MAYORAL INSTALLATIONS.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16517, 8 May 1919, Page 6

MAYORAL INSTALLATIONS.

LAST EVENING S FUNCTIONS.

BRILLIANT CEREMONY IX CITY.

The newly-elected Mayors of Zealand cities and boroughs wero duly installed in offieo last evening, cnuisTCiiuucii. The installation of Dr. Thacker, M.P., as Mayor of Christchureh, and the swearing-in of the newly-elected city councillors, were witnessed by a largo and representative assemWnge at tho City Council Chambers. The whole of the seating accommodation inside the enclosure was occupied by inviteij guests, whilst the gallery was packed; with tho general public, scores of whom were unable to obtain admission. Amoni» those present were: —The Hon. H. F. Wigram (first Mayor of Greater Christchurch), Messrs H. J. Beswick, V. H. Cooper, C. Allison, and J.J. Dougall, former Mayors of Christchureh; Messrs H. B. Sorensen, A. S. Taylor, P. R. Ciimie, and J. McCombs, M.P., former councillors; Mr H. 11. Louglman, city solicitor and n former councillor; the Hon. J. Grimmond, M.L.C., Mr J. Payne, M.P., Colonel ChaiTey, O.C. Canteibuiv district, Mr S. E. McCarthy, vS.M., Police Superintendent Dwyer, and Mr A. Freeman, substitulo returning officer for the municipal elections. All the members of tho. now Council were in attendanco, and thcro were prosent many ladies whose frocks supplied quite a touch of brilliancy to the 6oeno. Prominent among tlieni ivero tho Mayoress (Mrs H. Holland) and tho Mayoress-elect (Mrs Thaclcer), who were accorded a post of honour. ENTEIt THE MAYOR. "His Worship the Mayor and tho Mayor-elect," announced tho Town Ciork, and Mr Holland, in tho Mayoral robes, followed, by Dr. Thaeker, in evening dress, entered tho chamßer, while tho whole eompnny roso to their feet. 1

Tho retiring Mayor, before leanag the chair, placed on record the kindness and courtesy ho had received from, the citizens during the past seven years. No ono, ho declared, could havo wished for more loyalty, more good-fellowship, than ho Itad received. He had keen feelings of regret at severing his connexion with city councillors. Ho believed Crs Williams and Burgoyne woro • tho only two who had served continuously on tho Council during the lasO eight years. Ho also wished to place on. rocord his highest approbation of tho loyalty of the staff. The kindnesses ho had received from them had done much to make his term of offloo a p'.oasant am? enjoyable one. "Dr. Thacker," said his Worship turning to tho Mayor-elect, "tho citiens of Christchurch havo conferred on you the highest honour they can place on any man. I hope you will hold office with distinction and carry out tho office with dignity." The Mayoral chair, he went on to say,, had been occupied by men whose famo had been wide, by men who had been held in the highest honour. When tho Mayor-elect retired from -office lie hoped he would carry with him tho esteem and gratitude of the citieens. i It had .been said that it took an artiste to paint a picture, but any person - could destroy it. Ho hoped Dr. Thacker Avould carry on the office with distinction. Ho assured him that any assistance ho could givo him at nnv time. ho would bo glad to give. Ho "honed that under the new Mayor's administration tho 'city would grow in importance. He desired to congratulate hiip upon tho distinction he had attained. Ho trusted ho would have a very Kappv period in office. He felt sure Dr. Thacker would carry out his duties without fear or favour, and that all the citizens would have a squaro deal.

