MR. CLELAND’S MEETING.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4354, 4 March 1875, Page 2

MR. CLELAND’S MEETING.

A well attended meeting of Thorndon ratepayers was held last evening at the Galatea Hotel, to obtain from Mr. Cleland further expression of his views upon civic matters. Mr. Hutchison was voted to the chair.

Mr. Cleland first touched upon the speech of Mr. Maginity, who stated that he was much disappointed with his (Mr. Cleland’s) speech. He could assure the ratepayers that his disappointment was much greater upon reading Mr. Maginity’s speech; in fact there was nothing in it. He had spoken of borrowing a large sum of money, which would impose- endless burdens upon the ratepayers, and that would not be altogether to their liking. At the same time, he believed it would be necessary to go to the Assembly for assistance to effect necessary improvements. They need not, however, ask for more money, than was necessary to keep the streets in a proper state of repair. They required, too, the means' to initiate a system of drainage ; but this, also, should be advanced only as, it was required. For instance, if they required only £25,000 for the next twelve months, why should they borrow £150,000, for which a large sum would have to be paid in the shape of interest. As the streets were formed, houses would be built; and the income of the Corporation would of course gradually increase, so that the amount required for interest would be readily forthcoming. The work required to be done should be done by contract. Others differed with him aud thought they should employ day labor, but they all knew very well that they did not get an equivalent for the money they paid for day labor. Of course they would have to employ a few men for emergencies, but under the present system the Corporation hands did not get to work till between nine and ten o’clock in the morning. They were supposed-to be there before eight, and admitting that they were, it was well toward nine before they reached the parts of the town where they were to be employed. That could be easily remedied by seeing that the men should be at their work at eight instead of meeting at the Market Hall. He would pay men 9s. or 10s. a day, but he would expect them to do their work. As to the division of the wards, he would like to see Thorndon Ward extended to Woodwardstreet, and Lambton Ward to Cuba-street. There would then be no necessity to give _Te Aro increased representation, as in his opinion it was quite as well represented in the Council as Thorndon, to put it mildly. If the representation of any ward Was to be increased, they should be all increased. The present method of collecting the rates should be so altered that poor men, or others, would not be placed in the difficult position of paying a large sum in one amount, which was often inconvenient;and the Government Buildings and ministerial residences should also be taxed, so as to lighten the burdens of the ratepayers. It was unfair to Thorndon that the whole of the traffic should pass along Molesworth-street and Lambton-quay without some special consideration being shown to the ratepayers of the -ward on that account; He would advocate, in regard to the . night-soil, question, that the private nightmen should not be interfered with. There, was nothing, like free trade, and the ratepayers should have the option of employing the Corporation carts or the private carts just as they pleased. Mr. Maginity had stated that he could spare an hour or two each week to attend to the duties of Councillor. _ Did the meeting ever hear such an absurdity as if any man could do justice to the ward in the space of one, two, or even three hours. Next Mr. Maginity said, and the remark caused him (Mr. Cleland), some pain, that'he paid as much in the shape of rates. as he.. did. That was scarcely true, as he ‘ paid £2lO a-year, while Mr. Maginity paid £l9O, but still the meeting must be well aware that a man might l own nearly, half the ward and yet not appear on the ratepayers* roll for any great amount. At the same time it might be that he' paid rates in the name of other people, his tenants. The water rate should not; on any account, exceed 5 per cent., but as to how the overdraft was to be paid off he did not know. At the conclusion of these remarks, Mr. Cleland, in answer to questions, stated that he had not begun what he intended to do with the writer of a letter signed “ Charity at ■ Home ;” whereupon a resolution was ■ passed sympathising with Mr. Cleland, and calling upon him to take . steps to have the name, of the writer made public. On the motion of Mr. Nicholas, secondedby Mij. Gascoigne,, the following motion was passed unanimously “ That Mr. Cleland is a fit and proper person to represent the ward in the City .Council,’’ , v . . ~r A vote of thanks to the Chairman concluded the proceedings.