PORT CHALMERS AFFAIRS

Evening Star, Issue 22030, 16 May 1935, Page 1

PORT CHALMERS AFFAIRS

MR SCOLLAY INSTALLED AS MAYOR. Last night in the Council Chamber* at Port Chalmers the mayor-elect, Mr T. Scollay was installed by the retiring mayor (Mr J. Watson). There were present Crs T. F. Mackie, T. Armstrong, E. Rouse, L. Jack, F. Smith, J. Annan, J. Farquharson, H. Watson, and R. Willmott, also retiring Crs G. F. Miranis, A. Love, and -D. Bell. . Cr D. Forsyth was absent in Wellington. After the statutory declarations had been made, Mr Watson vacated. the chair and asked Mr Seollay to assume control. “I congratulate Mr Seollay on his election to the position of chief magistrate; also the new councillors on their election,” Mr* Watson said. He felt confident that . they would have a good term of office, \sfhere was nothing tc" hinder things- ‘(Fwicr' going along pi<-\sanily ‘‘and ■ fi>v£ rtA'bly fpr the borough. In' acknowledging the honour conferred on him. by the electors.in electing him to the mayoral office, and da giving him such a fine team of councillors, tb<> newly-installed mayor said he might mention that the (present was a period of world-wide rejoicing because of the King’s Silver Jubilee. No part of the British Commonwealth of Nation* rejoiced more heartily than the pioneer seaport of Port Chalmers. Its people prided themselves in doing so. There was reason for the people being proud of their town, and the mayor asked those present to stand and pay silent tribute to the boys who lost their lives in the Great War. Port Chalmers people, he said, stood for freedom and tinman welfare. Their heartiest good wishes went out to His Majesty the King, and they hoped he might live for many peaceful years to reign over his dominions overseas. Continuing, the mayor said it was their pleasure and duty as a council to do “ their bit ” in looking after the municipal affairs'of the town. The community was emerging from the black shadow of unemployment, but- conditions were ilot yet back to normal. The times were still difficult. The council had been entrusted with the responsibility of doing its best, municipally, for the town. He thought they could do their best by practising strict economy in municipal expenditure and by doing their utmost not to add increased rates to the burden of_ taxation at present pressing so heavily on everybody, and most heavily on those least able to hear it. The question of increasing the rates could very well stand over for at least 12 months, and then it could, if necessary, be reconsidered. To assist to that end he-in-tended to refund half of this year’* honorarium. In conclusion he thanked the retiring mayor and councillors for their service to the town, and he felt confident the new council would do its utmost to promote the welfare of every citizen. COMMITTEES APPOINTED. The following committees were ap. pointed:— General.—Crs Forsyth,, Jack, Rous*, Willmott, and Smith. Works.—Crs Watson, Mackie. Farqu* harson, Armstrong, and Annan. Mussel Bay Special Committee. —Cr* Watson, Farquharson, Annan, and Mackie. Delegates to Unemployment Conu mittee, Crs Annan and Rouse. Delegates to Fire Board, Crs Macki* and Smith.* Delegates to Mechanics’ Institute," Crs Willmott and Jack. Cr Mackie was appointed deputy, mayor. On the motion of Cr Mackie, seconded by Cr Smith, it was decided to present the retiring mayor with a suitable recognition of his long service to tba town. Mr Watson said he did not expect any token of recognition, but h« thanked the councillors for it. On and off, ho bad been connected with th* council for 45 years.