INSTALLATIONS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXI, Issue 103, 3 May 1911, Page 5

INSTALLATIONS.

. «», MEETING OF NEW CITY COUNCIL THE CEREMONY. The firfet meeting <>l the newly-elected City Council took place at noon io-day, when Mr. T. M. Wilford was duly installed Mayor of Wellington for tho coming year, '['here- were present : TheMayoress (Mrs. AVilford), Councillors Smith, Coheu, Atkinson, Trevor, M'Laren. Fletcher, HindniaiWh, Fitzgerald, Frost, Fuller, Godber, M'Kenzie, and Cameron. Apologies were I'Sad froli* Councillors Shirtcliifo and Barber for absence. Among the public present were ex-Councillors Luke and Murdoch, and the Mayor-elect of Karori (Mr. Uharlca Cathie) . After tho due formalities of announcing the election of Major and councillor had been observed several councillors expressed their appreciation of the Mayor"* sendees. Councillor John. Smith, senior councillor, spoke, warmly of the work of tho Mayor during the past year. The city • had progressed and the finances were sound, for which the citizens had largely to thank the Mayor. Mr. Wilford appeared to have grasped the work from the very start. The city was to be congratulated on the fact that he had accepted oilice for another term, and thai they had at tho head of their affairs a gentleman so capable and co active in the interests of the city. Councillor Smith concluded with a tribute to tho Mayoress for the. assistance 6he had ren- . dered during tho year in public matters. ' Councillor Fletcher added his appreciations, emphasising the . loyal support given to the Mayor by the council. He \ recalled too the noble work done by Mrs. Wilford in the movement for the efetablishmenlb of a Children's Hospital— a monument to tho endeavours of the Mayor and Mayoress. Ho wished them | both a happy and prosperous and sueeemful year. Councillors Trevor and Cohen also congratulated the Mayor and Mayoress. • THE MAYOR'S REPLY. The Mayor replied, thanking membra of the council for their warm appreciation. Ilia work had been very much lightened and facilitated by their loyal support and the faithful services of an, excellent staff. The business of the city, was a huge and important one, that took the best skill, foresight, and en- x deavour of every member of tho council and the staff to carry out successfully. In taking up the position of Mayor Eg had been very much helped by lus long knowledge of the Municipal Corporations Act and the Public Works Act, under which so much work of the council was done. Wellington was to bo congratulated 'on its municipal officers and staff gererally. There was no question, whatever as to the ability of tho heads of the civic departments. After a long and important statement of affairs, reported elsewhere, the Mayor concluded with an expression of thank* to the council and staii 1 on behalf of Mrs. Wilford and himself, The council then transacted the formal business of appointing members to fill ufl the vacancies on committees. ONSIOW. CAREFUL FINANCE NECESSARY* At the installation of Mr. F. Holdsworth as- Mayor of Otislow there Were present tho Deputy-Mayor (Councillor Lynneberg), and Councillors Aplm, Dingwall, Gardiner, Darvall, and fiowden. In a valedictory address the DeputyMayor said they could truly"' state tliat tho borough was progressing steadily ; there was a good deal of building going on — not by speculators, but by men. who had bought their own sections and intended to reside there. The financial position was not quite what lie Would like it to bo, but during the past year the overdraft had been reduced by close oil £250. He sincerely hoped that be-* fore the new Mayor Went out ol office ho would bo able to announce to the council that the year started with a "clean sheet." Tm council could nob afford to go in fot any now work* during the year. The district, fund must bo utilised only for the maintenance of the roads. During the yeaT the council would have to strike a new rate to defray coots in connection with the acquisition of tho catchment area, and would have to raiso a, loan of £600 or £700 for that purpose. The council 1 would need to be as economical as possible, so as not to c&3t on tho ratepayers greater burdens than were absolutely, necessary. It was possible that ther© might bo some lielief in regard to expenditure on the Hutt-xoad — " another great bugbear which is standing in ■ front of the council." It was to be hoped that the incoming council, and also the adjacent boroughs, might prevail upon the Government to hand over the road to them, without enacting the cost of tho construction, estimated at £100,000. In conclusion, tho DeputyMayo? paid a high tribute to tho work done by tho ex-Mayor (Mr. J. G. Hairiness), whose- relations with councillors had, he said, been during Ill's four yearn of office of tho friendliest character.-— The Mayor, on taking his seat, said he had not sought office, but in view of representations that had been made to him lje considered it was his duty to contest the position. He had previously . had two years' experience as a member of the couuci), and he could only hope that his relations with the new council' would be pleasant. It was absolutely; necessary for tile- progress of the borough! that tho Mayor and councillors should 1 work together; otherwise very littl© could bo done. (Hear, hear.) MIRAMAR'S OUTLOOK. ' STATEMENT BY MR. BRODIE. The formnl installation of Mr. John! Brodie as Mayor of Miramar took place at the meeting-room of the Mirmnar Borough Council. Th© following councillors were present (the Mayor-elect pre-siding)—--Messrs. H. E. Richards, W. Telford, N. W. Bell, S. M. Stone, C. 15. Bowie, and F. Laurenson. Alter Mr Brodie had made and > signed the declaration, and tlae councillors had followed suit— thus formally assuming office— con* graduations were exchanged between the Mayor and councillors. In. outlining the general entei'prises of the borough. *or the coming year, th« Mayor reminded councillors of the important work ahead of them. They would gain more experience, probably, on this council thnn on any other around Well lington, because no borough had co many; important worlcA to engage its atfcetf fcion.., '. One mairter ho would like to bring bo-, fore them— that was the question of liokU ing the council's fortnightly meeting ii* tho borough itself. He thought the fimo ' had amvoa. when this should bo done. Last yearn experience- had convinced him toat tlis step was a necessary one., Then fclvxre was 'the matter of water and draimtgo. This work should be pusliod' ahead as speedily as possible. Referring te t-hfi borough's progressive potentialities, tho Mayor said that tfier» veto sign» liafc buildings wore going to f.)wtog up Sm Miramar. Houses were. *frgcviyy reqaiwd. The improvement of the* beaches would be another mafc&r for •i-hfur cOilsiileratian. Improved beaot* ' woßi^vlje ' a >me«tts--of- assisting icad hn-,-

