ACTING-MAYOR’S TRIBUTE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7865, 29 July 1911, Page 6

ACTING-MAYOR’S TRIBUTE

CPRCLAX TO THE "TmES.* CHUXSTaHTDRCH. July 23. Speaking of the late Mr T. 33. Taylor, tho Deputy-Mayor (Councillor J. J. Dougall) said: —“I am of opinion that Mr Taylor’s death will bo a decided loss . to tho citizens of Christchurch. • He entered . tho council with the idea that ho could initiate schemes for tho benefit of tho city as a ivhole, and right from tho outset ho stated that ho was convinced that a considerable and substantial saying coaid bo made in regard to - the system of road-making. In addition to that ho stated thatit was his policy to increase the ■.wages of the worker. Ho did that on ■the groupd of humanitarian ism, holding that the wage at present paid was not a fair Bving wage for married men. Quite recently I discussed the matter with him, and although propositions had been made by one or two members of tho council I dealing with tho increase of wages of ■particular sections of,tho workers, he led me to believe that ho had a scheme in his mind that would deal exhaustively ■with tho whole of the work. Ho did no)} disclose to mo what it was, but it ,was based principally on the idea that married men should have preference over single ones. ,JIo also Lad. an idea for .purchasing a largo block of land in tho ■ south part of tho city;, ho had, as a matter of fact, suc'h a site in view, if it could be purchased at a reasonable price, for tho purpose of the ereotion of a market for .the sale of perishable goods. Ho thought that over tho market a hall could bo bnijj; which would be suitable for public meetings. In regard to administration bo was decidedly eEective. Ha made himself acquainted at once with ■the whole of details of working, not only of the office staff but the whole of coun- . cil work; and although personally I felt bound to oppose Some of his ideas, ho always discussed them with tho greatest of courtesy and strove to imbue amicable feelings among, the councillors as a whole. " In personal communications with mo ho was courteous to a degree. I had never come closely in contact with him till I met him in council, and to me ho disclosed a phase of bis character which I had not previously appreciatedHis charm of manner was such as would almost win one against one’s own convictions. Ho bad very decided views on all questions, but in tho little opportunity ho had in the council he always gave others every chance of expressing their opinion whether conforming to his or not. FIGHTING THE SPICE OP LIFE. There was one little incident at his installation as Mayor that was perhaps characteristic. In some remarks made on that occasion it was stated tliai his election gave him an opportunity to show to tho public that ho had a side to his character which was not appreciated by everyone. In reply, he said that ho 1 meant to show tho people of Christchurch that he had tho capacity for administration and organisation, and that while ho intended to display those qualities, fighting was the spice of his Ufq, and that the ordinary humdrum of existence was lightened and relieved by a little breezy debate occasionally. I think I can speak for tbo staff, and say that they. . found in Mr Taylor a man who met them ■ fairly and squarely, and one who entered most sympathetically into their workone who did all that lay in his power to mako their position easy, and to canso thorn to carry out thoir duties with tho greatest efficiency and without barass- ' ment. . If Mr Taylor did nothing else, bo was entitled to tbo heartiest thanks of the community in that ho put some life into the electors, and caused them to tnko a wider and keener interest in municipal matters than ever was tho caso-in the past. This was

evidenced very clearly by the extraordinarily largo attendances of the public at tho council meetings after he became Mayor. Before .Mr Taylor’s advent it was rare indeed to find anyone in the public gallery listening to the council's Xirocecditigs, but since Mr Taylor became Mayor, not only has tho gallery been filled every evening, but on many occasions large numbers have been unable to gam admission."