STRATFORD MAYORALTY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 97, 27 April 1915, Page 2

STRATFORD MAYORALTY.

THE ELECTION CAMPAIGN* 1 Ml ii. McK. Morison, a candidate for the mayoralty at the election on Wednesday,' addressed a fairly large audience at the Town Hall last night, The speaker who was introduced by the Mayor (Mr W. P. Kirkwood) was iwrordcd a very lair beai'mg, Mi- Mtfrisdn, ill opening his address said lie had no apology to make for the position he held that night as n candidate for mayoral Uononi's, He had served the town tor upwards rti li!'t«V:l years, ttilicll bH considered a long enoltgll apprenticeship. i Before dealing with the more import, ant questions, he would just like to clear the way in regard to Ids eleventhhour decision to contest this election, lit was pretty generally known that it IMr Kirkwood was going to stand for the position he would not make a 'triangular contest of it, but that if !Mr Kirkwood did not stand, ho w.ould. It was not until Thursday morning that he got to know definitely that IMr Kirkwood was not going to stand. j Referring to the work done while he had been on the Council, the {speaker said that the abattoirs was a good institution, yet they would be surprised to hoar that there were some on "the Council who advocated having the abattoir within the Borough, west of King Edward Park. He had strongly opposed this. In twenty odd years the grounds would become the freehold property of the ratepayers. The water and drainage schemes had been undertaken during his term of office. He had opposed the drainage scheme as then it would be only patching the thing,and would hinder a more complete scheme when the proper time arrived. That time had now arrived, and it would be difficult to get a sufficient loan to complete the scheme. In his opinion the water scheme was good, but insufficient. A loan of about £15,000 would be required to j bring the two matters up to the present" requirements. This matter would receive the consideration of the Council and would be submitted to the ratepayers. The purchase of the road roller and stone crusher had his hearty support, and he considered, if they were to keep abreast of other Boroughs, that they should purchase a tar sprayer.

Dealing with the electric light question, Mr Morison referred to the opening Of the .system some sixteen to eigfihteen years ago. The light had greatly improved since then, hut it was not all that was desired. The retiring Council had gone carefully into the matter, and had engaged the services of H. W. Climie and Sun in making a report on an up-to-date standardised plant suitable tor Stratford The scheme recommended by the 'firm would cost about £32,000, which was considered by the Conned as too costly, the main reason being that the amount of current used would not pay interest on the outlay unless a high'charge was made to consumers. It was considered that a plant similar to that at Feilding was most suitable for Stratford requirements. This would cost from £II,OOO to £15,000 to instill. K satisfactory arrangements could he made with the Company, he would advocate this Wing done, but othernnse, he would advocate the installation of a new plant. Mr ,Morison said he was in favour of a moderate loan for street improvement. He was not in favour of the ratepayers of to-day paying for such permanent work as kerbing and channelling. In addition to upkeep and other urgent works that come up from time to time, he intended to.remetal Isuch streets as Fenton Street East to? Swansea Road. Swansea Road from Regan Street to Cloton Road, Juliet Street from Regan Street to Pembroke Road. Portia Street from Seaton Street to Pembroke Road. Flint Road East (the County Council to pay half cost of this), Cordelia Street from Celia Street to Warwick Road. Broadwav from Victoria Bridge to Ceha Street, also kerb and channel from Bridge to Celia Street, this was not decided on by the Council, but it was considered by him us necessary works. In connection with amendments and additions to the water by-laws, Mr j Morrison said he did not wish to say ! anything against his opponent, Mr Boon, who was a man of sterling ; qualities, but he entirely disagreed with his proposed water by-laws. He considered that a charge might bo made to those who received the full benefit of the water and drainage scheme, so as to reduce the rate on those who were not getting the full benefit. To place a tax on every tap seemed to bo placing a burden on the users of the water without in any way decreasing the amount of water used. Had he not opposed the tax, ratepayers to-day would have been paying it. Mr Morison said that the new municipal buildings would be an ornament to the town, and would bring in a handsome revenue, which was set down at £•">(>(). In addition to this they would have a public reading room, and a, library. j Thi l Council had spent a good deal of time over the pound. The sum of £2OO was placed on the estimates for the rebuilding of the pound. He

know that the old pound was tint in the right place, and bad moved that u resolution to build a new pound on the old site be rescinded; A belU'i' «ite than the present one could not be obtained. Through the good mSntfgeinent of the Engineer, a first-class pound had been erected for CI 94, the old kerbing being used us flooring'for the pound. The speaker, in briefly referring to the Kire Brigade and the Municipal Hand said, these institutions should receive all the encouragement the funds of the Council would allow. in referring to finance, Mr Moj-ison said that out of a revenue of about £7,000 about £5-158 was available for the ordinary work of the Council. As the revenue tor the Coining year would be «hort by about £sso< Owing to the destruction by lire of the municipal buildings, it would be necessary to go slow. He did not believe in striking a higher rate or reducing the stall, Imt considered that they should increase the overdraft for this year, :xm\ in subsequent years they would recover their position From the rents of the new buildings.

.Mi- Morisoii, in conclusion, said that if his return depended on his personally canvassing for votes, or detracting from his opponent, he would assuredly not be elected. He asked the ratepayers to judg?, him by. what he had done.

On questions being invited, Mr •' ■ Masters asked if he was right in presuming that if tie! \Mi; Morison) found the estimates short by 300 would increase thfl overdraft.) t, , Mr Morison: Yes. They will be about £ooo short, Were they going to starve the streets? That would never have his support. If the Borough could increase the overdraft clui-hv-r the la«t few years, they could do

it now. Mr Masters: Is Mr Morison aware that by doing so he will be piling up debt for the next Conned? The usual thing is to get the overdraft down to the income. f Mr Morison : Tn this ease it will be piling up debt for myself! Mr Masters: UMr Morison aware that the Council never discussed Mr Climie's report. Can you tell us what the cost of that report was? Mr Morison : The cost of the report was £IOO. The whole of the reports were |aicj on the table. Mr Masters: There are things in connection with that report which the public should know. Mr Kirkwood: I think 1 should tell von the tacts-

Mr Masters: lam asking Mr Mori-

son a question. Mr Kirkwood: As chairman. 1 think 1 should be allowed to clear up a misconception. If Mr Masters does not know what the report cost, lie should. It was practically passed by the Council. The press was at liberty to publish the reports. Did you want me to do more. Your inference is that I have not done my duty. When the reports were placed on the table- they : were open for the inspection of any Councillor. - Mr Masters: You. as Mayor, never brought the matter before the Council for discussion. Mr Kirkwood: Why did you not bring the matter up? Mr Masters: The whole matter was brought down at the last meeting. Mr Kirkwood: As a matter of fact these reports were laid on the table long liefore the Committee finally submitted its report to the Council. A hearty vote of thanks to Mr Morison and the chairman closed the meeting.