CIVIC AFFAIRS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25553, 5 June 1944, Page 6

CIVIC AFFAIRS

NEW MAYOR INSTALLED MR ALLEN’S REVIEW OF CITY FINANCES The statutory meeting of the City Council for the installation of the Mayor-elect was held in the Council Chamber on Saturday morning. Mr A. H. Allen retired from the position of Mayor, which he had held for six years, and the symbols of office were received by Mr D. C. Cameron after he had signed the statutory declaration. There was a large attendance of the public and of civic officers. In his valedictory remarks. Mr Allen thanked the citizens of Dunedin for the confidence they had placed in him when they elected him as Mayor, first In 1938 and again in 1942. Speaking of some of the. important activities during the past six years, he expressed regret that Dunedin’s centennial monument on Signal Hill remained incomplete. This was entirely due to war conditions. 'To complete the work and floodlight the memorial there was approximately £3500 in hand. Mr Allen said that the war had greatly interfered with all aspects of civil and community life. It became necessary to undertake the heavy duty of organising the whole of Otago for patriotic work, and to date no less than £550,000 had been contributed for all kinds of patriotic activities. When Japan entered the war the heaviest task arose, said Mr Allen. The civic authorities, especially in the metropolitan areas, were charged by the Government with the organisation of the Emergency Precautions Service, which incurred for the metropolitan mayors an enormous amount of very responsible work. This work had continued until towards the end of last year. Improved Financial Position "The maintenance and development of the city progresses in spite of the shortage and high cost of man-power and materials,’’ Mr Allen continued. Speaking of the city’s improved financial position as compared with six years ago. Mr Allen said that the loans repaid from March 31, 1938, to March 31, i 944, amounted to £761,000, and during the same period the amount of the loans raised was £555.000, made up of housing (£200,000), public works (£53,000), water (£27,000), tramways (£17,000), electricity (£258,000). The total loans on March 31, 1938, amounted to £3,220,000, and on March 31, 1944, the amount was £3,014,000, a reduction of £206,000. By adding the amount of this reduction In loans, £260,000, to the increase in renewal funds, £365,172, Mr Allen continued, an improved financial position of £571,172 was shown during his term of office. An examination of Dunedin’s capital assets disclosed a most healthy position. They amounted in all departments to £5,290,000, and the loans totalled £3,014,000, leaving a surplus of £2,276,000. In addition, renewal funds were shown at £771,000 and sinking funds at £498,000, a total of £1,269,000, so that the total surplus of all assets over liabilities was £3,545,000. —(Applause.) Dunedin had always been quoted a? a financially strong municipality, he addei, but they must build upon that position instead of resting on their oars. Mr Allen said that he had convened a meeting in Dunedin in October of representatives of local bodies In Otago, and the enthusiasm displayed certainly justified the holding of the meeting annually. Unfortunately, Mr Allen added, their population for some years past had not expanded in the same ratio as that of some other centres. This had placed the council in the difficult position of having to endeavour to maintain the same development and maintenance work as in former years on an almost stationary Income, but at a heavy increase in the cost for labour and materials. Mr Allen thanked the councillors who had been associated with him during his term of service for their loyalty, and in Saying a tribute to the staff he said that re town clerk (Mr R. A. Johnston) was a man of very wide experience and great ability, and it was doubtful if there was another town clerk in the Dominion with a better understanding of local body affairs and better ability to administer local body law. Mr Allen expressed his appreciation of the services of the reitring councillors, Messrs J. Wilson, E. J. Smith and M. C. Henderson, and of the Mayoress. Mrs Allen at all times, he added, had been willing to do her best for the citisens.—(Applause.) He then 'extended good Wishes to the new Mayor and councillors. New Mayor Takes Office Mr Allen then .invested Mr Cameron with the robes and chain of (he mayoral office. The customary declarations were signed. The new Mayor, in his reply, expressed appreciation of the services of the retiring Mayor and Mrs Allen. They had set a very high standard, and he would do his best to follow It, he said. Mr Cameron extended a welcome to Crs Blain, Barr and Hudson, who were sitting at the council table for the first time, and he said that he wanted the council to be a progressive one. They should give priority to the task of rehabilitating returned men.

"At times we are a little prone to place too much emphasis on local and minor affairs when a great war is raging,” said Mr Cameron. While it was quite right to give every consideration to local affairs, they should not stress them too much at the present time. Mr Cameron added that he desired to be an approachable Mayor, and Mrs Cameron would co-operate in evepr possible way in the women's organisations of the city. Councillors’ Congratulations

Congratulating Mr Cameron on his ; election, Cr W. B. Taverner said that he was the fiftieth Mayor to be installed in office. He was sure the present Mayor would be a worthy successor to those who had preceded him in office. Crs R. Walls, D. G. McMiilan, J. McCrae. L. J. Ireland, D. C. Jolly, J. W. Munro, and L. M. Wright spoke briefly, congratulating the Mayor on his accession to office and returning thanks to the electors. Appreciation of Services

The Mayor moved the following resolution: —“ That the thanks of the Dunedin City Council be tendered to Mr A. H. Allen for the highly efficient services rendered by him to the city of Dunedin during his terms of office for the years 1938-41 and 1941-44, and that this resolution be recorded in the minutes and an engrossed copy be presented to Mr Allen.” Councillors spoke in support of the resolution, which was carried by acclamation.

The council also passed the following resolution:—" That the thanks of the council be tendered to Messrs J. Wilson, M. C. Henderson, and E. J. Smith for the faithful services rendered by them in the interests of the city as city councillors.”