CONGRATULATIONS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume I, Issue 107, 20 April 1911, Page 5

CONGRATULATIONS

THE MAYOR OF NAPIER.

After the reading of the minutes at the Napier Borough Council meeting last night Or, W. Plowman said that before the Council proceeded with its ordinary business, he desired to heartily congratulate his Worship the Mayor (Mr. Brown) on being returned unopposed to the Mayoralty. The compliment was a graceful tribute to the way he had occupied the chair. He felt that in his position as Mayor Mr. Brown had been a benefit to the citizens and the town and he hoped to see him returned again.

In reply his Worship said heheartily thanked Cr. Plowman and the Councillors for what had been 1 said. He had also to thank the' electors of Napier for the high hon-! our they had done him. He supposed i he was right in taking it as a sign 1 that they appreciated the work he; had done. If the electors had not; appreciated his small efforts, he; supposed he would have got opposi-; tion. Perhaps, in a way, he was' sorry he had not had opposition as; it would make him feel that he had got the entire confidence of the* public. But he hoped, and thought : he had the confidence of the peo-' pie. He did not wish to speak per-. sonally. and he hoped no Councillor; would take it personally, but he had noticed that personal matters had cropped up in the Council now and; then. That should not be. Such mat-! ters should be left out of their dis-1 cessions. He had brushed up. against some Councillors outside, but they should forget that when! they were in Council. They were there to transact the borough busi-! ness. They would anyway, have to} put up with him for another twelve i months. He felt that if the Coun-! cillors had had the election of i Mayor he would not be in the chair ' —he did not mean anything per-: sonal. but that was what he j thought. He honed in the new; Council there would be no personal: feeling and no political feeling! He would like it to be understood l that they came there for the com-1 mon good of the town and not for J politics and he hoped they would; always look to the good of' the j town. Their town was progressing ( very favourably in comparison with I other places and as they got closer! settlement there would be further! increase and additional municipal j undertakings necessary. In a few I years the district would double its, population and the Council would; have more business to look after. He hoped all political feeling would pass out of their deliberations and; that they would do their very best: for the town. (Applause.) j