CITY COUNCIL STAFF

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 66, 10 December 1938, Page 18

CITY COUNCIL STAFF

Work In Preparation For Exhibition MAYOR PAYS TRIBUTE Tributes to the work done during the year by the staff of the Wellington Qity Council, particularly in preparations for the New Zealand Centennial Exhibition, which is to open in Wellington next year, were paid by the mayor, Mr. Hislop, when replying to the’ toast of (lie city council at the annual smoke concert of rhe Wellington Centre of the Local Bodies Officers’ Guild. The gathering was held in the guild rooms, Lower Cuba Street, last night, and was well attended. Mr. F. Malcolm presided. When proposing the* toast of the city council, Mr. J. G. MaeKenzie, director of parks and reserves, traced the history of the guild and said the organization owed much to the council since Mr. Hislop became-mayor. In the past seven years the guild had been recognized by the council as an organization representing the staff, it had been provided by the council with an excellent club room, and an appeal committee had been set up. Replying to the toast, Mr. Hislop referred to Mr. MacKenzie’s 33 years of service on the staff of the council, and said he had accomplished a great deal toward developing the city. . A year of extraordinary activity for the council was now drawing to a close, Mr. Hislop added. Much had been accomplished, and when compared with others it would be found that 1938 was an outstanding year. “This time next year we shall have opened the exhibition, and the New Zealand centennial will have started,” said Mr. Hislop. “We shall be then like a general who has planned and launched an attack, and who can watch the results.” Mr. Hislop added that they could look forward with confidence to the success of the New Zealand Centennial Exhibition. The wonderful development which had taken place on the exhibition site in Rongotai was inspiring to see, and the buildings in the course of erection already conveyed a good impression of what the exhibition would be like. The electricity department of the council had devised a scheme for lighting effects which would be superior not only to anything seen in Australia or New Zealand, but superior to any similar display in the Southern Hemisphere.

Remarkable Display.

“I am quite convinced that when you see this display on the opening night you will be astounded, but this is only one of many things,” said Mr. Hislop.

In paying a tribute to the work being done for the exhibition by the council’s engineering, electrical and clerical departments, Mr. Hislop said all branches were playing their part. He was proud of what was going to be shown as a result of their efforts. “J. think Wellington has a larger scope for local body work than most cities in New Zealand,” said Cr. T. Brindle, who proposed the toast of the guild. ‘“Other centres in the Dominion have not the departments we have. In Wellington we have succeeded in getting them all under the control of the city council, and I think that is to our advantage.” Cr. Brindle said the officers of the council gave estimable service to the city.

The guild had a membership of slightly more than 300, said Mr. Malcolm, president of the guilt, who replied to the toast. Since its inception the organization had worked in the interests of its memliers and had made good progress. Mr. Malcolm added that the New Zealand Centennial Exhibition would give them an opportunity of showing all New Zealand what Wellington could do.