I-'i:eRUiLRY 7. 1953- Meyer Emphasizes

Continued from page 1 1 was lowered from 376. in 1951 to 135g for 1952. This revision and revaluation is a ri..orm in Oivic ad- ministration which was long over- due.

ments. There are equally valid reasons for larger revenues for the municipalities.

Streets '

Your biggest Committed and your busiest Committee for the year of 1952 was the street Department.

This Oouncil, faced first with the

Mayor's Problems

"Your Council has g'ven consid- erable study .to the major problems that are confronting mist City and surrounding areas, and while noth- ing yet in ccnwete form has taken shape. within the coming year we hope tha't the ideas will take isoiid

THE GUARDIAN.

ciirreat Account-

,continued from page 1

vised assessment on real estate. and are pleased to state that it was received by the taxpayers as a fair and equlteble' valuation. The total valuation on real and

Cl-IARLOTTETOWN

dftian of the bond market-and 335,000 which is 5091. of bonds ms- turlng in 1952. up to the first of July. This sefunding issue of 388,- 000 was sold to the Provincial Government at a price of 97.50. The bonds were 20 year, non-ca1l- able 415 per cent, 1972.

Tendes were invited on a bond

issue of 3250.000 permanent works'

unturned to see that tax arrears will be paid the City Corporation.

Your Finance Committee, during the year, reviewed taxes on the Charlottetown Forum Limited. and the by-law to amend the by-law respecting taxation on the Forum was enacted. This was done under lauthority of the Act of Incorpora- tion.

I Gaesiilaii costumers Ilewe

genisation to look after the prob- lems of the consumer and we have only ourselves to blame that our C.A.C. isn't stronger.

its federation, union or pressure-

, PAGE NINE

new members attending. and the treasurer then gave her raportq

Elaine Toom-be opened the Wor- ehip service with a. recitation. Sandra K Jy save the can to Worship, followed by Hymn 504 "Praise Him, Praise Him.” Cad spoke on "Prayer." A prayer was then said by Mrs. Kennedy. and of the Mission Band teachers

I Continued from page 2

Every branch of our economy has

Education .5 "Wntenance of some of our streets I9"m- T0 "WW0" I I9" 01 W0 "W Def-SODII PPTOPGII-1' WI-5 834.003.2511. Katheryn MacLeod read a stow! Fa, mm P”, numu 0. yam. first the rehgbiiitgtion of omen. !p'ori.1a':t ones -. tl':euz)'evlsion1oflt-he ale against 315,160,124 for the pre- tgliebenlagresl 1.41:; 111: tlie 0VC!'iI:::IIJa:l-l ch,,,,,ucw,,n new group, it matters not what they are um. which the offering ml "kg no me mmmu. -1-emu, we” ea Departmen work n can voue year. e ya an n cap called, that looks after the special en by Linda Dov”, md Ema”

the various councillors have been approached by the Board of School Trustees to impress upon them that the time has come when addition- e.l School facilities would have to

called for the work of rehabilita- tion and bids were received from the Island Construction Co.. Cur- ran as Briggs, Rayner Construction

co-operation with the Health and welfare Department of the Provinc- ial Government; the study of the fringe area with the possibility of

After considerable work by all committees of the Council. your committee brought in as the esti- mated expenditure in all depart- ments 3675.042. Estimated for 11-

oount. These bonds were for a per- iod of'twenty years bearing inter- est at 41599. Several syndicates bid on this issue; but at the time tenders were called. the Canadian

A matter of concern to the Finance Committee, and which we will bring before the Council. is the agreement with the Canadian National Railways regarding the

interests of that group. We all seem to do a better job of advancing our producer interests than we do of protecting our consumer interests.

MacKay. amounting to 31.51.

Mrs. Kennedy gave a report on her trip to Presbytery in 5mm-

merside. Hymn 596 f'Fathex- Lead

There are more ways and places for anyone to get a hearing as a producer than for him or her to be heard as a consumer and yet after all producers and consumers are the same people. "Everyone is a

th extension of the City limits, which would mean the supplying of ser- vices enjoyed by the residents with- in the limits, more particularly the laying of water and sewer mains to eliminate the hazrrd of pollution.

