MAYOR OF BIRKENHEAD.

Auckland Star, Issue 38, 14 February 1929, Page 9

MAYOR OF BIRKENHEAD.

DEPARTING FOR ENGLAND.

MR. E. G. SKEATES' WORK PILVBED.

Opportunity was taken last evening to farewell Mr. E. G. Skeates, Mayor of Birkenhead, at the conclusion of the meeting of the Borough Council, over which he presided for the. last time, prior to his departure for England by the Marama on Friday.

Leave of absence for the unexpired period of his Mayoral term wis granted, and appreciation of his lengthy services as councillor and four years as Mayor was recorded, and the best wishes of the council and burgesses extended for the future success of Mr. and Mrs. Skeates.

Speeches eulogising the work of Mr. Skeates on behalf of the district were made by Councillors Albert Hadfield (deputy-Mayor), G. B. Hevvson, C. E. Campbell, L. R. L. Moller, H. D. Boles, A. G. Jasper, W. B. Darlow, and Hector Clark, Mr. Frank Finch, town clerk and borough engineer, Mr. F. E. Powell, engineer for the drainage scheme, Mr. J. T. Canty, president of the Birkenhead Residents and Ratepayers' Association, Mr. E. E. Clark on behalf of the Birkenhead School Committee, Mr. W. E. Roberts for the Birkenhead Business Association, Messrs. G. A. Huddleston and E. P. Lanigan, foundation members for the Birkenhead Borough Band, which also presented an illuminated address.

The Mayor of Northeote (Mr. A. E. Greenslade) also expressed the regret occasioned at the departure of Mr. and Mrs. Skeates.. Mr. Skeates, he said, had been a strong supporter of the amalgamation of the boroughs of Birkenhead and Northeote, which would have been consummated had it not been for the subsidies payable towards main highways from the plrol tax to boroughs with a population under 0000.

Mr. and Mrs. Skeates were loudlv ap plauded, and wore tlio recipients of ex (ircssiiiiis of goodwill from all present.