BOROUGH MAYOR RESIGNS.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20366, 13 October 1931, Page 9

BOROUGH MAYOR RESIGNS.

AN ELECTION AT NEW BRIGHTON. VACANCY ON THE COUNCIL | ALSO. The resignation of Mr J. H. Shaw from the Mayoralty of New Brighton, owing to pressure of business and health reasons, and the resignation of Cr. R. Snoll, who is being transferred to Dunedin, will result in a by-election for the two vacancies taking place in the borough early in November. Mr E. A. M. Leaver has informed a representative deputation from North Beach that he will contest tho Mayoralty, but the by-election will be threecornered, as Cr. E. L. Smith also intends to go to the poll, and it is understood that there will be another candidate for the .Mayoralty, although the name has not yet been disclosed. Mr Shaw has had six and a half years' service with the Council, having been a councillor for four years and acting as Deputy-Mayor, chairman of the Finance Committee and the Works Committee, and Mayor for two and a half years. Election Next Month. The election will take place early next month. Nominations will close within a fortnight of the receipt of tho resignations by the returning officer last evening, and the roll will close at the same time. There has not been a by-election in New Brighton for many years. Mr Leaver has contested the Mayoralty of Now Brighton on tlireo occasions—in 1021, .1929, and again this year. At the last election, when Mr Shaw was re-elected, tho voting was: Mr Shaw, 1037; Mr Leaver, 699. In May of 1929 the contest was threecornered, Mr Shaw polling 785 votes, Mr Leaver 618, and Mr A. W. Owles <3IG. On tho first occasion when Mr Leaver sought Mayoral honours there were four contestants, and he gained third place. Mr Leaver'B Service. Mr Loaver had been a member of tho Borough Council from 1912 until May last, with the exception of two terms, and has been chairman of tho Finance Committee. ITo has been keenly interested in the progress of New Brighton for tho last 20 years and has taken an active x>art on local bodies. For six years ho was chairman of the School Committee. He is now vice-president of tho Surf Club, president of tho North Beach Progress League, president of the Foreshore Improvement Society, and chairman of tho New Brighton Scout Troop. Following upon Mr J. H. Shaw'B decision to resign, a deputation waited upon the Deputy-Mayor (Cr. E. L. Smith), who consented to stand for the position. Cr. Smith has been a member of the Borough Council for a number of years. Meeting of the Council. "J. am very reluctant to have to inform tho councillors that to-night will be tho last occasion on which I will preside as Mayor," said Mr Shaw, shortly after the commencement of the meeting of the Few Brighton Borough Council last evening. "It is with a great deal of regret that I tender my resignation, but the everincreasing call on a public man's time makes it difficult for me to devote the necessary time to tho position, and my own business will rcquiro all my time in the future." Continuing, Mr Shaw said that in a placo liko New Brighton the work of tho Mayor and local body was ever-increas-ing. The No. 5 Scheme had made a lot of extra work ; but it had been of great value to New Brighton. He was leaving that night feeling that he had always tried to do his best for the district, and he hoped that whoever took his place would always have the welfare of the borough at heart. "I have great faith in tho future of the district," said Mr Shaw. "The future of New Brighton is bright, and before long the depression will be over and the sun will be shining. New Brighton is going to occupy a place as one of the premier seaside suburbs of New Zealand." . Mr Shaw thanked the councillors for their courtesy towards him, stating that the work had always progressed harmoniously, and made reference to the volume ot work already done by the present Council. He also thanked the Town Clerk (Mr C. T. Middleton), who had rendered fine service. The staff also had been courteous and efficient. "I have taken a great deal of interest in the progress of the borough, concluded Mr Shaw, "and I can assure you that I am taking this step with a great deal of regret." Deputy-Mayor's Tribute. At tho conclusion of the usual business, the Deputy-Mayor (Cr. E. L. Smith) thanked the Mayor on tho borough's behalf for his work both as h councillor and as Mayor. "We regret the necessity for your taking this stop." said Cr. Smith. "The energy and zeal you have shown have been remarkable, and we have only to think of the municipal links, the road-making plant, and the good roads to realise some of the things you have done. You will be greatly missed by this Council and residents and ratepayers, and I can only say that I am very sorry you are going. Wo hope that you will soon be restored to good health and will come back to assist us again." Cr. S. J. B. Bargrove said that one of the greatest monuments to the Mayor was the new bridge at New Brighton. Mr Shaw's services in the intricate negotiations in this connexion had been invaluable to the borough. Cr. T. E. Thomson said that the Mayor had accomplished a vast amount of work, and was undoubtedly overworked. Cr. A. E. Lawry, chairman of the ■ Reserves Committee, said that the retiring Mayor would be greatly missed on tho Golf Advisory Board. The municipal links were a standing testimony to Mr Shaw's foresight and vision. The speaker paid a tribute to Mrs Shaw and her work as Mayoress. Cr. J. S. Ainsworth, chairman of the Works Committee, expressed the opinion that the Council did not wholly realise the volume of work with which the Mayor had to deal. It was due to Mr Shaw that a local Unemployment Committee had been formed, and through this unemployed residents had been saved the necessity for journeying to the City. Cr. R. E. Holloway said that as a ne*w councillor he had been amazed at the work of the Mayor. Cr. E. A. Robinson referred to the pvogress of the borough during Mr Shaw's term oiT office, and spoke of the generous latitude allowed new councillors by the Mayor. Cr. W. S. Bussell spoke on similar lines. Towu Clerk's Tribute. The Town Clerk (Mr C. T. Middleton) expressed - keen regret on behalf of the staff that the Mayor bad resigned. He had perhaps a greater knowledge of tho Mayor's work than councillors had, and he had discovered that the Mayor had been a hard

worker. At conferences he had always earned the respect of his fellows. Councillors joined in singing "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow," followed by three cheers for the Mayor. Mr Shaw was greeted with applause when he rose to reply briefly. • Later in the evening the Town Clerk (Mr C. T. Middleton) announced that a letter had been received from Cr. R Snell tendering his resignation as a borough councillor. Tho Mayor said that he understood Cr. Snell was resigning for business reaso ■?. lie would move that a letter of thanks for his valuable services bo forwarded to Cr. Snell. ' _ Cr. Smith seconded tho motion, stating that Cr. Snell's former experience as a councillor had stood him in good stead during ♦■.he present term. Tho motion was carried unanimously.