Co.. and Warren Maritime: Lim- ited. The latter company was awarded the contract. an insure the greatest efficiency in this project, the Donald Inspection Company

Charlottetown Hotel. The Board ofgvaluators set the valuation on the land and structure, for tax- aiion purposes, at the sum of 3832.000. In the year 1941 a ten year agreement was entered into

Me" was then sung. Rev. Mr. Macbean told the children a story about the "Five Fingers." and Rev. Irwin told an interesting story about "The Bay in China,"

dollar was at an all time high in companson with the American dollar. The result was that many Americans who held Canadian bonds took the advantage of the

eensee. rents, Police Court, etc.. granil. Commissioners of Bowers as water supply, parking meters, and poll tax, to the amount of 514221.656. left the sum of 3552.386

be provided to meet the require- iiiunu of our students. Diversiificaticn of curriculum can- not be accomplished enomically or with full educational pomibilities

with the present overcro ing oi our public schools. Reallzi g that this overcrowding is on the in- crease. Charlottetown definitely is confronted with the erection of a High School. As I understand it, the pupils. ter completing grade eight in the Public Schools. would he graduated to the High School. where the Freshman year would tstry on the work of grade nine. I relieve that such a change would :ertalnly be an improvement, and mat the student would have a bet- ier rounded academic background, which would allow him or her a iegree of specialization in the lat- ter years as far asschooi facilities made it possible. The cost estimates of the High School are as yet tent- ative, depending on 'ihe plans. spe- cifications. and the contractor's tender.

We appreciate the great amount of thought and study given by the Board of School Trustees, under their chairman, Dr. Lee. I have assured him and his associates they will receive the wholeliearted co- operation in whatever steps they take wward the achievement oi this most necessary project. within the financial limitations of this City.

At the present time there are eighty-eiglht teachers engaged in our four public schools and kinder- garten. There are 1,310 boys and 1.155 girls. making a total in all of 2.473 pupils. The total cost of main- taining thue four schools. and the paying oi supplements to the teachers amounted in the year 1952 to 3l44.464.0.'i.

Mr. 11.)”. Mack-Wliee. .B.A.. Q.C.. was re-appointed to the Board for another five years. We also wel- come as Superintendent to the City schools. Mr. Kenneth Parker, MA.

Finance

Your city has lived within its budget in current account for the past year, and it is to be congrat- ulated on so doing in the face of rising costs.

Mudi time and energy has been devoted to the spending of the tax- payer's money, in order that the tax dollar be stretched as far as D&Ible.

Your Finance Comoniittee has also

worked most sueniucusly on the pwud

collection of arreaire of taxes. Sicrtiy after taking office. your Council waited on the Provincial Governmqgt and presented a brief ethic additional assistance, and as a result of our efforts the grant was increased by approximately 25 Du cent. We feel that this is not adequate, and it is our intention to press' our clalmsmit the earliest opportunity. The net lde-bt of the City as the present time Is 32.774,- .S17.w. This would make the per cepite. debt 3176.35. There are 5.400 names on the assessment roll of the city paying real. personal or poll tax. This would mean that the debt oer famuyer is 3513.82, the net debt I practically five times the current ovy me real and personal tax. The Mymuit oi debenture interest and linking fund provision is definitely i load on the City Treasury. The following table shows the ag- Ireoute revenues for all govern- ments In 1930. 1939. 1948 and 1951. Ind the percentage of the total ac- cruing to each level of government.

Haul years 1930 1959 1948 1951 Total - All

Governments

iailllione)

Federal 38.696 50.794: 07.596 71.396 PPOVIIIOIAI 22.051. 21.77: 19.89:. 17.296 Municipal 39.495 27.695 12.770 11.596

in-om the foregoing tables. it will be men that the aggregate reven- ues accruing to both the Federal Ind Provincial Governments have moved steadily upwards and well beyond their equivalent 1930 douar value. The increase in municipal revenues durim the period has been barely sufficient to meet their minimum expenditure needs con- Iequent upon expanding urben rrmrth. There are good and suffic- ient reasons for the increased rev- enue needs of -both the Federal and Provincial Govemmenis. There are Equally valid reasons for larger rev- muee for the municipalities.

From the foregoing tables, it will be seen that the aggregate revenues morning to both the Federal and Provincial Governments have mov- Dd steadily upwards and well be- mad their equivalent 1930 dollar Vllue. The increase in municipal revenues during, the period has been he-my sufficient to meet their minimuni expenditure needs con- ”W9nI- "Don growth. There are 3001! Ind sufficient reasons for the increased revenue needs of both the FNIGIII and Provincial Govern-

was engaged in a technical capac- ity. Approximately 3360.000 worth of work was done under our ni- gineering Department with Mr. Harold Hewitt and his staff work- ing along. as technical advisers. other major projects under the supervision of the street t- merit were done .by M. F. Seth n Company, the County Construc- tion Gonvpany and our Street De- partment men. A detailed account will be found in the report which will be submitted by the Chairman of "the Street Department.

Public Property

Your Public Property Committee was certainly not idle during the year. Possibly the major project taken by them in 1952 was the building of the sea Wadi at the west end of the Victoria Park.

