MAYORAL INSTALLATIONS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXVIII, Issue 8359, 22 December 1887, Page 3

MAYORAL INSTALLATIONS.

i CHRISTCHURCH. The installation of Mr Charles Louis son, as Mayor of Christchurch, took place at noon , yesterday in the Municipal Chambers. There was a full attendance of the CounIrs, and the chair was occupied by the Mayor, Mr Aaron Ayera. A number ast Mayors and Councillors, and of ids of the new Mayor also were present. ie Mayor explained that it was a al meeting held under the provisions he Municipal Corporation Act. He d upon Mr Louisson to make the saary declaration. < r Louisson read the acquired formula, rhich he appended his signature. was then invested with the r of gold by the outgoing Mayor, expressed his pleasure at handing it the keys of office over to one so by of the trust. Mr Louisaon’s expe:e was a guarantee of the due fulfiliof the requirements of the office. He ed him a successful reign, and he d Christchurch under his rule would Ily recover the prosperity she formerly yed. (Applause.) c Louisson took tiie Mayoral chair, and ked Mr Ayers for his good wishes. He ;ed he would he able to carry out the ctationa which the kindly feeling of Lyers had prompted, rather than his belief. (Mr Ayers: "No, no.”) He Louisson) considered the office of or the highest in the city, and one h carried with it the gravest responses. (Hear.) He regretted the by of leading citizens in this regard, jould not forget that some of the most trious men in New Zealand had filled ffiice in Christchurch. That alone was :ientto justify the ambition of anyone icupy the chair. (Hear.) The Councilat present were gentlemen whose ty and devotion to work he well knew, who were entitled to his esteem. Their tance would make his labours lighter . they otherwise would he. He bed that the decorum of the Council ;ings would compare favourably with |j*he conduct in other public bodies not mily in Now Zealand, but even in ape whole of Australia, He had Sever witnessed anything that might be Hailed a "scene,” and however earnest Councillors were in urging their views pliey never indulged in personalities. He llould not hope that his year of office would be signalised by any great work, |pr that his name, like the names of pis predecessors, would be carved in stone. The finances of the City would snot allow of any public works, though he did the times warrant it, be prepared to come down with a proposal for a loan of vihalf a million to be expended on reproduc- ‘ ijtive works. (Applause). The chief aim Ibf the Council would have to be to keep ! Ithe city healthy and clean, and to make | Ithe burden on the ratepayers as light as impossible. (Applause.) The general cry S at present was for retrenchment, and bo was in favour of it himself, but considered that indiscriminate retrenebs ment might be as bad as extravagance, j This matter was before the Finance I Committee, and therefore ho would say no J more upon it, except to say that be believed he was speaking the minds of the Council when ho said the officers were fully worth their present salaries, and that any reI ;duction could be justified only on the plea of ' necessity. He again thanked the late felayor for his kind remarks, and promised to met always without fear or favour. He trusted lhafc at the end of the year ho would be folo to retire from office with the assurance aiat he had endeavoured to do his duty apd that he had earned the good opinion o| the citizens. (Applause.) |The Council then adjourned till Jan. 9. IThe annual meeting of the Sydenham JJprough Council for the installation of tie Mayor for the ensuing year, and other/ Imsineßß, was held at noon yesterday, and? mie retiring Mayor (Mr J. Forrester) , pre-;

retiring Mayor (Mr J. Forrester),presided, and there were were present Councillors Langdown, Jacques, Muft'ett, White, Gledhill, and Booth. The Mayor elect. Councillor Langdown, made and signed the usual declaration. The retiring Mayor, before vacating the chair, thanked the Councillors for the courtesy and assistance vouchsafed to him during his term of office. Though they might have occasionally differed, the result had generally been to the advantage of the ratepayers. The progress of the permanent improvements during the year had been very satisfactory. During the past two years ■£] 3,500 had been spent in concrete channelling and asphalting. Sixteen streets now remained to be done, and these would be completed as soon as possible. The work hadkbeeu done at a cost much under the estimate. In the same time twenty-four miles and a half of streets had been asphaltedj-ahjo at-a cost under the estimate. He thought the Council and the ratepayers were to be congratulated on having secured as their Mayor a gentleman of so much business experience as Mr Langdown, to whom he had very great pleasure in handing the key of the safe. Mr Forrester then vacated the chair, which was taken by Mr Langdown, who said that he hardly knew how to reply to the llatteringremaiks of the retiring Mayor. He hoped to be able to do his duty to the satisfaction of the Council, and that he would always act and give his casting vote in the interest of the ratepayers. He paid a high tribute to the able manner in which Mr Forrester had discharged the duties of the Mayoral office during his term, and moved a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Forrester for his services.

