KAIAPOI.

Press, Volume XLVIL, Issue 7738, 18 December 1890, Page 3

KAIAPOI.

The statutory meeting was held at noon yesterday. Present— The Mayor (Mr C. Hansen), the Mayor-Elect (Mr Ruben Blakeley), Crs. Weston, Butt,, Lissaman, Bugg, Rriehting. The new Mayor, having made itis declaration, Mr Hansen handed nvpj the keys of his office to Mr Blakeley,

trusting he would receive at tbe hands of the Council the same courtsey which bad been extended to him by Councillors for three years. He stated it was grati- } fyiug now to be able to say that tha <• finances of the Council were better c than -when he took office. The present overdraft was about £500, against which rates (£300) and reserve rents would soon be due, which would be soon removed. Before the present Mayor was elected he (Mr Hansen) had promised to remain in the Council, and would have come forward for election but for the fact that the Returning Officer had hurried the election, so that the date of nomination and election were fixed before his term of offlce as Mayor expired. He' could not be both a Mayor and a Councillor. He hoped Mr Blakeley would see a prosperous year and bad pleasure in handing him the duties of the office. The Mayor-elect expressed his thanks for the kind expressions made use of and was glad to see so many councillors present. (Their common purpose was to meet and take counsel for the best interests of the town. Their funds were small and it was necessary they should be expended in the best way possible. If they were to keep in view a reduction ot the overdraft there would have to be strict economy. He had not -much hope of this year reducing all the overdraft. Though not possessed of all the physical or mental energy ot the ex-Mayor he would give, bis beat services to the borough. Cr. Lissamann moved a vote of thanks for the very efficient services of the ex-Mayor. Cr. Weston seconded, and the motion, heartily endorsed by all Councillors, was unanimously carried. The Mayor said if there was published in the newspapers "a Corporation tell-tale," showing the attendance of Mayor and Councillors, it would be found that Mr Hansen had only missed one attendance in three years. Mr Hansen briefly returned thanks, and the proceedings terminated.