The re-building and lengthening of the bridge at the north end of the Government Pond, the laying of the asphalt walk on King Square. the painting of the rail on the breastwork at Victoria Park, and the redecorating oi our City Hall, are some of the operations done by them.

Police

The Police Department carried on in its usual efficient manner. Here again much thought was given to the workings oi this Department. by the Police Committee. The new police patrol was purchased. and interim the season a motorcycle was acquired. We believe that the acquiring of the motorcycle will do much to control traffic menaces. The parking meters netted the City some 36,010.13. They have done much to facilitate the parking in the congested areas. and I know the Police Comanittee is giving thought to the installation of more. The traffic lights also are a great aid to the handling of our traffic, especially those at the intersec- tion oi Euston. Weymouth. and Iongworth Avenue. I .feel that there is still need for more of these trailfic lights. and they will be pro- cured just as soon as it lls conven- iently possible.

1 Fire Department

This is another splendid depart- ment in our civic set-u-p. We are of both the men and the equipment. During the year our If-ire Committee has given miich of their time and energy in dealing with the various problems and re- quests from the firemen.

The acquisition of an air hoe-n. life net. and delige gun have add- ed to the efxiclenioy of this splen- did depariiment. This new equip- ment. which has cost the taxpay- ers considerable money, has been purchased only when it was felt to be absolutely necmary. Perhaps the citizens do not realize it, but the purchase oi every piece of major fire equipment means a re- duction 'to them on the premium they pay on their individual fire policies.

ny way of information to,the general public. the present volun- teer personnel oi the Fire Depart- ment is forty-five men. a Fire chief and an Assistant Fire Chief ap- pointed by the Council. The fire equipment is maintained and op- erated by three pennsnent engin- eere. The supervision of the Fire Department is vested In the Fire Board. which consists of the Fire committee of this Council, sr mem- ber of the Commissioners of Sew- ers md Water supply. and me Chief of the Fire Department.

Market

The Market Committee has given utmost satisfaction. me Market Building has been kept in a. good state of repair at all times, and all the service in connection with the Market have been attended to.

Lights

During the year. the lighting of our streets has been well looked after by our Llgiht Committee.

Tender

This committee. though not over- worked. gave careml consideration to all purchases for which tenders were called. While the latter two committees have not been called upon to perform very onerous tasks. they have been valuable members of other committees on which they have served.

By-Lowe

The following By-laws were passed by the Council during me year: -

April lath. -- A By-law to estab- lish the Installment Payment -of Civic Asseumente and to fix the Rate of Interest.

-.A By-law levying and speci- fying the am of Aaseuniem. on Real htats and Personal and the amount of Poll Taxa in the Oiiry oi Charlottetown. for general Civic purposes.

April 27th. - A By-law to amend the By-lam to establish Rules of Order to”regu1ate the prcceedhel of the city Council. my lain. .. A av-law to mend the By-law respecting shows and Please M lllnterteinnient and Am- moment.

August llth-A By-low to amend the By-law to establish a Restricted Building zone in the City.

ooeeea Men. A Dy-M in amend the By-ieiw to ruulate draf-

'Ietm die (It; at Oherlatotown.

-A -into mdiiotv-Ian gQpQtf':" .mofthIQl-

”'I'i1cn too, as I 3 eritioned before in this report. the lding of the High school. Your council knows that these projects will involve the spending of the i.airpe.yers' money. and naturally is moving slowly in making any changes. It is gratify- ing to the Council to report a splendid'splrlt of community co-, operation. through the Board of Trade, the Junior Chamber of Comme en, the Clt:zens' Committee on Town Planning, and the Par- ent-Teacher groups. We welcomd this valuable assistance.

During the year, you appointed Councillors Johnstone and Farm- er, and myself, to meet with the Provincial Minister of Health, 'to discuss the matter of a re-vamped Board of Health for the City of Charlottetown. A't this meeting, plans were laild to have legislation brought in for a new organized Board of Health for the City. After such legislation there will be a- vailable to the Cityof Charlottetown the facilities of the Provincial De- partment of Health and we will be assured of a rigid inaiectiuin of our miilk, meat, fish and other foods.

The Water Department, as you can see by the returns. is down considerably from 1951. In July an increase i-n the water rates was establigied, to take care of the in- crease in electrical energy costs. and the satisfactory results of this increase are shown in the financial returns by the Water Department to the City, for the last six months of 1952.

Airport Runways

I think that a review of events. with reference to this Council's at- tempt to have thei runways, or a runway, extended a't the Charlotte- town Aii-port. would now be time- ly. The matter was first taken up with the Federal authorities in Ot- tawa, by Premier-Jones and myself when we were there last March. This was followed in April by res- olutions of this Council. the Char- lottetown Board of Trade, and oth- or local organlntions. asking the Federal Department of Transport to make a survey of the local air- port. to ascertain wihat lands would be required to extend the runways. and also to ascertain to what ex- tent the Department would partic- ipate in this uu elopme t.

