TERM REVIEWED

Southland Times, Issue 20666, 23 April 1929, Page 8

TERM REVIEWED

MR MILLER’S ADDRESS WORK OF MUNICIPAL DEPARTMENTS VOTE OF CONFIDENCE Mr John Miller, the present Mayor of Invercargill, opened his campaign for* reelection to the mayoralty, in Knox Hall last night. There was a good attendance of citizens, some 60 being present. In his opening remarks, the chairman, Mr J. Timpany, said that it was two years since they had assembled to meet Mr Miller and now after two years of hard work, he appeared again before the electors of Invercargill with every reason to have confidence that his record of service would more than warrant his return to the mayoral office. During the period Mr Miller had been Mayor, he had solved many awkward problems in a manner highly advantageous to the town. Mr Miller, after thanking the chairman for his remarks, said he had had'a strenuous time during his two years of office, but at the request of a large number of electors he offered himself again as a candidate for the mayoralty. Continuing, he said:—

“My record is well known to most of you —I have represented you on the council for ten years, eight , years as a councillor and at tiie last election I had the honour of being elected Mayor. I claim that I have carried out the duties and responsibilities of that office in a manner creditable to myself and to the people whom I represented. During my long term of service I have always acted without fear or favour and in my opinion in the best interests of the people of Invercargill. As your representative, I had the honour of being elected to the executive of the Municipal Association and at the last conference held at Wanganui at which there were present 150 delegates, although strong claims were put forward by four other centres, on the vote it was decided that the next conference be held at Invercargill, and I had the honour of being elected president of the association. Bituminising Streets. “I shall now deal with the various departments First I shall deal with the very important department, Public Works. The paving of the streets with bitumenous concrete has been proceeded with as rapidly as the plant and weather would allow. During the past season advantage has been taken of every hour of sunshine to get ahead with the work. Fine weather and absolutely dry conditions are essential in carrying out bitumen work. The hot mix bituminous concrete method was reverted to after a considerable quantity of sheet asphalt or sand carpet had been laid. “Under the £74,909 loan the paving of Dee street has been completed and the whole of Tay street and East Road as far as required;' all the streets in the centre area have been paved. Nith street has also been dealt with and Wood street is under way. Elies road from Fay street to Tweed street was entirely rebuilt and has been bitumen sealed at a cost of £2410 13/5, plus renewal of storm water drain, £420. The total was £2831 10/3 and the final cost will not exceed 9/6 per square yard. The only streets included in the schedule -which are still to be done arc Oteramika road (part), Pomona road (part) and Elies road from Gala street to King street. When Mr Corkill took up his duties 55 per cent, of the work under this loan had been completed, at an expenditure, on the actual construction of 71 per cent, of the funds available, while 45 per cent, remained to be done with 29 per cent, of the money, hence the necessity of reducing the width of the bitumen, and the necessity of raising the 10 per cent, on the loan to complete the work. “Work under the £60,000 loan has included only the western half of Tweed street. On this street from Clyde to Conon, 44 chains has been entirely rebuilt, and plots of the standard width have been constructed. The estimated cost was £3545 and actual cost to date is £3079 5/9. This loan has been considered secondary to the £74,000 and only such plant and material as were available after satisfying the requirements of the £74,000 loan have been employed on this work, the progress of which has therefore been small. Public Works Plant. “The quarry and crushing plant at Greenhills has been repaired from time to time and necessary alterations to the screening arrangements have been made. A jaw crusher has been installed at a cost of £232 17/- to take the place of the broken down machine formerly in use. The quarry output was utterly insufficient for requirements with so much work in hand so arrangements were made to take the whole output of the Bluff Borough and the Southland County Council quarries at a cost of 12/7 and 10/11 per ton respectively, Greenhills 10/6. Supplies have many times been reduced by shortage of railway waggons. “The large Cummer or hot mix plant has operated satisfactorily throughout, but a good deal of trouble has been experienced with the Ransome plant (used for footpath work) owing to water in the tar. “With the expenditure of large sums in laying down certain streets with permanent paving, it was forecasted that the bill for the maintenance of the streets would be considerably reduced, that forecast is proving correct. The expenditure on maintenance for streets for Ihe past year was £9OO less than the previous year even in view of the fact that another 74 miles of streets were added to the borough from South Invercargill. The 74 miles of streets referred to were in a very bad condition and nearly £BOO had to be spent on them to put them in good order. The. use of gravel on the unpaved streets has been the principal feature of the maintenance work. During my election campaign in 1927, I stated that ‘gravel maintenance will require to be watched as regards suitability and cost.’ “The gravel, it has been discovered, merely keeps up' a smooth running surface and cannot be looked upon as a means of correcting any other than surface imperfections of the road. The rounded gravel cannot be expected to consolidate and become an integral part of the macadam roadway to which it is applied, the greater part of the gravel is pulverized and blown into the gardens and even into the houses. In 1927 we were paying 12/- and 13/6 per yard for gravel. Tenders were called some time after I was elected and it was procured at 7/5 to 8/5 per yard. Owing to the dust nuisance it is advisable to push on with the sealing of the streets. Water Supply. “I have no doubt as to where I am regarding this question. When I came before you at the last election, I advocated a full and adequate test, of the underground supply, but circumstances have up till recently prevented the council from carrying out what I advocated in 1927. Although since then we have experienced some long spells of dry weather, more than a sufficient supply of water has always been available. Mr Corkill, the borough engineer, in his lucid report which was published recently is also quite definite in his opinion that the underground supply has never been thoroughly tested and that there is more water in the bores than we can take out with the present plant. On his recommendation the council has given authority to put the station in order, purchase new plant and get the water which is there for the lifting. . The mains have been extended in various outlying streets —Layard, Banks, King, Exmouth and Newcastle streets and small mains in Tweed street and Avenal have been replaced by larger ones. “In 1928 your council was being pressed bv letters and deputations to consider the

