Installation of Mr A. J. Parsons, as Mayor.

Tho ceremony of installing Mr A. J. Parsons as Mayor of the Borough of Wanganui, for a third term of office, took place at the Council Chambers to-day, about 12.80, nearly half-an-hour elapsing before a quorum could be got together. Mr Henry Nathan (the retiring Mayor) presided, Mr Parsons being seated on the dais at his right, while the following were also present : -Councillors Cummins, Hatrick,Lifliton, and Hogg. Previous to the ceremony, Mr Nathan gave a resume of the work oarricd out during bis term of office as follows : — To the Members of the Wanganui Borough

Counoil.

GBHTIBStBH, Previous to resigning the duties of Mayor to my successor, I would ask your attention for a few minutes ia order that a short review should be mode of the works undertaken and corapletod during the past 12 months, and classified under tho following heads : — Bridge Maintenance. — The sum expended on this work amounts to £806, less £484 received from other local bodies, making the borough contribution £372, to which must be added £286, the annual grant to tho Harbour Board, making a total of £608. With tho exception of the annual grant, the Counoil are nob likely for the next few years to be called on for any large expenditure under this head. Tree Planting and Reserves. — 200 Oriental plane trees have been planted on the streets, and one ton of Band grass on Block 17, Town Belt, Lighting. — Eight new lamps hare been erected. Kerbing and Channelling. — 22 chains hsjve been completed. Footpaths.— 34 chains top dressed, 43 chains tarred and eanded, 2UB chains repaired, 20 chains formed and completed. Footpaths and Water Channels.— ssß chains have been cleared and trimmed up, and 222 chains open diains cleared. Other worlw as follows i—l 67i — 167 chains Bide of streets clayed, 10 chains formation and mottalling, 14 chaiDS fencing St. John's Hill, cleared 6 chains choked drains, repaired 2£ ohains Avenue drain, and other workfl,some of which wero completed at the cost of the applicants. River Bank Protection.— About £70 has been expended on this work, including the cost of raising the punt that was bunk by the late flood. Plans and specifications have been prepared for works involving an expenditure of about £4000, whioh sum will have to be added to the present debt of the Borough. Finance. — At the commencement of my term we were owing tha Bank a sum of £90, and now at its close the credit balance is £811, The account baring the greatest oiedit balance is Water Supply, this is owing principally to tho fact that very little breakage has oconrred during the year, and also that persons who used to hare water at a nominal cost have now to pay a reasonable charge for what they use. A contract fort':o supply of water pipes has been enteml into, coating about £250. Negotiations are nlao in progress for the purchase of 28 acres of land from Mr Hogg for the purpose of an auxiliary water Mr Nathan then expressed his appreoia-

tion of the courtesy shown and assistance rendered to him by all the Councillors, asking that the same consideration might be ■hownto his successor. He congratulated Mr Parsons sincerely on hit eloction to the Mayoral chair, also the Councillor! that they had a chairman of their own choice, and the ratepayers in general, who would havn the satisfaction of knowing that he had a thorongh knowledge of the requirements of the Borough, and the desire, with the assistance of the Councillors, to further its interests. The Town Clerk and Foreman of Works were likewise thanked for their courtesy and assistance, it having been A proved that their advice and itteu- * tion to their duties had materially assisted in carrying out works authorised by the Council. Mr Nathan concluded, ia rtw signing the chair to Mr Panons, by expre^^ ing the hope that his term o£ office woula prove as pleasant as it had to him.

Mr Parsons having mado the necessary declaration, he was congratulated in tarn by all the councillors present His Worship the Mayor, in reply to the many kind remarks tendered him on his accession to office for a third term took the opportunity of returning thanks to the retiring Mayor for his many disinterested actions daring w many yeawforthe eoodoftheßorough. He then briefly referred to the several matteri calling for the attention of the Counoil, and had no doubt but that they -would receive the thoughtful care and serious attention of the Councillors. During his term of office |ho would do his very utmost to administer the finances of the Borough in an economical manner, and would try and merit the esteem of the Councillors by conducting the business in a thorough impartial - spirit. After thankinßlipecially the Borough officials for the services of all timei to oheerfully given by them, Mr Parsons concluded by thanking most sincerely the ratepayers for the very proud position in whioh they had placed him. This being all the business the meeting adjourned.