Councillor Booth seconded the motion, remarking that Mr Forrester had performed his duties in a manner which had won the confidence of the general body of ratepayers as well as of the Council. Councillor White supported the motion. He had, he said, heard that Mr Forrester would probably come forward as a candidate for the seat on the Council rendered vacant by Councillor Langdown’s election as Mayor. lie hoped that the report was true, as he thought Mr Forrester’s experience would be of great, value to the Council. The Major, in putting the motion, ex-

pressed a hope that Mr Forrester would see his way to offer his service again as Councillor. The motion was then canned unanimously. Mr Forrester thanked the Council for their expression of opinion. He had intended, he said, to have taken a spell, but on account of the many representations made to him he had decided to come forward as a candidate for the Council. (Hear, hear.) lie would ask the members to excuse him from further attendance, and wished them all a very Merry Christmas.

Mr Forrester then left the room. MISCELLANEOUS.

The following letters were read : From Mr H. N. Bates, stating that he had instructed Mr Glanville, architect, to attend to his building, the roof of which was complained of as overhanging the footpath. The letter was received, and the Works Committee were empowered to communicate further with Mr Bates on the subject. From the Waimakariri River Board, asking whether the Town Clerk was willing to act as deputy Refcurning-Officer for the next election of members of the Board, and prepare the rolls; and whether the Council office would be granted as a polling booth. It was decided to grant the request. Mr Heard waited on the Council and requested that totara posts might be used instead of black birch in fencing the road along the front of his property in Jerrold street. He stated that he had given a small piece of ground at the corner of the street to the Council on an understanding with the Works Committee that totara posts were to be used. He now found that black birch was being used. He stated also that the extra cost would he only ss, and after some discussion it was decided to pay the contractor that sum to defray the cost of putting in totara jrosts. It was decided to close the offices of the Council on Monday and Tuesday next, and on Monday, January 2, and that the works of the Council should he stopped on same days. r |r inr Tt IT* I**** 1 ***** 1 '' 0 ' i A '• meeting. VsAspeeial meeting of the Ceuncii was men held to consider the question of taking ||ver certain private streets. « On the motion of Councillor "White, Seconded by Councillor Gledhill, the ®ouucil resolved to make a special order seclariug the following streets public Streets from January 1, 18S8: —Stuart Mill Street, Hyde Garden street, Dewsbury’s Ijine, Templar street, Southey street, Longfellow street, and Gibbon street -, and @ hold a special meeting at 8 p.m. on Jan. Si for the purpose of confirming the resolution making the order. Council then adjourned. S LYTTELTON.