Dr. Thaekor then made tho usual rer|ii'>ed of Mayors-elect before taking office, after whirl) ho was invested bv tho retiring Mavor with tho Mayoral recralia. tho comr>nnv heartily applauding. Dr. Thacker then, amidst further apnlnuge. took the Mnyornl chair which Mr Holland had vacated. MINISTERIAL APPRECIATION. Tho Town Clerk read apologioa, among others, from Sir John Denniston, Mr A, E. G. Rhodes (a Mayor), Colonel the Hon. G. j/Smitb, Air A. Boyle, and the Returned Soldiers' Association, and also read the following telegram addressed to the rotiring Mayor by the Hon. G. W. Russell, Minister of Internal Affairs: '"'On tho eve of retiring after so long and strenuous a term of office, (dlow mo to congratulate-you upon tho splendid services rendered to the city. You have been Mayor during the period of greatest importance in our national history, and have acted in accordance with the highest traditions of the office, having done everything possible to assist tho Government and the soldiers in regard to patriotic funds and to express the loyal spirit of tho citizens. You will therefore. I feel sure, take with yon into retirement from civic life tho best wishes of the people, which will bo eauallv extended to vour devoted wife, the lady Mayoress." A POLICY SPEECH. When the new Mayor rose to speak lie was greeted with hearty applauße. His first action was to introduce the new Mayoress, Mrs Thacker. "I feel a proud man," said ho, I feel I have one groat duty to perform.' My first duty as Mayor of the city is to thank the soldiers who have won tho war for us. (Ayp'auso.) I have thou to thank those m.the s, fathers, sisters, wives, and kiddies who havo felt the supreme sorrow, I mean these who h&n lost somebody who has gone away, *nd then I will ask you, as a tribute to those who have gone West and the »w ones they loave behind, to stand." The company stood in silence for » few moments. # . Continuing, Dr. Thacker said Mr Holland had stated to him that day tiwo ho was putting on tho Mayoral regana for tho last timo. He (Dr. Thacker) had replied: "No, you aro not. Things repeat themselves in this world, anii you will come bade agnin." (Appiause.) "I want, on bohalf of tho whole r itv. to thank his lovely wife tne Muyoress that wis"—(applause)—-«nid the now Mayor, referring to Mrs Hollnd. "Then. on behalf of the city, I want to thank all tho ladies who assisted with war work, not only the Red Cross and the Ladv Liverpool Fund helpers, but overy individual worker. Then, on behalf of tho city, I want* to thank all the and women who worked 60 splendidly during that direful_ time of wnrfare'-when the influenza epidemic inrndod f J )e city. One other thinjr was on his mind: if tho coming winter were as extreme as the past one. it would seriou.slv affect thoso peopln who livod just on the zero lmo> nn<l tnoy would want oonl and food. Coal would bo one of greatest! ne-eFsitiVs. and he wanted thoso present) to assist h'm to help these p/'oolc. Ho 3wd already been ablo to effect som« good by arranging to secure a store of fuel from tho coal merchants, which would help in a small way the people who were down most.

That evenintr thev were not turning over a new page in tho history of the city: w»vo a new vol\ime. The volume for th» period 18501913 wns We b"d won tho war, that h"p°d he would open Volume 11. He appealed to councilors to carrv out the great work of efficiency and reconstruction. (AppiatuaJ . '

