THE BURGESSES' ASSOCIATION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7069, 10 April 1901, Page 2

THE BURGESSES' ASSOCIATION.

In a speech which he delivered yesterday evening at the meeting of the City and Suburban Burgesses' Association, Mr H. G. Ell, M.H.R., charged, the newspapers with having failed to give the Association the support it deserved. The accusation is scarcely justified, but as Mr Ell included in his charge the neglect of the Press to publish the objects of the Association, a statement which it is impossible to controvert, we will repair the omission without further delay. The avowed object of the Association is to use every possible means to promote mimicipal reform in the following directions : — I.— The formation of a "Greater Christchurch " by the amalgamation of the suburban he-roughs vrith'bhe city. 2. — The acquisition of all gasworks and tramways ; the inauguration of an installation of electricity, for the supply of light and power, and of a high-pres-sure water supply. 3.— lmproved sanitation, by providing a complete system of drainage ; the prevention of overcrowding, and a system of food inspection and analysis ; the demolition of insanitary premises, and the erection of suitable dwellings when required. 4. — The providing: of open spaces for childrtn as playgrounds ; the improvement of public recreation grounds, and, where not already provided, their acquirement ; the removal of all obstructions on public roads, and the throwing open to the public of all public reserves from which the people are now excluded. 5. — The providing of public recreation and reading-rooms where necessary ,- the improvement of the present charitable aid system, including a more careful inspection uf the houses in which children are boarded out. 6. — The adoption of a minimum wage of 42s per week of forty-four hours for ;i]] municipal adult employees. 7. — The beautifying of all waste places, and tlve compelling of all owners of sections to fence the same and to remove all rubbish aaul noxious weeds from them. In most of its aims the Association ought to be able to count upon the hearty support of everybody who takes an interest in municipal matters. Unfortunately, the number of people who interest themselves in this branch of politics is not large, and although perhaps it is increasing, it is growing but slowly. If our readers will turn to the report of the meeting heid yesterday evening they will observe that every one of t lie speakers had reason to deplore tlie want of interest in municipal matters shown by the burgesses of Christchurch. None of them suggested a way of arous-i'iig tlie citizens to a sense of their responsibilities, but as ail of them are pledged practically to endeavour to accomplish this difficult task, we hope that before long they wi!l discover a means of fulfilling their premise. If the members can only manage to impart, to their fellow-citizens fome of (he enthusiasm with which they themselves axe infected, they will have more than justified the formation of thp Apponiatif-n.