COUNTY COUNCIL

Hokitika Guardian, 24 May 1933, Page 6

COUNTY COUNCIL

ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN

WEDNESDAY, MAY 24

The annual meeting of the [Westland County Council was held at noon when. ■ there. were , pi'esfiiit the County Chairman (Mr J. A. Murdoch),, and ;C,rs. 'll. Chestennan, M. Keenan, W. Jeffries, J. Donovan, B. Ward, W. giearle and W. A. Jamieson. An apology was received for Cr. J. J. McKay. , . The chairman said that it hardly seemed a year since they had held the last annual meeting. ‘iTlie past twelve months had been very pleasant, and. he ventured to say, successful. There was no reason for them to look haclr with any regrets, and <he be-, lieved that the gteat majority .of ratepayers had approved of their actions generally. Financially, the position was second to none, and ia great improvement has been shown. The gleat<?st pleasure he had to-da.y was to see Mr D. J. Evans, their treasurer and Clerk, with them at the table. The Council’s work could not have gone on so efficiently or smoothly had he not been with them. Continuing, he said: “I now - hand hack the responsibility you gave me twelve months ago, and I hope my humJbl'e efforts have met with your approval. My successor, I know, can well he chosen from this table, and He will receive the full support of all members.” <

. Cr. Ward: The Council should have the opportunity of expressing individually its appreciation of your , work during the year. It would not 'bq fitting for you, Mr Murdoch,-to stand aside with no mention of your services. Many of the clouds which threatened us during the year have passed. It was a time of stiiet economy, and you ' carried out the Council’s policy to the letter ~ while you have been courteous and obliging to each.

Cr. Ward said that without Mr Evans, he could not picture the affairs of the Council going on nearly (as well as they had.

Cr. W. Jeffries endorsed Or. Ward’s references, and said that there were two episodes in particular' which marked their chairman’s 'association with the Council during the year. Ih. June of last year, the Council was on the. eve. of losing the fiSOJ. grant for the SdUth Waitaha. road, but Cr. Murdoch had interceded, and was instrumental in getting the grant. Cr. Jeffries also ferred to their chairman’s 1 ’Activities in connection with the Okarito cemetery, when Tie had; nobly risen-to the occasion, and “taken the bull by the horns.” The speaker also paid tribute to the work and services .of Mr Evans.

Or. Dojiovan congratulated the chairman on the Council’s finances at the end of his term as Chairman, saying that lie did not expect it to be so good. The residents in the -Southern Riding) had reason to .be ...thankful to the Chairman lor his action in Connection with, the, Okarito cemetery, which ,was to be greatly comrnended. Had’he hot iacted sd/t’he -bodies would have been washed to sea, and the bones of the pioneers strewn along the beach.

Further tribute, 'was paid by Crs. Searle, Keenan., Ciiestenuan, and Jamieson.

The Chairman thanked Councillors for their expressions. He said that it might he called back-patting, but it was far better that the Council should conduct its business in harmony,. than with rancour which was often the casd with public bodies. Regarding Okarito, he Iliad made appeals to all the Departments, hut the replies regretted that no funds wrtre available. He supposed that some . . official had written the lettefk, and had then gone out' to , manning tea iThe .references made concerning Mr Evans were quite, :t*,ueg pallid fully .deserved. Mr Evans expressed thanks, and anid ho was pleased the financial position wae> good, while the ratepayers were doing their best. One ratepayer in the Central Hiding had- complimented the Council on the conduct of its business, and had i>nid next year’s rates in advance!

Nominations for the new chairman were then called. .. Cr. Jamieson nominated, Or, Jeffries for the position. He wag capable, and the speaker was sure lie would give every satisfaction. Cr. Murdoch seconded the nomination, Crs. Ward, Keenan mid Donovan speaking in support. N'o other nominations were received and Cr. Jeffries was elected. Or. Jeffries then took the chair and thoinked mgmbeirs for his election, tb. P j unanimous vote being a source of 'added pleasure. He paid further tribute to his predecessor. The Council, he said, would have a difficult task to carry on with the financial position of the country in the straightened circumstances it was in to-day. He promised every support, and tail impartial hearing, while lie was sure he would have the full co-operation of the members.

Cr. Murdoch said lie was sure that the Council was leaving the guidance of its affairs' in good, capable hands. The County*, he \allured members, appeared to be on the eve of a great jnu.tiing boom, with its attdndant benefits.-

Or. Ward said that Or. Jeffries lias assumed the chair at a change in the tide of world affairs, as ninny fnots pointed to a n improvement in world affairs, New Zealand affairs and Westland .gfPaim. N<Jw Zealand had its important industry in..dairying, and there'-./vvere now-prospects of'this improving;- too, ‘