THE DYING COUNCIL.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 92, 18 April 1913, Page 9

THE DYING COUNCIL.

MAYOR'S APPRECIATION. '* FINE RECORD OF INDUSTRY. Prior to the closing of the City Council's final meeting before the elections, - the Mayor (Mr. C. J. Parr) made a few valedictory remarks. "This," he said, "is the last meeting of the old Council which for the past two years have laboured in the citizens' interests, and I think it is my duty to -congratulate you upon your strenuous activity and on the good work . generally you have done for the city. We have all endeavoured to do our best, and it cannot be laid at our doors that we have been apathetic, lazy, or indifferent. I wish to thank tbe Councillors for setting an example in the way of attending 1 meetings that I hope will be emulated by your successors in-office. No Council has worked more honestly or industriously than tTi..' present one. I have heard nothing said against the integrity of the Council, which is something to be said. I also'wish to" cSp_e_."my appreciation on .... the. harmonious relations which have existed between' 'myself and the various Councillors, f congratulate the city upon the - work- you have dono during your term." He also thanked the Parnell Councillors for their share in the Council's work during their term upou.it. He did not fear that at the forthcoming elections the good sense of the citizens would see that the best men were returned for the safeguard of the citizens' interest. The Mayor, before concluding, expressed bis 1 appreciation of the work done by the officials nf the Council and of their ira'faili. g courtesy to himself in the past year. r_He also expressed regret at the loss the Council had sustained by the ' of Councillor Shaw. His experience as ri Councillor and a public map had been of the greatest. value to the city. He had practically reorganised the bookkeeping department, for through his energy and ability they had now ,i system by which a proper trading bal-ance-sheet was shown for every department. It was only right in these closing hours of tho Council that a, little testimony should be given of the worth of ' - the work; done by • Councillor Shaw. Mr. John Court experienced his appreciation of "the work done by the Mayor, who had pushed into being-work that should bavetbecn done ten years ago. A system of street improvement had been --' inaugurated that would give Auckland - the best streets in the Southern hemisphere, while the parks and reserves • "bore testimony to the "Mayor's enthusi- ' asm. In concluding his remarks, Mr. Court handed to his' Worship his nomination papers, signed by each of the twenty Councillors present at the meeting. As the oldest Councillor (in term) of the Council. Councillor A.' J. Entrican spoke warmly of the- harmony that had ever characterised the. Council's deliberations. Without entering into figures and detail, he wished to say that it was a marvellous thing to him that so much had been, done without 'the rates of the city having been, raised.'. Auckland was one of .the cheapest rated in the world. ' t , : Councillor R. Tudehope added his con- -!, . gratula'tions to the Mayor and the other Councillors on the work done during the ."• ' past two years, arid Councillor R. S. • -'-Briggs- thanked the Mayor and other speakers-ibr. the courtesy extended to4_e, ... V| ihcpirifng Par iiell.--Councillors "by the. sit-,, '.'. ting City Councillors.' , , .- • *"..'. ■