THE MAYORALTY

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 165, 8 April 1921, Page 6

THE MAYORALTY

MR. WRIGHT AT ISLAND BAY. Mr. R. A. Wright addressed a meeting of electors in St, Hilda’s Hall, Island Bay, last evening. The building was almost full. Mr. W. J. Ferkins was voted to the chair. Mr. Wright referred to the long-standing promise made to the Island Bay electors that the tram line would be duplicated. He admitted that the work was absolutely necessary, and must receive attention. It was true that the renewal of the lino between Courtenay Place and Cuba Street was being proceeded with, although the Island Bay line had been promised precedence. The former line was being renewed now because it was unsafe for traffic. The Island Bay lino had been held up for want of hardwood sleepers, which had been under order from Australia for some time.

Answering questions, he said that undoubtedly there was considerable waste of water in the city, but the only way this could be prevented was by attaching a meter to every house, a scheme which would be resented by householders. He promised to do his utmost to terminate the nuisance caused by straying cattle at the Bay. Mr. J. Paton moved, and Mr. E. J. Collie seconded, a vote of thanks to and confidence in Mr. Wright. The motion was supported by Mr. J. M'Kay.and carried unanimously. MR.. TITSLOP AT LYALL BAY. Mr. T. W. Hislop addressed a meeting in connection with the Mayoral campaign in the Church Hall, Lyall Bay, last night, Mr. J. H. Ryder presided. The candidate quoted the figures of

the general account of the city up to 1920, and said that between March 30 and’ December 31 of that year the expenditure exceeded the income by ,£36,000. Not more than .£lOOO of this money had been spent upon permanent works, so that, tested by the excess of expenditure over income for the last number of years,’ the expenditure had exceeded the income by about £20:,000, of which not more than £120,000 had been spent upon works either of use, or presumably of use. Mr. Hislop read a letter addressed to Mr. R. A. V right, dated April 5, which he said was delivered on the morning of that day, asking for the particulars- justifying Mr. Wright's statement that the deficiency, whatever, it was, had been spent upoli tramways or lighting. To that letter, remarked Mr- Hislop, no reply had yot been given, although one was promised, ’rhe only reply that Mr. Wright, had vouchsafed so far-was to call the speaker a "Jeremiah,” but .it must bo remembered by all that Hie- first thing to do was to find out exactly what tho deficiency of the accounts was, so that equalisation of the expenditure and income might be arrived at, and public confidence in the city obtained. Mr Hislop referred to the appeals which had been made by the Mayor to the public to lend money at what was lately considered an exorbitant rate of interest, and he criticised the loan proposals as having boon put before the citizens in anything but a well-reasoned manner. No doubt the affairs of the city could be brought into a proper condition. and then it would not be necessary to make such appeals to the lending public. Questions were answered, and a vote of thanks to the candidate was passed unanimously. Mr. R. A. Wright will speak at the Karoii Council Chambers this evening at 8 o’clock. Mr. J. Burns will preside.