STERLING SERVICES RECOGNISED

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVIII, Issue XLVIII, 13 January 1915, Page 3

STERLING SERVICES RECOGNISED

PRESENTATION TQ MR S. FITTALL

i Befot'fe the brdinary business w&s f>i*6Ceeded with at ' last night's meeting of the Richmond Borough Council, the Mayor (Mr G;,.E: Chisnall) said that, as Uiis *Ale Tlkston?whtehf^'Mr FittalliweuW acf 'as'tFdwn *Clefk,**he "KddA. pieasiilg little functibri .to perform—pleasing Sense that" It ;gave thfe Council an opportunity of'"expressing it 3 appreciation of long and faithful services to the Council and to the borough. He had very mUch pifiasiife in presenting to Ml 4 Fittall ati address; a Morris chair, dhd a purse of sovereigns: 3?robeediiigj the Mayor said that everyOh© in the borough siiiGerely regretted Mr Fittall's retiremeilt. He Was not there, however, to speak of Mr Fittall's services as a citizen, but he could notlet the occasion, pass without placing on record the respect in which he was held a* a citizen, One and all were sorry that Mr Fittall's health had been of late st> indifferent as to cause him to relinquish his iabbul's. 11l cohcludiilg, the Mayor said he could not let the occasion pass without asking Mr Hunt, ex-Mayor and Councillor, and one who had been closely associated -with Mr Fittall for many years, to say a few words. Mr Coleman also would have been present to express his appreciation, but was prevented through illness from doing so. Before resuming his seat, Air Chisnall said that they all knew that Mr Fittall had been honourably connected with the borough both as a Councillor and as Town Clerk since its inception. .(Applause). ■Mr Hunt, ex-Mayor and Councilor, said it gave him great pleasure to say a few words. Mr Fittall had been an excellent Councillor as well as Town CterK. He could - rest assured that everyone in the borough fully appreciated his services. '

Mr J. F. Papps, as one of the oriyral members of the Council, stated that the first Council held office, for 13 v-fcvs without a break, and Mr Fittall was one.of the number.-. He had always had a great admiration for Mr Fittall both as a Councillor and Town Clerk. Mr Holland, ex-Councillor, trusted , that Mr Fittall -would be spared long to enjoy his well-earned leisure. Mr T. Bell, ex-Couijcillor, said the •whole of the borough was with them that evening. All regretted that so rapable and 'trustworthy an officer had - felt it necessary to retire.' 'Mr. Fittall had left behind him a" sterling record. Mr Fittall, who was warmly received, said he had been taken so much by surprise, that he felt utterly unable to reply. .It was a source of great gratification to him that he held a place in the minds of the people lie had endeavoured to serve. His work had been sweetened by the pleasant relations existing between himself and Councillors. His official intercourse with the members of each successive Council had _ invar; lbly ripened into personal-friendship. Hs felt that Councillors in their kindness had greatly over-stepped the inark so far as he was concerned. Hfi very much appreciated, their kindness, more than he could tell them. Mr Fittall concluded by extending to Councillors good wishes •for the future, both for themselves individually and- for the borough. (Applause). The following is a copy of the address presnted to Mr Fittall: — ' ' Dear Sir, — "We, the. Mayor and Councillors of the Borough of Richmond, together with ex-Mayors and Councillors,. feel that ,we ■ could : not let the occasion, of' your-re--linquishing the office of. Town. Clerk pass without extending tq you our very gro:it. appreciation of your long and £ait.i-»u services to the borough. We the ask you to accept this. small memeato as a token of our affection and estem, tnd in consideration of your many acts, of courtesy, your unfailing devotion to duty, and at all times your desire: to promote that which was -for the advancement and well-being of the borough -- "When of the" people are-' constantly -being changed, it- is a matter that reflects the greatest credit upon your masterly, that vou-have endeared yourself "without exception to every Council, been ■ associated with; this' is .a. distinction; created by your own tactful services,--and-will go far to perpetuate your memory as one of Richmond's -most 'trusted and respected officers of the Al-though"-your'retirement will remove you from the inner circle of. municipal administration; we trust that twe -jiiay. yet' have "thte opportunity of: drawing. upqn that" vast fund of knowledge that you have accumulated by years - of experience. "In conclusion, Sir,, we honour your years, and while fully conscious that you have now been spared more than the allotted span, We still trust that there are some set apart for your retirement, during which you may enjoy your wellearned' rest amidst as TOUch of the sunshine: arid little, of -the gloom. In appreciation, Sir", , • Yours Sincerely", George E. - Councillors Haycock, Hart, Rose, Goodman:. - .Ex-Mavors J. M. Croucher, Alfred Sheat, James-Hunt, "William Coleman. Ex-Councillors'W. 3>. Barkness, C. E. Molesworth,- /Thos. . Bell, Wm. Hart, Haves Croucher. _J. .X .Papps, Wm. Wilkes,-Thos. Holland:" - t . ■ Mr Fittall came originally, from the City of Ijondon. having lived the first 20 years of his life -there.* He was employed then in the gutta-percha works ■which manufactured- the first submarine cables.! Leaving this employment or health reasons. Mr Fittall sailed for New Zealand in the ship Montmorency, arriving in Wellington on 10th April, 1058. For some years he followed various occupations, and then - came to -Nelson, wher he Tmained until- 1873. Before k> n ff he' was engaged. :n the Public Sei - vice, being attached to the Native Reserves Department under the late Alexander MacKay. -Later 'Mr Fittall was appointed assistant, master at Burnham 'industrial School. • "Then in 1881 -Mr .Fittall returned to this district and settled in Richmond, where he has lived ever since. ■ For a time he was overseer to the Richmond Highway Board. He was one of the principal movers in having Richmond created a Town Board, and subsequently a borough. It was on 13th February, 1886, tha't the Town District was declared, and in 1891 Richmond became a borough. Mr Fittall was connected with the School Commit- j tee for many years, and .at one time was > Chairman of the liicensing Committee, and-has -always taken a .prominent parti in -Church matters' >..... ... - -J