MUNICIPAL TALKIES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LI, Issue 4522, 25 October 1930, Page 2

MUNICIPAL TALKIES.

then 1 would be no lack of candidates for the positions. COST Of HAiLL If CLOSED. Or. Cowley asked what the Town Hall would cost- it it was shut up. The Mayor: £OOO per annum. We are faced with the difficulty of obtaining- silent films and if talkies don’t go in we may be compelled to close down, he added. Mr. Woods: How is that figure made up? The Mayor said that the rates amounted to £3l 7/8, insurance £44 12/-, interest on the old loan £ll4, sinking fund £24, interest on the new loan £360, sinking fund £OO, a total of £633 19/8. To this .had to be added ‘Royal rates £lB 5/-, and rent £2'so. Dr. Wyllic suggested that it would be helpful if a statement was prepared and published relative to the hall and talkies showing what the loss would (he if the hall was closed, what the cost of installation would be and an approximate estimate of takings under talkies. Mr. Woods: A poll of ratepayers only is the fairest proposition on the matter.

Mr. E. Robinson asked how many ratepayers there were on the list. The Clerk: 700. Mr. Woods: A lot are absentees though. Dr. iWyllie hastened to explain that fhe deputation did not claim to represent the ratepayers of the boiroug'h. He had opposed any public meetings on the matter as he did not want the Council to think that they were threatening them.

Mr. Woods then thanked the Council for the hearing it had accorded them and the deputation retired. DISICtUSSiION BY COUNCILLORS.. After the deputation had withdrawn the Mayor suggested that discussion on the matter be held over until the next ordinary meeting- which would enable Councillors to digest, the various recommendations made by the deputation. Cr. Thompson: If the installation of the. talkies is delayed much more we will miss the Christmas season and on that depends the success of the installation to a great exlent. He did not agree with the suggestion tlml the. hall be let to anyone for what they could get. Submitting- the matter to a vote of the ratepayers meant- to delay action indefinitely and if they got talkies at all it would be by about Mayeli at the earliest. If a poll had been, taken before it would not have been so bad as they could si ill have had the installation in by Christmas. In his opinion the present depression was putting people in a bad humour. lie was sure that unless talkies went into ihe hall the ratepayers -would have to meet a big hill in the near future. He strongly supported going right on with the installation and giving the public all the informalion asked for which lie was sure would convince them of the wisdom. of the move. The ratepayers wanted educating on the talkie question. PACTS ALREADY PUBLISHED. Cr. Barron said that any amount, had been published on the matter already. The takings and losses, etc., at the hall had been asked for by him at past ineetinfs and reported. Almost everything the Council knew had been published, hut the people had not bothered to lead it. The deputation had emphasised the point that they were not forcing- the Council, but the lirst speaker had emphasised the fact that the petition was signed by 125 ratepayers. He had made that point as strong as possible. In his opinion the deputation had failed and failed badly. He know of a number of people who had been approached for signatures in connection with the petition and who had refused to sign it. Why was the petition brought at. all if it was not to strengthen the deputation. The speaker felt quite confident that the majority of the ratepayers i were with the Council.

Ci'. IC'OwJey: That is hard to say. He ashed wliat a poll would cost and was informed that it would incur the borough to an expenditure of £2O.

Or. Cowley said that the motions on the books would have to be rescinded before anything could he done. A sulk-committee already had powfer to finalise the talkie matter. Their power would have to he stayed in the meantime. He thought that the wishes of the deputation should be considered that far. It would not pay tile Council ■to he too high handed.

The Mayor said that it would not lie adhpriug to the wishes of the deputation to incur an expenditure of £2O on a poll of ratepayers, nor did lie think it would he in accord with the' views of Cther people who had uot had any opportunity to voice their views. He thought discussion on the de-

putation’s proposals should he held over until next meeting.

Cr. Ross: Dr. Willie's idea is that the hall indebtedness be. explained. We should do that. lie expressed the opinion however that

talkies 'would bring in twice as much revenue at least as silent films. It bad to be remembered that so far the. hall had not cost the ratepayers anything and if talkies only (*ut their losses it would be 'preferable to closing down tbe ball altogether and having to hear all the expense. There -was also a good chance of running talkies at a profit. SHOULD NOT BACK DOWN.

