INSTALLATION OF MAYOR.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume XXI, Issue 1610, 18 December 1891, Page 2

INSTALLATION OF MAYOR.

This ceremony took place at noon on Wednesday There were present—Hi"b Worship the Mayor (Mr Penlington) in the chair, and Crs Armstrong, Chappell. Munro and Watkins.

That portion of the Act authorising the installation, nnd the declaration of the Returning Officer in regard to the late election were read.

The Chairman congratulated Mr Clarke on his election to the Mayoralty. It showed that a large majority of the burgesses were anxious to entrust him with their interests. He (Mr Penlington) had held offi'e for three years, and be could say without discredit that during that term he and the Council had been in thorough accord. There hid been no bii kerings and quarrels, but they hid all worked harmoniously together. It weh true that during his term of office there hid been no important works couimenced. Just before his advent the borough had gone in largely for improvements, and run into debt. They therefore had to economise, and the'result ws that they were now in a good financial position, having paid off their d«bts, and having a good surplus.. Of this a email amount waa placed on fixed deposit to pay off. the Recreation loan. It whs for the present Mayor and Councillors to decide whether this should he continued It was his own opinion that it sbouid. During hia period as Chairman of the Council any suggestion he had made had t>een carried out, and they had always listened with great good feeling tow&rds him. He trusted they would extend the same courtesy to his successor. Again thanking mem for their continual kindness towards him, he wou'd conc'ude by saying that he had the interests of the borough at heart. Their interests were all joined. He hoped it would not be long before he deliberated wiih them an to tho best manner in which to further those interests.

Mr Clarke then took the chair as Mayor, and the retiring Mayor and Councillor congratulated him on hid accession to the position The Mayor elect thanked them very much for their expressions of kindness. He felt that he had most important trusts to fulfil, especially as he was stepping into the shoeß of so nble a man as their late Chairman. He would do his beet to deserve that coufHence placed in him by the hurgeKses. It was not necessary for bim <o tjo inte the programme relative to tbe coming year's woik. There were two important matters which they would most pro'iably deal with. viz.. the disposal of nitfhtsod and the asphalting of footpaths. He agreed with the late \1 iyor that past works should be paid for is soon as possible. There was another matter that would probably come before them, that was the question of a water supply for the > town. Unless, however, some new scheme came before them, the work would he put off for a eonniderable time. T..at proposed by Mr Wilkins was far too expen- . eive. He again thanked them for their •• courtesy. Mr Chappell moved—" That a hearty vote of thaoks be accorded to the retiring . Mayor (Mr Wm. Penlington) for the able manner in which he has carried out the mayoral duties during his three years of office." Speaking on behalf of the Councillors, he might Bay that they bad always worked harmoniously with Mr Penlington.; and that tbat gentleman had evidently considered it his first duty to act with courtesy towards -those, with whom he met for the transaction of the borough business.

Cr Armstrong seconded the motion. He was one of the oldest councillors. The retiring Mayor was to be warmly praised for his carefulness and farsighted qualities, which did Dot Bppear except when in deliberation with those with whom be worked in concert. They owed without doubt their new wharf to his efforts, and probably it would not yet have been built but for bis energy in the matter. Tbe motion was carried with applause.

Mr Penlington thanked them very much. He bad been interested in the borough from tha first, and he trusted that were his assistance ever required they should not hesitate to ask his help. Thanking them sincerely, be would not keep them any longer, as tbey were all anxious to get away. Tbe meeting then adjourned.