financial position. He then, wenton.to draw comparisons between the state of ..the finances when he entered the council and their condition.now. For the year ending March, 1893, the revenue from all sources amounted tb*£l6B6lßs 10fl, and .the expenditure. £1961 10s 2d, which showed a debit of £271-; lls 4d; but'from that time onward they hadbeen going-to the good, and the-gain amounted to. £895 ,9s 7d, or an average improvement per year of £176 135,8 d. He .thought this reflected great.credit oh all thoso" who had been the means,of bringing this about. he.took office'as mayor in December, 1897, the overdraft stood at'£9B2 16s Bd, and at the end of November, 1898, it .was £883 8s Bd, which showed that the overdraft i had. been reduced durioC hi« term of

office by £99 8s;. and, in the face of. this, tho. usual work had been • carried on. • There had been .'nothing neglected,, all engagements being'met,l and he thought that showed'cafe and economy. ■ DuringWs'term'of •pfiice'tlve'deed between the-Tramway Company . and the council ihad expired, and negotiations' vtfe're now coiidliicled^ for a new; lease; buti : ai;he- ' had said on a' former occasion, the deed', would '■ribfc bes ready-for signature before January; or February... He could tell them that it:would t be well into. February ..before : it., would be 'signed/ as they had to abideby-the terms bf the Tramways.Act... He hoped the deed ivbuld • be signed, when-ready, without any further trouble.! )He was sorry to say that by. the fire, which destroyed': the Council' Chambers on .Wednesday last, many _ valuable. documents had been,lost—such as maps, plans, reports, .'and street" levels ;'—but, fortunately, ■, through ,the energy of,the town clerk (Mr Arnold) the contents of the safe were saved.'"The insurance company might reinstate the premise's, and if they did not, but paid over the money, he-hoped tho council Would not adopt the 1 suggestlofl which was freely made just now to purchase the publio.hall. Personally,' he.did not think, it was at all suitable for tliem, 'and they could. put. up a 'new building which would be,, with insufancte rhoneyi'.yHe-'took- this opportunity Of thank'ing,Mr'Arhold, the town clerk,, for the jready..assistance' given him, during .his :t'e : rm,''and^ior",'tKe'" i ener'geKb .way he performed ,Ins.numerous: duties. He had now to ask, Mr Campbell, to take his.place.as mayor of ; the borough] and he wished him all success. .» Mr Campbell then: made the usual declaration and took.-.the chair. V ' ' • . Cr,-Green congratulated..Mr. Campbell.--on bis .accession-tip. the, position of mayor, a position that, he well deserved for a variety-of ■reasons, one of which was that he had been a longtime in the council and had taken >ah active part.-in the reform movement.- He ..trusted that.Mr Campbell would have a pleasant term of office. ; ;. i'■■'■ _•" ' Crs Scoones, Maeandrew, Bailey, and others, followed in the same strain. ." ~ f»-The-Mayor (Mr • Campbell) thanked , councillors for their ■ kindly expressions and their words of .welcome. He had sat along ,'yjith ' th&rh for'several years at the council, table, ;and. liad'nP reason to doubt but that during his'term lie'would receive a fair and loyal support. ' They might rest assured that ho would':do his utmost to work harmoniously with them in forwarding the interests of. the' borough. He was proud to say that,he was a prime mover in the reform effected in the council,1, and' the result's, of that reform had been very satisfactory. . He did not' intend to rely altogether upon his own wisdom in borough matters; but would rely on the wisdom" of his council. Cr Macandrew referred to the impartial .manner:in which the late mayor (Mr Evans) had conducted.the affairs of the borough, and the ability he had sjiown in .carrying out. his duties. Ho moved that: the thanks of the council be'tendered to MrEvaiis for his exertions (luring his'term of office. '•"■' -,';; i"'Cr Bailey seconded.,- ■:—■ :-i'p .'Vvv!..' Ge Sebories pointed but that Mr IJyans's t&rine>had been one:of turmoil, during.. the Ti'hole' of; which he had shown energy and ' ability?"' Ho. supported - the motion- very iieartjly.'. ..'"^' ■,' ' '■ ' . ."'Cr Anderson.referred :to the great respect ho had for.Mr Evans, arid expressed a wish that lie; might) be seen in the council again— a \yish tliat was endorsed by the Mayor,.-wild said he would bo one of the first to welcome Mr Evans's return"to'the council. ■' . OKDINAKY BUSINESS. ' An ordinary meeting of the council was ! then'hold'. .:'' '.'■"',

