KAIAPOI.

Press, Volume XXXVI, Issue 5083, 22 December 1881, Page 2

KAIAPOI.

On Wednesday, at noon, the annual meeting of this Council was held. Present —The Mayor (Mr G. H. Black well), Ors. Mathews, Pdrnham, Smith, . Moore, Pinohing, May, Frs*er, Woodford, and Btanton. The Mayor said the meeting was held in accordance with section 70 of the Aot. Formerly it was the meeting at whioh the annual accounts were submitted, but now it was merely held for the installation of the Mayor. Mr Caleb Smith having made the declaration required from the Mayor in, accordance with the Act of 1876, the Chairman said his last official act would be to vaoate the chair, thanking the Council for the way in whioh it had supported him during the three years of his office, and hand over the keys ef the safe containing the seal of the corporation, whioh oonld only be used by consent of the Mayor. The Mayor elect (Mr Smith), on taking nis seat, said ho_ thought that, strictly, the Council ought to have, at this meeting, passed a vote of thanks to Mr Biaokwell. As that had been formally done last evening, he wished now to say he [ had personally to thank_ that .gentleman for the way in whioh the public business bad been managed j and during the coming year, if he required any assistance in the duties of his office, ht should certainly hope he would I willing to help him. There were times in whioh tbe Counoil might get warm in debate, but he should strive to aot impartially, and when he left the room to forget that any strong words had been used. [Applause.] He should endeavor to do his duty in accordance with the terms of the Aot as well as by custom, for many matters had to be decided by custom, and if he made any mistakes it would be rather from an error of judgment than by neglect of attention to the office. [Applause.] He trusted that during bis term of office the interests of the town would be advanced to the welfare of the ratepayers as a body. [Cheers.],—Cr. Woodford suggested that the Council ought to obtain the photographs of the Mayors to be put up in the Chamber.—The Mayor thought Mr Blackwell ought to be asked to sit, and a likeness in oil colors, which would be more enduring, obtained. He had now to ask the Councillors to adjourn. Tbe Councillors then adjourned to Burnip's Hotel, where, in bumpers of champagne, several toasts were given, inclusive of the health of Mr Smith, wishing him prosperity during the term of his office.