Cr. Robinson considered the 'Council should not hack down. Tliev had decided to go on with the talkies aiid should carry on. If it met with the approval of the ratepayers they would he re-elected at •next poll. If not they would he able ot enjoy their evenings at home. The pictures had. been popular and profitable in the past and the means of attracting country people to Eoxton. Those same people were now asking when Poxton was going to instal the talkies as they would prefer to come here than go further afield, it would be impossible to lose as much with talkies as by closing the hall. D the Council and a certain section of the community were going to close the hall and cry “stinking fish” what was going to become of the town? He had moved that talkies he installed in the first place and lie. was going to stand by his convictions independent of fifty depu-

tations. He considered that there was a good deal of misunderstanding- concerning the proposition that would (he better cleared up. One

ratepayer had told him that the Council was going- to spend £3OOO on tile installation.

The Mayor: I heard £SOOO. Cr. Crowe: As long- as we give them the information they ask we will have their confidence. If a poll were taken after the information -was provided it would he carried. because there would be no better proposition or prospect. Personally lie felt the Council would not lose money on tlie installation and the town would certainly benefit as talkies would attract the. .farming community into town. Cr. Rangiheuea concurred, but considered that the matter of dealing with the deputation’s request should be deferred until next meeting and in the meantime the information asked for be supplied, lie supported the installation ol talkies and considered il the only wav to cut expenses and possibly make a profit out of the hall. The sooner Ihe installation was in the heller in his opinion. The Mayor: Deferring action with regard to the deputation won’t hinder having the talkies* in for Christmas.

Cr. Barron: They have made a request. We have got to give a definite answer. Settle the matter now. MEETING ONLY TO RECEIVE DEPUTATION. The Mayor: The meeting was called to receive the deputation not to pass any resolution. Any business must be done at next meeting. Or. Barron: But the committee set up to finalise the talkie question might meet and settle the matter before then. Cr. Crowe: It would save time it the statement were published immediately. (Wo don’t want to lose too much time. The Mayor: We can give any figures they ask for but this meeting- was not called to pass any resolutions or interfere with any past resolutions of the Council. Clr. Cowley: W'e can’t stop the action* of the sub-committee then? The Mayor: That is my ruling on the matter. The meeting was then brought to a close but it was quite evident from the general tone that no steps will ibe taken to deviate from the present line of action laid down with regard to the installation of the talkies.

THE PETITION'. The following is the petition submitted to the meeting:— “’To His Worship the Mayor and Councillors of the borough of Foxton.'—We, the undersigned rate•,payers being alarmed at the present position of the borough as evidenced by the large increase in rates required for the current year, respectfully request that you will defer the proposed installation of talking pictures in the Municipal Hall till such time as there appears reasonable chance of doing so without adding to the burden at present carried by the ratepayers. Further we request that you explore every avenue of expenditure with a view to cutting down t,o a minimum the expenses incidental to the administration of municipal affairs.” (Signed): •I. A. Hofmann, Union Street; B. Thompson, Union jStrect; J. An--1 drew, Futter Street; Mrs. J. An-

