MR. AITKEN AT TE ARO.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 158, 28 March 1908, Page 6

MR. AITKEN AT TE ARO.

THE QUESTION OF .'SINKING FUNDS. THE LATE MAYOR'S EXPLANATION. A meeting of those in, favour-of the elec-, tion of Mr. J. G. W. Aitkon, M.P., to the Mayoralty, was held in the Itechabito Chambers yesterday ovoning;. the object of the meeting being to form a committeo to work tlio Te.'Aro portion of the city. The chair was occupied ■ by Mr. William Cable, and there were about fifty present, all of whom .wore enthusiastic workers, and formed themselves into a committeo. A plan of campaign was laid down for the working of the Te Aro district. At the invitation of the Chairman, Mr. Aitkon briefly addressed tho meeting. ' Ho referred to various matters which had been touched upon by Mr. Hislop in his addresses, aiid in his statements to ono of tho local newspapers. With regard to Mr. Hislop's statement concerning tho loan to the ' Karori Borough out ' of sinking ' fund, that no doubt Mr.'Aitken would have objected at tho time as a Commissioner .if there had been anything improper, Mr. Aitken said that to the of his recollection he was in England at; the time, and knew nothing about this investment until he returned to New Zealand. He , said .also that when ho was Mayor he occupied tho dual position of Mayor aind a Commissioner of'sinking funds. As such ho had all the responsibility.of a trustee, and was particularly careful tp see ,that the money was invested in good securities only. .When ho ceased to be ; > Mayor he still remained a Commissioner, but lie was never consulted about any investment, and all he was asked to do was to sign cheques. On ono occasion ho was asked to sign a cheque for a large sum in connection with the purchase or exchange by the Corporation, of-the Hunter Street block. Ho doubted tho legality of the-transaction, and wrote to the 'Msyor de-, clining to sign / tho cheque , until he was assured- that the transaction was valid. 'Instead of taking the City Solicitor's -opinion,., and then, if the transaction was a valid, ono, sending the cheque back' to him. to sign,'the Mayor never even answered, his letter, but managed to complete the transaction without his (Mri Aitken's) signature. Mr: Aitken also referred to tho question of taking business' in committee. Ho. 'admitted that during his' Mayoralty, a great deal of business was taken in committee, but he' said that if that'business, which consisted 1 largely of the negotiations; for tho purchaso of land for street widening,, etc.,' had been conducted :in open Council,..instead of in committee, the ratepayers' interests would necessarily have suffered, seriously. Ho also stated that in his opinion the time had now, arrived'when the ratepayers of the city should not bo'asked to pay, any higher rates. He pointed out: that, while' it,.was true that in some cases tho rate per-pound .had; been reduced,', the Government .'valuations ; had increased, and the rates had also increased. Higher , rates meant higher rents,' end', the burden was falling too heavily upon people who. were already*,sufficiently. burdened. Ho. pointed otat that when. ho was fii-st elected |Mayor tho city was liko-a back -country , township, and he asked what was the position, to-day. The' principal streets had beon improved beyond recognition, and, they and the . tram service;' were such' as any.."city might, be proud of; these arid other improvements had been effected during his term - of, offico as. Mayor'. . .

: Mr. William Cable was appointed <• permanent chairman of the coinn<ittee; and Mr. P. Forsyth secretary. '■ . « ■ During next Week Mr. J. G. W. Aitken, M.P., will visit tho following local committee centres fot- tho purpose of constituting, committees and Organising' tho campaign:—Newtown, Epserieath, Kilbirnie, Island Bay,' Berhamporo, BrooKljTi, Kelburne ( ' Wadestowii,; Thorndon, and Mitchelltown. The Newtpwn meeting will take place at St. Tliomas's Schoolroom,'Newtown, on Monday, at 8 p.m., and that ■at Rosoneath, ■in the State. School, Roseneath, at 8.30 p.m. Particulars as to tho other meetings will appeal' later.