. TMe Finance Committee reported that £59, had been lodged in. the bank,, and that the overdraft stood at.£22l below the statutory limit.- r'■■ They ; recommended that account's amounting to £51: bo passed for, payment.The temporary use ; of the Public Hall had been arranged for, and Cr Bailey and/the clerk empowered to .purchase,. a safe. . Tlie committee^. ■ racommendecLitliat :.'tb.e office".,be1 ..clpsed'.from-]December. 24. to January 7, atid ■tliat.tKe'clerk bo released from duty for that .^eriod.-TsAdopted..,,. , . ".. '~, - '.-.■ v . . ' I'tie .^orks Committee reported on ..'-a variety, of. work that .had. been1 done in the borough. They, found that .the Tramway' Company had not only.lifted the rails;; as agreed, from. tlie-Normanby-Hawthorno ' section, but had also taken out a largo number, of sleepers arid-hatl:fillec] in tho holes loosely %ritk road material. This had subsided, and. 20 loads of road, metal would- be required for filling' in purposes. ' The.1 committee recom-; mended that the1 company, be informed of this, fact, and requested to "attend to;lie matter [ without'-'delay. The committee rcp'pflunendsd' tliat trie ruts on No. 1 street. IVormanby,"' ljei filled ■''in 'with t|iiorry.cliips....--' Tliat four loadsj ,ofJ screenings be placed on the back of Blaeic'si I road- fo; fttpatlr.'ffom'Prat't's":fo'.Morris'si pro-! perty. That! the.footpath from tho Maini j,road. to.the side.'gate at Clark's laundry.be: tarred arid' sanded when the "footpaths on thej Main, road were top-dressed:—Adopted.; :-""- ' The ..General Committee reported that Mt' Barkman, the: .newly-appointed scavenger,' would commence!liis'-duties on the Ist Jami-i ary.next. -He-had-ibeen. employed cleansing) premises neglected .by the,present scavenger.; Hiß'-a'cobuht for'fclie'mortl;h:'(£ll 4) would he' laid on the table fof,payment. 'Mr,Ellis hadi not rendered his account.—Adopted. i .., Mr., A.-. A. Adams-.wrote making an offer of the North-East'Valley Public Hall. If' :the:<council would make "an offer for it he. Would submit the offer to; tlie directors.^ ■ Iveeeived.. ....''■. ■ : i i

■Jtossrs" Stewart and Payne, the borough j solicitors,; wrote forwarding a. draft of 'th'ni tramway concession deed for the perusal"ofi the;council.>-It,was resolved that the draft: liy-ying been damaged.by fife^tihe solicitors bei asked to supply the original. ■ '. -' ; . Gr-Bailey. reportedl that a safe' had -been;'! purchased .1 qr ,£lo.—Action approved.. -.'.';..| '.ITJie mayor'and Cr Bailey were appointed:! to 'attend thg moe'tirig .to'fix the weekly' half- j! ■holiday. V•■■ " ' .".,' .. ' "• "1.. ..■ ~ i|

_ XJhnstehurch.—At ■ the mayoral' installation •■ Mr Louisson spoke strongly in favour of the -greater Christchurch scheme. He believed the passing, of the Local Government Reform Bill was absolutely necessary, as'.:'the -Muiiipipal' Coi-poratjohs Act 'was a check to progress in ' every direction. . The' City Council would ;j have no power over lines outside the boim- ,1 claries of Christchurch if it,.purchased the tramways. He objected to the proposal to buy out the Gas ■ Company, and favoured municipal electric lighting. A'proper water supply was.also necessary. Referring to muni- ' cipal abattoirs, ho said they would be a source o! great ..loss to the- pity under present conditions,' "as the large, meat companies could-i slaughter at. their own, w^rks; and small j butchers-would be driven out. 6f the trade. I The speeches at .suburban installations,;re- ! ferred mainly to local matters. "/ : ■ . ';. 1