MAYORS INSTALLED.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1118, 4 May 1911, Page 6

MAYORS INSTALLED.

NEW COUNCILS MEET. MR. T. M. WILFORD'S ADDRESS ' COMMITTEES APPOINTED. The inaugural meoting of tho newlyelected City Council was held at noon yesterday. There we'ro present his Worship tho Mayor (Mr. T. M. Wilford) and • Councillors Fletcher, M'Laren, .Hiud■marsh, Cameron, Fuller, Fitzgerald, M'Kcnzie, Godber, Atkinson, Frost, Trevor, Cohen, and Smith. About thirty others attended, among them a number of former councillors. The Mayoress (Mrs. Wilford) occupied a chair besido that of 'tho Mayor. Amongst those, present were ex-Councillors Luke and Murdoch, and Mr. C. Cathie, Mayor of Karori. Tho Mayor and tho town clerk (Mr. J. E. Palmer) wore their official, robes. Having taken his seat, Mr. Wilford call- ' ed ."upon the town clerk to read a statement setting forth tho result of the late election. This having been done, tho Mayor announced 'that councillors had already signed the customary declaration. ■ ; At a later stage- leave ot abseneo was granted to Councillor Shirtcliffe, who is absent in the South Island, and to Councillor Barber. Brief speeches in which they congratulated tho Mayor and Mayoress upon the manner in which, they had discharged , their duties during tho past year,' and wished them a happy and prosperous year ensuing, wero mado by Councillors J. Smith, 11. Fletcher, J. Trevor, and F. Cohen. Each of thw sneakers referred appreciatively to the services rendered by Mrs. Wilford and tho Mayor in raising funds for tho erection of the new Children's Hospital. : : ' The Mayor's Reply. ■'•' ■ The Mayor thanked councillors for their expressions of goodwill.' Tho ' past year had been an arduous one, but ■ his labours, had been much lightened by the fact that lie had received from the' whole' of the council, and especially from the excellent staff that tho council .possessed, that assistance which had cnabledhimto obtain a grasp of many otherwise intricate details. The business- of running the city to-day was a huge and important own. i It. took tho-best skill, 1 foresight, and endeavour of every member of the council. Wellington,' said the Mayor, mnst be congratulated on its officials and the staff generally. There could be no question that the city had able men at tho heads of the various departments. The speaker had had a hard row to hoe during the past year in refusing requests, not in themselves unreasonable, but «n----possiblo on account of financial considorations. A city liko this, having in its possession rich endowments, which lyould bo of great value in a few years' time, should live within its income. In times like the present, when a period of 6tress'and trouble had just been passed through, a policy of lavish expenditure would be unwise, although it might give a temporary appearauco of progress.and development. The speaker hoped that ' deputations in the coming year . would realise : that; the council this year had the same revenue to expend as it had last year. The engineers hod been, instructed to frame the estimates so as to do equal justice to the various parts of the city to far as it was possible to do so. Continuing, the Mayor claimed that • Wellington was a sound * city. There was no possibility of repudiation. The- corporation was able to jneet interest and sinking fund charges from general •revenue, and to extend the city..in directions deemed wise, without joingv.tq'.the.Tatepayers'for more 'money, or increasing the fates." Speaking of tho waterworks loan, raised fast year, tho Mayor said it had been admitted to him by ;the town, clerk of .oho,of .the leading municipalities in- Australia that Wellington'in this matterl'la'd "set an example that any local authority in Australasia might',;pi-6fiiably- ,| iiiiitate. The 'couhc'il had obtained .£133,000 at i per cent. No commission had to be paid, no- charges for floating the loan,- no interest until the money had been spent, and the council ' had a term' of three years in which to <spend it. In congratulating councillors upon thcif return, tho Mayor also congratulated citizens upou tho increased interest they had manifested ta the election. Only a live and active interest in tho city's affairs on the' part of ■ tho people would keep their representatives up to the mark. Councillors had on this occasion been elected for the first time upon an ndult suffrage, and every councillor so elected had a right to bo proud of his position. Concluding, the Mayor thanked • councillors for what had been said about Mrs., AVilford- During the past twolve ■months' sho had done everything sho could.

