MIRAMAR AFFAIRS
COUNCIL IN DEFENCE
REPLY TO RECENT CRITICISMS,
The Mavor of Miramar (Mr. F. Townsend) presided at a meeting of residents called lo hear tho reply of tho Mayor and councillors to the recent criticisms. The Masonic Hall, Seatoun, where tho meeting was held, was crowded. Sir. Townsend, who was supported on the platform by several councillors, read a statement which showed the position of flu; borough in 1913,- when the present Mayor and several of the councillors took office, and what had since been accomplished by the council.. In 1913 the three main accounts of the lwougli were 'in a very unhealthy condition, the general account being in debit X 1230. A policy of caution was thought advisable, as the borough had then embarked on several schemes costing largo sums of money. It was soon discovered that the power-house was involving the borough in an annual loss of approximately ,tl2()0 a year- The power-house turned out to be'a white elephant, and the council was eventually forced to close down the station. In consequence of the failure of the power station to realise evon part of the results expected, it followed that the general account by the end of the year 1915-16 was in a very bad state, the debit balance being over J:3600. Tho utmosjl caution had to be exercised in evera matter involving expenditure of public' money, in fact in the middle of 1916 the I council's bankers notified that the ov.- ! draft had exceeded the limit by law'. I Moreover, owing to the war, everv local body, was forced to adopt a policy of caution.
Many of Ihe residents did not realise the milpn.ie of formed roads,, namely, 23 miles, which had to be kent in a reasonable stale of repair, and asked them to compare any of the macadam roads in the borough with those in the city. Several extensions to serve portions ot tho borough where building had demanded better means of access had been carried out, and- one part of Church Street had been channeled and reconstructed thronehout its whole length. During the last three or four years many of the roads had had sewer and water-pines laid in them, one street having no fewer than five such pipes, with connections from Ibom to sections«» each side. In addition, the price of labour had increased by nearly 4 n per cent., and was not so efficient. The council had not had as large a sum available as they would have wished .nth which to extend the existing plantations or to further beautify the .borough, nnd had been (cnsiderably surprised that objection had been raised by residents in-the vicinity when steps were being taken to improve one of the finest assets of the borough, namely, tho foreshore in Worsor Bay.
Water and Drainage. With regard to the water and drainage scheme which were practically completed before the present council came into office, the original advertisements did not make special mention of any particular district to be reticulated, It appeared, however, that, it was intended.to supply water to the high levels,- but the council of 1912 decided that as the cost of the drainage work had greatly exceeded the estimates, it would be impossible to'carry out the whole scheme, and the small balance on the waterworks loan of ,£ISOO was used to complete the drainage work to the area built on. That left the borough with a number of pipes that were deteriorating, and the council took advantage of the war prices then ruling and sold the pipes for a considerable sum above' cost, and the proceeds, together with the ,£ISOO mentioned previously, were paid to the bank to redeem certain drainage loan -debentures on which they had advanced money.
From 1914 up to the present time the council had been called unon at various times to extend botli the water and drainage services to streets where houses had recently Keen erected, but where,, at the time the loans were raised, circumstances did not warrant the expenses of them' being included. The council recognised the fairness of the requests and the great desirability of providing drainage and water to every house wherever nossible. but at. the same time not haying sufficient money to. comply with them all. laid down the policy of making grants towards the co«t of each extension. This poliev no doubt in some eases caused hardship. Between twenty and thirtv extensions of the sewer had been carried out by the present council out of general rate, and the cost for each had been as hi<rh as ,£.1(10. showing that the council had. done its utmost to remedv the shortcomings .of previous councils.
The Waterfront. There had been considerable criticism levelled at the council for their alleged delay in carrying out Works on the sea front. There were four large breaks in the old wall, and the encroachment of the sea had reached within eight feet of a sewer and water main serving a considerable portion of Seatoun. Tt was realised that unless this encroachment was immediately arrested a number -of houses would be deprived of the use of their sanitary convenience", consequently all the labour available was concentrated on making secure the portion of Marine Parade between the wharf and Stafford Street.' .This policy did not meet with the approval of certain owners of property, but residents could judge whether a niatt»r nffectiner not only -the convenience but also the public health of a large section of the community was of more importance than the interests of a few private individuals. Some of the same individuals expected that even in war time, with a depleted and less efficient staff,' work Fhould not only be maintained at the prewar rate, but-even accelerated. It had also 'been suggested that the council should have paid almost any'wage to pb-. tain men for this work. With respect to groynos and work generally. Ihe council was acting on the opinions ...of-Mr. I' 1 . AV. Furkert and Mr. Holmes, of the Public Works Department; In conclusion, Mr. Townsend stated that the council had made every endeavour to bring the finances of the borough to a more .'healthy condition without curtailing' any more than was necessary extensions of public services where such would - benefit a number of residents. That they had been successful was shown by the'fact that'lhe overdraft at (ho bank had been reduced by X3IOO. In the light of the experience gained in clearing up ' the financial wreckage brought about by the over-aptimistic policies and rash expenditure 'by previous councils, together with the conditions arising out oi the great war, the present councillors felt convinced that the policy of caution followed by them in the past would be in the best interests of the borough till times wore- again normal. Mr. Townsend announced'that-he_ and four councillors would seek re-election.
At the conclusion a number of questions were asked and apparently satisfactorily answered.
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Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 173, 16 April 1919, Page 8
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1,155MIRAMAR AFFAIRS Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 173, 16 April 1919, Page 8
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