drew, Futter Street; J. Mansfield, Putter Street; A. Mansfield, Futter Street ; I. Cook, Futter Street; E. J. Murphy, Putter .Street; A. M. Murphy, Putter Street; Jan Skogstad, Cook Street; I. Cochran, Cook Street; Mrs. J. Coley, Johnston Street; E. Parkin, Johnston Street; F. S. Smith, Johnston Street; F. J. Carmont, Johnston Street; J. Dunn, Avenue Road; V. Cummerfield, Avenue Road; R. McDowell, Avenue Road; I. Wl Mudl’ord, Gladstone Street; A. M. Mudlord, Gladstone Street; C. Lantz, .leaks Street; B. 'Seadden, Jenks Street; E. Saville; H. Chalk, Hillary Street; W'. R. Byne, Coley Street; R. E. Smith, Avenue Road; W. Aldridge, Avenue Road; A. Cummerfield, Avenue Road; J. G. JTonore, Avenue Road; S. J. Barnett,* Avenue Road; H. E. Coker, Avenue Road; W. E. Riddle, Avenue Road; Estate Rebecca Easton (per K. Easton), Howan Street; K. Easton, Howan Street; G. 11. King, Norbitou Road; A. H. Spring, Noibiton Road; iW. Woodlmm, Norbitou Road; A. Neville, Fauces Street; W. Neville, Union Street; L. Saujlle, Frances Street; R. ITaydoek, Cook Street; W. F. Kruse, Avenue Road; W. E. llowc, Duncan Street; |F. S. Easton, Main Street; M. Mohekey, Thynne Street; M. Hannah, Thynne Street; 0. Coley, Johnston Street; H. Skogstad, Cook Street; D. R. Ogilvy, Parcel 1 Street; M. Westwood, Purcell Street; J. Westwood, Purcell Street; F. Procter, Purcell Street; Y- Procter, Purcell Street; E. A din, Purcell Stirect; J. E. Coley, Hillary Street; A. E. Coley, Hillary .Street; E. E. Hussey; W. J. Hudson; P. Woods, Rus-

*olf Street; H. Berry, Thynne Street; A. R. Osborne, Easton Street; Wi. 11. Hart, Park Street; 11. Audresen, Union Street; G. Small, Union Street: iS. G. R. Small, Union Street; H. P. Jakobse.ii, Union Street; Anna Marie Jakohsen, Union Street; P. Bail’d, Union Street; Y. McDowell, Avenue Road; J. Madden, Union Street; M. Withers, Union Street; H. Podiiiore,, Cook Street; W. Baker, Cook Street; M. Baker, Cook Street; J. Evans, Johnston Street; E. Ebbett, Johnston Street; G. A. Hunt, Johnston Street; H. Hamer, Whyte Street; A. Kruse, Russell {street; J. €. Cliryslall, Lady’s Mile; A. M. I. Symons, Lady’s Mile; C. 11. Symons, Lady’s Mile; Esther Osborne, Lady’s Mile; W. G. N've, Easton Street; A. F. Stevenson, Park Street; E. Hughes, Robinson Street; A. E. Collins, Jeiik Street; A. K. Speirs, Russell Street; 10. R. King, Johnston Street; 'Thos. IW. Hunt, Johnston Street; S. O. Ingram, Coley Street; 11. Coley, Coley Street; D. Knewstub, Coley Street; E. Richmond, Coley Street; J. B. iCbley, Hillary Street; W. B. Dudson; W. B. Brown, Coley Street; M. E. Seabuvv; R. A. Easton; Edwin Few, Xoibiton ißoad; A. Fowler, Norbiitou Road; M. Fowler, Norbitou Road; iS. Wright, Robinson Street; A. P. Easton, Robinson Street; E. W. Sutton, Robinson Street; W. Xye, Park Street; E. R. L. Coley, Jenks Street; A. E. Bloomfield, Baker Street; S. A. Sherwood, Cook Street; V. B. Withers, Avenue Road; K. Withers, Avenue Road; •C. A. Peterson, C. Petersen; 0. F. Cook, Avenue Road; E. M. Wyllie, Clyde Street; W. D. Bauckham, Pai'k Street; J. F. W. de Ridder, Rawensworth Place; E. Dix, Union Street; E. Ashmore, Avenue Road; W. .J. BoAvden, Cook Street; J. W. Coley, Johnston Street; J. G. Coley, Cook Street.

DEPUTATION ASKS THAT INSTALLATION BE DEFERRED.

COUNCIL WiILL SUPPLY STATEMENT.

COUNCILLORS ADHERE TO PREVIOUS RESOLUTION.

