Annual Meeting of Franklin County.

Franklin Times, Volume XXV, Issue 58, 22 May 1935, Page 4

Annual Meeting of Franklin County.

ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN.

IVIR MASSEY REAPPOINTED.

PROBABLE RATE HINTED. The statutory annual meeting of the Franklin County Council was held to-day, the clerk, Mr Alan P. Day, presiding over a full attendance of members.

The declaration in connection with the election of councillors was read by the clerk.

Cr. J. Dean nominated Mr J. N. Massey, M.P., as chairman for the ensuing year, and Cr. 11. P. Garland seconded.

In supporting the nomination, Cr. 11. Wilcox stated that in the past Mr Massey’s dual positions as member of Parliament’and council chairman proved very satisfactory.

On a show of hands, Mr Massey was declared elected.

Mr Massey expressed thanks for the confidence shown by re-electing him chairman. He Said that, as in the past, he would endeavour to protect the interests of ratepayers and do all in his power to assist them.

As could he seen from the balance sheet, continued Mr Massey, the policy of the council had been to reduce costs. In the peak year rates totalling £4.9,000 were struck, and since then these'bad 1 been reduced until last year the’ amount struck was £40,000. “I am convinced that during the coming year we will be able to obtain advantage of the action taken in the last few months,” said Mr Massey m referring to the conversion and consolidation of loans. “When councillors review the position I am sure that with a flat rate of lid,' producing £36,500, we will have sufficient. Former Chairman Welcomed. Mr Massey extended a cordial welcome to Cr. W. C. Motion (Waipipi riding), whom he said was a former chairman, and congratulated him on being elected to the council. He was sure that with th 4 experience gained by Cr. Motion as a former councillor, a farmer, and a commercial man with experience in New Zealand and abroad, added strength would be given to the council.

In reply, Cr. Motion said that he had very pleasant recollections of his service on the council and he was happy to be back among the members. Of the many organisations he was associated with he regretted having to sever his connections with the council in 1925. His experience in the past was that all members had worked in the best, interests of. ratepayers, and he hoped that happy relations would It was possible that the members would have differences of opinions, but he was sure that good feelings would prevail.

The whole council was elected as a finance coihmittee, and the chairman, Crs. Wilcox, Garland, J. Henry and Motion, were appointed as the finance sub-committee.

Members’ travelling expenses were fixed at 6d a mile and 9d an hour, and the chairman was revoted an honorarium of -£9O a year.

It was decided that meetings be held on the third Monday in each month.