SUPPORT FOR MAYOR

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 541, 19 December 1928, Page 13

SUPPORT FOR MAYOR

NEWMARKET’S TRAFFIC PROBLEMS PUBLIC MEETING HELD That the members of the Newmarket Borough Council in opposition to the Mayor be asked either to work with the Mayor or resign from the council, was the resolution passed at a public meeting held in the Newmarket Municipal Hall last evening. There were a few dissentients. Mr. R. Philpot, president of the Ratepayers’ Association, presided. With him on the platform were the Mayor, Mr. S. Donaldson, and Mr. T. J. Watts, a member of the council. There was a large attendance. Outlining the object of the meeting, the Mayor said he did not desire to gloat over recent events, but it was called as a result of a special meeting of the council convened by three councillors to consider the attitude of the Loans Board. It had been stated at a special meeting of the council that favourable options were held over property required for the proposed traffic outlet between Morrow Street and Station Street. Regarding those options, the clerk had informed him that they had all expired except one. Mr. H. Gregory had then renewed the options and handed them in at the next council meeting. The question as to whether the council would confirm Mr. Gregory’s action then arose. Mr. H. J. Cooper stated that the council would do so. Mr. Watts then asked whether the council would confirm Mr. Gregory’s action, right or wrong, and Mr. Cooper said it would. The Mayor said he then informed the council that he would not take the responsibility of submitting a resolution until he had a legal decision defining the position. He had then declared the meeting adjourned and left the council chamber with Mr. Watts and Mr. Mountain, Mr. G. E. Smerdon taking the chair. The resolution was then carried, and the Loans Board was again asked to sanction the scheme, but it again refused. Referring to schemes for relieving traffic at Newmarket, Mr. Donaldson said the Finance Committee, of which Mr. Smerdon was chairman, had recommended the raising of a loan of £ 3,000 to carry out the Bourke Street portion of the Morrow Street scheme, for which a special rate should be struck in the area affected. But while the total cost was estimated at £13,534, the special rate would cover only £3,000, and the rest of the ratepayers would be compelled to finish the remainder of the whole schemte at a cost of probably £40,000. The creation of the special area meant that only the ratepayers in the area would bo allowed to vote if the Loans Board sanctioned the poll. Although at the last election he had been opposed to the Mayor, Mr. Watts said that when the Mayor was right it was his duty to support him.

“Newmarket’s name had once stood high in the land,” he said, “but now it has become a butt for cheap wits.”

Tlie Mayor and Mr. Watts were ae corded a hearty vote of thanks.