EYRE COUNTY COUNCIL

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 29067, 2 December 1959, Page 19

EYRE COUNTY COUNCIL

Annual Report Of Chairman Exception was taken by some councillors to a statement that “determined efforts have been made before to change the policy of the county by changing its personnel. A much more determined effort was made on this occasion and succeeded,” made in the report of the chairman (Mr J. E. Horrell) to the annual meeting of the Eyre County Council. Suggesting Mr Horrell delete this section of the report, Cr. A. W. Hyndman said he had stood this time under much the same conditions as last time. He did not consider it a statement of fact as he did nothing more, In fact he did less, than the. previous time to gain election. The remarks did not necessarily refer to Mr Hyndman, said Mr Horrell and could apply to persons outside the council. It was a statement of fact as he saw it and he was not prepared to withdraw it is the report was a document containing his personal views. Councillors could, if they wished, pass a motion expressing their disagreement with that particular section, or other sections of the report The report was adopted, with a motion of disagreement with the section being recorded. “Major Upheaval” “It would not be out of order to describe the results of the recent. election as something in the nature of a major upheaval,” said the report. “The number of changes in the personnel of the council is greater on this occasion than for many years. In 1923 the new council had four new members, while the 1920 council began with five new members.

“This time one member, Mr C W. Bennett, retired, while three members, Messrs R. G. Ward, G M. Dixon, and R. Kimber, were defeated at the poll. To all these gentlemen the thanks of the county are due for years of unstinted service. “Messrs Bennett and Ward joined the council in 1947 and shouldered their share of responsibility in those very difficult years when staff, plant and finance were being built up to carry into effect the roading improvement policy of the council. “Mr Dixon was elected in 1950 and to him, together with Mr Ward, must be given &. considerable share of the credit for the institution of the Ohoka Drainage District, which is effecting such a wonderful change in an important part of the county. Mr Kimber joined the council six years ago. and in that time has come to a pretty sound understanding of county affairs. “A word should be added here in regard to the machines and workshop facilities made available to the county staff without charge over the last 30 years by Mr Ward The actual cash value to the county of these facilities, If it could be assessed, would run Into hundreds of pounds. “In retiring after 18J years from the position of chairman of this county I am filled with a deep sense of gratitude to the numerous councillors and staff who have worked with me over these years.” the report says.