piX>ving the tramway returns. Members should give this matter their attention, sod bring forward any suggestion that might occur to them. One of the most important subjects for the council's consideration would be the matter of a flower scheme for the borough. Particulars of this scheme would be placed before them at an early date. One of the first matters councillors .would have before them would be tne estimates. These must be- dealt with as soon ac possible so a& to allow of .rates being struck. The Mayor made reference to the necessity for encouraging the local industries of the' borough, .which had been done by the previous councils. They had, to a. great extent, succeeded. In this respect the future of the borough was never brighter, and the fact was mentioned merely that councillors might keep that object ■teadiiy ia view. The population of Miramar Borough, according to the last Census returns, had doubled itself in the last five 'years." This 'Was very 6atis- : factory, in- making a comparison with ■DiTounding local bodies. In responding to .the individual felicitations of councillors, his "Worship said he was very grateful at the personnel of the council. It waa a council of good ibnsiness men, and' it was very necessary it should be so. in view of the very active year ahead of them. "I do not remember starting such a year as this, ■with so much important work ahead of US." concluded his Worship. Subsequently it was decided' that the council meet to-morrow evening, that the ■estimates be considered at the next meeting (to-morrow week), and that councillors make a four of the borough next •Saturday to make themselves further acquainted with the borough enterprises. It was also decided that, during the (winter, the council should meet at 7.30. EASTBOURNE. "TICKET" -SYSTEM CONDEMNED. fThe installation of the Mayor and councillors for the borough of Eastbourne took place in the offices of the /J'own ,Clexk (Mr. J. D. Avery). There were present— Messrs. H. W. Shortt (Mayor), iW. J. Organ, S. G. Ross, T. W. Pilcher, G. L. Bannatyne, R, L. Button, F. iWills, C S. Harcourt, and J. Morris. After the declaration had bsen signed) Councißar Organ congratulated the ■Mayor on. his re-election, which he said ■was an indication that Mr. Shortt had administered the affairs of the borough well. He had no doubt that the friendly Telations-4iitheTto existing between the Mayor and councillors would continue. With regard to future elections in the borough, he hoped that the "ticket" sys.tem -would not, be perpetuated, as it was not in the interest of the district. A •"ticket" worcld no doubt bo justified ;where some large question, of principle ■was involved, but they should not be aim to disfearb the harmonious relations that should prevail in a small borough. Councillor Wills endorsed the previous speaker's remarks, also condemning the ■"ticket" system. The Mayor had been itried, and the residents were satisfied .with the good, work he had done, and .•wishftd Mm to continue it. . The Mayor, in thanking councillors itor their kind remarks, said he would do liis best in the future, as he had done 5n the past. There was only a limited fwnount of money for the council to "spend on the needs of the borough, but. iwith the help of the councillors, it . would bo expended with a due regard to lecooomy. He had been ably assisted an the past, and with the help of the new council, he wanted to see the borough go ahead. This could only be done by keeping down the expenses and the rates, and holding out inducements <-to people to come and reside in their - little borough. If they did this the borough would progress. As a seaside re- ■ sort Eastbourne had no equal, but they could make it still more, attractive. He congratulated the old councillors on their •re-election, and extended a heatty welcome to the new ones. Any feeling that had been manifest he hoped would be Bunk in the deep past, so that at the end of the term, they could go before . jthe resident* with a good record. Cotmcillore Bannatyne, Harcourt, Button, Eflcher, Morris, and Boss, returned (thanks, the last-mentioned in. doing so ■expressing the hope that a policy of treeplanting would be kept in -view. . - The following committees were then set upr: — Finance i Councillors Organ, Harcoart, Bannatyne, and Wills. Bylaws : Councillors Morris, Button, Eoss, Bannatyne, and Pilcher. Building : Councillors Button and Bannatyjie. Pub•lic 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 ithe meetings df the council should be on the second- Saturday in each month.