ELTHAM.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 8 May 1925, Page 8

ELTHAM.

INSTALLATION OF MAYOR AND COUNCILLORS.

(From Our Own Correspondent)

The installation of the Mayor and councillors took place at the Council Chambers on Wednesday evening. 1 resent: The Mayor-elect (Mr I. JBridger), the retiring Mayor (Mr G. W. Tayler), and Councillors Lewis, McKay. Kemp- Nairn, Ricketts, Rigg .and Thomas. An ajiology was received from Cr. McWhirter. There were also present Hon. Sir Waiter Carncross and Mr T. B. Crump (an ex-Mayor). The retiring- Mayor (Mr G. W. Tayler) installed the Mayor-elect into the chair and congratulated him upon having won the seat> and wished him every success. He also. asked the council to give the new Mayor every assistance and loyal support. The Mayor thanked Mr Tayler tor his good wishes and advice to the council. He then delivered his inaugural address. Mr Bridger said that in entering upon this important office it was not with any idea of bringing about- a revolution or drastic changes in the management of the affairs of the borough. As time went on we should, no doubt, see directions in which changes for the better could he ..made, but that would be more of an evolutionary process. He was desirous of helping forward the material interests of the borough, but he recognised that the Mayor alone could not do much, in the way of advancement, for he must have the loyal co-operation of the council. He felt confident that the council would afford him that co-operation, because he was sure that they were all there for the purpose of doing their very best in the interests of the burgesses. As far as the chairmanship of the meetings was concerned, -he assured councillors that, he would endeavour at all times to give fair play to every councillor, and to see that each received justice. He felt, sure that if each endeavoured to the best of their ability to. work strenuously and diligently in the best interests of the borough they would at the end of their term of office be able,, to, give a good account of their work. He welcomed the new council, comprised as it was of old, and new councillors, and wished the members a very happy and,,useful term of office. After referring to the need for additions to the photograph gallery, Mr Bridger said he, did not intend at this time to deal with matters of policy r as it would take a little time to map out the programme for the year. There was one matter that he intended to watch-carefullly, and that was that important visitors to the town should be properly received. He intended to devote a certain time each week solely to council business, and would be at his room in the municipal buildings from 9.30 to 11 o’clock each Thursday morning. This would give everybody an opportunity of bringing matters of importance under his notice. He looked forward with confidence to having the valuable aid of their worthy and able Town Clerk, Mr Waters, and 1 o-f the heads of each department of the municipal enterprises. The newly-elected council was then sworn in, after which the whole of the members congratulated the Mayor on his success, and promised loyal support and assistance during his term of office. The Mavor then moved that the council extend to the Hon. the Prime Minister and Mrs Massey its sincere sympathy in their hour of sickness,, and extends the.council’s best wishes for a speedy ; recovery.—Cr. Nairn seconded, and the motion was carried. 1 The Mavor then nominated the following sub-committees of the council, which were unanimously approved.. He then explained that ,he wished the council to approve of a- suggestion to set up an executive committee, .consisting of the chairman of each subcommittee and the Mayor, to which the council might delegate special, urgent business from time to time. The committee would not usurp any business of the sub-committee, hut would only deal with special subjects referred to it by the council in session. Committees elected were as under: — Finance and Gas Committee: Mayor, Crs-. Lewis, Mclvay, Tapi in, Thomas, and chairman of Works. Committee, Town Hall Committee: Mayor, Crs. Tap'in, Thomas, Rigg: Works Committee: Mavor, Crs. Kemp, Nairn, McWhirter, ‘ Ricketts. Rigg. _ Reserves Committee: Mayor, Crs. Kemp, McWhirter. Nairn. Executive Committee: Chairmen of committees. Rev. Orange wrote inviting the new council to a special service on Sunday evening next.—lt was decided to accept the invitation. i The council then adjourned to the (Mayor's room, where light 'refreshments' were partaken of and a short toast- list honoured.