MUNICIPAL MATTERS AND METHODS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 71, 20 April 1909, Page 4

MUNICIPAL MATTERS AND METHODS.

THE COMING ELECTIONS. RATEPAYERS' REQUISITION'S. Yesterday morning a dopulution of ratepayer* in the east ward of the borough waited upon Messrs E. Dockrill, for many years Mayor, and V. E. Wilson, who sat for three years as councillor, and presented requisitions by acinic 151) burgesses asking them to allow themselves to be nominated as candidates for the representation of the east ward. Councillor 11. Coleman, and Messrs F. Messenger, W. Hodges, a nd V. Coleman formed the deputation, tlio iiVHt-namcd acting as spokesman. He said that in this matter the deputation represented the east ward. Mr. Dockrill's letter lo the "Xewrs" had been responsible for the people waking, lip to the necessity of returning 'Mr. Dockrill to the Council, recognising the valuable services rendered by him in the past. Mr. Wilson had al«o given a very good account of himself as councillor during his term of office. Mr. Coleman said thai he had approached the Mayor, who had said lie would extend a verv hearty welcome to these gentlemen if'returned by the ratepayers, lie added that the canvassers for signatures had nut met with one refusal, and, but for the short time at their disposal, the requisitions would have been even more largelv i-igncd. the replies; Mr. Dockrill. in replying, expressed his indebtedness (o Mr. Coleman for the manner in which he had presented Ik' | requisition, and to those associated with him for evincing such interest in the matter. When he looked at the names on the requisition, he was satisfied of its value. Thin was not the first time lie I had been asked by the east ward people to represent them, for they had always returned him by a •TIIUMI'IXG HOOD MAJORITY," which he felt mire they would give him again if the election were contested. He mentioned that he had been asked by ratepayers in both the west and central wards to again enter the Council, but he had declined, having made up his mind to eschew local politics. J'.ut circumstances had arisen which, backed r>T this requisition, induced him to alter hit, decision. He referred to the letter lie had been induced to write to the Press, criticising the Councils action in. dispensing with its foreman. This and other matters showed him there was ' need for lietter counsels. Statements , were lieing made that the amounts expended during the past year had been , very largely in excess of the estimates , ami exceeded the. expenditure of the pre- , vimis year, and this had stirred up interest'amongst the ratepayers. He had , alreadv expressed his opinion publicly of the policy of the Council by which so much was' expended and su little was ; done. As to the

OREATER NEW PLYMOUTH scheme, which the "Daily New,,'' had to slronglv supported in a leading article a few d'avs ago. he said he. did not know of anything which was calculated to do more for the ben'elit of the town or to raise its status than the adoption of this scheme. Hut unless they could show the people in the suburbs that they would be the gainers liy joining the liorough he saw little hope of Greater XeW Plymouth becoming an accomplished fact. If those people could see that liy merging into their borough their rates would be decreased and ihci,- facilities increased, then the scheme would bear fruit. He did not think that the engin-

eer's estimated requirement of 7337 yds <if stone for tin' si rods next year would help in thin mutter. II wax .'ill(ll) yardmorc tlinii lmil lii-i'ii used in tlii' lust year of his. term as mayor, when 201)0 yards had sulliced for considerably imjiruvhiir thi' metalled streets anil extending Hie metalling. The 7337 yards was (HHIU yards more tlian had been used last year. It would need nn extra eightpenny rate to provide the engineer's requirement. But he considered that the estimate was excessive, and the Cuuncil could do with considerably less. lie would show, if returned, that the work could lie carried on without this liig expeiw. It had lieen done before, and he could do it again. A "DEAD LETTER'' SCHEME.

There was another matter which had very largely induced hint to seek re-clee-linii to'lire Council. Whilst he was Mavor he had provision made for the Council to connect the sewers up to the properties of people who were unable In bear the expense themselves, the Council collecting a refund of the eX-peii-e in five instalments. Hut thai scheme had been a dead letter during I lie past veur. not a single application being granted, on the plea that the Council had no funds. It .was really a line plan for increasing the revenue of tlie Council, mid if there were no funds for it then he would advocate the passing "f a local Hill empowering the Council to borrow for the purpose. If the Council declined to do this, it would lie acting in an oppressive manlier to ninny n frugal and .hard-working niau'who had managed to get a home together, but could not stand the heavy expense of linking uji his properly with the sewers. He had pleasure ill accepting the requisition, and consented to become a candidate. AX ••tIUT-OF-.lOINT" SYSTEM. Mr. Wijson was brief in his remarks, lie thanked the Separation for the requisition. When iirst approached privately by several ratepayers he had said that he had no wish to take ollice. hut if he were assured that a fair proportion oi the ratepayers wanted him to come out he would do -0. Thev had taken him at his word, prepared this largelysigned requisition, and he would act up to his promise, lie was not prepared to say much upon municipal matters at the moment, for it was some time since lie had left the Council. Hut it must have been apparent to every man, as it had been to him. that the borough system of -treet maintenance was quite disorganized and out of joint. The steps taken by the Council in altering the control of sheet works by dispensing with the foreman—steps they were now eudeaveiling to retrace—were entirely wrong, iun| the saving of a few pound's at the expense of I'llii-i.iKV of control was an illadvised policv. lie would support Mr. Dockrill in several matter., lie had mentioned. .Mr. Coleman thanked the candidates on behalf of the ratepayers, who would all be pleased with the decision. lie referred to the sewerage connection scheme- as mentioned by Mr. Dockrill, and said he greatly regretted that the Council had not gone on with the plan. 11,. had taken up the matter of requesting these gentlemen (u stand because when ),,. announced his intention of retiring from the Council lie was told. "If you go out, you must lind us another good mm."