advisability of raising a loan of £25,390 for the purpose of laying larger water mains in the inner area for fire fighting purposes. I read an article about a town in Scotland where similar conditions prevailed, there, the pipes were cleaned, and saved the necessity of raising a loan of £06,000. I discussed the question with, the then acting town engineer but he considered it necessary to lift the pipes. Mr Corkill arrived in time to show that the cleaning could be done without lifting the pipes. A total length of 23 miles of those mains have been thoroughly scraped clean and the pipes are as good as new. The length done included all the mains (except the larger sizes which did not require it), in the original town area and Northend—from Biggar street to Thames street. The cost has run about £3,309 and was paid out of the unemployment loan% and carried a Government subsidy. After many alterations, the plans for the bridge at Dunns Road over the Oreti River were approved by the Government, and a contract was let to Messrs Road Constructors Limited, of Dunedin, £8,355. The bridge is due to be completed about October, 1929. The Oreti Beach Road comprising li miles of road was carried out' as an unemployment relief measure in the winter of 1928 at-ja cost of £1,495 of which amount about £599 was found by the Government as a subsidy on relief work. Unemployment Relief. “Unemployment has been prevalent during the last two years and has caused the council and myself very deep concern. When the present council took office in 1927, there was a balance of £8,500 in the unemployment loan which was to be used on sewer and water reticulation works and various street Works. Owing to the amount of distress this sum was quite insufficient and a further loan of £6,700 was raised by special order. “In addition to the works already mentioned relief works have been carried out during the last two years as follows: Completion of drains in Seaward Bush Endowment £1,576; formation on James, Salford, Mersey, Layard and Ayr street; formation of River Road; extension of water reticulation and sewers; Tyne street formation; Puni Creek wall extension; Ayr street wall; Biggar street reserve. All the works done out of those loans during the past year have carried a subsidy from the Government of £1 for £1 on the labour cost. To-day there is a balance of £2,823 available on the loans and that amount, will carry a subsidy.

