MAYOR INSTALLED

Grey River Argus, 19 May 1938, Page 8

MAYOR INSTALLED

LAST EVENING’S CEREMONY Many Tributes Paid The ceremony ot msiculhig the Mavor-elect, Mr F. A. Kitehingham in office, took place last evening at the Municipal Council Chambers, there being an attendance of twe-nty-live citizens. Mr W. Meldrurp the retiring Mayor, presided, and there was a full attendance of the new Borough Council, comprising Messrs H. Herring (Deputy-Mayoir), J- £>• Kent F F. Boustridge, J. Saunders, C. Neville, R. J. Williams, A. H Paterson G. R. Harker, and J. R Anderson. ’An apology for his absence was received from Mr Jas. O’Brien M.P. Those present included the former Mayoress, Mrs W. Meldrum. the Mayoress, Mfls F. A. Kitchmghan s Mrs K. O’Brien, wife of Mr J. O Brien, M.P., Mr J. W. Greenslade (a former Mayor), the wives of Councillors also the unsuccessful candidates and the members of various other district local bodies. After the Councillors had taken their oaths of office, the Mayor said that he would that evening, perform his last official function as Mayor-of Greymouth. His duty would be t after welcoming the incoming Mayor and Mayoress, to hand over the robes and insignia of office- to the Town Clerk, who would instal the new Mayor. He would like io extend his congratulations to Mr Kitehingham and the new Mayoress The Mayor was the first citizen of the town, and the position was one of great importance, and one which had in the course of the years been filled by eminent citizens of the town, whose photos could be seen around the walls. He was sure all would agree that Mr Kitehingham would be a Mayor who would perform all the duties attached to the position with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of all ratepayers and residents of the town. He was also sure that Mrs Kitehingham would admirably fill her position as Mayoress. Mr Meldrum also extended congratulations to the elected Councillors. As everybody knew, the Council had a hard task ahead of them in the way of heavy works, and were entrusted with the spending of a large sum of loan monies in sewerage work in the next two years, and in carrying through other municipal works. A great deal would be done at the aerodrome also. He felt that the work would be .veil carried out by the new Mayor and Councillors. Mr Kitehingham was then installed as Mayor by Mr F. H. Denton 'Town Clerk), who said that it gave him great pleasure to welcome Mr Kitchingham to the Mayoral chair, and he hoped that the new Mayor would have a happy time during the next three years.

The Mayor-elect was greeted with applause as he donned the robes and insignia of office, then taking the oath, faithfully and impartially to execute the authority vested in him. The Mayor-elect returned thanks for the kindly words of welcome to the Mayoress and himself. The retiring Mayor had had a strenuous time, owing to various economic . causes which it was unnecessary to . refer to that night, and 'he, along with Mrs Meldrum, was to be thankid for the fulfilment of their duties On this occasion, he thought that it I was open to him to make a few remarks dealing with the borough generally. Of the active co-operation ot i the Council, he was quite assured. They would see that the best possible I work was done for the town. Thej i would probably be picked at quite a i lot, but he would like to ask the citizens generally for their active co-, ( operation. He appealed to all resiI dents who wished to have their houses connected with the sewerage system to make their plans right. The Borough Engineer would co-operate in ' any way. Some, no doubt, would require to alter the interior of theii i homes. In the past, the Council had I been actuated bv the wish to bettei , the town, and had brought in minor I reforms, but there had been passive I opposition, and the Council had 1 not had the co-operation they should have. For instance, he said, there was the placing of garages on the street line. Citizens should co-oper-j ate with the Council and plan houses properly, thereby saving themselves from coming into conflict with the Council, and having to ask the Coun- . cil to stretch points. It did not seem | to him that property-holders should i allow hedges to grow over streets to I the danger of people's eyes and clothes. There should be enough InI terest taken by citizens in th*» rftatI ter to clear away such things from the streets. Another vexed question of some years ago was that of those tradespeople who drove vehicles over beautiful lawns laid out beside the streets. Any person should have brains and sense of citizenship enough to refrain from thoughtlessly and ruthlessly damaging these properties. The Council’s problems varied in nature from time to time." Once it was necessary only to tidy up the town, but now it was different, and progress had to be made. They had to , plan for more playgrounds, as there was now increased leisure, and the demands for playing grounds would have to be faced up to. There was also the necessity of town planning, the question of a new cemetery, and possibly the removal of the abattoirs in some limited time. This would involve research, investigation, and planning, and he hoped that, by these investigations, the town would be a much better place than it was today. People said it was a beautiful town, but if one looked at it clearly it would be seen that it was not as beautiful as it appeared on the surface. He felt that they had a very live Council. It had lost a very young member in Mr P. Blanchfleld, but they had a comparatively young one in his place in Cr. Anderson, who was a live wire. He could not but express the fact that Cr. McKane, who had a long experience of local bodies, would be missed. Likewise, Cr. Blanchfleld was a live wire whose presence would be missed. However, their absence did not mean that they had severed their interests with the Borough Council. He hoped that the term of the present Council would show solid advancement in every direction, and trusted that they| would be able to say, at the end of

