MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS.

Evening Star, Issue 20136, 28 March 1929, Page 5

MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS.

TO THE EDITOR. f/ 1 ', —I he disastrous Hood lately experienced has evidently caused the ratepayers ol Dunedin, particularly the sufferers, to recognise the great responsibility resting on the shoulders of those who administer the affairs of our city. It is not my purpose to criticise councillors, as I Joel that- they have (to the best of their ability) served the ratepayers faithfully, but even so ‘‘ arc tiie ratepayers of Dunedin getting the best service possible and at a minimum cost?” I maintain that under a capable board of management—■ four directors, with one as managing director responsible to the citizens —the Dunedm ratepayers could be placed on a much better footing. A managing director having a commercial municipal training in cities such as Glasgow or Fdinbiirgh, with a knowledge of how to conserve Urn interests of the ratepayers. could save tho ratepayers of Dunedin at least £10,1.11.10 per yen - , and give a much more efficient service. It does not follow that our councillors arc neglecting the ratepayers’ interests, though I certainly think that a person who has been specially fitted for municipal 'administrative work in such cities could give Dunedin ratepayers a more efficient service and at less cost than under the present cumbersome system. inspecting the ordinary councillor to administer the affairs of the city on business and economical lines is like asking a bookkeeper to advise how the drains should be laid in the new Town Hall. A man with administrative ability could with Dunedin's natural assets place This city on a much hotter financial footing.

Rates and inflated values continue to go sky high. Those owning properties are folding it very difficult to carry on, and what promise have we got in regard to the future: 1 undertake to say that a committee ol management, with a managing director specially trained, with the assets that we have got in Dunedin, would at least secure the. ratepayers. 5 per cent profit on the working administration of this city—further, keep our roads, our running gear transport service in much better repair than at present. This continual tearing up of the streets, laying down different water mains, drains etc., owing ty 'Clio fact that the city_ is under different heads, is a glaring waste, and a scandal to modern administrative ability, and should not he tolerated. Take, as an example, the business sanctioned during the past few years. In my opinion tho building ol a new Towi/llai! is a huge mistake. 1 maintain it will never pay 5 per cent, in accommodation on tire cost oi construction, and 1. think; tho present Town Hall provides sufficient accommodation for the stall employed. Certain councillors thought we should purchase tho Arcade property. Tortunately this was turned down. Then the same councillors, with a reckless disregard of the ratepayers’ money, wanted to borrow CloglUß tor additions to the Public Library, Had these two schemes been earned Dunedin would feel handicapped J think compensation will have lo ho paid by both tho City Corporation and the Harbour Board to those unfortunate people who have suffered by the recent Hood. I think the first./duty of the Dunedin City Corporation is lo make sure oi an efficient water supply. During the week a number of the residents have been without a drop ol water. Something is wrong. Our reservoirs should hi: brought Tight up to data, and constructed in such a manner that there is notliing to fear cither in a season of drought or Hood. Having an efficient water supply, our drainage shomd be perfect underground, as well as surface storm water drainage. I think ratepayers in tho immediate vieinitv of tlic Leith. Lindsay’s Creek, and those on tiie Flat ill file south cud will demand a more efficient, service. Our Inuov'y services would under a hoard ol , management, 1 am sure, lie more efficient, and road construction would not suffer the upheavals it has to undergo at the present time. Let the ratepayers select lour efficient business men, pay them a. fair salary, those selected to devote, their time and attention to tho Dunedin ratepayers’ interests. and 1 am sure a considerable saving would ha olfectod. Something j should ho done, and at once. Will some | good sound hu-iue„s men come forward j and -avo our oil y boan lil u! ? -I am, . Ote., !'., OSWAI.U FiKM.I.I. ; .March 2*.