“The unemployment loans have been conserved in every way as I have realized that much of the work is unremunerative and that the burden of the ratepayers in respect of it must be made as light as possible. I have made strong representations to the Government from time to time through the Right Hon. the Prime Minister, the Hon. Minister of Works and others, that Relief Works should be. provided near Invercargill for unemployed. I am satisfied that there Ls a large number of genine workers out of employment and for whom work cannot be found. We have done much for them, we would have liked to have done more, but. the financial position of the Borough has had to be kept steadily in view. “In 1927, I appealed to the public for funds to provide work for the unemployed, and a splendid response resulted in a fund of £1,338 which carried a Government sub-

sidy of £1 for £l. In 1928 a further appeal was made and £409 was subscribed. “The excellent co-operation between the council and the Returned Soldiers’ Association in providing work for unemployed returned soldiers has also been a blessing to those men. A sum of about £l3OO has been contributed by the association during the two years. The amount was subsidized £1 for £1 by the council and expended by employing the men in improving the parks and reserves. South Area Water and Sewerage. “Arising out of the amalgamation it became necessary for the council to undertake the extension of the water find sewer mains reticulation through this area, and arrangements were made with the Board of Health for authority to raise the necessary loan by special order to save the heavy expense of taking a poll. The total estimated cost, of the work is £51,900. A start was made on the sewer reticulation just before Christmas and over four miles have already been completed, or more than half the job. This-work is employing over 70 men and has been a valuable relief to unemployment. As was the-case with all other sewer and water supply loans, the charges on the loan will be met over the whole borough. Similarly the amalgamated area will become liable for charges on loans for all purposes previously raised over this borough. A local Empowering Act to that effect was passed during last session of Parliament. The outfall from the septic tank to the estuary channel has become useless and as the sewerage is not being conducted to the channel a nuisance is created which must be abated. The loan raised for the south area water and sewerage reticulation was therefore enlarged to include £11,009 for removing the outfall with pipes to be laid in a permanent, manner right out. to the channel. “Loan balances available for asphalting of footpaths have been spent as opportunity arose—over two miles being completed. Footpath maintenance is a matter which must receive immediate consideration. There are 140 miles or more of paths and they are badly deteriorating. The beautifying of streets has unfortunately been held up owing to the estimates given having been quite inadequate and not including a great deal of necessary work. This work will be dealt with ae soon as staff arrangements allow proper plans etc. to be prepared. Tramways Department. “There have been several important works carried out in this department since April 1927. All cars have been converted to one man operation, this policy resulting in an appreciable saving in operating costs. Automatic pointe have been installed at Yarrow Street and at Tweed Street with a view of eleminating traffic delays. One mile of track has been relaid with 901 b rails in place of the original 891 b rails. Car timetable has been rearranged and a quicker and more satisfactory service is now operating. “The electric lighting of the business blocks between Kelvin and Dee Streets was carried out, also the lighting of lower Esk Street and the Crescent. The districts including Georgetown, Trafalgar, Enwood, Strathern and Appleby areas have been converted to electric street lighting. Other extensions of the Public Lighting have been the garden plots in Tay and Tweed Streets. The electrical reticulation of the newly amalgamated portion of the borough has been purchased from the Southland Power Board at a valuation of £2,589. The council have authorized the purchase of a large regulator, to be installed at the power station for the purpose of maintaining better service during periods of heavy loading. Gas Department. “A matter of considerable importance to this department and to the gas consumers Ls the introduction by the Board of Trade of gas regulations which provide for the Government control of calorific or heatvalue, purity, pressure and price of gas manufactured and distributed. Under these regulations the council had to provide the necessary testing apparatus and recording instruments. These were installed in November 1928, since when the tests and records have shown that the gas has been kept well up to standard in every respect. The regulations also provide for the testing and stamping of all consumers’ meters before being issued. “Improvements at the works include the scrapping of the old steam plant and the installation of electric motors. The changeover has been the means of effecting economy and a saving of labour on the part of the staff. “The usual repairs and maintenance work has been carried out. Two settings of re-

torts were rebuilt during the past year at a cost of £1999 and two other settings will require to be rebuilt each year for at least the next two years.