THE "LOVELY CEMENT." He wanted no party bickering. He wanted to b© tho lovely cemont to heal all differences in the Council, so that they would work together all the time, and be as ono. He wanted his Council to be tho same a3 a champion football team cverj man doing his bit on behalf of the whole. He hoped they would work with one accord. If thero were any differences among them, ho honed they would come along to him, and then,"as a father did to ltis happy familv, he would smooth away thoir differences. (Applause.) It grieved hiro that evening to see thousands of his loyal supporters, and thousands of the supporters of other candidates, unable to sec'iro admission through forco of circumstances. He hoped that when he installed tho next Mayor it would bo in a Town Hall. (Applause.) By co-operation and consolidation he honed the people would overcome tho present lack of municipal accommodation in tho eitv. Ho wanted to seo tho Board, tho Treasury, the Fire Board, tho Plunket nurses, tho kindergarten, all in one block, with a Town Hall, with music for tho people. He wanted to see the Town Clork sitting at his desk merely to touch a button to communicate with the wholo sv&tom. He suptrested that later on t'hev might give the Town Clork, "the livo boo"of the institution, the brains of it" a holiday to po to America and report on a new Town Hall. One good forward in a football team could not win a match, tho other members must Tn tho same way, tho other members of tho Council must push behind him. He was going to secure an adequate water supply, an adequato system. Ho wanted to "cup" the whole of tho sowerago and drainage bv a Port of Christchurch at Heat I, cote. The widow of tho late Mr T. E. Taylor had asked him that afternoon whether ho would support the CreHio and Kincrgarten Association. and the Plunket Snciet7i and bad said he would, nnd he and tho Council would support tho Boy Scouts and the W.E.A. Regarding the bands trouble, he wished to point out that ho did not try to side-step troublo. He declared that tho bands had not beon properly handled, tho people did not understand that the whole of tho South Island was under one organisation, the South Island Bands Association, of which he was president. This body possessed autocratic powers, and the recalcitrant bands would bo dealt with by it. He would say that tho bands would play at the pcaco celebrations and would be properly recompensed. He would promise his hearers that. Tie tralfic < regulations in this city and surroundings were absolutely desperate. Mr S. E. McCarthy, S.M., that afternoon had stated that the people were being killed; that there were accidents in all directions. The troublo was that half a street would be in the city and half in a borough. Tho city should take all these streets in, and thero should be a Greater Christchurch which should absorb Riccarton, Spreydon, Woolston, Sumner, New Brighton. and. if necessary, Lyttelton; in fact, the whole district between tho Halswell and White's bridge. Then we could regulate traffic. We should lave men on motor-cycles on the lookout for breaches of the traffic by-laws and, in case of any transgression, these rieuth-hounds should bo put on the aggressor's track and bring him to justice. (Applause;) Men securing certificates in the country after 1 four or five rides were allowed to drive cars in the city. This should not be; there should be one universal test throughout the country. The late Mayor and Mayoress had done uncommonly good work for this city, and there was a movement on foot to make them, a presentation. Ho thought such an honour was deserved. He urged the citizens to buy as many flags as thoy could and wave them in honour of Major-Genera 1 Sir. Andrew Russell upon his arrival here, ns Sir Andrew was the grentest soldier New Zealand had ever produced nnd was thought a lot. of by his men. He asked the citizens to attend the function lie was arranging in General Russell's honour, and to cheer him and the people with him, as thoy had rescued us from the Hun. Next week the Mayoress and he, would hold an At Home, to which thev invited all the citizens who cared to come. It would be held in the afternoon and again in the evening. (Applause.) Mr Holland called for three cheers for tho new Mayor, which were heartily given. Refreshments were then provided both for the invited sruests and the general public, and tho new Mayor and Mavoress were subjected to a long period of hand-slinking, whilst a queue filed past conveying congratulations.

RICCARTON. Tho installation of the new Mayor of Riccarfcon, Cr. A. IX Ford, and members of the newly-elected Council took place in the Borough Council Chambers last evening.. Cr. Ford was installed by the retiring Mayor (Mr J. Brown) and, with members of tho Council, was then sworn in. Tho new Counoil are: Messrs C. W. Barrell, W. C. W. Charters, F. George, J. Munnings, G. A. Rankin, C. E. Stoere, T. J. .Stokes, and H. Wise. His Worship said that it gave him pleasure to welcome the old Council. He was pleased to see several old members again returned, and he was also pleased to welcome the newly-elect-ed members. On tho occasion of the last Mayoral installation there was a war in progress, but now that the war was won, tho Council met under better an d more favourable conditions, as it could give its whole attention to the borough. The asphalting loan had boen. canned by a substantial majority, and this was one of the first works tho new Council would havo to undertake. There were other important matters for the Council to. consider—sewerage, waterinstallation, improved rubbish collection, and fire prevention. He would' like to see more progress in the matter 01 the consumption of electricity. Ho hoped that at the end of two years councilors would be able to look back with considerable pleasure on the work that they had t carried out. The following committees were appointed :— .Works—Crs. Wise (chairman), Slunnings, Stokes, and Charters. c t fj" an n~£ rs George (chairman), ?? Rankm - fl nd Barrell. w* Mannings (chairman), ilf' Steere, and Barrell. n,S oCt q* iC i, Lie, l t r Crs - Steer ° (chairman) Stokes Munnings, and Charters. m*™h SC<]Ue , Ju M «y° r entertained members of the Council and the retiring Mayor and councillors at supper, when several felicitous speeches were SPREXDON. The ceremon- of installing the new Mayor of Spreydon (Mr A. Manhire) and councillors took place at the Borough Council Chambers last night. The room was tastefully decorated. The nr2? S i Mn y° r il W- H. Winsor) m.ml ' c thero n ' ere present a number of representative men of the oorough besides the newly-elected Council 3 members of the lato ,^ r Winsor performed the ceremony +£ the new Mayor. He said *nat Mr Manhire was quite fit to assume tho duties of Mayor. He was sure he would carry out his duties in a manner pleasing to the ratepayers, d would uphold the dignitv of the Mayoralty of Spreydon and its tradi"°ns. Mr Winsor then placed the Mayoral insignia on Mr Manhire and lir - C^a ' r ' n h' s favour. Air Manhire, who was received with

