AFTER THIRTY-TWO YEARS

Evening Star, Issue 21138, 25 June 1932, Page 10

AFTER THIRTY-TWO YEARS

CR W. RUCHE? RETIREMENT After thirty-two years on the Taieii Council Cr Walter Blackie did not seek re-election last month, and the vacancy, was tilled by the election of Cr W. Kirk.’ Before the old council disbanded a group photograph was taken, and an. enlarged framed copy was yesterday, presented to Mr Blackie by the council.: The gift was accompanied by the fob lowing minute:—“ We, the chairman and members of the Taieri County Council, on this, the occasion of your retiral from local body life, desire to tender to you an expression of our sincere appreciation of your long period of service as a member of the councd.' For the past thirty-two years, as member for East Taieri Riding, you have retained the loyalty _ and gratitude of the ratepayers therein,_ as well as the esteem of ratepayers in all parts of the county and of your colleagues at the council table. Your fairness, sagacity, magnanimity, and wise counsel have at all times been an important factor in the council’s deliberations,and many works of public utility and amenities enjoyed by Taieri ratepayers are due in no small measure to your advocacy and hearty support. Wc trust that vou may experience such good health as the disabilities of increasing years permit, and that the evening of your life be passed in quiet and comfort, conscious of the fact that a lifetime of service, ungrudgingly given,; and faithful duty rendered in the public life of the community in which you lived will be ever remembered by a grateful people.” The minute was signed by all the councillors. .. _ Cr Blair, the first speaker, said: “I am sure it will be the pleasure or all councillors sitting at this table and of councillors who have sat with ex-Cr Blackie, and of all ratepayers in the Taieri that there should be some recognition of the public services rendered during his long term of thirty-two years, services which have been of inestimable value to the Taieri County,Mr Logan has drawn up a minute which so adequately expresses our sentiments towards our cx-colleaguc that X wish to submit and ask yo.u to adopt it. I wish to move that a copy of the minute bo entered in the journals of the council,; and that the address be forwarded toi ex-Cr Blackie with an expression of our: goodwill toward him and of the esteem in which he is held by councillors and ratepayers. It has always been a pleasure to have been associated with exCr Blackie, and wo can all cherish his many acts of kindness, his wise counsel,; and his generous help.” All the other councillors endorsed Lp Blair’s remarks, and a pleasant function ended with a sincere wish from all that ex-Cr Blackie would enjoy his retirement to the fullest after such a long period of service—thirty-two years— oa the council.