“The output of gas for the year, 58,728,990 cubic feet, is practically the same amount as that for 1916 .which would indicate that the Department has, since the introduction of electricity, little more than held its own so far as gas sales are concerned. There is no doubt that climatic conditions and cheap coal account to a great extent for the comparatively' small use of gas in Invercargill. Reserves Department. “The work of this department is increasing from year to year owing to the increase in the number of playing areas, plots- and beautifying schemes which are being laid out. Solid progress has been made in the maintenance and improvement of the park and reserves. “In the park there has been established a new plant nursery of two acres to replace the old nursery in Elies road. The value of stock in the old-nursery is £49 and the value of stock in the new nursery £689 Stables and sheds for the proper housing of horses and drays, tools, motor machines have been erected. An area has been set aside for a motorists' camp. . “Extension and further development of the park by .draining, tree planting and addition of new beds and borders has been carried out. A section of land was purchased so that Coronation Avenue might run out to Herbert street. The trustees of the late Dominion Band paid over the sum of £399 to be expended in erecting a band rotunda in the park as a memorial to the memory of bandsmen who fell in the Great War. The base of the stand' has been completed at a cost of £593 and' a further £899 Ls required to complete the rotunda. “Three miles of scrub fascines have been erected along the seaward side of Sandy Point to stop drifting sand and build up a continuous dune for protection. Sowing of lupin seed in many places and extensive planting of marram grass is having a good effect in binding the sand. “There has been formed and fenced off a scenic reserve at Seaward Bush of 305 acres. This reserve is only four miles from the Invercargill Post Office. Protection has been afford the Waihopai reserve by planting pines on the boundaries and one hundred chains of tracks have been cut through this beautiful reserve. Sixty comfortable seats have been purchased and distributed throughout the various reserves. Public Debt. “The gross public debt at March 31, 1929 was £1,034,221, the sinking funds account accrued on the same were £165,319 and the nett public debt at March 31, 1929, was £868,992. Rates. “The increase in the total rate struck is largely accounted for by the heavier special rate which has to be struck to meet the increased interest bill brought about by the raising of loans for street work and other public, works. The general rate for the 1928-29 period is less than that for the 1927.-28 period and has since the 1925-26 period been raised only approximately -Id.

“When I was elected Mayor in 1927 the General Account was in debit, to the extent of £1,134. At March 31 last this account closed with a credit balance of £1,641, an improvement of £2,775. “If elected I shall continue to serve you as I have done in the past, always having your best interests in mind and my policy shall be progress, economy and efficiency. I have laid before you some of the things I have done; I will make no promises save to continue to do as I have done in the past two years,” Mr Miller concluded. A question asked whether, if, after the engineer had made a thorough investigation of the bores, the water question would be settled final'”. Mr Miller said that if the engineer found that there was sufficient water for Invercargill requirements, there would surely be no need for further investigation. Mr E. Lyon moved a hearty vote of thanks and confidence in Mr Miller, saying that he was sure that Mr Miller’s account of his stewardship would commend him to the electors. Mr S. Shepherd seconded the motion which was carried unanimously with applause.

Statement of Rates Struck. 19 25-26 1926-27 1927-28 1928-29 General .. 3.500 3.335 4.068 3.775 Special Antecedent 4.040 4.833 5.050 5.600 Liability .359 — — Lighting . .419 .465 .442 .480 Sewerage . .653 .750 .820 .750 Total . . 8.971 9.383 10.380 10.605 On the annual value Hospital and Charitable Aid 4.250 4.667 3.450 4.100 On the unimproved value: Water 1.200 (full) .. .880 .440 1.050 Water .600 (half) . .440 .220 .525