MAYGRAL INSTALLATIONS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 105, 3 May 1917, Page 4

MAYGRAL INSTALLATIONS.

BQ_t.o_r_-i or ar_.w_sia.KKET. MR. C. LEEK INSTALLED. Air. Christopher Leek was installed as Mayor of Newmarket last evening, in welcoming Hr. Leek the retiring Mayor, Mr iicColl, -aid that after having served, as a councillor for a period of sixteen years, it was fitting that he should have been elected. Mr. McColl mentioned that he had also served sixteen years ou the council —fourteen years as councillor, and two as Mayor, and that therefore it was oniy natural that he shoxild feel more than a little rearet at severing his connection with the Council. Mr. McColl thanked the members of tbe old Council for their loyalty to- him, while he had been Mayor, and also spoke of the good work done by Mr. L. Buisson (town clerk). In reply Mr Leek thanked Mr McColl and the members of the Council for their congratulations. [ The Council decided to place on record its high appreciation of the manner in which the affairs of tlie borough : were conducted by Mr McColl during the time he was Mayor. The Council I also referred to the amount of time I given to patriotic movements in Newmarket by Mr and Mrs McColl. The newly-elected councillors made the formal declarations, and the Mayor was duly installed into office. The Council was later entertained at supper by the retiring Mayor. Mr. J. McColl. Tlie following members of the Council were present:—Messrs. A. K. Kaglcton, T. J. OMeara, W. T. Sawbridge, H. J. Cooper, T. Wade, P. S. Boone, and S. J. Donaldson. DEVONPORT MAYOR. MR. J. HENDERSON INSTALLED. In the Devonport Borough Council Chambers last evening, Mr. J. Henderson was re-installed as Mayor of the borough, the function following upon bis recent unopposed election. The. now Council (changed in members only by the absence of Mr. A. Nixon, whose place has been taken by Mr. Fletcher) was in attendance, and representative burghers accepted the invitation to be present. Mr. Alex Harris. M.P., and Mr. A. Nixon (c_-Cou_cillor). and Mr. E. Bartley were also present. After the formalities of installation, conducted by Senior Councillor McCallum, the Mayor delivered a speech which conveyed to those present a clear idea of the borough's work and finance. In his remarks, Mr. Henderson said: "1 may here take the opportunity to refer to ex-Councillor Nixon's services during his last five years of office as Councillor, and in thanking him on behalf of the borough for his faithful services always so ungrudgingly given." Mr. Henderson then welcomed the new member (Mr. I. J. Fletcher), and later congratulated Mr. Mortimer (Town Clerk). Mr. Worthington. Mr. Bourke. and others of the Council's staff. Councillor Walker, after congratulatory remarks from all the Councillors, was elected as Deputy Mayor. Councillor J. P. Wright was re-elected as representative of the Takapuua Board of Control. After these proceeding, the Council adjourned to Lane's rooms for the continuance of the function. In the latter portion of the business the representative* of the local asscrati.ms and societies joined in an over the table discussion of tlie borough's workMr. Alex Harris. M.P.. after congratulating the .Mayor and Councillors and the borough for having re-elected them to office, summarised the business of the borough that came before his notice as member for the district. He referred to the water supply of the North Shore boroughs as being one of the most vital of the questions for consideration in the near future. Mr. W. Wallace, of the Harbour Board and Charitable Aid Board, spoke to some length, also giving attention to the question of water supply. Mr. .1. Wright, of the Devonport Council, and others, offered information and suggestions that the Mayor considered would be helpful in the work of the coming term. A musical programme was given by Messrs. Ned Forte. B. Armiger. F. J. Bourke. and Dellow. BIRKENHEAD. PROGRESSIVE POLICY OUTLINED. Cr. C. E. Campbell. Deputy-Mayor, presided at the installation of Mr. James I*. McPhiiil for a further term, which took place last night. Mr. McPhail, who was heartily congratulated upon his reelection, expressed his pleasure that all the members of the late Council who had again offered themselves were returned. He referred to the valuable services rendered by Cr. Wm. Sampson, who had retired, and felt confident the new member. Cr. E. ('. Walton, would greatly assist the efforts of his colleagues. Though naturally every local body desired to adopt a. strong progressive policy, in these times it was inopportune to raise loans for big works, so he advocated undertaking only anvil works necessary for keeping the roads and footpaths in a reasonable state of repair, and such other works us were necessary, and these in keeping with the revenue available. The advent of the motor bus trallie led the Council to give greater attention to the main thoroughfares, and the expenditure on Hinemoa. Jlauruki and (ileufield reads and ilokoia anil Waipa Streets hud placed these roads in a good state of repair, and ue anticipated only a minimum expenditure ill maintenance would he required this vein-. This would allow tbe Council to devote attention to a number of the principal side roads. Of these Palmerston Road w-as probably the most important. The improvement of the lower portion of Birkdale Road was being put in hand, in order to link this up with the present metalled section. Practically all of the side roads, however, were iii need of some attention, and an earlytour of inspection should be made by the Council. The general condition of the waterworks plant and service was entirely satisfactory. Extensions were ■being provided out of revenue, so the waterworks account did not show any profit, but the position was steadily improving. He believed that where water was supplied for other than domestic purposes, water meters sltould be compulsory. Though anxiety had been relieved regarding the water supply by the rise in the level of l.ake Takapuna. the consideration of the augmentation of the supply should be proceeded with, as it was the duty of those responsible to provide an adequate supply for all future requirements. Better street lighting and shelter-shed accommodation for the motor bus passengers were advocated, while the improvements being effected to Hinemoa Park, adjoining the Birkenhead wharf, were referred to. The educational facilities of the district required immediate attention, and notwithstand-

