MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5442, 5 September 1878, Page 2

MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

THORNDON WARD. Mr. Maginity, who has represented the ratepayers of Thermion Ward in the City Council for the last twelve months, and whose term of office is about to expire, met the ratepayers of Thorndon Ward on Tuesday evening, at the Princess Hotel. There were about forty ratepayers present, and Mr. George • Anderson occupied the chair.

Mr. Maginity said that some twelve months ago he was elected a member of the City Council. He thought he would be only doing his duty to himself and the ratepayers if he gave a brief outline of his actions in that Council. Matters of great importance had come before the Council during his term of office. He had laid out for himself a certain line of conduct, which he had rigidly adhered to. He had carved out, as it were, a line of action which he hoped would be found to be satisfactory to his general credit. Every question that had been brought forward in the Council during his term of office he had given every attention to. One of his first promises before being elected was to endeavor to get the hours at which the Council sat changed. This had been done, and instead of meeting at 4 o’clock as formerly they now met at 7.30, The arguments he adduced at the Council for changing the hours were that the majority of the ratepayers were working men or men who could not attend until after 5 o’clock, and he was cognizant of the fact that a number of the ratepayers were anxious to attend the civic meetings. In reference to private streets he considered that persons residing in them had a just claim and were entitled to a certain amount of income. He had brought under the notice of the Council the state of Woodwardstreet, and was instrumental in getting the side-walk asphalted from, top to bottom. He had intended, to table a notice of motion that a committee be appointed to inquire into the way in which contracts were received, but he had found that Councillor Macdonald had tabled a notice of motion to the effect that the whole of the official department of the Corporation should be considered with a view to its improvement. He (Mr. Maginity) then took no other action in the matter. He considered the present staff of officers a credit to any Corporation ; lb would be almost impossible to improve them. In referring to Mr. Graham, Mr. Maginity said he was a most indefatigable officer, and could not be replaced in Wellington, He considered Mr. Baird, the engineer, a most competent man. He could testify personally as to his ability in more cases than one. He (Mr. Maginity) opposed Mr. Baird’s application as engineer to the Council, on the ground that he was mixed up in certain Corporation contracts. He could, however, assure the ratepayers that such was not the case. He had an idea after he had been elected a member of the Works Committee that Thorndon Ward was not getting the expenditure laid out for its improve* ment that the other wards were, and he moved that certain streets in that ward should bo kerbed. This had been passed by the Works Committee. In referring to the tramway, he said that no doubt it would be found to be a great advantage to the travelling portion of the community, but it would be found to be a tax on the ratepayers. It had cost Lambton Ward £3OOO. In regard to Sydney-street, he explained that he had suggested that some improvement should be instituted in the street, and acting under his suggestion the engineer had visited the locality, and he (Mr. Maginity) had every reason to believe that a sum of £3OO would shortly be expended in the improvement of the street. He had also brought under the notice of the Council the desirability of covering in a portion of the drain on the Tinakori-road, He had brought forward two motions .to this effect, but they were on both occasions rejected. He had since brought it forward again, and the Engineer was instructed to inspect the place, and submit an estimate as to the cost of the work. £SOO was the sum submitted, and the Council said they were not prepared at present to go on with the work. Mr. Maginity then referred at some length to the waterworks investigation. He thought very great credit was due to Councillor Fisher for the manner in which he had exposed the workings. In referring to the drainage scheme, he said tenders would shortly be called for the progress of the work. The Council had had two schemes laid before them—one by Mr. Clark and another by Mr, Climie. Which was the best plan for the general advantage of the city it was not for him (Mr. Maginity) to say. He, however, thought Mr. Climie's scheme would have answered very well for many years to come. Mr. Clark's scheme had been accepted. He did not think that a gentleman of Mr. Clark’s- large experience would hazard his reputation in laying out an indifferent schemefor a city like Wellington, He hoped before long to see a market established at Thorndon. He had tabled a notice of motion to that effect, and he hoped to see it carried. The Te Aro reclamation, Mr. Maginity said, was a matter that had latterly occupied a considerable amount of attention from the Corporation. He failed to see what claim the owners or holders of the foreshore bad, and when the question of compensation first came before the Council, he took exception to the resolution. It was, however,, of great importance, particularly to Te Aro, that this work of reclamation should be carried out. The Corporation very naturally saw the importance of the work, and a compromise was made between them and the Te Aro foreshore holders. In referring to the Thorndon reclamation Mr. Maginity said that if at the time of the abolition of provinces they had a Major of power they could have purchased a far less cost than what was given for it. Mr, Maginity then referred to the wharf management, and admitted that what appeared in the newspapers was quite right. He was a member of the Wharf Committee. Enquiries had been instituted, and they had found out that the revenue from the wharf was not so much as it should be. In regard to cab proprietors he said that a code of by-laws had been passed for their government. One of the clauses notified that the cabdrivera should wear a badge bearing the number of the cab. He considered that the number painted on the cab was quite sumcient, without the drivers being compelled to wear a glaring badge on their arm. In referring to the late banquet to the municipal delegates, Mr. Maginity styled it an “ eye-

sore.” When the matter was mooted before the Council the Mayor said that be would pay the cost out of his own pocket. The Councillors, however, said no, but that it should be paid out of the public funds. Ho considered that it would have been a disgrace to the city of Wellington if ithe delegates had not been entertained in some manner. They (the delegates) represented corporate bodies from one end of the island to the other. In speaking as to the financial position of the city, Mr. Maginity said that the receipts from all sources to the general account from the 31st September, 1876, amounted to £31,763 11s. fid. To the 31st August, 1878, £53,863 IGs. 6d. The expenditure had been for the year ending 30th September, 1876, £31,481125. 7d.; to the end of March, 1878, £100,999 14s. lid. The liabilities for the year ending 30th September, 1876, £89,423 2s. Id.; to the 31st August, 1878, £220,979 Bs. Several questions were put and answered to the satisfaction of those present. Mr. Gregg proposed, and Mr. Bdbbett seconded, a resolution that Councillor Maginity was a fit and proper person to again represent the ward in the City Council. This was carried unanimously, and a hearty vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the proceedings,