MR A. E. G. RHODES'S MAYORALTY.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 11278, 20 May 1902, Page 5

MR A. E. G. RHODES'S MAYORALTY.

_> PROPOSED PRESENTATION.

The meeting of citizens convened by Mr John Anderson, with the object of making suitable recognition of Mr A. E. G. Rhodes's services to the city during his term of office as Mayor, was held in the rooms of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association yesterday afternoon. The attendance was a. large and representative one. Mr John Anderson, on being voted to the chair, said that in calling the meeting together- he had wished to put into practical shape the widely-expressed desire that the services of Mr and Mrs Rhodes to the city of Christchurch and district should receive some tangible recognition. During his year of office both Mr .-and Mrs Rhodes had filled some very important positions., notably in their entertainment of Royalty, in entertaining the officers and men of the exploring ship Discovery, in receiving and: entertaining the officers- and men of the Australian Squadron, in the send-off of the various Contingents, and in the Welcoming back of our Rough Riders. The admirable manner in which they had carried out" these duties—the kindness and genuine consideration which they had shown for others—had won them the esteem of the city and district generally. Mr Rhodes had displayed cars and watchfulness in the duties attaching to his position as Mayor, and tha speaker thought that to his care and acumen the present flourishing and hopeful condition of the city's finanoes was largely due. He Had done much to help forwawi tha Greater Christchurch scheme, setting forth its advantages very olsarly. The speaker did not suppose that anyone present, except Mr Recce and a few others of Mr tihodies's predeceasoi-s, knew what eocrifioes were meant by 'being Mayor of a city like Christchurch. It meant the neglect of one's private business, the loss of one's bdmelife and its pleasures. Sir Rhodes had filled tho position in a manner worthy of all recognition by the people of Christchurch. It was thought, by theses who had advised the convening of the meeting, that Mr Rhodes should be presented with a j>iece of plate, and Mrs Rhodes with sonW article of jewellery, which would become heirlooms in the family, and on which should be recorded the most important event o7 Mr Rhodes's Mayoralty—his entertainment of Royalty. (Applause.) Mr E. G. Stuveley, who said that he was absolutely in accord with tlie .Chairman's remarks, moved—"That the meeting term itself into «, Committee to make a .presentation to the late Mayor and Mayoress,, which should be a memento of Mr Rhodes's term of office." Mr G. F. Martin, in seconding the motion, said that he thought there was no man in New Zealand, probably none in Australia, who could have performed tli9 Mayoral duties in a more splendid maiiiu>r limn Mr Rhodes had done. In his opinion those services could not" be too handstonaely recognised. Mr _F. J. Board said that be hoped residents or ratepayers outside the city would b9 allowed to contribute. Personally, he would not like to be debarred ■ from giving On the ground of non-residence. The Hon.' C. C. Bowen said diat he also lived outside the houndaries of Cbriswhurcb, but he had certainly understood that all in the neighbourhood of tlie city -would join in the recognition. - He would'like tlie Committee to consider whether it would not ba advisable to moles tbe subscriptions an lowas possible. Mr and Mrs Rhodes would -And their gratificntion in tlie number of subscribers, and nob in the amount of subscriptions. The Chairman stated that in his opinion there was no doubt but that all in tha dig-li-iot, well as the city, could subscribe. HeKupposed it would ba necessary to form an Executive. Mr R. Allan opposed tihis suggestion. In" his exparienee, ho said, the result of forming Executives was that they were left to do all the work, while the members oF ; the original Committee gradually ceased attending. It would be better, he thought, if the whole-meeting should aotas tin-Execu-tive. Mr J. B. Fjsher moved the appointment of Mr J. J. Kinsey as treasurer, and this was agreed to. Mr 0. B. Pembertoo was appointed secretary. Much discussion took place-.on tlw aclvisableness of limiting subscriptions. Three proposals were put forward—viz., that there should be a limit of half a guinea, tha* the fund should be a shilling one only, and that shilling subscriptions be received, and subscribers allowed to give as much more- ns they liked, but that the further amounts given should not. hs published. Finally last of these suggestions was adopted. \'[ | Power of adding to the membership was given to tlie chairman! and treasurer.