LOWER HUTT A CITY NOW

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 27, 1 February 1941, Page 12

LOWER HUTT A CITY NOW

Inaugural Celebration

JUBILEE GF BOROUGH ALSO OBSERyED

The first meeting of the City Council of Lower Hutt was held this morning to receive from the Hon. W, E. - Parry, Minister of Internal Affairs, its charter as a new city, and when this formality had been completed the council adjourned to take part in the ceremonies associated with the celebration of the jubilee of the bbrough.: The Mayor, Mr. J< W. Andrews, on taking his seat, called' the meeting to order and asked the Minister to announce the GovernorGeneral's reply to the petition praying that the borough be declared a city. ,

The Minister then read' the proclamation, as follows:—-

Whereas a petition has been received from the Mayor, Councillors, and Burgesses of the Borough of Lower .Hutt praying that the said borough be proclaimed a city under the provisions of the Municipal Corporations Act 1933 and whereas the population of the said borough is, hot less than twenty thousand,

And whereas it is desirable that effect should be given to the said petition

Now therefore I George Arundell . Viscount Galway the GovernorGeneral of the Dominion of New Zealand in pursuance and exercise of the powers conferred upon me by section one hundred and thirty-four of the Municipal Corporations Act , 1933 do hereby proclaim ihe Borough of Lower Hutt to be a city as* on and -from the first day of February one thousand nine hundred and forty one. GIFTS FROM THE MINISTER. The proclamation was reproduced in a handsomely-illuminated document. Mr. Parry said he was'so impressed with the importance of the occasion that he was including in the presentation a copy of the original petition presented for the constitution of the borough, a map showing the original boundaries of the borough' and the original proclamation of the borough dated" January 21, 1891. Also a precis from the files of the Department of the proceedings' and the final constitution of the borough. THE MAYORAL CHAIN. Mr. Parry then announced that the Mayoral chain would be presented by the Town Clerk, Mr., B. S. Knox, stating that each ofj the links represented a past Mayor, of whom there were eleven. . These links had been the gifts of ex-Mayors or their families', and the pendant was the gift of the deputyMay ojr, £buncillor 3. Mitchell, who had a record of twenty-two years' service, ten of which were as deputy-Mayor.

Mr. Knox gave a brief history of mayoral chains and their significance. The word .mayor, said Mr. Knox, really meant major; or chief man of the city.

. The chain had a twofold significance; it was a mark of honour and respect, and also a badge of servitude, showing that while the Mayor was the chief man he was also the servant of the people. THE MAYOR'S RESPONSE. Mr. J. W. Andrews renewed his vows of service to the people, thanked the ex-Mayors and their families for the gifts of the links, and especially Councillor Mitchell for.his long and faithful service. He reminded those present of the service which was being rendered at the front by Councillor J. E. ■ F. Vogel. : In his closing remarks Mr. Andrews pledged his service to his God, his King, his country, and the people of the City of Lower Hutt. GUESTS AT CEREMONY. The following were present at the brief ceremony:—Mrs. J. W. Andrews, Councillor <. and Mrs. C. J. Ashton, Councillor W. C. Gregory, Councillor and Mrs. W. A. F. Hall, Councillor and Mrs.. E. P. Hay, Councillor and Mrs. H. V. Horlor, Councillor and Mrs. A. Marshall, Councillor and Mrs. J. Mitchell, Councillor and Mrs. W. T. J. Morrison, Mrs. J. E. Vogel, Mr. and Mrs. N. T. Gillespie, Mr. and Mrs. A. F. Wagner, Mr. and Mrs. E. Hutt, Mr. Rl D. H. Hill, Mr. and Mrs. H. R. Bach, Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Wise, Mr. and Mrs. J. Blewman, Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Burns, Mr. and Mrs TVC. A. Hislop, Mr. and. Mrs. S. Blackley, Mr. and Mrs. E. Windley, Mr. and Mrs. H. D. Morgan, Mr. and Mrs. R.W. Bothamley, Mr. and Mrs. E. E. Stoupe, Mrs. Stevens, Mr> and Mrs. E. P. Bunny, Professor and Mrs. yon Zedlitz, Mr. and Mrs. W. T. Strand, Colonel and Mrs. T. W. McDonald,'Mr. and Mrs. A. T. Peterkin, Mr. and Mrs. E. Rishworth,. Lady Roberts, Mr. and Mrs. B. S.. Knox, Mr. and Mrs. J. Fletcher, Mr. and Mrs. T. G. Richardson, Mr. and Mrs. T. L. Seddon; Mr. and Mrs. J. CShea.