On Thursday evening the special meeting of the Borough Council convened by the Mayor at the request of a deputation of ratepayers which recently waited on him, wns held in the Council ‘Chambers. The 'Council met at 7.30 o’clock 1 there wore present the Mayor Mr M. E. Peirrenu). and Crs. .Jno. Ross, S. E. Cowley, F. Robinson, F. Lucinsky, R. Rungihcuea, R. J. Thompson, A. R. Grown, D. R. Barron and (In* Town Clerk (Mr. Win. Trueman). An apoloyy for absence was received from Cr. Rand. Prior to receiving the deputation the Mayor explained the details leading up to the convening of the special meeting and said that a deputation representing a number of ratepayers would wait on the Council that night, to discuss ways and means of economising in connection with borough affairs. He informed Councillors that it was not long ago that he had called the borough staff together and addressed them on this same subject when the representative heads had stated that they were prepared to co-operate in any way possible, the road foreman even going so far as to suggest that as reading work had bee:: cut down to a minimum on the estimates the staff could undertake work at present being carried out by a. casual employee. All had pledged themselves to co-oper-ate one with another so that the various departments could he run on more economical lines. Other matters had also been discussed which would probably be referred to by the deputation. They had to realise, however, that a wave of depression was sweeping the world 10-dav and Eoxton was possibly feeling the effects a little worse than most places. In conclusion the Mayor urged the (Councillors to give every consideration to the recommendations that would be placed before them by the deputation and he for one would be pleased to receive any constructive c/riticism or helpful suggestions which might he advanced to save the. ratepayers being put to unnecessary expense. DEPUTATION WELCOMED. At 8 o’clock the deputation arrived, some sixty in number, including, several women and several non-ratepayers.

In extending a welcome to the .deputation, the Mayor said that it was a pleasure to know that so many ratepayers had the interests of the borough at heart.

DEFER. INSTALLATION OF ' 'TALKIE'S.

.Mr. F. Woods (ex-Councillor) on behalf of the deputation intimated that there would be four speakers. lie presented the Mayor with a pletition staling that the signatories Avjtre 'alarmed at the present position of the borough as evidenced by large increase in rates for the current year and requesting the Council to ,do for the insinuation of talkies in the Municipal Tin 11 until such time ns there was a reasonable chance of doing so without any increase in the rates and also calling upon the Council to explore every avenue to cut down the administrative cost of 'borough affairs. Air. Woods in handing the petition over said that it was signed by 125 ratepayers and included some of the largest ratepayers of the borough. In elaborating the petition Mr. Woods said that the signatories were of the opinion that the installation of the talkies should he deferred until they could bo installed without any extra burden being added to the ratepayers. They also desired" the Councillors to use every avenue of thought to cut expenses down as low as possible and where it was possible for them to save 1/- it was their duty to; the ratepayers to do so. On behalf of the ratepayers lie wished to take the opportunity of thanking Councillors Crowe and Cowley for the stand they had taken when the talkie question had been under discussion.

NO WISH TO DICTATE TO COUNCIL.

Dr. E. M. Wyllie was the next speaker and he made it clear that the deputation;iu no wise claimed to he representative of the ratepayers ■of the borough. It had been their aim to avoid public meetings or place themselves in a strong position. They had no wish to dictate to the Council or criticise it. The position was that the ratepayers were alarmed at the increase in rules and .what alarmed them more was the fact that there seemed to be a probability of the rates remaining as at present and possibly increasing in the future. The borough at present owed a sum in the vicinity of £(37,000. The unimpro- \ ed and capital values recently arrived at appeared to be obtained mainly by guess work in an endeavour to assess the rates and could not be considered as correct in comparison with the debt of the borough. 'The position was a bad one. Where ,a ratepayer was in possession of a section aud had no means and consequently could not be sued, he decided to pay no rates. The section had no value and consequently there was a loss to the borough. He blamed no one in particular for this state of affairs. 'They were all to blame, he said, and the position was due to a system which obtained right throughput New Zealand to-day. New Zealand had for some years now been living wildly in excess of its income. Imports were far higher than exports. Buxton was un-

