CLERK TO ASHLEY COUNTY

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21511, 28 June 1935, Page 18

CLERK TO ASHLEY COUNTY

, - 1 -♦ MR J. R. WILKINSON RETIRES (FAREWELL GATHERING AT LOBURN Appreciation of the work of Mr and Mrs J. R. Wilkinson in the district and tributes to their popularity were paid at a representative gathering held in the Coronation Hall, Loburn, yesterday afternoon to say farewell. Mr Wilkinson has recently retired from the position of cieric of the Ashley County Council, wnich he had filled lor nearly to years, ana has left the district to reside in hangiora. Representatives of the Rangiora County council, Rangiora Borough Council, North Canterbury iiaecaic .bouiu, us wen as other organisations connected with the Asnley County were present. Mr H. V. iVietnerell, chairman of the Ashley County Council presided, and read a number of apoioyies xor absence, including those from Mr R. Mcintosh, who was cnairman of the roacl board wnich appointed Mr Wilkinson, the Mayor oi Rangiora (Mr W. A. Rowse), ana Captain A. R. C. White and Mesars jJ. R. .Hutchison, J. O'Jialloran, Hugh Ensor, John Joyce, and R. Nairn. The Asntey Road Board, said Mr Mctherell, which preceded the Ashley County Council, was responsible for two noteworthy decisions. The first was the appointment in 1911 of Mr Wilkinson as clerk, and the second was the building of the concrete traffic bridge over the Ashley river, A period of great progress followed Mr Wilkinson's appointment. The increase in the clerk's duties was referred to by Mr Metherell, who said that during the war the Government opened up Lees Valley for closer settlement. The Main Highways Board upon its formation declared certain of the roads highways, and it was necessary for the clerk to have closer supervision over these roads which involved him in a great deal of extra office work. The formation of the Ashley River Trust and the North Canterbury Power Board also added to his duties. Mr Wilkinson's loyalty and support left nothing to be desired during the speaker's six years as chairman of the council, lie had always taken great interest in tiie welfare of the district, and when the Loburn orchards were established his knowledge of horticulture was very valuable, Mr Wilkinson bad been identified with most of the local sports bodies. Mr Metherell said that Mrs Wilkinson was instrumental in the formation of the Women's Institute in the district, and was always willing to help with the functions. Mi- W, Johnson, a school mate of Mr Wilkinson's, said that the friendship formed in those days still continued,'and he was glad that Mr Wilkinson was retiring to live in Rangiora. Mr I. M. Croft, one of the early members of the council, referred to the happy relationships between the council and Mr Wilkinson. Mr Tasman Pulley, who was a member of the road board which appointed Mr Wilkinson - as clerk, said that he had found him always willing to help anyone in any possible manner and Mrs Wilkinson, too, had been good to the district in helping young people. The chairman of the Rangiora County Council (Mr W. Stalker) expressed pleasure that Mr and Mrs Wilkinson were coming to reside in the county. Mr J. W. Macleod said that he had been a neighbour of Mr and Mrs Wilkinson lor 21 years. As chairman of the Domain Board he had been closely associated with Mr Wilkinson in tree-planting and as a member of the advisory committee on tree-plant-ing had found him very helpful. Colonel K. B. Millton, a former chairman of the county council, said that it was a great pleasure to sec such a representative gathering of county folk to show appreciation of the faithful work of Mr Wilkinson and of the kindness and willing help that he and his wife had shown in the district. On behalf of the ratepayers he asked Mr Wilkinson to accept a wallet of notes and a number of bound volumes, and Mrs Wilkinson a handbag containing notes, as evidence of the goodwill and affection with which they were regarded by every resident of fho Ashley County. Mrs Wilkinson was also presented with a bouquet of flowers by the small daughter of the chairman.

Mr Wilkinson said that both he and Mrs Wilkinson deeply appreciated the trouble taken in arranging the gathering which v/ould remain as a delightful memory, and he especially thanked them for their gift of books. 1-Ie also thanked the speakers for all they had said and for the friendship shown by their remarks. He was especially grateful to all the councillors of the last 25 years for their encouragement and help. Mr Wilkinson gave some interesting reminiscences of happenings in the county, and referred to the debt the residents owed to the late Mr John O'Halloran for his interest in the early days of the county, and to the late Mr W> Mackintosh for his efforts to have various streams in the county bridged. He concluded with the assurance that both he and his wife would remember the happy years spent in Loburn. During the afternoon songs were sung by Misse3 Rose Horrell, M. Yate3. D. Ayers, F. M. Hutchison, and a violin solo was given by Mr T. Joyce. All present were afterwards entertained at afternoon tea.