MAYOR INSTALLED

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 200, 21 May 1931, Page 8

MAYOR INSTALLED

Mr. Hislop Takes Control

FAREWELL TO MR. TROUP

Big Tasks Before Council

“The citizens of Wellington have no greater honour to give than they have bestowed upon Mr. and Mrs. Hislop. Both, I know, will give of their best to the city,” said Mr. G. A. Troup, C.M.G., the retiring Mayor, when speaking at the installation of the new Mayor, Mr. T. C. A. Hislop, in the council chamber of the Town Hall yesterday. Members of the new council and a fair sprinkling of the public were present at what was a most interesting function. After the formal declaration had been read by the Town Clerk, Mr. E. P. Norman, Mr. Troup heartily congratulated Mr. and Mrs. Hislop upon their accession to office and wished them a happy and successful term. Both, he was sure, would give of their best in the service of the city. Mr. Troup said that to him and to Mrs. Troup the past four years had been a source of great pleasure, and they had been the busiest years of their lives. Wellington, in that time, had undergone great changes and had made great progress. There had been two courses open—for the Mayor and council to take their courage in their hands and go forward in line with the city's progress, or to stand still and do nothing. Wisely, he thought, they had chosen the former course. A great deal of work had been achieved, and all of it reflected the greatest credit upon the council staff. Still Much Work Ahead.

There was still much ahead, Mr. Troup said. One of the greatest problems before the city was that of Te Aro flat. Something had been achieved in the beginning of the widening of Taranaki Street and the laying down of procedure for the widening of Buckle Street, but the great problem of the seventy odd blind streets in the area still remained. Mr. Troup also mentioned the problem of the removal of

the unsightly destructor from the entrance to Oriental Bay—a work which he had hoped to have undertaken during his term of office —and said that he believed tlie time was not far distant when the destructor would go.

After again thanking the councillors, citizens, and staff members for the loyal assistance they had given him, Mr. Troup placed the chain of office on Mr. Hislop’s shoulders, and stepped down from the Mayoral chair. First Speech as Mayor. Addressing the gathering, Mr. Hislop said the occasion was tinged with regret at the departure of Mr. Troup from an office which he had held with distinction and benefit to tlie city, and at the loss of Mrs. Troup as Mayoress. Mr. and Mrs. Troup left office with the good wisjies of the people they had served so well. He also expressed regret at the departure of several councillors from the council table, particularly “a fair and sporting opponent in Mr. Luckie, who had temporarily vacated a scat on the council after IS. years’ loyal service to Wellington.” Mr. Hislop referred to the number and magnitude of city works that had been carried out. or begun during Mr. Troup’s term of office, and particularly mentioned the National Art Gallery and Dominion Museum buildings on Mount Cook. These, he said, would be a lasting mentor ial to the work of Mr. Troup as Mayor of AVellington. Referring briefly to other city works, Mr. Hislop expressed the wish that the eastern and western access problems had been settled during Mr. Troup’s term of office. “At present they are like Mahomet’s coflin. half-way between heaven and earth,” he said. “I hope the present council will move heaven and earth to have them completed.”

Finance the Chief Problem.

The greatest of the problems ahead, however, was that of finance. The council would have to devote all its abilities to carrying forward its activities while effecting the economies which were essential to lessen the burden upon the citizens. The task would not be easy, but he thought the difficulties would be surmounted. .

Concluding. Mr. Hislop said that if he and Mrs. Hislop succeeded they would be happy. If they did not succeed, it would not be for want of effort, and if they did succeed it would be with the assistance of the councillors, staff, and the people of Wellington. The senior councillor. Mr. AV. 11. Bennett, heartily congratulated Mr. and Mrs. Hislop <m their accession to office and assured them of the fullest support from the councillors. Mr. Bennett expressed real regret nt the departure of Mr. and Mrs. Troup from office.