NEW ST. KILDA COUNCIL

Evening Star, Issue 22030, 16 May 1935, Page 3

NEW ST. KILDA COUNCIL

MEMBERS INSTALLED IN DFFICE DEPUTY-MAYOR AND COMMITTEES APPOINTED St. Kikla’s new mayor and councillors, elected at last week’s polls, took their seats at the council table for the first time last night, when the customary statutory meeting was held to install them in office and to deal with various appointments, including that of deputy-mayor, PAST COUNCIL’S ACTIVITIES. , Prior to vacating the mayoral chair, the retiring mayor (Mr A. D. Edgar) summarised the activities of the last council from the time of his appointment, following the resignations caused by the technical disqualifications of Cr H. H. Leary, last August. As regards finance, Mr Edgar reported that the council’s credit balance at March 31 had been £4,705, while at the present time it was £2,958 15s KM. Receipts for the year had exceeded expenditure by £204. Outstanding rates constituted a matter of some concern for the council. At IVlarch 31 they had amounted to £4,972, including £1 11s 9d in arrears from 1931, £26 from 1932, £230 from 1933, £1,426 from 1934, and £3,286 from the current year. However, the council did not count that amount as a loss, and it was probable that it would be easily collected. During the past year a loan for £83,000 had been converted, and the council was now paying £5,150 a year for interest and sinking fund. The accumulated sinking fund at present amounted to £13,241 19s 7d.

During the ■ summer months the council had experienced a strenuous time, -Mr Edgar continued. The bitumen'sealing, of, streets and footpaths, which to date had cost £4,656, had provided an extensive programme for the outside staff, while it had been necessary to employ extra labourers from time to time to deal with the general maintenance work of the borough. Nothing had been accomplished in regard'to the borough’s joining the metropolitan fire district, but it had been expected that councillors would look very seriously upon the matter of paying an increased contribution before taking the leap. The council at present paid £550 for fire protection, but under -the new proposal £6OO would be required from the borough, in addition to £6OO from the insurance companies. Had the past council been allowed sufficient, time to deal with the proposition adequately, a poll on the matter might have been taken, thereby saving the borough a little money, as a poll would now probably hare to be held at some future date.

Mr Edgar concluded by thanking the residents of the borough for their support of the mayor’s relief depot, which, owing to their assistance, had. been able to do much good in the district. He also thanked councillors who had served under him, the town clerk (Hr W. G. Griffin), the assistant town clerk (Mr J. V. Trezise), the foreman (Mr J. Clyma), and the outside staff for tbeir loyal support during his term of office, and he wished the new mayor as pleasant, a term ns he himself had experienced. NEW MAYOR ASSUMES OFFICE. Sworn in by .the retiring mayor, Mr H. H. Leary then assumed the office of mayor, following- which he conducted tho installation of .the 10 councillors, only three of whom served on the previous council. In their order, as returned at the poll, the councillors were George Glue, VV, J. Davidson, J. H. Hinton, R. S. Brent, T. D. ,13. Roy. N. D. Anderson, J. C. Cherry,- W. J. Lovell, A. D. Edgar, and W. Rutherford. The mayor’s honorarium was fixed at £SO per annum, the same as previously. DEPUTY-MAYOR AND OTHER APPOINTMENTS. Cr George Glue, who topped the council poll at the elections, was appointed deputy-mayor on the motion of Cr Brent, seconded by Cr Davidson. The mayor was appointed chairman of the Finance Committee, consisting of Crs Anderson, Brent, and Davidson. It was decided that the whole council constitute a combined committee of works, watep. lighting, halls, and reserves, Cr Hinton being appointed chairman of works and Cr Roy chairman of balls and reserves. As the council’s representatives on the Drainage Board, the mayor was appointed to serve on the Finance Committee and Cr Glue on the Works Committee. SERVICES APPRECIATED. It was decided to place on record a minute of appreciation of the services rendered to the borough by councillors who had retired from office, particular reference being made to tint long and valued term of ex-Cr E. Longwortli. The council’s first meeting was fixed for next Monday night, the meetings to be held fortnightly from that date. An invitation to the mayor am] councillors to attend a civic service in the St. Hilda Methodist Church on Sunday night was accepted. SOCIAL. Councillors and visitors were entertained by the mayor at an enjoyable informal social, following the business session. Supper was served, and several speakers, including two ox-mayors of the borough (Messrs D. C. Cameron and J. W. Dove), conveyed congratulations and good wishes to the new council, in which, they said, tho faith of ratepayers had wisely been placed. Snecial mention was- also made of the efficient and much-appreciated sendees of the town clerk (Mr W. G. Griffin).