Election of 'Committees. The council appointed standing committees for the ensuing two years. Following on the , introduction of new bloqd •to the council at the Into election, all of rtho committees underwent changes in 'their membership, with the exception of the Power Stations and Tramways Committee. The following-arc the commjttees as .now constituted: — Power Stations and Tramways Committee:—The Mayor, Councillors Fitzgerald, Fletcher, Frost, Hindmarsh, rihirtcliffe, and Smith. - ■ ■ Abattoirs, Milk Supply, and Public Health Committee:—Councillors Atkinson, Pitzgerald, Fletcher, M'Laren, Shii'tcliffe, Godber, and' Cameron. ' Baths and City Reserves Committee:— Councillors Cohen, Frost, Shirtcliffe, Bmith, M'Laren, M'Kenzie, and Cameron. By-laws, Fire Brigade, and Street Lighting Committee:—Councillors Cohen, Frost, ftmith, Trevor, Godber, M'Kenzie, and-Fuller. legislation and .Reclaimed Land Leases Committee:—Councillors Atkinson,' Barber, Cohen, Hindmarsh, Godber, Cameron,' and M'Kenzie. • ■ • - Libraries Committee:—Councillors Atkinson, Cohen, M'Laren, Trevor, Hindmarsh, Barber, and Fuller.' Outlying Districts Committee:—Councillors Barber, Frost, Fitzgerald,' M'Kenzie,' Hindmarsh, Cameron, and Fuller. Appointment ot the Finance and Pro-' perty Committee was necessarily allowed to stand over, as a rule of tho council declares that it shall consist of tho chairmen of tho other seven standing committe'es. ' A. special Markets Committee was. setup, consisting of Councillors Hindmarsh, M'Laren, Smith, Trevor, Barber, Cameron, and Fuller. Councillor M'Laren'gave notice of his intention to move at the next meeting of the' council:—"That a Staff Committee be appointed to deal with matters affecting tho relations of the council with corporation employees, respecting conditions of employment and service." Councillor Fitaeraltl signified his intention of moving that a committee be fft up to deal with the whole busine.=s of lighting and electrical supply. The proposal will be disputed at the next Taeeting of the council.

MIRAMAR.

I 'A BRIGHT OUTLOOK. "At noon yesterday tho Mayor (Mr. J. Brodie) and members of tho Miramar Borough Council.signed tho statutory declaration, entitling them to sit and transact business on behalf of tho borough. In prefacing a general review of the state of the borough, and the work whic/h lay ahead, the Mayor extended his congratulations to the old members of the couucil on their re-election, a majority of whom had come back, and also the new members, who would bo afforded an opportunity of .gaining a good deal of experience. Ho r|\icstionod if there was any other borough in the vicinity of Wellington which offered so valuable an experience as did the Miramar Borough, which had so many important works going on, serving to give councillors a grip of big undertakings. One important thing they would have to. consider was whether or not the time had arrived for holding tho meetings 1 of Ihe council within i the borough. This vas a matter which had engaged Tiis attention for a long time, and ho thought tho question was one which should, be. considered at as early a date as possible. Another matter which would engago the attention of councillors was the big water and drainage scheme tho council was engaged upon, and which would now

have to be pushed along with as speedily as possible. Building had made rapid progress in the borough during tho year, and he felt confident that-they would in a little time find houses springing np like mushrooms in tho borough. . A further matter which would require attention Was the tramways. There had been a good deal of agitation for a better service, and it was a matter to be carefully looked into. There was, too, a power-scheme proposition, which he hoped to placo before tho ratepayers at (in earl} , ' date. An important matter for consideration was the estimates. That was ono of tho first matters to be dealt with, and copies of tho proposed estimates would be given to councillors as soon as possible. It had always been his policy to encourage industries in tho borough, and they had to a great extent succeeded. In that direction the future looked particularly bright and hopeful. On resuming his scat, Mr. Brcdio was congratulated by the councillors ■ all round, and in response said that he thought the borough had returned the best council it had ever had. It was well it was so, for tho year promised to be a particularly busy one. It was decided that the council shoaild hold a meeting this evening,' and- that the new council should make a tour of the borough on Saturday afternoon.

