RATEPAYERS’ MEETING.

Otaki Mail, 27 April 1923, Page 3

RATEPAYERS’ MEETING.

MR BRANDON GIVES AN ADDRESS. Mr J. P. Brandon, who successfully contested the Mayoral election, addressed a large number of ratepayers at the theatre on Tuesday night, and was ac- ’’ corded a splendid hearing. Mr 11. Freeman occupied the chair. Mr Brandon, during- the course of his address, said that the line work done during the past term was due to the Council as a whole, and not only fro himself. Touching on finance he said that then: hail been a decided improvement in Ihis direction, ■ hilo during a short period 3.) mill's of reels had been tarred and paths . ade to tlie various residences. There

were no records of cemetery matters when the Council took over, now everything was up-to-date and there was no confusion with burials ns in the past.

'Referring to Chinese shacks and the-ir removal Mr Brandon said this was simply a matter for the Health authorities, ; who had had the bucking of the Council. If had been said that Ihe Council

had been paying 7 per cent, for money borrowed whereas it could be secured at 6). Mr Brandon said this was not so, and read a letter from the Bank manager in support. Touching on overhanging trees Mr Brandon said these had had the attention of the Council, and where necessary had been cut back. The Council’s by-laws dealt with this and similar matters.

| Mr Meads asked if Mr Brandon favoured the Clerk sending out. telegrams to residents of the town whereas a .lid stamp would do’ Mr .Brandon said he did not favour such an act unless absolutely necessary. Mr Bowden here interrupted by stating the ratepayers’ money was being wasted. Mr Brandon, after conferring with the Clerk, said Mr Davies knew nothing of a, telegram being sent, but offered Mr Meads an opportunity to go further into the matter. Mr Bowden: False alarm, eh! Mr Brandon was then asked, if elected. would he favour a continuous telephone service. Mr Brandon replied that the matter was worthy of every consideration, and that tho Clerk had inter viewed the Postmaster relative to a better allround service. Asked if Olaki could go ahead while persons were being persecuted by pub lie officers Mr Brandon replied that he knew of no one who had been unjust It prosecuted by u public officer. Mr Bowden: My son! Mr Brandon said lie "-as not n sup porter of wrongful persecution, and that he had told Mr Bowden that if a deputation waited on him over Ihe mat ter he would see enquiries were made. Ho could not call a meeting on his own because the matter was of a private nature. He would be only too pleased to have the matter investigated if brought before him in a proper way. Ashed if the proposed improvement to the domain was a private or public matter Mr Brandon said it was a public one, that the domain belonged to tin-

public, and that ladies wished to im prove it. He approved of their action and considered credit due to them.

Ihe question was asked why was not a general invitation issued to the public to take part. Mr Porchal, in reply, said as prime movei in Ihe matter, he had invited all to attend a meeting. “Who requested you to retain the cervices of the local constable when ho was on transfer to Lynll Bay?” was a question. Mr Olliver said the question was out of order, but oa being’ again appealed to Mr Brandon said neither he nor the Town Clerk interviewed the Commissioner of Police, as suggested, to retain Constable Satherlev’s ser-

Mr Percival asked if it was true that some buildings in Otaki has been condemned by the Health authorities yet had never been demolished. Mr Brandon said he was not aware of it. The Council had no authority to condemn a building—it was purely a matter for the Health Department. The Department had been appealed to to give the Council power to condemn buildings but the power had not been granted. All reports on old buildings had to go through the Health officer.

“Are you in favour of certain motorists. viz., doctors, having concession regarding speed limit.’” asked Mr Ollivcr. Mr Brandon, in reply, said the speed limit was governed by the bylaws.

Mr C. Jones: Is 12 miles a reasonable speed? Mr Brandon: I am not an expert, therefore not in a position to say. I cannot go 12 miles a .mouth in my Humberette!

Mr Bowden: When the inspectors take a number of the machine driven at an excessive speed do they go on with an action or report to the Council? Mr Brandon: They report to the Council so that the Council mty take action. Mr Olliver asked Mr Brandon if he was in favour of building areas.being reduced from l-aciy to i-aere. Mr Brandon said lie was not in fav- | our of reducing the men —he did not . wish to create slums. . Captain Bax, Messrs Cockrell. Broad- , way. Taylor. Carkeok and Rikihana , then addressed the meeting. ; Mr Cockrell was asked, if returned, would he be in favour of reducing the staff of the Council? Mr Cockrell said all must realise that more work was being done now than ir the Town Board days—he eonsiderec , 200 per cent, more than before, while I Jill returns were kept ■ up-to-date. Ii view of this Ire did not favour a re iluefion. Mr Broadway said capital had beet made out of the fact that, the Counci had purchased slop-watches outside tin town. Being an old experienced watch maker he had offered ..j get the watch os at wholesale pr r and had done sc • He made nothin" our. of tho trar.sae : tiem. r i Mr Percival: "fthv was the loca watchmaker not a»ked for a. £»ice*

Mr Broadway: It was an oversight there was no intention of slightinj him. I accept the whole blame. Mr Olliver to Mr Brandon: Hav< you accepted tenders for the earthen ware pipes'? Mr Brandon: Yes. Mr Olliver: Were you justified in purchasing the pipes when you did; 1 consider von have wasted hundreds of pounds. Mr Brandon ; aid the matter had been fully considered, and that there had been no waste of money. Mr Olliver: I differ; the price of pipes will not rise, but may come down. Tho money was badly spent by Inlying pipes when you did! Mr Cockrell pointed out that the pipes had not been paid for, therefore no interest was lost. They would not lose monov.