MIRAMAR MATTERS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1744, 8 May 1913, Page 6

MIRAMAR MATTERS.

UK. TOWNSEN'D INSTALLED MAYOR. CITY COMMUNICATION. There , was a full muster of members af the newly-elected Miramnr Borough Council'at tho statutory meeting at, noon Yesterday. Tho busines? was the installation of tho now Mayor (Mr. Frederic Townsend), and the usual declarations bv councillors. ■ The retiring Mayor (Mr. Hector M Leod) who presided, congratulated Mr. Townsend on his accession to oflice. Mirauiftr

was a progressive borough, this being largely duo to tho work of previous councils, of which Mr. Townscnd had been a member. Mr. Townseud was Inking up tho reins of office at a timo of development; at a timo when tho important question of communication with the cuy had to be considered. This question would have such a great bearing.on luo in the borough during tho next few years. He felt that he was voicing the feelings of tiie ratepayers in recognising that they now had a strong and vigorous man at tho- head of affairs. To those councillors who had home tho heat and burden of the dav he thought the thanks of tho electors were* also due. They had given fheir services during a strenuous period at great cost to themselves. To see them coming forward to share the work agum must be satisfactory to the residents, as tho experience which they had acquired in tho affairs of tho borough must bo valuable. He also extended his congratulations' to the new councillors who were men with well-formed opinions mid a good knowledge of the district. In referring to late councillors who had not been able to offer themselves this year, tho speaker made special mention of tho services of Messrs. Bowie and Grigg. Mr. C. B. Bowie, in returning thanks on behalf of Mr.'Grigg and himself, mentioned that various reasons liad prevented him standing again. As far as lie was concerned, the work was not a hardship— it|was a labour of love. Any assistance which ho could give in the future would be given readily. There was a lot of work to do during tho year, but, with Mr. Townscnd and such a good council he felt that the affairs of the borough would be ill safe hands. He wished them a prosperous year. Mr. N. Bell offered his congratulations to Mr. Townseud, who he described as "a firm man who hustles, and a man with plenty of timo on his hands, and the inclination and ability to further tho interests of the borough to its utmost." ' „ , Councillors Telford, Stone, Smith, and Underwood also spoke in a congratulatory vein. A Personal Explanation. Mr. Townsend, after signing tho declaration, stated that this was the third time on which he had been returned unopposed as Mayor of the borough. He thought ho could say that he never took anything in hand without trying nard to "make' a- success of it. Ho took it that iu offering himself early _ his candidature had met with the satisfacHon. of the majority of the rzuepajers, for, otherwise, there would have been a fight. If there bad been, he would have been right in it. There was«nothing which lie enjoyed so well as a fight. As it was, however, he had got in "011 the clieap." It had only cost him the price of three advertisements. This was almost ns.cheap, as when tho late George Fisher (of Wellington) was last returned to Parliament, his expenses having amounted to Gs. 8(1. .He bail been told tliat he (the speaker) was looked on as a harsh, hard, stern man, but when he told them that he had had men in his employment for 24 and 25 years who are still there, lie could hardly be classed , as "hard." „ ~ "I do like my penn'orth of flesh, ( saiu Mr. Townsend. growing emphatic, and I can safely say that no one need expect to make anything out of the council. I won't have a loafer-as long as I remain the people's representative 1 wilL demand a satisfactory day's .work for a satisfactory day's pay ; I will not have tiiose aliout me who will not do the .work expected of them." ■ New FSrry Scheme. Continuing, Sir. Townsend made reference to the .services of Mr. Bowie, and rcretlcd that lie bad not been able to see bis way to again offer himself for election. It might, bo expected that he (the speaker) should go into tho affairs of the borough in u policy statement, but he had 110 intention of doing so on tlio present occasion. He could say, however, that one matter would claim their attention—the matter of improved communication with Wellington. He was not particularly in favour of the idea of contributing to the Ferry .Company, and so take passengers away from their own trams. He might of course have to alter that opinion, but lie thought that it was better'to eater for themselves, and not for another company. There was a scheme \whicli had been brought forward by one of the officers of the borough which, had a great deal in it, and deserved serious consideration. He was in a position to know flint it would be necessary shortly to have facilities for conveying passengers to the borough in large numbers,''" as the time was not far distant when there would be at Miramar one of the most popular sports grounds in or about Wellington, and they would have to provide communication better than tram-cars, w'hic'h only carried, 40 people. If, as the report stated, every person could be landed at Miramar for 3d. a hend, then thp scheme deserved, the serious consideration of tho incoming council. . It might also bo, necessary, later, to take the ratepayers into their confidence on one or two matters as soon as tbey got to the head of thines and found out wbat was th,e matter. Councillors would hear more of it later on.. The speaker then made approving mention of the new works—water and drainage—and a liint as to further loading in the district was thrown out.