applause, said he would do his best lor the borough of Spreydon. The new councillors (Messrs D. Williamson, A. I de Roo, J. 1 • O'llourke. W. R. Gahagan, W «i"e, Laws, Worral) were then installed. After the installation cererconv a social evening was held. Mr proposed the toast of The British Empire" and Mr D. Williamson responded. The toast- of ' Bodies" was proposed bv Mr u. n. Uudd and responded to by Messrs A. Smith (North Canterbury Hospital and Charitable Aid Board), W. R. Gahagan (Christchurch Technical College Board;, W. H. Win«or (Christchurch Drainage Board. Christchurch Domain Board," and Christchurch Tramway Board), and R. Nairn (Selwyn Plantation Board). In replying to the toast of Xne Mayor," proposed bv Mr Winsor, 31r Manhire paid a tribute to the worrc that Mr Winsor had done for Spreydon. , The following toasts were also honoured: "The Present Councillors, proposed by Mr E. H. Clark and responded to by the various new councillor? ; "The Ladies of the Spreydon Branch of the Lady Liverpool Fund, proposed bv Mr A. Smith and responded to by Mr H. Hinkev; "The Council Staff,'' proposed by Mr E. H. Clark and responded to bv Mr M. Woodfield (Town Clerk) and T. Gibson (foreman): "Spmvdon Soldier Boys," proposed hy Atr Worrnl nnd responded to by Mr A Smith: "The Retiring Mayor." pronosed bv Mr A. Manhire: "The Retiring Councillors," proposed bv Mr JP. T)ineh and responded to bv Messrs G. H. Rndd, E. H. Clark, and A. E. Brewer: "Ye Ancient Councillors." proposed bv Mr A. I. de Roo and resnonded to by Messrs Thornton and R. Nairn; "The Future of .Spreydon;" nronosed bv Mr Winsor and responded to by Mr Manhire: and the Press, proposed by Mr A. E. Brewer. WOOLSTON. At the first meeting of the new Woolston Borough Council the business of the Council was to install the newly-elected Mayor, Mr C. Hill, and to elect standing committees.

There wero present: The ex-Mavor (Mr J. McGregor Wright), the Mayor (Mr C. Hill), and Crs. D. McCrae, J. L. Gant, W. R. Blazey, G. T. Owen, T. Radeliffe, H. McLachlan, L. Hart, and J. C. Hobson. An apology was received from Cr. Champ. In welcoming the new Mayor, Mr Wright said that Mr Hill had been elected by a majority of the electors of the borough to a very honourable position. In Mr Siddall, the Mayor had a clerk second to none in the Dominion. If the Mayor wanted to know anything, Mr Siddall could tell him, or if he could not ho could soon lind out. He hoped the new Council would support the Mayor as he had been supported, nnd. turning to tho councillors, he asked them to give the Mayor their heartiest co-operation in all matters connected with the work of the borough. He trusted that the new councillors would keep inviolate all matters dealt with in committee, and would support the officers of the borough in the execution of their duty. Mr Wright then vacated the chair, and the Mayor took the seat amid applause.

After the statutory declaration had been made bv the Mayor, he thanked Mr Wright for his kind words. He wculd, ho said, do all in his power to carry out his duties in a proper manner, and lie had not tho slightest doubt that be would have the support of tho Council. The individual councillors then made the necessary declarations, and committees were elco+ed as follows:— Finance- Crs. Champ, Hart, Hobson. and Blnzey. Works: Cr«. McCrio, McLachlan, Gant, Radeliffe, and Owen. NEW BRIGHTON.