lecial meeting of the Lyttelton Borough il was held at noon yesterday, 3 purpose of formally installing the •elected Mayor. There were present ncillors Milsom, Dimond, Holland, u, M’Lellan, Hildyard, and tchie, besides Mr H. Allwright, the ng Mayor, and Mr Webb, the Mayor Mr Allwright stated the purpose lich the meeting was called ; but, going on with that business ho lit he might' say a few words leaving the chair. His experience m)f the Lyttelton Borough Council date®back to ISGB, and since then he had occupied the position of Mayor for a considerable time. When he first went into the Council, the funds of the town were very Sow, and now be contended that Lyttelton was the richest Borough in New Zealand, and he, with the other mempbrs sitting around the table, took a good/Seal of credit for this state of affairs. He the chair with a credit balance at the Bpik of .£1053 12s Id. After making a fewlother remarks in respect to the condition of the Borough, Mr Allwrigfif said before he left it was his duty (lib say what he had. He hoped and believed the work would go on in the same satisfactory manner, and hoped the Counoillorsl|would always do their best. He wouldjthank the Councillors for the confident! and support accorded him, and pass a word of praise to the staff. (I From the highest to the lowest took a keen interest in their work, and the town/sras fortunate in being possessed of such 'a set of officials. He would say no moref* but would ask Mr Wobb to take the chairi MraWebb took the chair, and said it was a pleasing duty for him to take command of taps affairs of the town, more especially so when it was remembered the satisfactory condition in which the affairs were handed over-by the previous Mayor. He felt sorry in iijino ways that Mr Allwright was leaving'lthe Borough. That gentleman had worked hard and worked successfully for a considerable time. He admitted, with his predecessor, that Lyttelton was the premier Borough in New Zealand from a financial point of view. He hoped the Councillors would give him the support generally given to the chair. A vote of thanks to the employees for their services whs passed. .The Mayor then moved that this meeting ri|k)gnises the services rendered to the town by Mr Allwright for the last twentynine years, and asks that gentleman to accept the thanks of the Councillors. Councillor Dimond seconded the motion. /Councillors M’Lellan, Stinson, and Milsq(n and others spoke in kind terms of the gdod services rendered by Mr Allwright. /Councillor Milsom, in speaking, said he thought Mr Allwright’s name should be allied to the motion. The suggestion was accepted, and the motion carried. ; The Mayor then invited those present to little light refreshment, and proposed jibe health of "Mr and Mrs Allwright,” |he ox-Mayor and Mayoress. Ho understood that it was their intention to take a 'ljrip, and he hoped they would have a {pleasant passage and enjoy good health, toasts, including "The Present Mayor, Mayoress, and Councillors,” proposed by Mr Allwright; “ Councillor and ■*Mrs Milsom,” proposed by the Mayor; " Ihe Town Clerk and Foreman of Works,” proposed by Councillor .Stinson; "The Press,” proposed by Councillor Milsom, were honoured, and the proceedings then ended. ST ALBANS. The installation of the Mayor of St Albans took place at the Borough Council yesterday at noon ; present—the retiring Mayor (Mr B. Bull), the Mayor-elect (Councillor Edward Salter), and Councillors Heard, Penteney, W ay mouth and Garnett. The Mayor-elect Councillor Edward Salter, made the usual declaration and signed it. The late Mayor then presented the Mayor-elect with the official keys of the Borough and seal, and then vacated the mayoral chair. He thanked the : Councillors for the unswerving courtesy shown him during the three years he had occupied the mayoral chair. It was with, a certain amount of regret that he now vacated it, but he was quite euro that the new Mayor would fairly and impartially fulfil the office. He was glad to bo able to state that during hia term of office the income of the Borough had increased by £SOO per annum, and he had every reason to believe that this prosperous state of things would continue. He could only hope that the courtesy shown to himself by the Council and their officers would be continued to tlie newly-elected Mayor. The Mayor-elect. Councillor Edward Salter, said he was glad to say that after a residence of twenty-nine years amongst them he was elected to such a high office as that of Mayor of their Borough. He had been Chairman of the Works Committee for the past three years, and had found them a splendid Committee to work with. He then referred to the great work of widening Crescent road, the traffic on which at the time that action was taken was dangerous to life and limb. The alterations to Edgeware road and bridge, and the piling on the river road, and and works on Abberly road, were amongst the important works initiated under the Committee. Ho also referred to the widening of Springfield road, which would I also require to be re - formed. The I question recently raised by Councillor j Garnett as to the necessity of establishing a j local Fire Brigade was a most important

one, as the Christchurch City Council were about to refuse to allow the chemical engine to come into the Borough, which would have the effect of re-establishing the old rates of insurance. The one thing that their Borough suffered from was the fact that they had not one foot of reserve, and but for the fact that there had been a split in Parliament on the subject, such would not have been the case. He added that his past conduct of the Council's business was but a promise of his future action, and he hoped that he would be backed up by the other Councillors in his efforts to conduct the Council’s business to the satisfaction of the ratepayers. In conclusion, he begged to thank those who were present that day for having attended. Councillor Garnett said the Borough might be congratulated on having such a Mayor as their late Chairman, who had worked so hard and untiringly as he had done.

Councillor Penteney moved —“ That the thanks of the Council were due to the retiring Mayor for his energetic and able services in carrying out the duties of Mayor during his terms of office.” Councillor Heard seconded the motion.

