MR. GISBORNE AT THE ROYAL HOTEL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4595, 11 December 1875, Page 3

MR. GISBORNE AT THE ROYAL HOTEL.

At eight o’clock last evening Mr. Gisborne addressed about twenty-five or thirty of the electors at the Royal Hotel, Thomdon. Councillor Oleland occupied the chair. Mr. Gisborne commenced by referring to the importance of the election, and said, although it might not be so exciting as a parliamentary election, yet, in a sense, it was of more interest to the people, because in these elections the people came face to face with the tax-gatherer. He looked upon the Mayor as the executive branch of the Corporation ; his was the administrative department, and it was his duty to endeavor to effect the greatest amount of usefulness at the least amount of cost to the community- In regard to the question of valuation, he thought the Council had hitherto lost sight of the fact that one of the principles upon which the valuator was to proceed was, that if the annual rental afforded an incorrect basis for computing the annual value of property, then the valuation should be fixed at 5 per cent, of the purchase value of the fee simple. Government property ought to contribute to the rates of the city, not perhaps in the same ratio as private property, but still it should contribute to a certain extent. Reducing the thingjto an absurdity, the Corporation might, if it had the gasworks in its hands, just as well supply gas free to the public offices as keep,good roads contiguous to Government property free of charge in the shape of rates. In regard to finance, of course being unacquainted with the exact position of the Corporation be could say but little, but the electors might be assured he should endeavor to place it on a sound and satisfactory footing. As to large public works, he thought borrowing to do these works perfectly legitimate, for posterity should be called on to hear a share of the cost of works, benefits from which would be felt in time to come, as well as now ; but at the same time he believed when the money was borrowed a special rate should be struck to meet the charge of interest and provide a sinking fund. In reference to works of what might be termed a local nature, he thought worthy of consideration a plan which he believed was in force in some of the cities in the United States, viz., that the cost should be home by the parties directly benefiting by the work, each burgess paying in proportion to the benefit be received. He next spoke at some length on the wharf question. To him it appeared clear that facilities should be offered for the transaction of business, because it benefited the whole of the people of the province ; to consumers goods became cheaper, to exporters the cost of production was lessened, so that if merchants were directly benefited primarily, the benefit did not stop at them. As to funds for repairs and extension, he thought they should come from the revenue derived from the wharf. There should bo two separate accounts kept, and money derived from the city should be spent in the city, and money derived from the wharf spent on the wharf. As this had not been followed out he was not averse to money gained by the sale of the reclaimed laud being spent on the wharf, because

he thought money which had been diverted from wharf purposes should be returned to it from the city account. Drainage of the town was a serious matter, and he advocated earnest and speedy attention being paid to the subject, frr when he contemplated the condition of the city he felt positively alarmed at the result of the possible introduction of an epidemic. He referred at length to vital statistics to show that Wellington was more unhealthy than Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, and many English towns. Particularly was this noticeable in those diseases which were generally supposed to be propagated by defective drainage. There was an Act already in force which sanctioned the raising of £50,000 for drainage purposes, so that there need be no trouble on the score of cost. Consolidation of tlie municipal law he considered absolutely necessary. In answer to questions ho said he had no desire to see increased taxation; he should prefer to decrease it, but if he saw that taxation were required to enable the Corporation to perform work which would be of great and unquestionable benefit, such as drainage of the town, he would not hesitate to propose a special rate. Could not speak as to the unfairness of the water rate till he had looked into the accounts. Thought all reserves for recreation purposes should be sacredly conserved and not leased, but that any money derived from rental should be spent in improving the reserves.. A number of other questions were asked and answered, and then Mr. Cleland, who occupied the chair, and whose conduct in regard to back seats and other little matters had been called into question by several persons in the room, entered into a series of explanations, but was told that the meeting had been called to bear Mr. Gisborne, and that at a future time an account of his stewardship might be acceptable. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Gisborne for his speech and to the chairman for presiding.