HUTT MAYORALTY.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 94, 22 April 1911, Page 9

HUTT MAYORALTY.

ADDEESS BY MR. BUNNY. Mr. E. P. Bunny, Mayor of Lower Hutt, who is standing for re-election, gave an address on various local municipal topics last night in St. James's Hall. Dr. J. Mason presided. In remarking that he was for the third time offering himself for election, Mr. Bunny said that so far he had no opportunity of replying to any criticism on the part of his opponent, since none had been offered. Dealing with the general account, the speaker claimed credit for the fact that the debit balance (£8317) on 31st March, 1911, represented a reduction on the balance (£9272), of the previous year. This reduction had been achieved in the face of increased expenditure and reduced revenue — due to a lowering of the valuation of pioperty in the borough. As regards the gae account, when he took office in 1908 there was a debit balance of £480, in 1909 his council had reduced it to "£294, while in 1910 it was further reduced to £249. In addition to that, £200 had been paid to a sinking fund on this account. In the library account a debit balance of £18 in 1908 had been converted in 1910 to a credit of £23. The speaker gave somp attention to the loan operations. Some time ago he had protested that no sinking funds had been provided for the £52,000 raised in 1906. Since he had assumed office, £959 had been paid to the Public Trustee by way of a sinking fund of half per cent. Various old loans aggregating £20,300 had been converted and consolidated last year, and as a result an annual saving of £95 had been effected. Two other loans were rendered necessary during his term of office, and as a result of the efforts of his council, the loans — both of £10,000, for completion of the drainage works— had been secured on th© very best terms— one at 3£ pei cent., and the other at 4g per cent. The latter rate included a sinking fund, which would be the means of automatically wiping out the principal in thirty-six years' time. 'ihe septic tank trouble was briefly referred to. The engines had caused a good deal of trouble, and their working occasioned a_ considerable shock in the mains. This, however, had now been lessened and the whole position improved. Among other economies a saving had been made during his term of office in the engineering department, the annual expenses having been cut down from £869 to £528. Continuing, the speaker said that the question of the pumping plant in" connection with the reservoir was not as serious as was at first believed, and the difficulties could be overcome at no great expense. Even if the council had to get new pumps altogether not more than £500 would have to be expended. Mr. Bunny condemned ;the proposals of the Tramway Board, and spoke at length in favour of a motor 'bus system, which, he claimed, should be installed in the Hutt borough. The initial cost would be only about £4000, so that even if the 'buses were unsuccessful, the ratepayers did not stand to lose anything like the huge sum involved by the Tramway Board's proposals. Mr. Bunny, who was accorded an excellent hearing, also touched upon a number of other subjects of general interest to the borough, and replied to several questions. A vote, of thanks to the chair concluded the meeting. MR. PIPER AT PETONE. Mr. Joseph Piper, who is offering him. self for re-election on the Petone | Borough Council at the elections next week, addressed a meeting of about fifty electors at St. Augustine' 6 Hall last evening. The chair was taken by Mr. ,S. V. Burridge. ,« Mr. Piper said he had b&en accused in ono quarter of opposing everything brought before the council. This he had certainly done with regard to some questions; but in those cases Tie always had a sound reason for his action. For instance, he opposed the tram way, scheme because it was his opinion that the money was needed more urgently in other directions. He was always looking after ratepayers' interests. He was not satisfied with the way the business of the council was being conducted, and be thought that the committee system should be introduced. There was a financial statement given each month, and it was indeed a puzzle. He maintained that one of the first duties of a councillor was to keep a strict watch on matters financial, and at present they were unable to do this. With regard to the gasworks, ho was not satisfied with what they were- earning. -There was a leakaga somewhere, and it appeared to, him an enquiry was necessary. When he moved for an enquiry in the council, he was promptly "sat upon/ Sanitary matters were unsatisfactory, and in this direction 'also enquiry should be made. Mr. Piper then mentioned the improvement of the foreshore. He had no doubt that whatever sum of money was spent on the foreshore it would be the means of saving double that sum in obviating the necessity of clearing tie sand off the road. _ When he proposed anything in I this direction "at the council they would not listen to him — not even to the expenditure of £5. He proceeded to criticise the fay-laws at. sonid length, especially those relating to plumbing and drainage wont. The engineer was given far too much power in connection with the- granting or refusing of a license. He then outlined his policy generally. The council should be more economical in the disposing of ratepayers' money. He would do all he could for the advancement of the borough. Mr. Piper was accorded a very attentive hearing throughout. POSITION IN CKRISTCKURCH. (jJT TKr.EORAPH— SPECIAL 'XO THE POST.I CHRISTCHUItCH, This Day. The Labour candidates who have come forward to contest the seats on the City Council have been encouraged by tho success of Mr. G. E. Whiting, a prominent unionist, in the election yesterday of the Spreydon Borough Council. To some extent the Labour people look on Mr. Whiting's victory — he headed the poll in his ward — as an augury for further successer, in the city. Mr. Whiting is chairman of the Municipal .Representation Committee, which has carried on the Labour campaign. Speaking to a reporter, he said that the committee felt that while it could not hope for the return of all of its candidates it would see the success of a large majority. Up to the time he was speaking only one of the present councillors had addressed a public meeting during the present contest — a fact which was decidedly in favour of the committee's candidates, who had addressed many. It was somewhat amusing to the committee to find that several councillors had adopted its platform, and on tho strength of advocating it had asked the electors to place them at the head of tho polJ. Large numbers of business people during the past fortnight had offered assistance m the shape of vehicles and also sums of money towards meeting tho expenses. The Municipal Representation Committee therefore did not represent any particular class, but the community as a whole. The prospects before the committee's candidates were decidedly good.