“NOT SERVANTS”

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 506, 8 November 1928, Page 7

“NOT SERVANTS”

DEVONPORT COUNCILLORS ARE MANAGERS SOME STRAIGHT SPEAKING A suggestion that everything was not going smoothly with the North Shore destructor was made before the Devonport Borough Council last evening. Mr. W. S. Campbell claimed that three men were being employed there, whereas it was expected that one man would be able to control the working. The engineer said he was not aware of any trouble. The contractor had to maintain the plant for a period. A deputation from the Vauxhall Tennis Club, in paying back the sum of £BO borrowed from tne Vauxhall Reserve administration, controlled jy the council, asked to be allowed to Borrow a further £l5O to construct another three courts, as the nembership was growing so fast that it could not be accommodated. The Mayor said the council expected the club to first refund some of the £3OO now owing to it before the club undertook extra liabilities. In any case it would need detailed plans of the work proposed. He advised the deputation to supply these, and it agreed to do so. A number of ratepayers attended and asked permission to make complaints about water meters. Mr. Abbott complained that he was charged now on the annual value of his property, which was inequitable, and he would not allow the council to put a meter inside his land. If it did, it would only be after seeking the aid of the law. He was annoyed that he was to be charged 3s 9d for six months’ maintenance of a meter, and he did not have one. Other speakers had the same troubles. It was explained to them that the 3s 9d charge was to be made only where

meters were operating. The Mayor went at length into the reasons why metering had been decided on. If the borough was paid for all water consumed it would get another £ 3.000 per annum. The trouble was that many people wasted water and the careful ones had to pay for such waste. The borough was not to be intimidated by any section of ratepayers. This sentiment drew from Mr. Abbott an exclamation that the councillors were the servants of the people. “Don’t apply the term servants to the councillors,” exclaimed Mr. Aldridge. “We are not servants; we are managers of the affairs of the borough.” The vistors were beginning to engage in an all-round wordy battle, when the Deputy-Mayor, Mr. J. Hislop. moved that the next business be taken WATER FOR FIRE-FIGHTING At the suggestion of the Takapuna Borough Council, the pumping station will make arrangements to increase the water pressure in Bayswater mains when the lire brigade calls for it. The borough will bo asked to protect Devonport against the risk of the call for tho pumps being made at peak load time, increasing the peak on which Devonport pays for its current. Spectators of the cricket matches in the Domain are to be provided with more seating accommodation. The Victoria Theatre was granted permission to show a programme of pictures on Christmas night. The petrol tax levy will provide Devonport with £l9B for the September quarter. The Barclay gift books recently bequeathed the borough will be housed temporarily in the fire brigade station. The engineer is reporting cn the bettering of the drainage outfall at Narrow Neck. In virtue of special powers obtained last session of Parliament, negotiations are to be opened with the Rugby Union regarding the developing of portion of the Vauxhall Reserve.