The installation of the Mayor and councillors was hold last evening in the presence of a largo number of residents. Mr J. Bosomworth (acting-town clerk) duly installed the Mayor {Mr F. Kioblewliite) for a further term of two years. The following councillors were sworn in: Crs. W. J. Bellamy, It. Browning, J. Gamble, E. A. M. Leaver, C. Israelson t J. W. Bissett, F. Sincock, F. I>. MuirBon, and R. A. Strkes. After the installation, a short toast list was honoured as follows: "The King"; "Tho Mayor," proposed by exOr. A. M. Chivcrs and responded to by the Mayor; "The Councillors,'' proposed by Mr F. Thompson and replied to by Crs. W. H. Bellamy, E. A. M. Leaver, and F. Sincock; "Past Councillors:" proposed by Cr. Gamble and replied to by Messrs A. G. Munns and A. M. Chivers; "Tho Ladies," proposed by Mr H. Greenfield and replied to by Cr. R. Browning; and The Press." — SUMNER. The first meeting of the recentlyelected Council was held last evening. Present: The Mayor (Hon. J. Barr, M.L.C.), Crs. T. E. Whitfield, C. Benjamin, F. Gill, C. M. Rosswell, H. J. Yates, H. C. Jauiieson, and T. Dryburgh. An apology was received for the absence of Cr. R. Piercy. The necessary declaration was made by the Mayor and councillors, after which the Mayor welcomed back the members of tue previous Council -and' extended a hearty welcome to the new members. In connexion with the work ahead he stated that a larger water supply was essential. This, he hoped, would be one of the first matters to receive consideration.

Tho following committees were appointed :—'

Works: Crs. Whitfield (chairman), xates, Rosswell. Jamieson, Gill, and the Mayor. Finance: Crs. Piercy (chairman), T. Dry burgh, Benjamin, Whitfield, and the Myaor. Mr G. Harper was appointed the Council's representative on the Domain Board.

The Mayor was appointed the Council s delegate at tlie Town-Planning Conference.

The Decoration Committee of the 1 eace Celebrations Committee wrote stating that a portion of an arch had been allocated as Sumner's portion of the decorations, and the cost would be £50.

The Mayor explained that the borough would no doubt be conducting its own peace celebrations, and the money could be better spent in the borough.' RANGIORA. A statutory meeting of the Rangiora Borough Council was held last evening, when the installation of the Mayor (Mr 0. I. Jenning) took place. Cr. H. Boyd, stfnior councillor, invested the Mayor with the collar and chain of office, congratulated Mr Jenning on his election, and trusted that the good feeling which had previously existed between the councillors and the Mayor would continue. All the councillors spoke in similar terms, and ex-Cr. McClure. on behalf of the ratepayers, congratulated Mr Jenning on his election for the fourth time. At the conclusion of the formal business, nccessary ordinary business was taken, when the recommendation of the Works Committee that the Council pay the new scale of wages to the borough workmen maintenance branch was adopted: also that the borough foreman receive £'3 10s per week and free house.

Votes of thanks were passed to the Kangiora Volunteer Fire Brigade for their voluntary services and Rood work m the past; also to the three retiring councillors, Messrs W. A. Banks, V. H. Pulley, and W. G. Wright. KAIAPOI. A special meeting of the Kaiapoi Borough Council was held last night t when the retiring Mayor. Mr J. H. Blackwell, who was re-elected, was installed. Mr Blackwell has been Mayor for nine years, which is a record tor the borough. Tlie following committees were sec up:— Finance: Cre. R. Wylie (chairman), 'I- })• Crawshaw, P. Dunn, and J. Smith.

Works: Crs. W. Doubleday (chairman), J. "W. Barnard, H. Mcintosh, and W. Wallace Lighting: Crs. T. R. Leithead (chairman), J. W. Crawshaw, R. Wylie, and J. W. Barnard. Library and Baths: Crs. J. W. Barnard (chairman), Smith, and Doubledav.

Reserves: Crs H. Mcintosh (cbairman), Barnard, Doubleday, and

Domain and Beautifying: Crs J. W. Crawshaw (chairman), Leithead Mcintosh. and Wallace. Health: Crs. J. W. Crawshaw (chairman), Dunn, and Leithead. Cemetery: Crs R. Dunn* (chairman), Barnard. Wallace, and Smith. Cr. Crawshaw was appointed delegate to the Dominion Town-Planning Conference.