OUTSIDER CHOSEN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 194, 17 August 1932, Page 11

OUTSIDER CHOSEN.

MAYOR OF BIRKENHEAD. ex-i,egis:lator in alberta. COUNCIL'S MAJORITY DECISION. The vacant office of Mayor of Birkenhead, caused by the death of Mr. J. P. McPhail, was filled at a special meeting of the Borough Council last evening. Mr. George Mills, of Glenfield Road, who was present at the meeting by invitation, was appointed from the three candidates nominated—Messrs. Mills, F. Morris and C. E. Campbell. Mr. G. B. Hewson, the deputy-Mayor, presided, and there were also present Messrs. J. Pricketfc, E. J. Sine], J. Macdonald, H. A. Campbell, A. G. Jasper, R. R. Hayman and W. H. Payne. A motion by Messrs. Hayman and Prickett, that the council go Into committee, was lost. Mr. Sinel moved, and Mr. Jasper seconded, that the appointment be deferred for a fortnight. Thie -was lost, Mr. Sinel said he could not understand why Mr. Mills should be eorted out before other men, who had served the borough for years, had been approached. Mr. Mills was only a "bird of passage." Mr. Payne: How do you know? Mr. Sinel: He has done nothing for Birkenhead. Mr. Payne: He has done more than you! "Citizen of New Zealand." Mr. Mills was Invited into the council chamber, and briefly outlined the Canadian public offices he had held, and gave his views concerning Birkenhead affairs. He also answered several questions, and said he had only eome from a different part of the Empire. He had done his duty as a citizen of New Zealand, and spent his money here. He was Mayor of his home town of 4000 population, and helped to form the first municipality at Edmonton. He had held various other public positions, and for 13 years represented the largest constituency in the British Empire in the provincial Legislature of Alberta. Since coming here he had studied the municipal law, and found it was very similar to that of the country he came from. His policy would be progressive. He favoured the scheme for connecting Birkdale and Hobeonville. A central post office was needed. He was not criticising. Good work had been done in the past, and good work could be done in the future. After Mr. Mills had retired he was nominated by Messrs. Campbell and Hewson. Mr. Sinel: I listened to the speaker, and was very disappointed. Mr. Macdonald, who said he was "not impressed," nominated Mr. F. Morris, and Mr. Sinel seconded. These members also nominated Mr. C. E. Campbell. . The voting resulted:—Mr. G. Mills, 4; Mr. F. Morris, 2; Mr. C. E. Campbell, 2. The chairman declared Mr. Mills elected, and he will be installed this evening. Mr. Mills' Career.

Mr. Mills came to New Zealand in November, 1929, on medical advice received when in Australia, to take treatment at the thermal springs at Rotorua. After taking the mud baths for six weeks, he purchased a home at Birkenhead, where he and Mrs. Mills have lived since January, 1930. Their only daughter is a school teacher at Edmonton, returning in July, 1031, after visiting her parents here. Mr. Mills was born in Ontario, Canada, in 1878. When 20 years of age he went to the Alberta Province, settling near Edmonton, and was engaged in farming and road and railway construction. Later he moved to Athabasca, continuing construction work for 14 years, and wae in the timber business. He supervised during that period the construction of 1500 miles oi roads and bridges. He served on the Town School Board for five years, was Mayor for five years, and chairman of the Hospital Board. He was then elected a provincial member to the Alberta Legislature, resigning in 1928, having met with a motor ear accident. He visited England, Italy, France and other countries before coming to New Zealand.