GREEN ISLAND COUNCIL

Evening Star, Issue 19175, 16 February 1926, Page 2

GREEN ISLAND COUNCIL

JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY The fiftieth anniversary of the Green Island Borough Council was celebrated at a social gathering in the local town Hall last evening, in 1815 the borough came into existence, and since then it has been faced with many problems, but to-day it stands in a prominent position. The mayor (Mr \V. I. Smell.e) presided, and those present included the Hon. C. E. Statham M.P., Mr T. K. Sidey, ALP., Mr Ti. L. Tanlev, M.P., Messrs H. E. Moller (Mayor of West Harbor), R. W. Hall (Mayor of St. Kilda), J- P- Walls (Mayor of Mosgiol), J. Loudon (chairman of the Harbor Board), S. B. M'Douald (president of tlio Otago Expansion League), C. Findlay (chairman of the Taien County Council), S. Solomon, K.C., and Cr Tomkins (Deputy Mayor of Green Island). ' Mr Smellie said that the borough was formed on November ‘2O, 1875, but it had been inconvenient to hold the celebrations on the proper date. He extended a hearty welcome to those present.

After the toast of “The King”, had been honored Mr Solomon proposed the toast of the “Army, Navy, Mercantile Marine, and Air Force.” He said that at the time wo were dependent upon the Army and Navy lor our lives, and the time might come when we would be again. Mr H. G. Taylor, in replying to the toast, said that the display in the British Court at the Exihibition wa\ nn excellent illustration of the importance of the Army, Navy, mercantile marine, and Air Force. Mr A. C. Laing also replied. Ho said that while the Green Island borough was celebrating its fiftieth anniversary, the Dunedin branch of the Returned Soldiers’ Association had only been in existence about ten_ years. It was in a flourishing condition. Mr Laing added that the association had a good friend in the City Corporation, and he }vas sure that it would get a sympathetic reception if it should appeal to the Green Island Council. The toast of “The New Zealand Parliament ” was proposed by Mr P. 0. Smellie, who said that Green Island had been very foitminte in its representatives in Parliament. He said that Sir Thomas Mackenzie and Mr Statham. who formerly represented the district in Parliament, had passed on to higher honors, and he hoped that the present member, Mr Sidey, would follow in tljeir footsteps. Mr Sidey'had always been their friend, although they were not always fortunate in getting what they wanted. Coupled, with this toast were the names of Mr Statham, Mr Sidey, and Mr Tapley. Mr Statham congratulated the borough on attaining its jubilee. Ho was sure that Green"lsland was excellently represented in Mr Sidey, who was nn honorable and conscientious member. All he could say about Mr Tapley was that there was no stain on liis political character. Mr Statham referred to the excellent work done by local bodies.

Mr Taplo.v said that he was present in a double capacity, as Mayor of Dunedin, and as a member of Parliament. He then pictured the borough as it probably was fifty years ago. He imagined that there were no roads, no buildings, but an abundance of beautiful bust). Now there wore beautiful roads through tjje borough—(laughter) —or, he added, there would be when the Highway Board come to light. Ho hoped "’the time was not far distant when the city trams would be running to Green Island, or that at tho least there would be a bus service. In many ways the city and Green Island were closely associated. Tho city had its abattoirs in the district. Green Island was tho first district in which he had had to respond to tho toast of Parliament. As mayor of the city, and on behalf of the citizens of Dunedin, he congratulated the borough on tho occasion of its jubilee. He also wished the borough every success in tho future.

Mr Sicley acknowledged the kind references to himself. He mentioned the fact that in the old days Ciivorsham and Green Island were’ in the same electorate, and that when the borough was formed Sir Robert Stout represented the distHct in Parliament. He congratulated the borough upon reaching its jubilee. The toast of “Our Solicitor” was proposed by the deputy-mayor (Cr. Tomkins), who said that none of the local solicitors had attained greater eminence than Mr Solomon, the borough solicitor. Mr Solomon’s services were specially valued, and he had always helped in many difficulties. Mr Solomon, in responding, said that it was nearly thirty years since he began to advise the borough. During that period he had come into contact with four mayors—Mr Lindsay, sen., Mr Lindsay," pmr., Mr Tomkins, and the present mayor. The following list of mayors was read out by Mr T. K. Sidey in proposing the toast of 1 The Borough of Green Island ” :—Mr .1. J. Eagerty (18751876), Mr Chas Samson (1877-79), Mr James Runciman (1879-81), Mr A. N. Woollatt (January-December, 1882), Mr James Louden (1882-86), Mr James Miller (November 24, 1886-92), Mr John Toomev (December 22, 1892-94), Mr Jas. Miller (1894-99), Mr J. Ensor (1899-1902), Mr A. Kane (1902-08), Mr Jas. Miller (1903-04). At a special meeting in 1904 to elect a mayor (Mr Miller having died) Cr Jenkins was selected. Mr Wm. Geddes was elected mayor in 1905, and he held office, till 1911. He was succeeded by Messrs John Lindsay, E. J. Reeves, Miller, Tomkins, and the present mayor. The town clerks were as follows; —Messrs Kennedy, Walter Scott, Herbert Scott, T. Thomson, R. Crawshaw, and A. D. Burk. Mr Sidey also congratulated the borough on its progress. In responding to the toast, Mr Smellie said that the last four days had been historical as far as Green Island was concerned. The celebrations in connection with the seventieth anniversary of the school had just concluded, and that night the fiftieth anniversary of the Green Island Borough was being celebrated. Green Island was one of the oldest districts in Otago. It was noted as a manufacturing centre. There were flour mills, chemical works, city abattoirs, refrigerating works, cto., in the district, ;|nu there were also three railway stallions in the borough. This would suffice to show that Green Island was quite an important little place.. Other toasts were: “ Ex-conncillor J. L. Miller ” (proposed by Cr M'Ahan and responded to by Mr Miller); “Adjoining Loca] Bodies, Otago Expansion League, Otago Motor Club, etc.” ; “Borough Officials,” and “Ex-mayors and Ex-councillors,” Messrs Scott, Angell, and Reid, and the Idlers’ Quartet Party rendered songs during the evening, and Mr C. H. Russell gave two interesting sketches.