EX-MAYOR AND MAYORESS HONOURED

Evening Star, Issue 23025, 2 August 1938, Page 14

EX-MAYOR AND MAYORESS HONOURED

PRESENTATIONS BY CITY COUNCILLORS " A TRIUMPH FOR DEMOCRACY ” The sitting of the City Council last night was interrupted, aud very pleasantly interrupted, by an adjournment to the supper room for a socialhour, tbe occasion being the honouring of the late mayor and mayoress, Miami Mrs E. T. Cox. Those present included several ex-mayors and exeoiinciliors, as well as all members of the present council. The Mayor said that Mr Cox had established two records. 'Tie had’taken office without having served a single day on the council, which was really a great compliment which the electors had paid Mr Cox. The second record was that ho had held office longer than any other mayor ot Dunedin. This was due to the term having been extended from two to three years, so that Mr Cox had occupied the chair .for five years The speaker paid a warm tribute to the eloquence of tho late mayor. Ju this respect particularly, as in other directions, ho had been outstanding. Ju Regard to matters in council, although some of the councillors had not seen eye to eye with tho then mayor, their differences had never been carried outside. ‘‘ Ou occasions Mr Cox aud I have differed acutely,” remarked His Worship, “ but we remain the best of friends.” The Mavor then presented Mr Cox with an illuminated copy of the resolution of appreciation which had been passed by the council, also a signet ring carryin" the seal of the city. In doing so, His Worship expressed the hope that the gifts would recall to Mr Cox many happy hours spent in the mayoral chair, and be a record'of the valuable services which the recipient had rendered to the city as its chief magistrate.

Opportunity was also taken by the councillors to ask Mrs Cox’s acceptance of a memento in the form of a coffee set and a cut crystal vase. Mr Cox, in expressing his thanks, said he would cherish the ring as a graceful gift to him on his retirement. “ This function to-night,” he remarked. “ T regard as a triumph for British democracy. In no other country could such a thing as this take place—the victorious side making a presentation to the vanquished; and the wonderful thing is that in a British community it can take place in all sincerity.” Mr Cox also expressed his wannest thanks on behalf of Mrs Cox, who. he said, while not having any official duties as mayoress.■ had multitudinous duties of an unofficial typo to perform, and all this she had done cheerfully. Mr Cox concluded by saying that he held those councillors who had differed with him in matters of policy in great respect for their personality and for their devotion to duty. The Mayor then made brief reference to the long and faithful service rendered to the city by ex-Councillors Begg, Scott, and Mitchell, and also to the shorter, but none the less useful services given by ex-Counci l lo’rs Jones. Silverstone, Xeilson, Batchelor, and Harrison. • Crs Begg. Scott, Mitchell, and Batchelor replied in suitable strain Crs Jones and Neilson (whose apologies had been received), also Crs Silverstone and Harrison were not present.