TRIBUTE TO EX-MAYOR.

Auckland Star, Volume XLV, Issue 155, 1 July 1914, Page 7

TRIBUTE TO EX-MAYOR.

PRESENTATION TO MB. COYLE. The retirement from public life nf Mr. M. J. Coyle, recent Mayor of the Mount Albert Borough andl iniemiber of the Council for a period extending over 15 year.-, was 'marked last night by a pleas, ins gathering nf citizens, comprising members of tbe .present Council as well ais prominent local ratepayers. The occasion was the presentation of an illuminated address and a purse of sovereigns to Mr. Coyle, as well as a gold bracelet tn Mrs. Coyle. The address, which was nf an elaborate character in choice painting and magnificently framed. referred to tlie 'fact thai Mr. Coyle had rendered valuable snrvitve* tn Hie district as chairman nf ihe old Road Board, iii:iv.i|- for three years in thp borough, representative of the borough and president of the Local Bodies' Association. as well a? being representative nn the Drainage Board. Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, an.l for several years member of the (Schools Committee. A touching feature in connection with the signatories; to the address was the liaime of .Mr. W. Lambe. v. lit) p.i.-sed away on Tuesday night. This was the last signature he ever put tn paper. As a mark of respect to the dead .the audience rose, and bowed their beads. Allot her signature was that of Mr. J. R Waters, tirst chairman of the Bond Board, about thirty years ago. In making the presentation, Mr. 1". J. H. Ellis/ion stated that he was nn old collen rr uc of Mr. Coyle, and had been ploa.stirnli.y associated with him in his public work for a number of years. The borough bad Inst an invaluable member in Mr? Goyle's retiring into private life. Mr. Ellisdoii also paid a tribute to Mrs. Coyle as ex-Mayorcs.?. In replying for both his wife and himself, Mr. Coyle. expressed his sincere gratification at the gift, saying it would find an honoured place in his home. Tnucliimr itpnn matters of lnca] interest the .speaker voiced his criticism of the existing ward system, and state,] as his belief that the borough would he bctlpr served were thir system abolished, and members of tbe Council elected, at large. Concluding. .Mr. Coyle «tated that durin<r his connection with the district he had seen solid progress made, and he believed that he had left the district in a .better condition than lie had found it. (Loud applause.) During tbe evening a number of mnsicalfiiumbci's were rendered, and a pleas- ;„— fonversaatione followed.