PROGRESSIVE POLICY ADVOCATED.

Colonist, Volume LIV, Issue 13412, 9 May 1912, Page 4 (Supplement)

PROGRESSIVE POLICY ADVOCATED.

Cr. Hampson, on behalf of the Council, congratulated the Mayor upon his return to office unopposed. It was, he said, the first time for nearly seven years that he (Cr. Hampson) had sat at the Council for a whole year without any friction. Tho citizens had done a wiso and graceful thing in placing a gentleman with tact and ability in the position of Chief Magistrate of the city for another year. In was said that Nelson was a sleepy place and non-pro-gressive, but during the past year it

had shown substantial signs of progression. While he would advocate further progress, he did not like to frighten the ratepayers, but would be prepared to go slowly.' At the same time there were two or +hrce things that the Council should .undertake- next year Without being accused of being a crank, he would like to mention tho consolidation of the city loans; it was one of the first things that should be done. Tho result of the past year's working showed that it was impossible to wipe off the overdraft and put their finances in decent order out of ordinary revenue unless the people were rated higher than they were- at present, and the proper way in his opinion would be to consolidate the loans. If tho Council in the past had been progressive, instead of the present Municipal Buildings, which cost some £5000 or £6000, they would have gone in for a town hall costing £15,000, which would have brought in more than sufficient revenue t.> pay interest, and would have been a source of profit. He congratulated the Mayor upon the library, ii. which the Council was largely interested, and he hoped the question of municipal baths would be taken up seriously as he believed they would bo self-sup-porting. Another thing that was essential for tho progress of the city was a tramway system. If tho Council was not prepared to tako the matter up, he would like to see it handed over to a public company. Personally he was against allowing the control of tho streets to pass out of tho hands of tho city, but if tfie Council was not prepared to take action, - then a company should be allowed to do so. He was certain that for a comparatively small expenditure a motor tram service could be installed, which would be a source of income. If a progressive policy was

adopted tho increased population would be so marked that it would have a considerable effect on the revenue that would accrue to the Council. Mr Hampson also congratulated the city upon having the best system of accounts of any local body in tho Dominion.

Cr Fell, in adding his congratulations to the Mayor on his return, said that one visible- sign of progress in Nelson was the fact that since shortly before Christmas over £17,000 worth of property between Hardy street and tho Post Office had changed hands. This should be sufficient evidence that some people had confidence in the future o^ the cit}'.

Crs. Adams, Mercor, Snodgrass, and Kershaw also added their congratulations, and the formal proceedings ter-

minated

At the invitation of the Mayor, the City Councillors, the Council staff, and a number of citizens assembled in the Mayor's room, where a pleasant informal function was held. The toasts honoured were the Mayor, -the- City Council, the Council staff, the Press etc. Cheers were given for the Mayor and Mrst-FieldL