ing the war and the practice of economy. : a "new side-school was urgently needed ! on the site acquired near Highbury Cor- j ner. in or«er to end tbe most unsatis- j factory conditions under which pupils : and teachers alike now laboured at the local hall. In conclusion Mr. McPhail expressed the hope that peace would be ushered in during the present term ot office. TAKAPUNA. POLICY FOR THE YEAR. The first meeting of the newly-elected I Takapuna Borough Council was held last' evening. Present were: The Mayor, Mr.! W. Blomfield, and Councillors T. Arthur, | E. Bond. R. S. H. Biss, E. Davies, W. Lisk, J. Collins, E. Grimwade, J. M. Davies. and W. Duncan. Mr. R. S. H. Biss. having been elected Senior Councillor, was appointed to the chair before the installation of the j Mayor, who made and signed the cus-1 tomary declaration, and promised to use his best efforts on behalf of tbe ratepayers. Each of the Councillors then severally made and signed a declaration that he would faithfully and impartially use the authority reposed in him. THE POLICY. The Mayor outlined the policy of the J Council. He spoke of the loan works as being very important. A consider-1 able amount had been expended during the past year, but it had been well spent in good and progressive work. They had no wish to adopt a "go slow" policy, but they must go fairly slow during these times of stress. But a good maintenance gang, kept working, would satisfy the people. Maintenance j work would certainly have to be cut down a little, as the extra work of the past year had increased the overdraft. The drainage scheme had put a load on the shoulders of the Council which should have lieen carried by the engineer, and the speaker was surprised and grieved to know that he was not present at the meeting. .She engineer had a scheme of his own. and had put the Council to much expense thereby. The speaker intended to put before the Council a proposal for the purchase and maintenance of the tramways. It was essential in the interests of the borough. Another matter was the erection of; proper bathing facilities and other neces-! sary conveniences on the beaches. The Mayor concluded with the sugges-! tion that the Council make a thorough inspection of tlie borough so as to have a thorough knowledge of the prevalent i conditions. The meeting then concerned itself with ordinary routine business arising from correspondence and requests for minor road and lighting works. NORTHCOTH. MR. J. B. TONAR INSTALLED. Mr J. B. Tonar was installed into the mayoral chair at Xorthcote last night by Mr B. Van Veen, who explained that was his prerogative as senior member of the late Council, and he congratulated the district on selecting Mr Tonar as Mayor. Mr. Tonar thanked the ratepayers for the confidence reposed in him, referred with regret to the absence of so j many former members in the composii tion of the new Council, and extended in wepoine to the new councillors. The jbu?inci ; .s of the new Council would coniimcn'.e next Tuesday- when the oidiI nary meeting would be held. He con- ! side.red it advisable for the whole of I the members to pay a visit of inspecj tion to the waterworks plant and sanitary farm. The latter had been satisfactory to the Council, and ho would take the opportunity to inform them that ex-Councillor Hopkins, was not in favour of the leasing of his farm to the Council. The roll of honour was being manufactured. and contained 150 names. It was of ornamental design, and I would be placed inside the Council Chambers on the southern wall. The , Council had taken advantage of the .50 subsidy voted, on a £2 for £1 basis, to procure seats for tho Northcote Point Keserve. I He expressed the wish that the new I Council would work together for the (progress of the district. There was not [a great amount of money to spend, but lit should be so laid out that all work 'done would be of a permanent charac- ! tor. All the members of the new Council also made the usual declarations. At the invitation of the Mayor those present, which included ex-Mayors and ex-councillors, partook of his hospitality, and a lengthy toast list was honoured, taht of "The Mayor" being proposed by Cr. W. H. Barnes, and ■'The Mayoress" by Mr K. C. Brown. OTA__U___. The first meeting of the new Council was held last evening. Present: Mr. A. McDonald (Mayor) and Councillors J. Brndv. T. Clements. F. R. Field, Jno. Hall.' H. V. Stringer, R. Todd. H. J. Moffitt. and J. Wildman. Mr. Jas. Atkinson (ex-Mayor) introduced Mr. McDonald, who. after making the necessary formal declaration, took the mayoral chair. The new mayor briefly addressed the councillors. Re expressed the hope 1 that with their assistance he would be able to do a great deal of good for the borough, aud said he would strive to uphold the dignity of the office and maintain the prestige of the town. Each j councillor made the formal declaration as required by the Municipal Corporations Act. 1908. It was moved by Councillor Hall, and agreed, that Councillor Brady he ap- • pointed Deputy - Mayor. Councillor I Rrady .having secured the largest nuni- ■ be-* of votes at the election. It was resolved: "That the Legal and I Finance Committee be composed of three I menvbers, witli the .Mayor as ex-oflicio chairman." The following were appointed to the various committees, viz.:—Legal and Finance Committee. Councillors Hall. Field and Wildman; Works Committee. Councillor Brady, Moffitt, Stringer; Water and Drainage Committee. Councillor Clements. Field, and Todd. It was agreed that the Building Committee. Cemetery Committee, and Pound, Lighting, and Licensing Committee be amalgamated, and called the Public Service Committee. Councillor Todd tendered his resignation from the Water and Drainage Committee (which was accepted), and the vacancy was filled by the appointment of Councillor Moffitt. It was agreed that the meetings of the Council be held on the second and fourth Thursday in each month. Tlie Town Clerk was granted a fortnight's leave according to agreement. Tlie meeting concluded with a speech by the 'Mayor, who touched on such matters as water supply and capacity of reservoir, noxious weed and straying cattle, local telephone bureau, methods of road construction, etc.. etc.