KAIAPOI.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 9604, 19 December 1896, Page 5

KAIAPOI.

A special meeting of this Council was held on Thursday. Present—The Mayor (Mr E. Feldwick), the Mayor elect (Cr. Doubleday), Crs. Blakeley, Mathews, Simpson, Hopkins, Clark, Drabble, Bugg, Frazer. The Mayor said that during his three years of office he thought he could claim that the ratepayers k were satisfied with the work of tho Council. There had been an important addition made to the borough in that period, and though all the Councillors had retired they had been all re-elected. He noticed the additions of the Domain management, and said the Council had made it an attractive resort. The park had also been acquired for the publio, and although the Council had not mado the purchase it had forwarded the matter by taking a poll on the question. The finances at the end of this year would show an improveman* and there was a large asset in broken metal* He said the Borough waa handicapped by the payment of interest and Binking fund on a loan to erect a bridge which was mora used by through traffic on the Main North road than by the townspeople, who had to pay for it, and its up keep. It was to be feared that sooner or later one of the special rates or an additional 3d rate would have to be collected to meet the expenditure. He thanked Councillors for their assistance, and handed over the keys and seals of his office to Mr Doubleday. The Mayor (Mr Doubleday) having made tho statutory declaration, expressed Ins pleasure on returning to the office which he had held before Mr Feldwiek's election. Councillors congratulated the retiring Mayor, and on the motion of Cr. Mathews, seconded by Cr. Fraser, it was resolved— "That the Council rec.rds its thanks to Mayor Feldwick." At the invitation of the Mayor, the Goun« cillors and the Council's employees adjourned to Mr R. Purchase's Kaiapoi Hotel, where an excellent repast was laid, and the toasts of " The Queen," " The CokuußLegislation," and "Mr R. Moore, M.H.R.," " Army, Navy and Volunteers," " Lieut, j. Simpson," " Local Governing Bodies," "_f» R. Hopkins "(Eyreton Road IJoard), "MrR. H. Mathews" (Harbour Board), "Mr l?eH_wick" (School Committee), and " Mr D. Cart* mill" (Police Force) were honoured. Thetoaat of " His Worship the Mayor " was received with much applause, and the remaining toasts were—"Local Industries," "The Council's Employees," " Past Mayors and Councillors," "The Ladies," "The Preas," and " Host and Hostess." Several songs were given and a pleasant evening was«pent«