THE MAYOR'S REPORT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 87, 15 April 1915, Page 7

THE MAYOR'S REPORT.

VALEDICTORY PROCEEDINGS'. His Worship the Mayor (Mr W. P. Kirkwood) presented the following report at the last meeting of the present Council, which was held last evening. Stratford, 12th April, 1915. To the Councillors of the Borough of Stratford. Gentlemen,—l have pleasure in placing before you a report on the work of the Council for the past year. First of all, I have to deplore the loss, by fire, on 23rd of October last of the Municipal Buildings, and the serious effect the loss has had on the Borough's finances. As you are aware, a poll has been taken, and the proposal to raise £9OOO for new buildings has been carried. Plans and specifications, for the new buildings are now ready and only await the Council's approval. When this has been obtained tenders will be immediately called. Twelve ordinary and eleven special meetings were held during the year, the attendance at which was as follows :—Mayor 23, Crs. Boon 21, King 21,'Richards 20, Morison 20, Masters 2U, Reader 19 (elected in June), Fred-t-ic 18, Thompson 18. For the major portion of the year Cr. Ardcn had leave of absence. 1 am pleased to note that Cr. Arden is making a good recovery from his recent serious ill-

ness. Though the number of buildings erected in the borough dining the past .year docs not come up to the previous year, the town still continues to make steady progress, building permits being issued to the extent of £7OOO, as against £BSOO for last year. Works.—The work of kerbing and channelling Broadway Central and parts of Regan and Fenton Streets was .completed during the year. When the footpaths are graded to their proper le.vel the improvements to Broadway Central will be very noticeable. This work is a prelude to the work of laving down this street at its proper level. The tarring of this piece of road is a question that has exercised the minds of Councillors for some time past, it is apparent that the Avork cannot be done out of revenue and a loan will have to be raised for this and other street improvements. In addition to the usual routine work of the outdoor staff, the following works have been attended to:— Scarifying, remetalling and rolling of Broadway practically from Fenton Street to Flint Road; repairs to Flint Road ; formation of part of Orlando Street South; formation and gravelling of part of Portia Street South; path Cordelia Street; path Cloton Road; path Hamlet Street South, path Cordelia Street North. New concrete culvert Juliet Street North, and replacing of part of wooden culvert Broadway, north of Seyton Street with concrete pipes, scraping and painting of Victoria Bridge; 3in. water main laid in Miranda Street North; erection of new pound and stables. The stone required during the year was obtained by day labor at a cost of 3s lid per cubic yard, and crushed with our own crusher. The wisdom of| obtaining our own crushing plant has been apparent, crushed metal costing the Council less per yard than at any time previously. In addition £55 has been received from the County Council for royalty. The road roller was hired to the same body for a couple of weeks during the year. Metal on hand 31-3-1-1, 200yds; crushed during the year, 3500yds; total, 3700yds; used on streets, 2700; on hand 31-3-15, 1000yds. There are also 300yds of unbroken boulders on hand. Uncompleted Authorised Works.— Forming and metalling part of Ariel Street North. Grading and tarring of Broadway Central paths. Works Referred to new Council.— Formation and gravelling of Juliet .Street south, between Celia and Romeo Streets. Erection of footbridge across Pa tea River at Ariel Street. Reserves.—The rent received from reserves amounted to £495, as against an estimate of £BIO. The difference is accounted for by loss of £250 rent owing to loss of Municipal Buildings, and amounts outstanding. Town Hall.—The revenue received from the Town Hall is £2BO, expenditure £2lO, surplus for year £lO. Madam Bernard's lease terminates on 10th June. Abattoir.—The working of this institution continues in its us'ual satisfactory manner, and shows a small profit on the year's working. The following is a summary of the stock

slaughtered during the year:—Cows 7499, heifers 331, oxen 130, calves -JO, sheep 3253, iambs 646, pigs 415, tripes prepared 548, sundries 87. Eevenue £748, expenditure £713. The policy of having a paddock cleared and sown each year is being continued, and the property much improved. Mr Copestake, who has been slaughterman since the inception of the abattoir, has sent in his resignation. Mr Copestake has served the Council faithfully and well during his long term of office. It will be necessary to appoint another slaughterman as early as poa sible. Library and Reading Room.—Notwithstanding the fact that the library and reading room are situated in the present buildings they continue to bo well patronised. Subscriptions to the library have decreased about £3. The !New Plymouth Library Committee very kindly came to tbe assistance of I the Council with the loan of books, for which the Council was grateful. The | supply of books arranged for from j London continues to arrive regularly, and are much appreciated by subscrib- |

