Installation of Mayor

At tho Invercargill Borough Council meeting on Thursday evening. Mr C. S. Lonfcuet, before vacating the chair, asked the indulgence of the Council while he gave a short resume of events during his term of office. Ah to finance, he could safely say that during the two years the greatest economy had been exercised, and nothing but necessary works had been undertaken. Their expenditure had, it was true, exceeded their income, but the works, besides Leing of great importance, were of a permanent nature. A change in finance had been made by the adoption of rating on unimproved value, which had tho effect of keeping values practically stationary. The Council had also lost the £200 on the land taken for the railway workshops, but the inclusion of Northern! had made some difference. Works had been undertaken out of loan money, including a considerable amount of asphalting. The question of drainage was of great interest, particularly that of tho outfall sewer, but there was an arrangement yet to bn made with the outside boroughs, and he anticipated no difficulty in that. He thought Mr Anderson's scheme would havo to be curtailed, us it was an expensive one. The drainage between Invercargill and the adjoining boroughs would have to be seen to, and ho referred to the difference of opinion in regard to Dalryniple road drain, which he claimed existed wholly for the . purpose of South Invercargill. The question had arisen partly through the action taken by tho Hoalih Department, which had been making itself felt on local bodies. A fair anVount of money had been spent on the reserves, and he hoped to see the work now in progress carried out. A work inaugurated in his time was the town hall, and he trusted to Gee it. in full swing soon. They hurt been greatly assisted by prison labour, and ho believed that it would still be available in connection with tho drainage scheme. Some important works were carried out in the gas department. Several matters which had been attended to were the Coronation, sending away and receiving contingents, reception of General Sir Hector Mac(lonalci, and various other demonstrations. There was now in hand the erection of a memorial to those who had fallen in South Africa. One matter in which the new Mayor wpuld have some work was the Patriotic Fund. "Mr Longuet referred in tho most complimentary terms to the «tafT, individually and collectively. Whilo ho had never spared himself in the exerciso of his duties, he had found the work a little trying, and tho relief was not altogether unwelcome for various reasons. Ho had to thank the Council for the kindness and consideration .shown him. Addressing the Mayor, Mr Longuet said : ■"I ho-vo to congratulate you very much on your election to the office of Mayor of this town — an important and honourable position — and 1 trust that your term* will bo pleasing to yourself and beneficial to tho town, as 1 havo no douut it will be. It is a**U](ftter of congratulation to you to see you have associated with you such a council, men with experience and with" the welfare of the town at heart, whom I am sure will assist you as they have me during the pn- s t year." Mr Louguet then handed tho keys (o Mr Froggait and invited him to assume the chair, amid loud applause.

The Mayor said that it was indeed a great pleasure to him to sco so many old comrades at the table, and he had no doubt that the new members would prove themselves capable councillors. He recognised the very responsible position in which the citizens had placed him, but he was not altogothcr an untried man. He hoped to bo able to carry out tho dutiva with credit to himself nud satisfaction to the Council. Ha craved their indulgence U he made a slip or

" tramped on their corns " at any tima, but bo would no doubt have their assistance in carrying out t(he duties that devolved on his position. (Applause.)

'Councillor Scandrebt pxpressefl the Council's and ratepayers' satisfaction at the position occupied by tho Mayor. His Worship had a large oxperionce, and during the ensuing year no doubt money would bo judiciously spent. While expressing the welcome he had at the same tjmo to move a motion in reference to tho retiring Mayor— viz. : " That the Council place on record their appreciation of the oxcellent manner in which the retiring Mayor, Charles Stephen Longuet, Esq., has discharged the Mayoral duties during the past two years. This appreciation must have been shared by the citizens, ais the honour of election to the Mayoral chair for two consecutive years j has been bestowed on no citizen since I the late Hon. W, Wood, M.L.C. filled the same office in the yeaa'S 1871 and 1872."

Councillor Roche seconded tho motion with the greatest pleasure. Mr Longuet deserved every word of it, and he had, in the speakers experience, conducted the business of the Council in a thoroughly satisfactory manner. lie congratulated the Mayor on the position he occupied.

Councillor Olt said, that in Mr Longuet they had had a most excellent Mayor and excolleut chairman. Under tho presidency of Mr Froggntt they would have to go slower than during the past yenr. They hud not always agreed at the Council table, but they had always received the greatest courtesy from Mr Longuet, »»d ho had no boudt that they would work equally well with Mr l-'rog-

gatt. Councillor J. -Stood said tho Council were sorry to lose Mr Louguet, but at tho snmo> time he congratulated his successor, who. he was sure, would give a good account of his stewardship. Councillor Lillicrap, tis one of the younger councillors, said that his experience of Mr Longuet had been of tho pleasantest character. He had made an ideal chairman, in no way curtailing discussion, but always bringing a discussion to an end in a satisfactory mannet'. He wus sure Mr Froggatt would have the assistance of the Council during his term. Councillor Crosby Smith said that Mr Longuet was about his ideal of what a chairman should be. Ono strong point was his attention to the reserves, and he hoped the new Mayor would do his best to enhance the beauties of Invertargill. Councillor Cleave said that. Mr Longuet was the best of twelve Mayors he had s-at under, and raised a laugh with some reminiscences of convivial invitations given by Mayors ancient and mod-

Councillor W. Stead said that Mr Longuet had been an exceptionally successful Mayor, and surprised councillors with the expedition with which he got through the business. He congratulated the new Mayor, nnd assured him o£ the hearty support of the Council. Councillor McGruer said that he could only elaborate on what had already boon said. The Council had always received the greatest courtesy from Mr Longuet, and Were assured of the same

from his successor

Councillor Stirling also paid a. tribute to the courtesy and urbanity shown by the lute Mayor, li Mr Froggat carried out his duties in the same manner there would probably be a second term for

him

Councillor McDonald endorsed the remarks of previous speakers. Looking at Mr Longuet'H conduct of public functions he had always admired his efficiency. lie congratulated the mayor on ocoupylng his important position.

Councillor McKay said that ho had always admired Mr Longuot as mayor, and thought him an ideal chairman.

The Mayor briefly returned thanks for the kind congratulations, nnd on. putting: the motion it was carried with applauso and convoyed to Mr Longuet, who thanked the Mayor and Council. It wns resolved that the resolution he engrossed on vellum and handed to Mr Loncuet

Mr Young (Town Clerk) thanked Mr Longuct on behalf of the start for his complimentary romarks rogar(ding thoir services, ami expressed tlieir appreciation of Mr Loiicuet's many courtonios.