A PORT CHALMERS SOCIAL

Evening Star, Issue 12944, 6 May 1908, Page 7

A PORT CHALMERS SOCIAL

A number of residents of Port Chalmers, including the mayor (Mr G. Edgar) the mayor-eect (Mr J Mil!) Mr E. G. Allen! M.i -. Air N. Dodds, and past and present councillors formed a social assembly in Uio Council Chambers last evening. Cablc ; P rc ' idc(l - and in a few introdue lory remarks staled that some of those present had -concluded that it would be a desirable practice for those concerned with tlw welfare of the town to meet occasionally to spend a pleasant evening together during the winter months. It would promote gcodlehowship and a better understandum of matters m which as citizens they were all interested, Several matters of interest would come up, but tho principal business—and he might say, the main object of that meeting —was to express appreciation of Mr Edgar’s services on the eve of his vacating the office Oi major. It also meant his severing his connection with the Council after twelve years service the Council table prior to election to the higher office. Aftei tiie loyal toast had been honored several presentations were made. Mr J Mathews, president of tho Bowling Club, presented Air John Paterson with a silver stand, as a wedding /present from a few bowling friends. Mr Edgar proposed “■ The Port Chalmers A avals, coupled with the names of Captain Dodds and Lieutenants Braithwaite and MTntyre. The Mayor complimented Captain Dodds on the proficiency of his officers and men. He laid been a lieutenant in the Navals, and knew what volunteering was. It should be more heartily supported, not so readily criticised, and the training it involved more appreciated. He thought the merits of volunteering should be more widely recognised, and with that end in view had much pleasure in presenting Captain Dodds with a "mayor’s prize’’ ia silver tea and coffee service), to bo competed for by the company. The only restriction he would place on the prize was that points for attendance at drill should count towards winning it. He hoped that in presenting this prize he had set a precedent that would be followed by Ids successors.—(Applause.)

In thanking the mayor for the prize, tho equal of which he laid not seen presented for competition during his twelve years’ connection with the Nu.va.l3,' Captain Dodds said that volunteering was now coming to be regarded seriously. It was not now looked cn as a hobby or something to merely pass away an evening. It meant study and training. At one time the Easter encampment was looked on as a holiday to be wound vp by a demonstration field day, tho results of which were prearranged. The last Easter manoeuvres were in quite a different category'. The various movements were a matter of brains against brains. It was a case of practical experience. Young fellows got out on the lulls for twenty-four hours at a stretch. They often got wet through, and were tired and weary, but they stuck to it. They recognised that only in that way could they learn their work and learn it thoroughly. After carrying out this duty it was hard if the volunteers were to find themselves sneered at round the street corners. But any man that would do such a thing was not worthy the name. Captain Dodds said he regarded it as ft mayor’s duty to encourage volunteering, and he hoped every mayor in New Zealand would follow the precedent set that evening. Mr John Mill said he had a pleasant duty to perform in presenting Mr Edgar, the retiring mayor, with a case of gold-mounted black meerschaum cigar and cigarette holders from his admirers. Mr Edgar had been for many years in the Council, and had very carefully carried out the duties of councillor. It was gratifying to see that his services had been appreciated to the extent of appointing him to the honorable position of mayor of the town. It hail once been thought that men occupying certain positions could not satisfactorily fulfil the requirements of the office, but Mr Edgar had shown that this was not necessarily so, and they were there to honor him accordingly. It was the duty of tho leading citizen to encourage every movement for the well-being of the community. That this had been done was evident from the prize just presented to Captain Dodds on behalf of the volunteers. He (the speaker) would not be found wanting when his turn came to fob low Mr Edgar’s precedent. The volunteers deserved every encouragement, for were not the many privileges enjoyed in this country due to army and navy. It was only by visiting other and less favored countries that tho privileges of a country like ours cotud be appreciated.

Mr Edgar said that he valued very highly the honor of having been mayor of the town He reviewed the state of the municipal finances, which he considered satisfactory Although leaving the Council, he would continue to take an interest in municipal affairs and looked forward to the .municipalisation of tho gasworks, the construction of a supplementary reservoir, and the erection of public baths.