WHANGAREI COUNTY COUNCIL

Northern Advocate, 22 May 1929, Page 4

WHANGAREI COUNTY COUNCIL

ANNUAL MEETING. OR. L. WEBB RE-ELECTED CHAIRMAN. COMMITTEES APPOINTED. The annual statutory meeting of the Whangarei County Council was held at. noon today for the purpose of electing a chairman and appointing committees for the ensuing year. Present; Crs. L. Webb, L. A. Johnson, J. Morrison, J. T. Walker, A. Stephen, J. A. S. Mac Kay, A. J. McKay, F. Elliott, J. H. Hayward and T. N. Blake. At the outset the clerk, Mr H. C. Hemphill presided, read tho rules governing the election of chairman, and called for nominations.

Cr. Elliott proposed and Cr. Stephen seconded that Cr, L, Webb be elected chairman. As there was , no other nomination for the position Cr. Webb was declared duly elected. CHAIRMAN’S REMARKS. On taking his seat at the head of the table Cr. Webb was greeted with applause. In an address to the council, the chairman thanked ithe members of the council for their expression of renewed confidence, which, he said, was very pleasing after three years’ service. In the preceding term he had tried to do his best ami be fair to every councillor. There was no doubt that he had made mistakes, but the position was at times somewhat trying and it was not always easy to avoid errors. Any matter that had not been right, however, could not be construed as being of a grave nature.

In connection with ,the coming year there were several matters that would require the serious consideration of councillors. He hoped that the spirit of team work would still prevail and all would endeavour to promote the best interests of the county as a •whole. The council had done well in the past and he trusted that it would eoninue to do so.

In ‘the matter of highways there were three main roads, viz; Whangarei to Oakleigh, Whangarei to Maungatapere and Whangarei to Hikurangi (that were going to be very expensive and the .councillors concerned would have to keep in close touch with the clerk and engineer in order that the best could be achieved and finances 'Conserved. If the finances of any riding became hampered he was sure that the council would help as far as lay in its power. Another matter of great moment that .would crop up in the near future was the electrical scheme. This was a question that would take careful handling. There was no doubt, in his mind, that electricity was badly needed in ithe middle North because closer settlement and prosperity followed in its train. It was a pity that the Borough Council of Whangarei did pot see eye to eye with the o-unity i)n this matter, but Mr Overton had given an assurance that the county would be quite all right in making a start with the work.

In conclusion he expended a hearty welcome to Ors. Blake, Walker and Morrfeon, who were elected to the council recently, HONORARIUM. The chairman’s honorarium was fixed at the same amount as formerly, viz: £IOO per annum. * COMMITTEES. The following committees were appointed:— Legal.—Urs. L. Webb, J. A. MacKay and T. N. Blake. Finance.—The whole .council, with Or. J. H. Hayward as chairman. Machinery, Supplies and Purchasing.—.Crs. J. A. S, Mae Kay, J. H. Hayward, P. Elliott and A. Stephen.