SPEECH OF WELCOME.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14919, 18 March 1914, Page 6

SPEECH OF WELCOME.

Mr W. Angland, Mayor of Timaru, in welcoming the visitors and proposing the toast of their health, said that he hoped they would all enjoy thenvisit, and that they would take away pleasant recollections of thi.s\ the .second municipal visit of Christchureh to Timaru. Since the last visit, some two years ago, Timaru had made wonderful progress. For instance, tinnew Municipal Chambers had been built to carry out the business oi the town. The underground drainage system had also been extended to empty into the sea without passing through a septic tank system. Further, a motor-bus service had been established, and proved to lie of'the greatest service to the. residents and visitors. The Caroline Biy Association had built and handed over to the Council a splendid pavilion, and with the advice and help of the Association the Council had been able to net over £600 from the uso of the sea-bathing facilities. This was a splendid revenue for the Cohncil to

have, and they were very grateful to the Association for it. Also, .since the last visit the. old reservoir had been enlarged and a new one constructed, and nw pipes laid at a cost of £20.000. A new fire brigade station-box also had been erected and an up-to-date ambulance hall had been built to meet tho requirements of the sick and injured. On all these grounds he. claimed that Timaru was as well equipped as any other town of the same size in municipal requirements.

He desired to specially thank the Mayor of Christchureh, continued Mr Angland, for his kindly welcome of tho Timaru' champion band when it was returning from Auckland. This courtesy he appreciated personally, and ho. wanted to thank Mr Holland for it. The bandsmen and the people of Timaru also appreciated and valued it. He would also congratulate the Mayor 'of Christchureh on bv>ung thje fif.-sb mayor in the South Island to secure for his fellow-citizens tho right to tho use of power from Lake Coleridge. This was very good work indeed, and would, he hoped, help the progress of the city of which Mr Holland was mayor. He understood Mr Holland was intending to seek election again, and he hoped tho citizens would return him at the head of the poll, as he was sure he would be a great credit to the people and carry out the !_nkc Coleridge works in a proper manner.