On July 31st we were honored with a visit from the Hon. Lionel Chevrier, Minister of Tr wort. Mr. John R. Baldwin, Chairman of the Air Transport Board. and Major Dodd. the Director of Civil Aviation for Canada. The Minister and his party made a complete ground survey of the airport prop- erty. and then met with represent- atives of the Federal House,” the Provincial Government and your Council, in uh-is Chaimbevr. where a verbal brief was presented.

The Minister assured us of his interest in the problem, but could not give any definite decision in the matter until a survey of areas and cost was made. A survey. by ofificlals of the Federal Dcpartfncnt of Transport was made. Late in November, I received a ccmmuni - atlon from the Hon. Mr. Chevrier advising me that "he was satisfied that it would be desirable to pro- ceed with the construction of a new runway at Charlottetown sub- ject to an undertaking from the City that it will take over opera- tional responsibilities."

In reply "to this comminilcation. I wrote the Minister axing for fur- ther details as to "operational re- sponsibilities”. I received e. lengthy reply in December. including a statement of expenditures and re- ceipts covering the operations of the ailport from October 1st. 1951 to September 30th.. 1052. Fresh this statement, one could only conclude that the city would have to be prepared to take over a substantial deficit yearly, if we are to have the Federal Govemment build us a runway adequate for present day aircraft. However. before bringing the matter before Council and then in turn replying to the Minister, I -have endeavoured to obtain from the cities of Saint John and Fred-

lcsses on the operation of their air- ports.

I have a complete statement from Saint John, and on receipt of Fredericton's, will lay the complete file on the table for your informa- tion and action.

In conversation with the Hon. Mr. Chevrier in Ottawa in De- cember, he intimated that the matter was always open to dis- cueelon, and providing an under- standing could he arrived at with the City. a sum adequate to make a start on construction of a run- way cbuld be included In the supplementary estimates.

During the year, I attended. Is your representative, two meetings of the Canadian Federation of Mayors and Municipalities. The first meeting was the annual Convention. held in Calgary in July. This meeting was very largely attended and covered' a wide range of g. " to all Canadian Municipalities-to clteie few. grants to Municipal- ltiee from the Federal Govern- ment ln lieu of taxes on Federal- ? owned properties. a study of he profile of absorption of

it! of Sales Tax on goods pur- aeed by Municipalities. Taxation did -Aueeeraent. and many others. 1110 second meeting was that of the National Incentive held -in Montreal and Ottawa early in De- otlnitar. The resolution: of the nation were reviewed

ior pre-

ericton a statement of profits. or,

"Fringe Areee", Civil Defense, lte- '

to be raised on the real and per- sonal property tax. To raise this amount on the 324,063,250 made the rate 2.15 per cent.

The actual, revenue was 3806.- 06s.3ii as against an estimated revenue of 3ilIl4.3l9.95. Whiid the actual expenditure was 3083,575.59 as against an estimated expend- iture of 36'l5,041.90. I have made WIIIS comparison to show you how closely the estimated was to the actual. This is not done without much thought and elort. Inci- dentally. we note that we are some 32,390.00 within our budget.

Bonds

Two issues of bonds were acid during the year-a reiunding issue which was made up of a 333,000 carry over from 1951 which was done owing to the lateness of maturity and the unhealthy con-

sentation to the Federal Cabinet. 1 was present, with the National Executive when they met with the Federal Cabinet and I e yearly briefs presented to that of the more Important points cov- ered was that oi a. request for a Conference oi Federaiy Provincial and Municipal Governments, to re- view the complete Canadian Tax structure with the hope that a more equitable distribution oi the tax dollar may be made.

The Canadian Federation of Mayors and Municipalities has Come I I008 way. and has done a great amount of valuable work for our level of Government since it was organized in 1037. It is now the recognized voice of Municipal Government in Canada and certain- ly deserves our full support.

Many distinguished personage: called at City Hall during the year, the outstanding one being our first Canadian-born Governor General. His Excellency Vincent Mllley. who was accompanied by his son and daughter-in-law. Mr. and Mrs. Lionel Massey. After a formal visit and presentation in the Council Chambers. His Excel- lency was a guest at a Civic Luncheon at Dalvay In our Nation- sl Park. His chatelalne, Mrs. Lionel Massey. was a guest of Mrs. Stewart at a Luncheon at Keppoch Beach Hotel. The citizens of Charlottetown greeted our Gov- ernor General wltii a warmth and sincerity which I feel he will long remember.