THE TOWN CLERK.

Feilding Star, Volume IV, Issue 1137, 18 March 1910, Page 2

THE TOWN CLERK.

mi RANKLN'S RESIGNATION

BOROUGH COUNCIL'S REGRET

A VOTE OF SYMPATHY

The following letter from Mr John Itiinkiiij Town Clerk, was read at the meeting of the Borough Council last night: Owing to ill-health 1 hereby bejr to tender my resignation of ail the oilices held by me luider tho Council. As you are aware, my agreement lias about eighteen months to run, therefore 1 shall leave the Council to state the conditions upon which it may see lit to relieve me ol my appointment. However, 1 may say should the Council relieve mo of duty forthwith, I intend, if possible, to leave Feilding on Wednesday week. Permit me to express my deep regret a.t having to .sever my connection with the Foikling Council, which lias been one of my brightest experiences in municipal life. In taking leave oi tiie Council allow me to thank the members for the friendly relations that has existed during my term ot office. The Staffs Committee sent in the following report:— That your Committee beg to report that on account of ill-health the Town Clerk, Mr John Rankin, has been compelled on the advice of his medical adviser to tender his resignation. Under the circumstances yoiTr Committee, while regretting the loss of his services to the Borough have no option but to recommend that the same be accepted, and in consideration of the valuable services rendered to the borough by him , while occupying such position. your Committee beg to recommend that the resignation be accepted as from the 30th of June next, and that ho be granted leave of absence in the meantime.

As it will be necessary to appoint a <;iiivos.v.)r your Committee recommend that applications be called for the position of Town Clerk at a salary of .'J-2UU per annum, and in the meantime his Worship the- Mayor lias been authorised by the Committee to arrange with Mr Maguire to assist 'ii entering and balancing the books. Your Committee also beg to recommend that Mr Randall be appointed Foreman of Works, including the water, the charge of the septic tank, and the issue of building permits, his salary to be £200 per annum as at present, and subject to a month's notice on either side to terminate his engagement. The Mayor expressed the Council's regret at losing the services of Mr Rankin, and moved the adoption of the report. Or. Harford seconded the motion, and also regretted that Mr Rankin hid to sever his connection with the Council. Or. Harford also spoke in complimentary terms to Mr Randall. Cr. Bramwell spoke in the same way. and stated Mr Rankin had expressed his willingness to assist the Council in every way he poesiblv could. The report was adopted. Cr. Goodbehere had a motion to propose, and in doing so said Mr Ranki.n had been appointed from a very large number of annlicants. and the members of the Council hid afterwards been extremely pleased at having secured such an able and efficient officer. Mr Raiikin's whole interests had been centred in his work. Cr. Goodbcherc proposed:—• "That this Council desires to place on record its deep regret to learn of the misfortune that lias befallen Mr Rankin by reason of his continued ill-health necessitating his retirement from the position of Town Clerk to the Feilding borough which he has oofaithfully and efficiently filled for the past seven years, and while expressing sympathy with Mr Rankin, trust that ho will be soon restored to his u.-nial good health: that a. copy of this resolution be forwarded to Mr Rankin." Cr. Goodbehere said he believed the Council would have great difficulty in filling the position. Cr. Bramwell seconded the motion, and said every Councillor sincerely sympathised with Mr Rankin in his present position. The motion was carried unanimously.