The Mayor - elect hoped the retiring Mayor would fill the vacancy in the Council caused by his election to the mayoral chair, adding that it would be but a graceful compliment by the ratepayers to the untiring energy of the late Mayor, if they allowed him to be elected to the Council unopposed. Councillors Garnett and Waymouth then formally congratulated the new Mayor on his taking the chair. The Mayor having responded, the Council adjourned, when the usual toasts were proposed and drunk. KAIAPOI. At 12 o’clock yesterday His Worship the Mayor (Mr E. Moore), the Mayor-elect (Mr * C. Hansen), and Councillors Blakeley, Humphreys, Feldwick, May, Brooke, and Kidd assembled at the temporary Borough offices, Cookson street, where the keys of office, and the municipal insignia, were in due form handed by the acting Mayor to the Mayor-elect. In doing so, Mr Moore alluded to the fact that mid-day, was an exceedingly awkward hour for installations. He was sure that Mr Hansen would be unanimously welcomed. Now that he was temporarily retiring from municipal affairs, he would take the opportunity to thank the burgesses and his colleagues for the favours shown him during the past four years. He considered the burgesses could' heartily congratulate themselves on the present financial state of the Board. Works of a permanent and costly nature, such as the asphalting, kerbing and channelling, the bridge, and large drainage extensions, had been done, during the last four years, without special loans. He thought that the Municipal Corporations Act could be amended with advantage in the direction of giving to the Councillors themselves the election of Mayor. He would again thank all the Councillors for their loyal support, and the officers of the Council, and more especially the Town Clerk and Surveyor (Mr Webster) for the manner in which Borough work had been done during the last four years. Mr Carl Hansen then made the usual declaration and took his seat. Mr Hansen said that he took office at a financially critical time. He thought that by economy and careful management the overdraft could be reduced. He had heard a proposal to raise a loan, but as this would entail special rating, he thought burgesses should be careful before adopting the idea. Many valuable works of permanent advantage had been done during the reign of his predecessor; and others, such, for instance, as the embankment could now be attended to. He thought the erection of Borough offices should not be delayed. He thanked once more the Council and burgesses, and trusted that a satisfactory year’s work lay before them. They must all work together, and give time and thought to Borough affairs.

The|| various Councillors present then spoke, expressing their appreciation of tho way in which Mr Moore had conducted Borough business, and tbeir confidence in his successor. They were unanimous in thinking that careful financial management was desirable in the future.

The new Mayor then requested his predecessor and the Councillors to signify their good wishes for the coming year in the usual manner, which was accordingly done at the Pier Hotel. KANGIOEA. The annual meeting of the Eangiora Borough Council to install the Mayor-elect was held at noon yesterday; there were present His Worship the Mayor (Mr H. Boyd), Councillors Blackett (Mayor-elect), Good, Gulliver, and Jennings. The retiring Mayor said that for many reasons he was sorry for vacating his seat in the Council, having been connected with it for so many pears. He always favoured a change of officers, however, believing that a new man might have new ideas to bring forward which would prove beneficial. He felt confident that the Mayorelect would do justice to the office, his previous services assuring him of that. He regretted that the drainage scheme, in which he took so much interest, was not completed before he left office. Some people had said that he had drainage on the brain, but although he had given considerable attention to drainage, he trusted that he had not neglected other matters of interest to the Borough, He hoped that the Council would do their best to have the drainage scheme completed, and as he had given the work considerable attention he would always feel pleased to give any assistance in his power towards its completion. He could not leave office without expressing his thanks to Councillor Cone (the late Chairman of the Works Committee) for the able assistance he had given him in the initiation of the drainage scheme and in carrying out the general work. Councillor Cone, being practical and experienced, was always ready and willing to give the benefit of his knowledge, and his advice had been very valuable. He (the speaker) had to express his sincere thanks to the members of the Council for the courtesy and forbearance they had always shown him, and he could say that during his term of office the business had been conducted most amicably, no unpleasantness of any kind having arisen. (Applause.) Councillor Good moved a very hearty vote of thanks to the retiring Mayor for the valuable services he had rendered the Borough, and in speaking to the motion, said that ho felt sorry he had not remained in office for another year to see the completion of the drainage scheme. He had given more time to the Borough business than bis predecessors, and was in many respects the best Mayor they had ever had.

The Mayor-elect seconded the motion, and after the other Councillors had spoken to it, it was carried with applause, and Mr Boyd expressed his acknowledgment. The Mayor-elect then took the mayoral chair, and expressed his thanks for the honour the burgesses had thought lit to again bestow upon him. He also said that he would use his best endeavours to have the drainage scheme completed before winter, and to carry out the duties of his office to the satisfaction of the burgesses. Each of the Councillors then congratulated the now Mayor on hts election, and the meeting terminated. ASHBURTON. The annual meeting of the Ashburton Borough Council was held at noon yesterday. There was a good attendance of Councillors, and all the officers were present. The retiring Mayor (Mr T. Scaly) shortly addressed the Council. The main work of the past year had been the adjustment of the Borough’s finances. No call bad arisen for any large work within the Borough, but the usual work necessary for the maintenance of the streets, &c., had been carried on. The burgesses had, he thought, every reason- to bo satisfied with the economy that had been practised by the Council in the carrying out of work that had been undertaken. Only the usual shilling rate had been levied, yet the Council had been able to reduce the overdraft at the bank by J 6500, and

at the same time carry on the work of the Borough. He defended the expenditure of money on the protective works at the river, as the land which those works were intended to conserve would soon he very valuable. Had it not been for the expenditure on those works the overdraft would have been still more largely reduced; but sufficient money had been reserved to pay for the steam-engine, and he trusted the engine would be procured at once. He thanked the Council for the kindness they had shown him, and for the aid they had given him during his term of office as Mayor. It only remained for him now to perform his last official act, and install the new Mayor. Mr Harrison had served a long term as a Councillor, and would doubtless be treated as well by the Council as he himself had been.

