POPULAR TOWN CLERK

Evening Star, Issue 23038, 17 August 1938, Page 5

POPULAR TOWN CLERK

GREEN ISLAND BOROUGH MR A. L. BURK'S SERVICES Retiring from the position of town clerk of the Green Island Borough after 14 years’ service, Mr A. L. Burk was tendered a social and dance at Green Island last night, and many tributes were paid during the first function to his popularity. Mr Burk has resigned his position and is soon to leave for the North Island. The Mayor of Green Island (Mr W. Orange) presided', and there were also present representatives from the Mosgiel Borough Council, the Taieri County Council, the Borough of St. Kilda, and the Borough of West Harbour, as well as former mayors and councillors' of the Borough of Green Island. A high tribute to Mr Burk’s work as town clerk and to the value of his advice and assistance in other phases of the life of the borough -was paid by the Mayor. _ The town clerk had enjoyed a varied: experience, he said, and had _ coped successfully with all difficulties, and this: should stand him in good stead in his new undertaking. Shortly after Mr Burk had come to Green Island he had set about reforming the old band. He had given much time to this hobby and the result had been shown by the fine performance of the band that night. He had also been the first to propose a municipal theatre scheme. He saw it put into operation, and had himself acted as manager of it. With all his duties and interests, he was no “ 40-hour-a-week man”; indeed, the speaker wondered how much time he had left to himself. The high opinion the council had of Mr Burk’s services was indicated, in some measlire, by its action in granting him three months’ salary when it was compelled to accept his resignation. It was with great regret that the people of Green Island saw him go, but at the same time they rejoiced that he was going to a well-merited advancement. He would be followed with every good wish from the citizens of Green Island. (Applause.) The Mayor then presented Mr Burk with a leather suitcase and a travelling rug, the gifts of the people of the borough. He also handed him a case of pipes, a token of esteem from the band. Cr T. M'Ahan presented a silver tea service to Mrs Burk and a leather case to Miss Shirley Burk. Other speakers were Messrs J. J. Marlow (Mayor of St. Kilda), T. Tomkins, sen., and L. A. Miller (former mayors of the borough), John Logan (clerk of the Taieri County Council), A. Smith (Mayor of West HarhomyT, and W. P. Hartstonge (Mayor of Mosgiel). Replying, Mr Burk said it had particularly pleased him to see the representatives of neighbouring local bodies present; he took it as a gesture of goodwill towards the Borough of Green Island. He thanked the speakers for their tributes, but remarked that the picture they had painted of him was purely an ideal one; it was what he would like to bo and, in future, he would try to be more like it. He had tried to play the game at all times, and to do his host for the borough, and: he hoped that ho had earned the respect of the citizens, oven if he had not enjoyed their popularity. It was hard for a town clerk to he very popular, because of the numerous duties he had to perform, which were not always pleasant. Since 19-11 the council had experienced many difficulties, hut the mayors and councillors had at all times been very forehearing and had extended to him every aid and consideration. He also expressed his pleasure at the appointment of the assistant clerk, Mr R. J. K. Gillies, as acting town clerk. He was sure that Mr Gillies was deserving of the fullest confidence of the borough. Dancing was then enjoyed, and during the evening several musical items were rendered.