NEW PLYMOUTH’S FUTURE.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 May 1921, Page 5

NEW PLYMOUTH’S FUTURE.

VALUE OF HYDRO-ELECTRJOITY. PROGRESSIVE MUNICIPALITY? VISION OF NO RATES. At (he conclusion of the business of the New Plymouth Borough Council last night councdllora, ex-Mayors and excon nci Hors, officials, and a number ot citizens were the guests of the Mayor, and a short toast list was honord. The function was the customary one which follows the installation of a new council. After the Loyal toast had been drunk, Mr. R. Cock proposed “The Parliament of New Zealand”. In responding, Mr. S. G. Smith, M.P., said that the country was at present passing through a crisis that could be met only by the united co-operation of all loyal people. The Government, he remarked, had to contend with the same difficulties which local bodies met dn ttheir respective spheres, but to a larger extent. He had no doubt that the efforts of all those who placed country before party would lead, to the difficulties being overcome. The Borough of New Plymouth was being watched very closely by public men throughout New Zealand, as a result of a number of movements initiated, notably the hydro-electric works, and generally had the reputation of being a progressive municipality. To show that they were in a sound financial position, Mr. Smith said that recent endeavors to secure Government assistance for loan works had failed really because the borough was a prosperous one. Others had been assisted because of their financial difficulties, and by reason of the fact that if they were not helped damage to their particular town and the Dominion would result. “The Mayor’’ was proposed by Mr. C. H. Burgess., who expressed confidence that the end of the council’s term would see a record of work accomplished and difficulties overcome.

In reply, Mr. Wilscm expressed great faith in the hydro-electric scheme as an asset to New Plymouth. He looked to the day. when the town would be ratefree, owing to the progress and development of electricity, owned and. controlled bj r the borough. A few years ago this would have seemed a big proposition to advance, but a glance at wh|t had been done in recent times by thepe undertakings would result in appreciation of the possibilities of the department. Mr. Wilson, in referring to the work of the council, said one thing whfch bad impressed him was the close attention which councillors had given to (he business of the borough. As to the ensuing term, practically everything depended on the raising of the loans for the hydro-electric -works, for if the money was not forthcoming, interest on loans already raised would have to be met by moneys which otherwise would have been devoted to the streets. This was- an aspect which he had not failed to keep before the burgesses.

In proposing the toast of “Officers of the Council”, the Mayor paid a compliment to those responsible for the administration work. The council, he said, were fortunate in having on the permanent staff men whose whole object was undoubtedly to advance the welfare of the borough. The speaker also included in his remarks references to other institutions with which the council was intimately connected. «Responses were made by Mr. F. T. Bellringer (general manager), on behalf of the staff, and Mr. Brodie, as representative of the council’s bankers. Other toasts were as follows: “The Councillors” (proposed by the Mayor and responded to by Messrs. Parkin and Kibby); “Ex-Mayors and Councillors” (proposed by Mr. W. J. Penn and responded to by Messrs. G. W. Browne, W; F. Short and R. Cock); “The Press”, proposed by Cr. Griffiths and responded to by Messrs, W. J. Penn and T. C. List).