MAYORAL INSTALLATION.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXIII, Issue 8832, 7 May 1914, Page 6

MAYORAL INSTALLATION.

COUNCILLOR SW rORN IN

Mr Henry Davis was installed in the Ashburton Mayoral Chair last evening for the twelfth year in succession. Councillor H. R. C McElrea, who was elected at the recent by-election, v also made his declaration, and was sworn

Prior to the installation ceremony, Mr Davis read his annual statement, which was partly a review of the year's work.and jpartly a summary of the Council's financial position. After thanking the electors for returning him to the office for the 12th successive year, and referring to the recent visit of his Excellency the Governor, Lord Liverpool, and the Countess of Liverpool, and the visit in May of last year of a contingent of bluejackets from H.M.S. New Zealand, the statement went on to say that the revenue during the year from all sources ha dbeen £8574, and the expenditure £11,792, an excess over income amounting to £3218, which had been almost wholly incurred _ by extraordinary expenditure in the highpressure-, water supply department. The public debt was £23,500, and the accrued sinking funds totalled £2363. Owing to the heavy expenditure in the high-pressure water supply department, it would not be possible to undertake,any new work of a costly nature without raising the rates, or a loan, which practically amounted to the same thing. After dealing in extenso with'the extraordinary expenditure in connection with the high-, pressure water supply department," and stating that there was now sufficient accommodation and engine power for the next five years, the most important works carried out during the year were enumerated, and proposals in connection with' the. Domain which would . come up for consideration when the estimates were being prepared were referred to. In dealing with the \ question of the. abattoirs, it was stated that, as the Canterbury Frozen Meat Company had •given notice that it did not intend to renew the present agreement, which expired in two years' time, the Council would have to provide an abattoir of its own. It would be necessary to raise a loan for the purpose, but, as the providing of an abattoir was compulsory, the Act provided that .it was not necessary to obtain the sanction of * the ratepayers before raising, .the loan. A site on one of the Borough reserves next the river had been inspected by two officers of the Department of Agriculture, but their report was not yet to hand. In regard to reserves, it was stated that during the" year five Glasgow leases had been issued, bringing the total number of holdings let under this tenure up. to 50. The -last important question dealt with in the report was that of loans for a sewerage system and' other works, the Mayor stating that in order to keep down preliminary expenses and avoid treating with important matters in a piecemeal fashion, he would suggest that the taking of a poll for.- the raising of a loan for either a sewerage scheme or street improvements, or for both, bo deferred till 1916, for then the Council could take over the whole of the electric light system at valuation, without paying anything for goodwill. In the interests of the ratepayers, he strongly recommended "this being done. If the question of raising loans was held over till the year mentioned, the ratepayers could, at the one poll, sanction the raising -of a loan to provide for one or more of the works referred to. The report concluded by making complimentary reference to the conduct of councillors and their fair and impartial treatment of all matters coming before them, the able work of the Foreman (making mention that the re-organisation scheme effected last year had proved to be advantageous .financially and otherwise) and the Town Clerk (Mr A. McClure), and in connection with the; latter officer the Mayor said that the Council was to be congratulated in having obtained the services of so capable an officer. Mr Davis moved the adoption of the i statement.

Or. Davison seconded the motion, which was-carried.unanimously.

Cr. Davison (Deputy-Mayor) who installed the Mayor, referred to the fact" that Mr Davis had been elected unopposed, to the office of Chief Magistrate of Ashburton for a good many years. He could only reiterate the remarks that he h-id made last year, when he had'said he thought that he could not hand the keys to a more worthy or more capable citizen. Cr. Davison then handed over the keys, and Mr Davis made the usual declaration.

His Worship stated that he would do his utmost to continue to carry out the duties attaching to the office of Mayor as he had done in the past. He hoped the Council would, help'him in carrying out his'work. He View he had an excellent lot of councillors to assist him. Ho congratulated Cr. McElrea on his election to the Council.

Cr. McElrea briefly returned thanks, stating thjit lie would endeavour to do his best 'the town. He would support any progressive movement, and yet would. make economy oiie of his points.