OPENING OF NEW COUNTY OFFICES.

Northland Age, Volume 23, Issue 47, 17 March 1924, Page 5

OPENING OF NEW COUNTY OFFICES.

On Monday, March 17th, took place the official opening of the new County Council Chambers, situated at the corner of the Main Road and Redan Road. At the invitation of the County Council a large number of representatives of different parts of the County met at the Chambers at three o’clock. The gathering included several ladies, amongst whom was Mrs Long, wife of the County Chairman. Several ex-Councillors were present:— Messrs. J. Garton, E. C. Matthews, F. H. S. Matthews, H. B. Matthews, L. J. Matthews, John Pearson, and George Wilkinson. Amongst others present were the following:- Messrs Allen Bell, M. P., L. H. Bell, Chairman of the Kaitaia Town Board, J. L. Wilson, County Engineer, von Dadelzsen, Mangonui. Standing in the portico in front of the building Mr. Long, County Chairman, said the present was the most interesting and inspiring event in the history of the Mangonui County Council. It was gratifying to see so many prominent residents of the County present. He congratulated the ratepayers on the erection of this fine building, and extended a welcome to them at all times to visit the Chambers, or meetings of the Council. Even deputations would be welcome. He heartiiy thanked Mr. J. L. Hester, the donor of the site. He also thanked Messrs Bell Bros for their offer of a site.

He was pleased, said Mr. Long, to see so many ex-Councillors present; their work in the past had led up to the present position, and the opening of these fine Chambers.

Great credit was due to Messrs Worth and Turner, the contractors, for the fine work put into the building. It was work which would do credit to any place. By voting for this building the ratepayers had shown their confidence in the future of their district. VVhether Col. Bell, the member for the district, was remiss or not in connection with railways they must admit that he was doing good work in connection with roads, and was of material assistance to the Council. Their thanks were due to him.

After a few more remarks Mr. Long closed amidst applause. Mr. W. I. Turner then presented Mr Long with a key to the building. This Mr. Long handed to Mrs. Long, who placed it in the door, and opened the new building. Proceeding into the building, the gathering inspected the various rooms, and then met in the Council’s room.

Wires were read from the Mayor and Town Clerk of Whangarei, the County Chairman, Whangaroa, the Chairman and Clerk Whangarei County Council, the Secretary Whangarei Harbour Board, congratulating the Council on the erection of new premises and accomodation for staff.

The toast, “The King”, was then honoured.

Mr. Long proposed the toast “The New Council Chambers”, and invited any to speak who wished to do so, calling on the member for the district to open the speechmaking. Mr. Bell said the day’s proceedings meant a mile-stone on the march of progress in the County. The building was long overdue. In the event of fire valuable records would be lost.

Just returned from a trip to the South Mr. Bell was enthusiastic over the climatic benefits of the North. The climate here more than compensated for the larger blocks of good land in the South. He personally had every confidence in the future of the North. All we wanted was good administration in the local body, and push in the citizens. The easier lives we were able to lead, said Mr. Bell, had been rendered possible by the work of the pioneers, of whom the ex Councillors present were representatives.

At the request of Mr. Long, Mr. George Wilkinson, an ex County Chairman, then addressed the meeting. Mr. Wilkinson said that he was now the senior of those who had been Chairmen of the County. For 25 years or so he had been Councillor, and for seven or eight years Chairman. He could remember all those who had been members of the Mangonui County Council since its inception. Mr. Wilkinson, whose interesting remarks are printed elsewhere un Jer the heading "Early County History”, wound up by saying jocularly that past Councils did more work and less talk than the present Council. Cr. Wrathali, another ex-Chairman, also gave some interesting reminiscences, also briefly reported under the same heading. Cr. Wrathali said he was not in favour of erecting palatial buildings, whilst there was such a need of money on the roads. But we had the building, so let it go. He hoped that improved conditions such as the huilding would give would make for improvement in the conduct of their

business, and perhaps hasten their meetings.

Mr. John Pearson, another ex-Chairman, congratulated the Council on their fine new building. Mr. J. Garton proposed the toast ol “The Mangonui County Council”. He said that he would be sorry to see this toast missed. He believed the present Councillors were just as enthusiastic as those of the past. He congratulated the Council and the ratepayers on the fine building they were opening that day. In any case the money was not lost; it was not rate money. The building was in a good site, but it unfortunately seemed to be about two feet too low. He hoped the work of the Council would be commensurate with the fine building. 1 The Council was trying to do its best, said Mr. Long, in responding. He had been interested in the remarks of the exCouncillors who had spoken. They had referred to the days of hardship and disability borne by those sterling men who had made things easier for us. The life of a local bodies man was not a happy one. It was impossible to please everyone, so why try. No one could reproach any ol the Council of any breach of honour. All had made mistakes; he admitted he had. He did not mind fair criticism.

Local government, said Mr. Long, was advancing in line with new conventions, and big changes would come in the near future. For one thing, the time was coming, when they would have lady members.

Mr. Long made a request that all exChairraen and ex-Councillors should present the Council with their photographs to be placed on the Chamber walls. The Council had a good staff; their weakness had lain in their engineeringpolicy. They required an engine er who would define a policy ; they would then know where they were. He had stood by the appointment of Mr. Wilson because he had beeti strongly advised by high authorities to do so. Look what had happened in the past —failure to get grants because the proposals had never been put through.

In Mr. McKinnon they had the best County Clerk in the Dominion, and he was an underpaid man. He was obliging, courteous and considerate, and always prepared to give information. He was always ready to help in any public undertaking. Mr. Long then read a Roll of Honour, giving the names and length of service of each County Chairman. He said they should place on record their appreciation of ths services ot these men.

Mr Crisp, manager of the local branch of the Bank of Australasia, the County’s bankers, said he thought the Council had done the right thing in putting up these Chambers. North Auckland was carrying only about one-seventh of the stock it should. He thought the Council should push for revaluation of the County.

Mr H. B. Matthews, an ex-Councillor, also congratulated the Council on the new building. He made reference to the services of Miss Foster, a late County Clerk. Her photo should he placed in the building, along with that of Mr Harris Councillors should try to remember that there was a spirit of maintenance as well as a spirit of progress. Mr L. J. Matthews, ex-Councillor, offered his congratulations on the completion of the new building. In response to repeated calls Cr. E. A. Evans made a few jocular remarks. It was not with any assistance of his, said Cr Evans, that the building was here.

Mr L. H. Bell, Chairman of the Kaitaia Town Board, conveyed his congratulations to the Council and ratepayers on their having a building of such a permanent character. He hoped their deliberations would be in keeping with the character of the building. The cost of the huilding, spread over the many years it would last, was, after all, only a small matter. Mr Long must feel proud that this scheme had come to fruition in his term. Mr F. H. S. Matthews, ex-Councillor, said he had criticised the Council and its administration, but he recognised that this building was wanted, and was pleased that the Council had looked well ahead. He had sat in the Council in the Bo’s with the late Joseph Evans, a fine practical man. Like some of the other speakers he also regretted that the building was set too low.

In closing Mr Long congratulated the various speakers on their speeches. It was necessary to lengthen their perspective, and look to the future The ratepayers expected the Councillors to look further ahead than they (the ratepayers) did. He hoped all would keep in their memories this St. Patrick’s Day of the year 1924.