ers. Fire Brigade.—The Brigade continues to maintain its high state of effi-

ciency. This institution deserves ;ill the support the Council can render it. The me" do their work cheerfully, and are keen to improve the plant. As a means to an end it might be advisable to seriously consider the question of setting up a Fire Hoard. Lighting.—All the .street lamps have now been fitted with watertight globes and the saving to the Council in electric bulbs is very appreciable.

Finance.—The year closed with a debit balance of £G3O, as against £2IOB last year, showing a decrease of £1478. Against this must be set a sum of £IBSO received from the Insurance Company for the loss of the Municipal Buildings and Library books. Without this sum the balance ,vould have shown an increased debit of £372, accounted for by loss of rent, and increased expenditure caused by the lire. Against this increase may be set the value of crushed metal on hand amounting to about £BOO. Owing to the loss of the Municipal Buildings the Council's revenue will suffer during the ensuing year to an extent of about £550. The financial position will necessitate careful administration luring the term of the new Council. Electric Light.—The lighting question has had the attention of a special •ommittee for a considerable time. Your committee made investigations in every direction at their disposal, and the report of this committee indicates that the time has arrived for the adoption of a definite policy in the lirection of making preparation for ,he installation by the Council of an ip-to-date standardised lighting and power generating plant.

Progress of Borough.—While .t might be rightly maintained that the Borough is making progress, the distinction might he drawn that the progress is not commensurate with the development of the land contiguous to and surrounding the town. Holding the premier place in Taranuki from a trading point of view every effort should be made to provide facilities ■and encouragement to trade. To bring Stratford to the standard demanded by the times, both from a commercial and residential standpoint, it will be necessary to adopt the accepted policy of carrying out permanent work out of loan money. Having to do permanent work out of revenue has necessitated the expenditure' of separate account balances, such as water account, through the general iccount.

Temporary Offices.—The thanks of the Council are due to Mr Percy Thomson for having placed office accommodation at the Council's disposal ifter the fire. To provide adequate office and library accommodation pending the erection of new Municipal Buildings, it was found necessary to take over part of the Fire Station luilding. The Council.—While there nas been widely divergent opinions held and expressed amongst Councillors on Borough matters, more particularly on the :|iiestiou of loans, I have to thank Councillors for their marked courtesy ;o me as Mayor during the year. 1

desire to mark my regret at the avowed intention of several tried and able Councillors not to seek re-elecdoa. At the present juncture it is imperative that a strong Council representative )f our ablest citizens should oe returned. Office Staff and Council Officials.The work of the office staff during the year has been very satisfactory, and on account of the fire have lateiy been working at a disadvantage owing to the necessarily cramped offico accommodation in the fire station. A considerable amount of extra work has been entailed on the Town Cork consequent on the destruction oy fire of the rate book and other records, having to be re-written. The Council's officials generally have carried ov.t their duties in a satisfactory manner.

Cr. Thompson said he wished to place on record their appreciation of the splendid report put before them by His Worship. There was a lot of good natter in it, and it gave a good insight into the work of the Council for the past year. As Councillors and Mayor they parted with die best of relations. For his own part, Cr. Thompson said he had been "up against the Government, ' so to speak, but in those eases ;vhat ho had done had been in his opinion for the welfare! of the borough. Any little feeling ho had had at the Council table had been left there. He had always looked to the advancement of die town in anything he had done. He again expressed his appreciation of the report. Cr. Masters seconded the resolution, and complimented the Mayor on the very able and concise report uhich he had laid before the Council. They had not always agreed, of course; had it been otherwise, Councillors would lie very little good in their positions. They came to the table to express their opinions, and those who had brains had used them. As far as ho was concerned, any feeling from t'h<? little passages at arms that had occurred at the table had been left in the Council room.—(Applause). Even with some of the scrimmages they had that night, he felt sure there was no, feeling now remaining between the Mayor and members. The Mayor was indeed to be complimented on his excellent report. Cr. Boon added his good wishes to those of the previous speakers, and