ONSLOW BOROUGH,

■ A POLICY OF ECONOMY. The statutory meeting for the installation of the new Onslow Borough Council and Mayor was lield at noon yesterday, Councillor- Lynneberg, who acted as Deputy-Mayor during the absence (in the last council) of Mr. J. , G. Harkness (Mayor), presided. Councillors Aplin, Bowden, Dingwall, Gardiner, and Darvall were present. , As Deputy-Mayor, Councillor Lynneberg said that before he retired from the chair, which he had occupied for only four months, he would like to make a few statements in regard to borough matters. The borough, which wns only a small one, was progressing steadily. There had been a lot of building going' on during the nast year, and those who were building not doing so for letting purnosos—it was mot being done by syndicates—but by men who had purchased their sections, finding the land the cheapest in the vicinity of Wellington, and were ■ intending to livo on it. Theirs, therefore, would not bo a shifting population .us in some other suburbs. Ilailway and road communications were only fairly, good. .(Hear, hear.) .- lot to improve tho communication could be .done. To a large extent they were dependent upon a paternal Government for help. (Laughter.) As to financial matters, tho position-of the borough was not as good as he would liko it to be; but during the past year they had reduced then- overdraft by nearly .6250. He. hoped a continuance of this policy would bo adopted. The borough could not afford to go in for any new works this year. Th» district funds would have to fie utilised in the maintenance of the roods, in the coming year they would havo to strike a new rate for tho catchment area and tiiey would have- to get a small loan to nmsh up this undertaking. Some sixtytwo acres still remain to be paid/ for, and . there was a likelihood that six or seven hundred pounds would bo required They must practise stret economy They might get easement of the Hutt Eoad-a bug-bear to them-and that would save a verv large sum of money. The question of fighting would also have to be gone into. Council- '? r Lynneberg thanked the members of the old council for their assistance, and speaking as a councillor himself he wanted to voice their great appreciation of tho work done during tha four years of his ofneo by the-late- Mayor, Mr. Harkness. Mr. Harkncss had assumed control at a critical period,' and had done splendid work; and it also had been a pleasure sit under him. In conclusion, Councillor Lynneberg expressed the pleasure it gave him to ask the Mayor-elect, Mr. Holdsworth, to occupy the' chair. The ratepayers had shown by a marvellous majority that he was the man they desired should occupy the chair. Ho was also well in touch with the wants of the district. (Applause.) Mr. F. Holdsworth then assumed charge of the' meeting. He expressed the pleasure it gave him to do bo. Ho had (felt itvljis 'lutj- to. respond, to the representations that had been made to him to contest the Mayoralty. He had served on the council about two years ago, and had enjoyed the work. He hoped to follow in the footeteps of the lato Mayor to a large extent, especially in regard to the amicable relations that had always existed between Mr. Harkness ■ and the council. , ■ The councillors in turn then said a few words and bade the new Mayor welcome, also testifying to the. excellent work dono by Mr. Harkness.

EASTBOURNE.

"TICKET'.' TACTICS DEPRECATED. ■ T,ho inaugural meeting, of Die newlyelected Jiascbournc Borougii Council iviis held yesterday in Ine otlice of the town cleric (Air. J. D. A very). There were present: Messrs. H. W. Shortt (Mayor), W. J. Organ, S. G. R,ss, T. W. Pilcher, G. L. Bannatyne, E. L. Button, F. Wills, C. S. Harcourt, and J. Morris. Councillor Organ congratulated the Mayor on his re-election, and expressed a'hope that in future borough elections the "ticket" system would not be perpetnat (1. It was not in the interest of the district. A "ticket" might be justified where some large question of principle was involve.!, but "ticket" tactics tended to disturb harmonious relations in a small borough. Councillor Wills spoke in similar strain. ,The Mayor said he would do his best in future, as he had done in the past. The limited amount of money available would bo expended with a duo regard for economy. Ho had been ably assisted in the past, and with the help of the new council hoped to see tho borough go ahead. This could only bo done by keeping down expenditure and rates, and inducing people to ojme and settle in the borough. Eastbourne should be made still more attractive as a seaside resort. Concluding, the Mayor congratulated old councillors on their re-election, and welcomed new ■ Councillors Bannatyne, Harcourt, Button, Pilcher, Morris, and ,Ross snpke briefly in reply. The following committees were set up: Finance: Councillors Organ, Harcourt, Bannatyne, and Wills. By-laws: Councillors Morris, Button, Boss, Bannatyne, and Pilcher. Building: Councillors Button and Bannatyne. Public Works, the council as a whole. It was decided that the members of the council should make an inspection of the borough next Saturday, and that the meetings of the council should bo held as hitherto on the second Saturday in each month.

KARORI.

The installation of the mayor and councillors of Kn'rori took place at the Council Chambers last night. There were present the retiring mayor {.Mr. C. I. Dnsent), the new mayor -(Mr. C. Cathie), and Councillors Vt. T. Hildreth, W. G. Bradnock, J. A. Frost, A. Hamilton, E. J. Standen, J. S. Home, W. H, Nimmo, E: N. Apderson, and B. (5. H. Burn. Mr. C. I. • Dasent congratulated tho mayor and the new councillors on their election, and then vacated the chair. Mr. Cathie, said ho hoped that the pleasant relations-that, had existed in the past would continue to exist while he was in the mayoral chair. He gave a. brief outlino of the new council's policy, touching on such matters as the tramway extension, the recreation grounds, the provision of a public hall, and the need for a complete survey qf the borough. The mayor announced that he had re-arranged the committees, nnd reduced them from nine to seven. They are as follow:— Finance: The Mayor, Councillors JTorne, Frost, Nimmo. Works and Rocrention: Councillors Burn, Hildreth, Bradnock, Hamilton. Tramways: The Mayor, Councillors Burn, Hildreth, and Standen. Compensation: Tho Mayor, Councillors Standen, Hildreth, and Home. By-laws: Councillors Anderson, Nimmo, Hamilton, and Burn. Library: Councillors Anderson, Home, Hamilton, and Frost. Lighting and Sanitary: Councillors Anderson, Frost, Nimmo, and Bradnock.

NEW PLYMOUTH. (By Telegraph —Press Association.) New Plymouth, May 3. Mr. G. Tisch was to-day installed ns Mayor of New Plymouth for the fourth jear in succession,