fortunate in that it was almost dependent on the outside market and consequently had possibly suffered more than other places but Eoxton also had been living beyond its means. The people had gone in for luxuries which they could, not afford. The position was, however, how were they to get. out of it. A suggestion he advanced was that the Council adopt an attitude of most, rigid economy. He did not want Councillors to think they were criticising them. They understood their difficulties quite well. They were continually worried with requests for a footpath here and improvements to a road there and a hundred and one other requests. These requests had all been in one direction —for expenditure. The time had come, however, when he' considered that the Council could no longer yield to this pressure and lie begged Councillors to adopt •the attitude that they could no longer yield to requests. The rates had incireased by £IOOO. £3OO they knew was due to the Harbour Board levy and unavoidable, £4OO likewise was more or less unavoidable, being due to gasworks repairs. The balance, however, was mostly due to maintenance on roads and streets which showed an excess of £490 on the estimates for the year. Alost of this expenditure had been due, he contended, to pressure from outside sources. The revaluation of the borough, had been unnecessary. It had not done any good or altered their position, except that it had meant the expenditure of £125. The argument met in opposition to his suggestion was that, progress was necessary, hut lie contended that progress on borrowed money could only lead to one end —ruin. This was not characteristic of Eoxton alone but of the whole of New Zealand. The 'Council’s aim should be, to reduce the public debt and so help reduce the burden of rates. He doubted if this could he done out of ineome under the present circumstances and would possibly have to be confined to the Sinking Eund.

I i AT ERA Y EIRiS UNENLIGHTENED.

Touching on the talkie question lie said lie realised the position was a. difficult one. The ratepayers did not understand the position. He was of opinion, however, that it would be in the best interests of the borough to lease the hall for what they could get and "sit tight and bear any loss ,in rates. He said that until a day or so ago he had been absolutely opposed to tile installation of talkies hut since obtaining all the facts lie had to admit that there were arguments in favour of the installation.

R'ATHB AYERS’ ASSOCIATION. There had been talk of a Ratepayers’ Association being' formed, said the speaker and if the Council (bought it would assist them the deputation would endeavour to form siich an association, but he wanted it cleanly understood that he w’ou'ld not be a party to any such association unless it had the approval of the Council. He did not wish to harrass.the Council in any way but rather to co-operate and assist it if possible. PROBABLE ADDITION TO RATES. Mr. 11. Berry endorsed Dr. Wyllie’s remarks and considered the installation of l a Ikies a projbable addition to the rates. They were paying for the sins of past Councillors 10-dav and lie knew that the present Council had an uphill fight, hut the deputation respectfully urged on it, the awful necessity for economy. He considered that in (lie past expenditure had been incurred with the object of popularising Foxton hut that expenditure had now defeated its own end. Willi regard to the hall he thought that the loss on silent films might possibly be due to the shortage of funds in the borough and curtailment of the spending power of patrons. Personally he would like to know what the extra money had been collected for this year. He believed that the 'Councillors were all doing their best for the borough and lie could assure them of the wholehearted support of all in economy. SPECULATION. AH'. M. B. Bcrgin said the talkie proposal might or might not be a sound proposition but it .was entirely speculative and that being so the'Council had no right to commit the ratepayers to any expenditure without first affording them the privilege offered by the ballot box. When the Councillors had been elected they bad been placed on the Council to control the borough finances and affairs of the community but the ratepayers did not give them carte blanche to add to their burden without first consulting them on the matter. The vast majority of the ratepayers wore not acquainted with the facts concerning the talkies and he suggested that private properties should not be mortgaged on a speculative venture. (With regard to the curtailment of expenditure he said that the answer to their requests for economy was that the borough must be- progressive, but he contended that progress did not consist in the lavish and excessive expenditure of money —particularly the other fellow’s. We can blame only ourselves for the position we are in to-day, said Mir. Bergin, for since 1921 the borough has piled up a debt of £45,000 while its unimproved value is £(33,000. Foxton

