GUY WORKS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10280, 15 May 1919, Page 5

GUY WORKS

THE MAYOR’S FORECAST

PROGRAMME INCLUDES SOME BIG UNDERTAKINGS.

Mr J. P- Luke was sworn m as Mayor of Wellington yesterday, and at the installation .ceremony he delivered an address covering his views as to the works which should be done in the future. Tho councillors present alb the gaUxermg were: A. B. Atkinson, W. H. Bennett, C.’ H. Chapman, J- M. Dale, 1. Forsyth, P. Fraser, G. Frost, J. Glover, J. Hutchison, M. F. Buckie, L. McKenzie, O. B. Norwood, d- ,O. Sh°t land W. J. Thompson, and K._ -v. Wright. A small number otr , visitors and corporation officials also were preS °Or, 6. Frost, senior councillor, was elected to take the chair till Mr Luke was sworn in. Councillor Frost congratulated Mr Luke on his return to office. Ho had served the city low a record time—six years—and at the completion of the present period his would be an eight-years’ term. AVhilo the was was on the policy of tho city had to be one of go slow, but now that the war was over he was sure tnero were busy ximes -ahead. While ho held the office of Mayor Mr Luke had doue good work. - Having been installed, Mr Luke addressed the gathering. Ho thanked Councillor Frost for his kind observations. Whatever success he had attained was largely due to the council and the officers. He congratulated those old (councillors who had been again elected. In a campaign of the kind (there must bo casualties; ■ but some of those who were beaten would return again. There were four councillors elected on the Labour t.cket, and he welcomed them, but assured them that they would 1 find no party m the council. Ho paid a tribute to the City Corporation employees who fell or were injured in the war. To their relatives he extended sympathy. THE WATER SUPPLY.

In connection with the water supply, it would be the duty of the new council to deal with Mr Morton’s, report. It w.as absolutely necessary that v'ho water reserve should be increased. Even now. the .water supply was short. He was in favour* of bringing in water from the Qrongongo as soon as possible. The scheme, which would cost about £30,000, should he gone on with right away, for it would double the water supply. Also, a bigger dam t|J Wainui was needed. They would need a new main, and he suggested that the tunnel which had to carry the main through the hill should also bo a traffic tunnel. Ho would like to see another reservoir in the city, and he suggester ‘ Kaiwarra' a;v the locality.

The next essential to consider was an extension of the drainage system in the outlying portions of the city. The council bad spent £12,000 in the last few years on drainage, but if more was necessary it should be done. He was a strong supporter of the amalgamation of the various boroughs with the city, because thus could the services be run more economically. We did not get the best conditions in Wellington . until ”we linked up the outstanding "boroughs with Wellington. Tho outlying districts were entitled to a fair deal regarding the electric light, and the new council might consider whether some reduction should not be given in the electric light charges. VARIOUS IMPROVEMENTS. It was necessary that there should be baths at Thorndon, and he hoppd a tepid hath would he made. Improvements would) have to be made at An-derson-Park.. ;A : lift had to he put in at Wellington terrace and other places, and Mr Morton might bring bock some ideas on this subject. Attention would have to bo given to the Vogeltown road. The Evans Bay road needed widening, and office extension had to be gone into at the Town Hall. Another thing necessary was library extension. , Tho hydro-electric scheme should be pushed on with, and Wellington must link up with Mangahao. A good electrical scheme would get over coal and labour troubles, and the Government ought to help tho Mangahao scheme along all it could. The council should consider the question of buying tho Kelburn tramway, and the question of buying The Gas 'Company out might be re-opened. The incoming year would he strenuous in connection with finance: there woLld be a heavy hospital levy, the superannuation scheme, and so on. The Mayor was congratulated on his address by several councillors, including Mr P. Fraser, who said that excellent work had been proposed, and ho hoped it would be gone through with. COMMITTEES ELECTED. The following committees were elected, subject to revision:— Power Stations and Tramways: The Mayor, Councillors Wright, Frost, Norwood, Fraser, Thompson, Forsyth. -Reserves and Public Gardens, Baths and Beaches Committee: Councillors Hutchison, McKenzie, Luckio, Frost, Chapman, Dale, and Thompson. ' By-laws, Fire Brigade, and Street Lighting Committee: Councillors Thompson, Luckie, Hutchison, Bennett, Dale, Fraser, and Forsyth. Public Health, Cemeteries, Housing, and Abattoir Committee: Councillors Wright, Frost, ShorlamT Bennett, Atkinson, Chapman, and Glover. Outlying Districts Committee: Councillors Dale, McKenzie, Hutchison, Shorland, Frost, Thompson, and Glover. Legislation, Leaseholds, and ries Committee: Councillors Norwood, Atkinson, Luckie, Wright, Fraser, Forsyth, and Glover. . Milk Committee: Councillors Wright, Norwood, McKenzie, Luckie, Shorland, Bennett, and Chapman.