referred to the good year's work which the Council had put in, Cr. Morison also complimented the Mayor on the excellent methods which he iiad used in carrying out his duties, not only at the table, but also as Mayor of the town. This he had done vvit'li distinctive credit to himself and the Borough and burgesses. -His attitude, too. in maintaining the balance of power as chairman was worthy ol nigh praise, and credit was due for the uniform courtesy which had been extended to them while in office. If he had erred at all, it had been on the side of leniency, and had adhered aot too rigidly on the side of Parliamentary procedure. I Cr. Richards added his felicitations to those of his fellow-councillors. He thought that a little forgiveness should be extended to those who felt I strongly and sometimes spoke strongly and straightly. He for one did not like to offend anyone, but there were times when one might speak out straight and when a little sting might bo loft behind. If that had happened with him, he expressed his regret. But all fought for the good of the town, and hoped to see it go ahead. He took it that they were trying to work out the borough's destiny, and as the Mayor said in his report, trying to make it occupy the premier position in the province. Cr. Fredric said he had been on the Council for two years, which was the only exerience of municipal life that he had had, and he must say things had gone very smoothly indeed. There had never been any trouble or any real diversity of opinion to cause any illfeeling. The Council had done an immense amount of work, which was owing to the excellent methods of working of the Mayor and me way in which members had behaved. Cr. Fredric referred to the fact that Cr. King was leaving municipal life, and ■said he considered it was due to the Council and the. eUriw f« recognise in some way Cr. King's great servicea to the town.

The Mayor, in reply, said he very much appreciated the kindly and complimentary remarks that had fallen from the lips of Councillors. So far as the future was concerned, they did. not know what was going to happen, and he was sorry to hear that so many Councillors were not again seeking reelection. If these adhered to their expressed opinions in this direction, it would mean that five or «<'v of them would be missing next meeting. In that case, he sincerely hoped that the next best citizens would come along and. fill their places at the Council table. At no time in the history of the Borough was it so necessary to have a strong Council as at the present time. He agreed with Cr. Fredric that something should be done, if only in a small way, to mark their appreciation of the work of Cr. King. The citizens, he was sure, would like to have the opportunity of contributing to such a movement in return for Cr. King's services for so long as Councillor and Mayor of the Borough. During the past twelve months the Council had done a great deal of work, but he wished to point out that a great deal of their work did not show on tlie surface. Very few ivalued how much had been done. As Cr. Fredric said, they were often jeered at, instead of being given credit. Even if they had not all agreed upon certain subjects, they had never got to the stage when they should "call in the police,"—(Laughter). They had always been able to settle their differences at the Council table. As Mayor he had given them every latitude perhaps more than he should have done—but he realised that it was necessary for the sake of getting the work done intelligently and well that matters should be discussed more or less irregularly. He felt that, soinetii'nes, at any rate, it was the proper course to take not to follow Parliamentary procedure too closely. On the whole fckey had agreed fairly well. As to the work of the Council in the past year, it had taught him that when they had anything to put before the ratepayers, the Council must first be unanimous before submitting the proposals to them. With regard to the affairs of the Council, he had always made a rule that his own affairs rather than the town's interests should suffer. In many of the loans that he had proposed, some people, perhas, would not imagine that he had advocated them in direct conflict with his own interests; that was, in having to pay in some cases very much higher rates. The fact was that he sincerely believed in the proposals, and he always advocated his convictions openly and straightforwardly. He had never attempted at any time to shelter himself with the idea of obtaining votes. He was satisfied to be judged by his actions. He might have failed, but he had endeavoured always to carry out the duties of Mayor as he considered they should be done. Whoever might be Mayor in the future, he hoped he would have a strong Council, who would be prepared to work with him in the best interests of the whole of the Borough.—(Applause). The motion for the adoption of the report was then put and carried unanimously. THE MAYOR'S HONORARIUM. His Worship then retired, Cr Masters being voted to the chair, and the usual honorarium of £SO was passed, for which the Mayor duly thanked the Council, and the meeting closed.