: , • . ■: ■ t V •• possessed miles of good roads and footpaths, a drainage system, up-to-date hall, Council Chambers and a fine system of lighting, etc. All these amenities were very desirable and the people did not like to be without them, but could they afford them? Wins the rate justifiable when money was borrowed and the people’s heritage mortgaged? The spirit in the past seemed to have been, “We will have what we can get.” The result was being felt to-day. Years ago before the installation of water and drainage, etc., properties were valuable and saleable in Foxton. To-day vacant land in Foxton was unsaleable and house properties saleable only at ridiculously low figures. Wins that progress? The Mayor: It obtains throughout New Zealand to-day. Mr. 'B'ejrgin: I beg to differ on that point. Continuing, he said that the true value of Foxton properties was ‘ considerably depreciated by the heavy amount of rates the property was subjected to. Tie asked the ’'Council to take all these things into consideration when they were exhorted to pile nip any further debt in the borough of Fox ton. THE MAYOR REPLIES. ■ln reply the Mayor said that it was a pleasure to meet 'so many ratepayers and hear their views on matters pertaining to the welfare of the borough. The Council had been as economical as it could he. Economy had been its policy right from the time of their election and since the depression set in they had watched every penny. There was no doubt that when times had been good certain commitments had been made but they had always received the hearty sanction of the ratepayers. Previous Councils in years gone by had undoubtedly looked forward to progress in Foxton, but he did not think that they could be blamed for the present position altogether. Messrs F. Woods and J. Chry stall (members of the deputation) had been associated with the Council during a period when large sums of money had been borrowed and he was sure they had had only the best interests of the borough at heart then. They should not overlook the fact that . Councillors! were ratepayers and some of them big ‘ ones at that. The Mayor then referred to the interview he had had with the borough staff and said they were prepared to co-operate in economy. Concerning the talkies

he said that it had been said that the ratepayers were not possessed of all the facts. He would not at-

tempt to give them that night, but if any ratepayer eared to call into the Council Chambers he could obtain any particulars he desired. The Council had been very worried over the proposition and had hesitated about installing a plant. There was a great deal of correspondence on the matter which would be available to any person desiring to see it. They had no wish to force talkies on to the ratepayers, but they knew the expense to be met in regard to the Town Hall and it had to he found. The easiest way out of the difficulty really would be for the Council to close the hall and simply add the expense on to the’ rates. Their only object in installing a plant was to cut down expense and if possible save any

loss on the hall. They were quite willing eyen now to Let the talkie question go but they wanted the assurance of the deputation and Other ratepayers that they would be behind the Council when the losses came and the rates went up. it was an awkward position and one that had come through no fault of their own or their predecessors. In reference to the revaluation of the thorough. This had been undertaken owing to pressure. Individual ratepayers had been obtaining- revaluations of their properties and had them reduced to ridiculous figures. The rates had cossequently been dropped and the neighbours had become dissatisfied, and rightly so, with the result that a revaluation of the whole borough was demanded. The Council could not be blamed for that. Rates had had to be put up owing to utiforseen circumstances. Heavy expense had been necessary at the gasworks, the hospital rate had increased and would increase. While they had unemployed and sick they had to be cared for and if the (boroughs were not going to look after them they would have to pay just the same. The Fire Board was another expense that could not be cut down and the Mayor took the opportunity of paying a tribute to the work of the superintendent (Mr. IT. Reid), who, he reminded the deputation, was a Council employee who by his actions had shown that he was wilr ling to assist the borough in any way possible. It had been suggested that work; on roads and streets could be cut down but there was also another avenue open. The Council could save £224 per

annum Ib-y cutting- out street lights. ' He hoped that the members of the deputation would not growl if this avenue 'was explored. He thanked them for the pleasant manner in which they had presented their ease, hut he did not want them to go away thinking that they had stopped the Council putting the talkies in. The liability was there whether they went in or not and if they could cut their losses by not

putting them in they would seriously consider the suggestion. The * Council was not concerned much with regard to the reference to the formation of a ratepayers’ association hut if one .was formed he ■hoped that good feeling would exist ■between the Council and that body and that they would co-oper-ate for the general good. In. conclusion the Mayor reminded the

deputation that within six' months they would have an opportunity of electing new Councillors and he hoped that they would take advantage of that opportunity and that,