Page 3 Advertisements Column 3

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26621, 18 November 1947, Page 3

ELECTION MAYORAL ELECTIO N.. In reply to criticism by Mr M. F. E. Cooney in his recent speech I would place the following facts before the electors:— 1. FINANCE: With regard to the complaint to the present rate of expenditure now as compared with that in 1933-34, it is interesting to note that the wages bill increased from £14,060 in 1934-35 to £24,755 in 1946-47. An increase of £10,695 per annum. Mr Cooney conveniently forgot to inform electors that of the increase of £17,906 which he mentioned £3442 was accounted for by increased hospital rates. These two items, increase in wages and increase in hospital rates on their own account for £14,137. In the good old days of Mr Cooney’s mayoralty only £25 per annum was granted to the Library as compared with £275 per annum now. Other grants are considerably higher, having risen from £152 in 1933-34 to £738 in 1946-47. It might reasonably be asked with what items Mr Cooney has a grievance. Would he wish these grants to the Library, to the bands and to Friendly Bay, etc., to be reduced? The increase is thus readily explainable, and Mr Cooney’s moving a reduction in rates has the semblance of action.without the due sense of responsibility demanded from a Councillor. One newspaper in 1944 summed up the financial position of the Borough as follows: “A comprehensive statement revealed an extremely satisfactory position in regard to Borough finances as at 31/3/44 and was in itself a tribute to sound civic administration." Mr Cooney admits that the Borough finances are sound now. 2. DEPRECIATION AND RENEWAL FUNDS: As at 31/3/47 the Borough had the following depreciation and renewal funds: £ s. d. Gas Works Depreciation Fund with P.T. 4053 18 10 Gas Works Depreciation Fund in Government stock .. 137 2 6 £4191 1 4 Abattoir Depreciation Fund with P.T 279 10 6 Town Maintenance Renewal Fund in National Security 1224 5 5 Water Race Renewal Fund in National Security .. 1030 6 7 Town Hall Renewal Fund in National Security .. .. 151 2 6 £6876 6 4 These were instituted by former Councils from time to time. Mr Cooney infers that he was the author of these funds. .For instance he claims credit for the Water Race Fund. A renewal fund was initiated by the present Mayor when Chairman of Waterworks in 1933, when the sum of £6OO was set aside, and later £SOO a year was set aside except (very significantly) in the one year when Mr Kirkness was away in England and Mr Cooney was Mayor. If the Works Departemnt it has 'been the policy to set aside sums of money, for renewals and the money has been appropriated as required. On the recommendation of the Engineer the Council has this year introduced a comprehensive renewal and plant hire fund for all departments under his control. Mr Cooney did not mention this. 3. QUARRY: ) The Engineer’s statement shows that over a period of 8 years an apparent loss of £SOOO was made. In 1946 52 per cent, of the metal was used bv the Council, and book entries were made transferring the costs to each appropriate department. Of the £I7OO loss mentioned in 1946-47 season, the other departments benefited at the expense of the Quarry in the sum of £BBS. The price has how been increased and the Quarry will be credited with the true price of the metal in relation to prevailing costs. In this particular year the sum of £546 12s 3d was paid for stripping. This expense should be spread over five years at least. At the beginning of 1947 the output was approximately 15 cubic yards per day,- * but without any further expenditure on plant but simply by increased efficiency brought about by better organisation, the output now averages 28 cubic yards per day. 4. TOWN MAINTENANCE: I have already dealt with this matter in my personal message to Electors. Mr Cooney’s comparisons are of no value when’we take into consideration the rise in wages and cost of materials. Everyone (including Mr Cooney) knows that these rises were beyond the Council’s control. Every corner of the Dominion has experienced them. They are present-day conditions. To level criticism at them is an unwarranted and ill-informed attack on the Engineer and his staff 5. PURCHASE OF PLANT: If the critics could inspect some of the Borough machinery and note the waste of time through breakdowns of obsolete machines there would be no criticism of the purchase of essential new plant. All the plant for purchase is recommended by the Engineer, as he considers it necessary to speed up the ordinary maintenance as well as new works. In his reports he has set out the advantages and savings to be made. Niggardliness would be false economy. If we are too parsimonious with our maintenance work now, if we continue to mark time by using antiquated and uneconomic plant we will ultimately be faced with vastly increased expenditure. This can be avoided by sensible action now. 6. WATERWORKS: It has always been the policy of the Council to keep the race and Huntings up to date. If Mr Cooney is really concerned about low pressure at various points, he would have to be prepared to advocate a considerable expenditure to bring about the necessary improvements. But any increase in expenditure appears to be an anathema to Mr Cooney! Might I suggest that these improvements could be brought about by: (1) Reducing consumption in the rest of the Town by metering. (2) New mains to improve reticulation; this would be at a large cost; or—(3) New service reservoirs. The Mayor (Mr Kirkness) was on the right lines when he advocated a plan for a supplementary reservoir at Boundary Creek, but Mr Cooney opposed this, and still does. 7. HOUSING: Mr Cooney’s housing scheme was not frustrated by the Council, as he never had one. Beyond suggesting certain sites and getting the Council to agree to borrow £50,000 without! supplying any details, and, incidentally, without taking his Committee into his confidence, he rather petulantly resigned merely because of a little opposition to his original suggestions. However an active policy was pursued, but the prices submitted to the Council were far in excess of the estimates. The rent to be charged to prospective tenants would have been beyond all reason. 8. GENERAL: I do not advocate unnecessary or excessive spending, and would support any proposed expenditure only after very careful consideration of all aspects of the proposals. I wish to reiterate, in regard to the proposed loan, that the Council has not committed itself to one penny of expenditure It is merely seeking permission to obtain authority to borrow, and, if necessary, to submit the issue to the ratepayers. Yours faithfully, A. R. TAIT.

PUBLIC NOTICES gEE THE DAVID BROWN, ENGLAND'S FINEST TRACTOR, ON DISPLAY AT THE SHOW. NORTH OTAGO ENGINEERING CO., Tractor Divlsioi), 184 Thames street, Oatnaru. Phone 1346. N 1 ORTH OTAGO CRIPPLED CHIL- . DREN. STREET APPEAL, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21. The Public are asked to Support this WORTHY CAUSE and GIVE GENEROUSLY to Support our Crippled Children. rriHE WAITAKI ELECTRIC POWER 1 ' BOARD. POWER SHUT-DOWN Power may be cut-off from Ardgowan to Roseberv (Devil’s Bridge Branch) on THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1947, from 1 n m to 4.30 pm. for Pole Renewals. 1 p.m. to i N A DAVIDSO n, Engineer. rjiLECTRIC SEWING MACHINES Are Available for HIRE at a Small Weekly Rental, from [•HE SINGER SEWING MACHINE CO., Wear street. Oamaru. Phone 2095. OG Biscuits, dog and cat medicines, irdcages and sundries, now available at ae’s Seed Shop, 199 Thames street.