TOWN CLERK PRAISED

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21415, 8 May 1941, Page 9

TOWN CLERK PRAISED

TRIBUTE BY MAYOR ‘T wish to offer my thanks to the Town Clerk fo: his services, not only to me and to the council, but to the whole of the citizens of Hamilton,” said the Mayor, Mr H. D. Caro, at 'he close of his report to the Hamilton Borough Council last night. “I have no hesitation in saying he is one of the most efficient men it has ever been my privilege to work with. I wish him the best of health for the future so that he can continue with his excellent service to Hamilton. “To all the other heads of departments my thanks are due, for nothing has been too much trouble to them and they have helped 19 make my term of office much easier. To the general staff my thanks are also due. To the councillors in general who have on all occasions come to my assistance, my thanks are also due.” The speaker said he appreciated the able manner in which the chairmen of the committees carried out their work, and nothing would convince him otherwise than that the council elected in 1938 was one of the best, if not the best, in the history ot Hamilton Borough, representing as it did every cross-section of the community. Several councillors congratulated the Mayor on his report and thanked him for his eulogistic references. ‘HUGE SUCCESS” GARDEN PLACE SCHEME In the course of his review, at the Borough Council meeting last night, the Mayor, Mr H. D. Caro, made reference to the Garden Place project.

“Garden Place,” he said, “is now completed, and I for one am proud of the fact that I was associated with the several councils who pioneered the scheme. Wherever I go in New Zealand I have met people wiio have visited Hamilton since the scheme has been completed, and I have been congratulated on the improvement effected.

“Up to date we have sold eleven sections, and seeing that they were offered at a time when investors were nervous owing to war conditions, it was in my mind remarkable that so many section? were sold. “The borough has also built up further assets by using the spoil to effect improvements to the Whitiora frog pond, Palmerston Street gully, tilling in the north end of Hamilton Lake, and Richmond Street, the sanctuary reserve, Norton Road Sandpit and Hillsboro Terrace. Three is no doubt in my mind the j actual value to the town of Garden ; Place completed cannot be estimated. 1 The up-to-date conveniences in Garden Place are nearing completion and on inspection with the borough engineer, I agree that there will be nothing better in the country than this structure. : “I submit for your information the I following figures to 30/4/41 in regard to Garden Place.— Total expenditure, £69,243 4s 3d; amount received in cash for sections, spoil sold, betterment, etc., £31,467 16s 9d; balance owing 00 loan account at April 30, £37,775 7s 6d; balance due to council and secured on mortgage, £20,223 12s 6d; interest and sinking fund payments due per annum on above, £l4Bl 4s; annual rent receivable from dwellings, £623; credit balance in interest account, at March 31, £3134; Government valuation on 18 sections totalling 2 acres 13.5 perches, £28,775. On these figures, said Mr Caro, he worked the position out as follows.— Total expenditure, £69,243 4s 3d: cash, £31,467 16s 9d; mortgages, £20,223 12s Sd; value of dwellings capitalised at 5 per cent., £12,460; Government valuation at March 31, 1941, £28.775; total, £92,926 9s 3d—or a credit of £23,683 ss. “This is, of course,” he explained, “without taking the value of the sections that have been made now into first-class building sites, the value of which it would be hard to esti- ! mate. The whole scheme has turned out a huge success, and I am proud to be associated with it.” WAIKATO AIRPORT ASSET TO DISTRICT Reference to the Waikato Airport was made in the review by the Mayor, Mr H. D. Caro, at the Hamilton Borough Council meeting last night. He said he was pleased to report that, after working on the project for a considerable time, everything was now in readiness for the Public Works Department to carry out its undertaking. “When it is completed,” he said, “Waikato, and Hamilton especially, will have an up-to-date airport. The present war has shown the necessity for a well-appointed aerodrome for any progressive town, and I have no duuht that, when this present war is over, .air travel will develop so rapidly that we will all be amazed. 1 am convinced that the Waikato Airport at Rukuhia will be a decided asset to the whole of the Waikato. 1 may add that Hamilton Borough ; Council has two representatives on the Waikato Airport Board, with the town clerk as secretary-treasurer.” RATE COLLECTIONS FAVOURABLE COMPARISON Other items referred to by the Mayor, Mr H. D. Caro, in his review to the Hamilton Borough Council last night included the following:— “Rates.—Rate collections have been very satisfactory during the past three years. Last year we were able to reduce rates by a half-penny in the pound, and in Maeroa the reduction exceeded one penny. It is interesting to note that in a town similar in * size to Hamilton, the figures are distinctly in Hamilton’s favour, as the following example will prove: Palmerston North, 194041, capital value £1250; unimproved value £250; improvements £1000; total rates £l2 9s sd. Hamilton, 1940-41, | same values as quoted: total rates £9 14s 9d. The advantage in favour cf Hamilton, £2 14s Bd, is 22 per

cent. Our rates rre reasonable in Hamilton, considering the amenities provided. “Emergency Precautions Scheme. Nearly all councillors are taking part in this organisation, and they know that though a tremendous amount of work has oeen done there is much yet to do before the scheme is perfect. “Home Guard.—The council is represented on the Home Guard Committee, and the organisation of this branch of .the country’s defence is steadily taking shape. The Borough Council has financed all expenditure of the Hamilton Home Guard up to date* "Women’s Auxiliary Volunteer Corps.—This organisation of women has been of considerable help. Members are on duty eveiy week-end at the Soldiers’ Club, and the corps has always been ready and willing to help on every occasion. “Patriotic.—Representatives of the Borough Council are on the Waikato Zone Committee, which embraces the whole of the Waikato with Hamilton as headquarters. This organisation, of which I am chairman and the town clerk is secretary, has done a lot of useful work. The /.one has collected approximately £49,000 since the war commenced. The council is also represented on the Hamilton Patriotic Executive Committee, which has done excellent work. My thanks are also due to all the ladies’ committees who have worked hard throughout.”