PARTING OF THE WAYS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 84, 10 April 1935, Page 8

PARTING OF THE WAYS

MAYOR’S LAST MEETING SPEECH IN RETROSPECT. TBIBCIV.S TO THE COUNCIL. Last night's meeting of the Wanj ganui City Council was the last to I be held during the term of office [ of the present Mayor (Mr. N. G. t Armstrong), who, in a brief speech at the conclusion, paid tribute to I the manner in which the two coun- ' cils of the past four years had attended to the business of the city. I He complimented the staff on the expeditious presentation of the balancesheet within six days of the end of the financial year, making special re*jrence to the town clerk (Mr. George Murch), the city engineer (Mr. L. F. Row), and the city accountant (Mr. F. J'. Best). “You can say that the financial position of the city is satisfactory,” Mr. Armstrong proceeded. “The general account is in credit to the extent of £1675 3s 9d. Taking in the special rate accounts, we finished the year with a debit of £4702 4s 6d, but that is more than covered by the amount of outstanding rates of £26,938 which are estimated to produce £14,000 to £15,000. The Works Department account expended £33,402, which was under the estimate by £342. That goes to prove that Mr. Row, the engineer, apart from his qualifications professionally, has the faculty for keeping his expenditure within estimates. The gas account is in credit to the extent of £5363 17s 6d, and we can say of that, that it has con T tinned to function well as a trading concern through the four years of depression. The tramway account shows a. credit of £1825 9s 5d and, for the first time, it has made a contribution to the general account on account of interest, and has carried forward a balance of £675. That must be of great satisfaction to Ur. Halligan, who has worked hard for the day when the tramways would not only maintain themselves not of revenue, but would be able to make some reduction in interest. The bank account to-day is in credit to the extent of £7621 and that, I know, will please the Deputy-Mayor. Three years ago the bank asked the council to keep within an overdraft limit, of £50,000, and it did thsu,, and the account is in credit to-day. The speaker added that he did not think it woj'/i be necessary to ask the bank fnr accommodation exceeding £25,000 at any time in the immediate future. Two accounts were in debit—workers’ dwelling account £527 Ils 9d; •the Sarjeant Trust Account, £211: and i the airport account, £127 14s sd. It was usual to carry those debit balances I forward to next year to be taken into | account when estimates were made* IHe would move that thev be transferred to -the general account against iihe credit showing there. That would j leave the council with no carry-over tor next year’s estimates. -This motion i w as carried. Revenue Increases. “Revenue increased, ’ ‘ His Wor >hip continued, “and it is very en- • enraging sign of improvement. Let us nope that we have definitely turned I i rom. the depression and are moving forward to better times. Receipts were [greater than the estimate by £2484 and I expenditure £6lO below. Eighty-six per cent, of the rate levy has been collected Lind building permits show an eneourag ing increase. i This is the last council meeting at I which I will preside. The past four vears have been an interesting experience and, I hope, have been of some adjvantage to the city. 1 have benefited I by contact with councillors and I wish ; to thank them for their courtesies and assistance to myself and also for the able and contentious manner in which they have performed their duties. Courtesy and obedience to the chair adds to the dignity of the meetings and to the reputation of the city. There has not- sign of what the news papers would call a “scene” at the council table, and that has been largely due to the excellent set of Standing Orders. It is the Mayor’s duty to enforce those Orders, and I wish to thank councillors for accepting the rulings cheerfully. Never yet has it been necessary for me to take the, extreme .step of rising. As you all know, when the Mayor rises everybody else sits down. Proceeding, Mr. Armstrong referred io the fact that the attendance of councillors at council and committee meetings and inspections was proof of I'ueir attention to the business of the city. Only twice were the committee short of a quorum and there was generally a full attendance. Councillors who were not members of the commit-' tees ot’ten attended the meetings to keep in touch with the work. The Council’s Integrity Commended. “I think you can say this,” His Worship added, “there has been no yielding to vested interests or political pull. I have seen no sign of any councillor trying to work a point to his own private advantage. There were no consultations and everything was transacted at the council table.” His Worship thanked the Deputy-Mayor (Cr. J. Siddells) for his co-operation at various public functions, and paid tribute to his work and int’erest as one of the Sinking Fund Commissioners. Mr. Armstrong also thanked the chairman of committees (Crs. A. E. Halligan, E. O’Meara, J. D. Crowley, and H. G. Horsley). They were men who could be trusted and in whom he had implicit confidence. The Mayoress, he said, also wished to thank the wives of councillors for their valuable help and assistance in connection with the anInual Old Settlers’ Reunion and on Anzac Day. Referring to the Sarjeant Gallery Committee, Mr. Armstrong also expressed thanks to Dr. Robertson for the work he had done as a member of that committee. The staffs of all departments were thanked for their general support and, above all, their loyalty. His Worship mentioning the town clerk, city engineer, gas engineer, assistant town clerk, city accountant, librarian, and inspectors, and through them the staffs under their control. City Finances Sound. “We say say that the finances of the city are in a good position,” he said in conclusion. Loans have been cobverted. We have essential services throughout the city and it will only be necessary to repair and enlarge them. That can be done out of revenue. There should be nc need for borrowing. The most important work which will havp to be undertaken in the near future is

renewal of the town bridge, the life of the present structure having been set at ten years. With regard to that, 1 would suggest that the council adopt the suggestion of the town clerk and set aside £2OOO out of revenue each year. By the time ten years are up it will then have fifty per cent, of the cost of a new bridge. “The past four years have been difficult years,” but let ns hope that we are past the worst. I thank you all for your co-operation and help throughout that time and to those councillors who are contesting the election I wish them every success.” (Applause). Tributes were paid to the Mayor's fairness and capable leadership by the Deputy-Mayor (Mr Siddells), and Cr. E. O’Meara. Later members of the council, the staff, and representatives of the Press were the guests of His Worship at supper, when activities within the city, but outside the immediate orbit of the council table, were discussed. Mr. Armstrong paid tributes to the many who had c.o-oper&ted with him and thus assisted to make his four years of office a lighter burden.