LOCAL GOVERNMENT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22202, 31 August 1935, Page 14

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

I COUNTY COUNCILS' WORK PRESIDENT'S RETIREMENT [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON. Friday After 31 years' service as president of the New Zealand Counties' Association, Mr. A. E. Jull, M.P., in his address to the annual conference, announced his decision to retire. He adhered to his decision in spite of a request to reconsider the matter. Mr. Jull said it was possible that from time to time additional responsibilities might be attached to county councils and that functions now carried out by other bodies might be entrusted to counties. If such additional duties were asked of them, in the general interest of the Dominion, "do not," ho said, "as 1 am sure you will not, shirk them." Vigilance was necessary to maintain powers and responsibilities already secured, and to increase them as conditions demanded. The conference was opened by Sir Alfred Hansom. Ho said that only one county council and one municipality had got into anything like serious difficulty' during the depression. They had had assistance from the State, and both wore now emerging from their difficulties. In a reference to unemployment, the Minister mentioned that tliere were cases where local bodies had taken advantage of the relief funds to the disadvantage of their employees. Ho hoped extra work would bo undertaken and that at the same time money usually spent upon the employment of labour would continue to be spent. Officers were elected as follows: President, Air. C. J. Talbot (Fairlie); vice-presidents, Messrs. J. Ritchie (Bannock burn), W. Morrison (Maxwell); executive committee. Messrs. W. Anderson (Tirau), W. G. Helton (Waverlev), K. W. Dalrymple (Bulls), G. A. Monk (Reikorangi), W. Marshall (Paeroa), C. Matthews (Gisborno). W. Tucker (Whakatu), M. Dethell (Amuri), F. I{. Flatman (Geraldine), W. M. Norman (Southland), P. F. Ryan (Paparua). Hon. W. H. McInt.vre, M.L.C. (Millerton). Mr. G. A. Monk was elected auditor. Appreciation of the services rendered by Mr. Jull to the association and to local body government generally was expressed by the presentation of a handsome silver salver. At the wish of Mr. Jull, a map of New Zealand, showing the boundaries of the 123 counties, will be engraved upon the salver. A resolution was carried placing on record the association's sense of Mr. Jull's valuable services to the association.