MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16978, 14 April 1917, Page 10

MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS

CR GREEN AND CR BLACK AT WAKARI. In tho Wakiu-i Di-iH Hall last night Cr Croon, a canuidato ior the mayoralty, und Cr Black, wlio lias represented Roslyn in tho City Council ior six years, addressed a small meeting of electors. Cr lilack, who spoko lirst, said tho people of Koslyu weio promised before amalgamation took place, that tho Roslyn trams would bo purchased by tho city as a matter of course, but tho promiso had; not been kept. 'i'iio compuny s leaso would expiro in September next, iincl the city had the option of taking over the eoncorn at that time. All it would havo to pay for was tho actual material—caxs, rails, and so on—nothing being- paid under tho agreement for goodwill. A director of tho company had informed him that day that tho book valuation of tho company's property was £45,000, while tho revenuo was £13,000 a year and £1200 or £1300 was annually written oil for depreciation. Ho (Cr Black) said; to this director: "I hear tho company is paying 4£ per cent.," and tho director's reply was: "It is earning moro, but I am not at liberty to say how much," and he added: "Wo are satisfied with tho proposition-as it now stands, and quit© agreeablo to hold to it for all time." Ho hoped Roslyn would wako up andi. insist (in the trams being purchased. If they were not purchased, tho company would have the option of carrying- on for another 21 years. The city should also take over the Kaikorai tram, which was a fino business proposition. Tho leaso would fall due next year. Tho two trams should bo taken over either permanently or fixed up tentatively, so that they could be taken permanently, say, in a year or later if there was any question of finance. Cr Black also touched on other needs of Roslyn and on harbour affairs and other questions. Cr Green, who began his address at 10 minutes to 9, repeated to a large extent his addresses in other districts. He reforred_ to his _40 years' connection -with municipal affairs, and said that 23 out of the present 26 city councillors considered ho was fit to occupy, tho Mayoral chair. The offico of Mayor ought to be a rolling one. Ho advocated the extension of the tramway scrvico round the city, the establishment of branch libraries, and the erection of a destructor. A fish market was required in tho city, and he would do what he could to havo it established. Speaking of the Patriotic Association, ho said it was_ not legally constituted, and controlling as it did a very largo sum of money, it ought to be registered and placed in a proper position. If returned, ho would see that this was dono. In reply,to a question. Cr Green said the two tram lines to Roslyn should become the''property of tho citizens at a fair valuation.

A vote of confidence was accorded Cr Groen, and Cr Black was thanked for his address.

Mr J. J. Clark will address the electors in the Wakari Drill Hall on Tuesday, at 8 p.m.