the term, that the position would bo better than it was to-day. Cr. H. Herring said that they were not all Bradmans, but would all do their best and co-operate with thcMayor for the benefit of the town and district. He congratulated the’ Mayor and Mayoress on the honour that had been conferred upon them Cr. F. Boustridge added his congratulations, stating that. Mr KitcnIngham thoroughly deserved the honour, in view of his efforts as a former Councillor for the welfare of the town I He would give the utmost co-opera tion towards the advancement of tne I district. He referred to the retireI ment of Cr. A. M. Carroll, paying I tribute to his good work, and expressed regret that he did not again seek election for a further term. He also paid a tribute to Mr A. H. McKane, who had been an energetic and hard worker. In the past term, there was not a harder worker, and he was sorry they were losing his services, as he was sure Greymouth was the loser by his absence. With regard to Mr. Blanchfield, they were losing one who had shown a great deal of energy and promise. It was a pity that both he and M'r McKane did not stand for the Council also, in addition to standing for the Mayoralty, as they would now have had their services, which ware very valuable. He tendered congratulations to the new Councillors. Messrs Saunders, Herring, and Anderson, who had joined them. Although the work would be hard during the next term, he felt it would be pleasant, as he knew all were fairminded men whose interests were in the town, and they would work in the best interests for its betterment. Cr. G. R. Harker extended his congratulations to the Mayor and Mayoress, stating that he knew Mr Kitchingham’s thoroughness. He expressed regret at not having Mr Meldrum as Mayor again, as all acknowledged his tact and rulings and Mrs Meldrum’s work on the social side. He expressed regret at three Councillors having left the table, namely Crs. Carroll, McKane and Blanchfield. Mr McKane, he said, had seemed to have the open sesame to the Government, and his efforts were very much appreciated by the Council There was a Jot of work ahead of the Council, and It was entrusted with a large sum of money to spend to the best of its ability. They could only do their best, and he hoped they would be able to say that they had done that. Cr. C. Neville spoke on similar lines, and after congratulating the Mayor and Mayoress, said he thought it was right to remember those who had come forward to contest the seats. The thanks of the citizens was due to them. Cr. A. J. Williams added his tribute, stating that he knew Mr Kitchingham would carry out his duties well. He thanked Mr Meldrum for his fairness to all, and Mrs Meldrum. Cr. J. B. Kent congratulated the successful candidates, and the Mayor and Mayoress, stating that he had worked with Mr Kitchingham and knew his ability. Cr. A. H. Paterson, in extending congratulations, said that both Mr and Mrs Kitchingham were well qualified to fill their positions. Mr Kitchingham was painstaking and conscientious, and he felt sure that he would do his job excellently He expressed regret at their losing Mr Meldrum, who, as a chairman, was an exception,

while Mrs Meldrum stood out in the way she had conducted her duties with decorum in the community. He regretted that Messrs Carroll, McKanc and Blanchlield were not with them again.

Cr. J. Saunders congratulated the Mayor on his accession, stating it was a well-earned honour. It would, no doubt, be a strenuous three years, but if they got the co-operation of the ratepayers, which he thought they would get, in view of the interest taken in the recent elections, t.iey should be successful. Cr. J. R. Anderson said that he sat at the table at the wish of democratic people in the community. He extended congratulations to the Mayor and Mayoress. He brought to the Council table the wish to bring Greymouth into line with any town of similar size in New Zealand. He would faithfully and enthusiastically work towards the progress of the town, and would be opposed to politics being introduced into local bodies. Mr J. W. Greenslade added his congratulations to Mr and Mrs Kitchingham. The town had made a substantial advancement, he said, and this was borne out by visitors who came here. He had no hesitation in saying that the Mayor and Councillors would do their best in the' interests of the town; He did not think that the Mayor got the respect that they desired from citizens Citizens should look up to them and respect them. Crs. Carroll, McKane and Blanchlield were losses to the Council. He would associate himself in any way with the Mayor and Councillors in endeavouring to make the town better than it had been in the past.

Mr P. J. McLean, a member of the Greymouth Harbour Board, and the Westland County Council, offered his congratulations to Mr and Mrs Kitchingham. He was glad to see an old Coast boy as Mayor. Mr A, H. McKane congratulated Mr Kitchingham on his elevation to the Mayoralty, and also Mrs ' Kitchingham. It was his sincere wish that Mr Kitchingham and his Council would have a successful three years. He felt sure the town would be in safe keeping. Greymouth had progressed and would continue to do so. He thanked Mr Meldrum for the manner in which he had carried out his duties and wished Mr and, Mrs Meldrum well in the future. He also paid tribute to the old Council, and hoped that there would be the necessary co-operation with the new Councillors, who, when they were in office three months, would be wondering why they had sought election. (Laughter).

Mr P. Blanchlield, Junr , added his hearty congratulations to the Mayor, the Mayoress and to all of the Councillors. He appreciated the kind remarks which had been made about himself. He saw a good time for the Council ahead. He paid tribute to the Council staff. So far as the retiring Mayor was concerned, he had looked upon him as an inspiration and had learned a lot from him. Perhaps some day he would be back again, and put his shoulder to the wheel. Mr A. M. Carroll said that he would like to add his congratulations to the Mayor and Mayoress. He felt that Mr Kitchingham would faithfully carry out his duty. Mr Meldrum returned thanks for

the sincere expressions about himself and Mrs Meldrum.

The Mayor in reply, expressed appreciation of Mr Carroll’s valuable services to the Council and to the community during the term which he was associated with him, both on the side of prudent finance and on the work carried out. He wished to thank the various speakers for their kind wishes, though he felt that they set them a hard goal to reach, but ho and Mrs Kitchingham trusted to be able to carry them out. He trusted also that his experience on the Council in the past would be of benefit tohim in carrying out his duties, whilst in addition he knew he had the cooperation of the Councillors ahd the staff.