Mr Harrison then stepped up to the Mayor’s side at the invitation of the Mayor, who installed him in his new position. He congratulated the new Mayor on his election, and wished him a pleasant and useful career. It had been the lot of himself and Mr Harrison to contest the election for the Mayoralty twice, on the second occasion the result of which was the present ceremony, Mr Harrison had been the successful candidate. He could assure him that any acrid feelings then engendered had on his part at least been forgotten, and the hatchet burled. Before the new Mayor addressed them he (Mr Sealy) would be pleased if those present would Join him in drinking the new Mayor’s tealth.

The table having been spread, Mr Sealy proposed "The Health of the New Mayor.” He spoke in high terms of Mr Harrison’s long term of service as a Councillor, and fully recognised the fact that the burgesses had returned him to the mayoral chair as a reward for those services. (Applause.) The toast having been duly honoured, the new Mayor responded in a brief speech of acknowledgment. The Mayor proposed " The Health of the Eetiriag Slayor,” paying a high compliment to Mr Sealy on the close attention he had paid to the Council’s business and the keen business ability he displayed in carrying it on. The toast was drunk with three cheers, and Mr Sealy suitably acknowledged the compliment.

Mr Thomas proposed " The Healths of the ex-Mayors,” pointing out that to their carefulness and shrewdness the Borough had as small an overdraft as any in the Colony, had no loan of its own, and the rate was only a shilling in the pound. Five ex-Mayors present responded— Messrs Bullock, Williamson, Hugo and Rudolf Friedlander, and T. Sealy. The other toasts were “ The County Council,” proposed by Mr Williamson, who pointed out that the work done by the Council was in itself a flat denial of the charge that had at times been laid at the County Council's door, viz., that a Council sitting in Ashburton was apt to neglect the country districts, and pay more than a fair share of attention to the town and vicinity. Those who knew the County’s history knew well that their money had been spent all over the County—in the hills and up the gorges, all over the plains, in water-works, on the rivers in protective works, in the swamp districts on drainage for storm-water—in fact, there was not a district from the hills to the sea that had not directly or indirectly benefited by the expenditure of the Council’s funds. “The Council’s Banker,” acknowledged by Mr Shury; “ The Officers of the Borough,” proposed by Mr Sealy, who paid high compliments to the Town Clerk, the Solicitor, and the Engineers, who responded; “The Council’s Workmen and the Foreman,” by Mr Williamson; “* The Ashburton Borough Council,” by Mr Bullock; “ The Press,” &c. The Council then proceeded to ordinary business. FINANCE. The Mayor stated that the debit balance at the Bank was now .£141013s 7d. THE MAYORALTY. The Colonial Secretary wrote, acknowledging receipt of notice of Mr Alfred Harrison’s election as Mayor. THE POUND. Mr D. H. Brown wrote complaining of the fees charged for feed to stock in pound by the poundkeeper. Mr Brown was referred to the E.M. as the proper place to settle questions of overcharge. FISH STAND. A temporary £taod for fish-carts was decided on—not iejs than half a chain back from East street, along Burnett street, on the northern side. THE TRAFFIC BRIDGE FIEE. The Fire Brigade Secretary wrote, enclosing an account for £1 Ids, expenses incurred at the fire on Tuesday at the traffic bridge, and other items. It appears that one of the planks of the traffic bridge had been on fire, but had been extinguished before any serious damage bad been done. The account was passed. Suggestions were made to occasionally send the water-cart over the bridge, and to have the decking swept. The bridge would be always in danger from fire, if horse manure and other ref use were allowed to accumulate on it. ’lt would also be a wise thing to have several buckets, with ropes attached, placed at stated intervals on the bridge. ENGINEERS* REPORT. The Engineer's report was purely formal, and was adopted. LIGHTS. Councillor K. Friedlander moved—“ That the by-law bo enforced, requiring drivers of vehicles to carry lights on the off-side of such vehicle, between sunset and sunrise.” The motion was carried by a narrow majority. Some other business of a minor character was transacted, and the Council adjourned after passing the pay-bill, and authorising the usual Christmas holidays.