Retiring Councillors Farewelled by Colleagues

Northland Age, Volume XVII, Issue 13, 14 November 1947, Page 2

Retiring Councillors Farewelled by Colleagues

Past County Clerk Honoured The Chairman of the Mangonui County Council, Mr. W. J. Steed, farewelling the two Councillors who are not seeking re-election (Messrs. C. J. E. Barriball and J. W. Hoskin) at the final meeting of the retiring Council on Wednesday, made references to the long terms of service which both members had given to the County. He said that in the 25 years since 1922 that Cr. Barriball had served on the local body, during seven of which he had occupied the chair, he had been absent from only three meetings. He congratulated Cr. Barriball on this remarkable record, and complimented Cr. Hoskin on his ten years of continuous service. He expressed his hearty good wishes to both Councillors and his hopes for their continued interest in County affairs during their retirement. To those members who had been re-elected to the new Council automatically, Mr. Steed extended his congratulations, and to Councillors Holder and Wilton (who will contest their seats) he expressed his appreciation of past services and said that he hoped to meet them again about the Council table. Mr. Steed also expressed his appreciation of the services of the Engineer-Clerk, Mr. A. Maylin Theed, and of the staff, stating that he had always received the most courteous attention and cooperation of all departments. Thanking the Chairman for his complimentary references to his services, Mr. Barriball stated that his 25 year term on the Council had afforded him much enjoyment, and to the succeeding body he extended his best wishes. Mr. Barriball also thanked the staff and the Engineer for their co-operation with him both as Councillor and Chairman, and extended his congratulations to the sitting members who are to be returned unopposed. Mr. Hoskin stated that he had pleasant memories of his association with the senior body, but in retiring was desirous of seeing younger men accept some of the County’s responsibilities. He wished the new Council every success, and also expressed his appreciation of the services of the Engineer and the staff. Replying to the previous speakers, Mr. A. Maylin Theed expressed his appreciation of the congratulatory references made to the services rendered by the staff and himself, and assured the Council that the friendly relations which had obtained in the past between Councillors and staff would be continued. He congratulated the retiring Councillors on their records of service, and gave his assurance that the staff would carry out its duties as cheerfully and as willingly as in the past. Following .the other speakers, Cr. Wilton extended his congratulations to the Engineer and to the Council as a whole, stating that the County’s present record of having better roads than any other county north of Auckland was an enviable one. An unusual though highly appropriate feature of the meeting was a delightful afternoon tea provided and served by Mrs. Nilsson, who during the war years had re-accepted the office of County Clerk. Those Councillors who had been associated with Mrs. Nilsson during her term of service expressed their appreciation of her acceptance of the responsibility over a difficult period. On behalf of the Council the Chairman thanked Mrs. Nilsson for her kindly gesture, more than adequately expressing her continued devotion to County interests.