BENEFICENT COUNCIL

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 27, 23 April 1927, Page 12

BENEFICENT COUNCIL

MAYOR REVIEWS WORK LAVISH IMPROVEMENTS Finance, roading, tramway matters and city council operations generally were reviewed by Mr. G. Baildon, Mayor of Auckland, in election addresses at Ponsonby and Point Chevalier last evening. Good attendances listened to the mayor’s remarks and votes of thanks were carried at each meeting. At the Leys Institute, where Mr. S. Oldfield presided, Mr. Baildon said the credit balance on April 1, at the close of the retiring council’s term, was something like £2,800, against £ll4, which was the credit when he took officeTouching on the council’s constructive work, he mentioned its plans for completing the northern highway, the waterfront road project, the Gladstone Road traffic outlet and the opening up of High Street, through Shortland and

Fort Streets, in order that slow traffic might be diverted from Queen Street Mr. Baildon said he was against a universal tram fare. The present maximum rate of 4d had been de signed to meet the competition of P n * vate buses and meant that city ratepayers were carrying the burden o. transportation for those living in outlying suburbs. The tram line at Point Chevaliei. he added, would handle traffic irom the city council’s land at Western Springs when that area, which na been part of a former waters ort. reserve, was ultimately sold and subdivided. . At Point Chevalier, where the chairman was Mr. H. Lenihan, Mr. BaildOu said £29.000 had been spent on drainage and £103,000 on street improve' ments in the Point Chevalier distil during the past two years. Moreover a library and other amemt’es had■ provided. Point Chevalier would n have enjoyed such expenuiture withi© • the help of “the big brother. W plause.) ______________