TRIBUTES TO THE MAYOR.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 489, 23 April 1909, Page 6

TRIBUTES TO THE MAYOR.

BY CITY COUNCILLORS. The closing mooting of tho present City Council last evening was not allowed to concludo,without valedictory speeches. Councillor Luko paid a tribute to tho work •Af tho. retiring Mayor. Social functions came within tho duties of tho Mayor, whoso efforts had been very ably supplemented by Mrs. Hislop. Ho regretted that Mr. Hislop was leaving tho chair. Ho had no doubt, but that all thp Mayor's actions had been intended solely for the benefit of tho city. ■ Councillor Smith said that ho had sat under seven or eight.Mayors, but ho gave tho present tho'palm for, administration. Councillor M'Laren remarked that, coming as ho did in contact : ,with the working classes, ho was able, to say that Mr. Hislop had treated tho workers under his/administration with humanity. Difficult problems would havo to bo faced in the future, and ho would havo liked to sco the Mayor remain in office for another term. Councillor Ballinger commended the Mayor's tact in pushing through tho business promptly. ' . Councillor Biss regretted Mrs. Hislop's absence that night owing to'her ill-health. Ho moved that tho thanks of tho council bo convoyed to her in recognition of her valuable services rendered during the year. . ■'■* Councillor Hindmarsh remarked on the Mayor s exceptional dovotion to duty, even to tho sacrifice of health. His quiet dignity was a feature in tho way in which ho lad conducted tho city's business and discharged all social functions. , Councillor Fletcher endorsed the remarks 'of older members of the council. Ho had also sat with tho Mayor on tho Harbour Board. Steps ought to havo been taken to persuade him to serve another term of office. In all matters Mr. Hislop had taken a sympathetic interest, and had been actuated.by tho very best motives,' He would like also to pay a tribute to Mrs. Hislop. Councillor Shirtcliffe. said that tho history of the city was written it would be Baid that Mayor Hislop proved himself to be ono of the ablest, strongest, and best chief citizens that had ever ruled over its destinies. He also endorsed the remarks; of. former speakers with regard to the good work which had been done by Mrs. Hislop. . . Councillors Cohen,' Murdoch, and Car-' michael also spoke in appreciation of tho work done by the Mayor and Mrs. Hislop. • Upon the call of Councillor Luke, the councillors stood and carried the motion with acclamation.

The Mayor, in reply, said the position was almost a novelty, because in' his public life he had been more accustomed to knocks than to compliments, but ho might say that ho enjoyed them both. 'At a time of parting one's feelings were more generous than one's merits deserVed. Ho; could not say- tha.t his administration had always been on right linos: if some matters not of great importance could havo come up again he did not know if he would not have acted differently. Without false' credit he could tako to himself the praiso that in regard to aU matters the public rights had been kept fully in mind. It was impossible to tell how deeply pleased he was by the ! references which had been made to, Mrs.. Hislop. No ono knew more than he did the sacrifices which she had made during his term. Nothing would have given him greater pleasure than to have occupied the position of Mayor for another term, but the circumstances were too strong for him, and, even if he, had had the assurance that if he had stood he. would not have been opposed, or that, if ho had been opposed, he would have won by a great. majority, he would not have been able to accept nomination of considerations which must Weigh witn one in the oircumstanoes. Howover, thsro were other ways of ministering to the publio, and ho hoped his wife and. himself would find some means.:of doing that. (Hear, hear.) The Mayor _then dealt :With State interference with _ municipalities, which he condemned as an iritorferencbi.with the ; individual'life of tho community. . Councillor Shirtcliffe expressed regret, at the retirement of Councillors- Godber, Biss, Murdoch, Fisher, and Hales,|,and'he moved an appreciatory motion, which was duly acknowledged. :.:'.:/ A vote of thanks. was alsoYaccorded the staff, on the motion of• Councillor Fletcher, seconded by Councillor Smith. ■ The'town clerk; Mr. J. It. Palmer, and tho city engineer, Mr. W. H. Morton, replied on behalf of their colleagues. -.••.-■ .-,,.