EIGHT YEARS AS MAYOR

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 10881, 22 April 1921, Page 5

EIGHT YEARS AS MAYOR

MR J. P. LUKE’S RECORD FAREWELLED FROM OFFICE AT LAST NIGHT’S MEETING. FAITHFUL AND EFIICIENT. The final meeting of the present City Council last night concluded with an exchange of farewell valedictory speeches between the Mayor (Mr J. I*. Lake), who is retiring lifter eight consecutive years’ service, aad tho councillors with whom he has beeD associated. Mr Luke said he felt that ill retiring from office he was leaving everyone as friends. The council hiul done its work untiringly both in the essentiad comii.it tee meetings and in the ordinary uncling* of the council. The ccaincilhad shown a zealous spirit and conscientious interest in their work, and he lieurtily thanked them for their’ coopemtion. He felt sore the elrcAora would deal generously with those w'ho were seeking re-election. He hoped tile city would profit in the future from the mint tikes that had been made in the past. The future held a good deal in store for Wellington. He thought the city would benefit considerably if only the Mayor and councillors enthused over it. A very healthy spirit would thus be created. Although he ms leaving the council he would, nevertheeiill be actually interested in it. Me also wished to express appreciation, on behalf of the citizens, of the ! work and co-operation of the officers, j He mentioned particularly the Town I Clerk (Mr J. R. Palmer), the Qity I Engineer (Mr W. H. Morton), and the I City Solicitor (Mr J. O’Shea). j Councillor Atkinson moved:—“That l this council desires to place on record its high appreciation of the faithful and efficient service rendered to the caty by ilia Worship tho Mayor, and the Mayoress, during the last' eight years, and of the untiring energy and public spirit which they have brought to the discharge of their duties.” In support of the motion Councillor Atkinson pai da tribute to the achievements of Mr Lake during his lengthy term of office, half of which had been served n the strenuous period of the- war. He had set such* a nigh standard in his attention to the Mayoral duties that his successor would find it difficult to emulate him. Mr Luke always managed to come out right and on top in everything he attempted, and had maintained the dignity of has office by decisiveness in v tbe council. Mrs Luke had been a most conscientious worker, and, Hke Mr Lake, she seemed fb be able to find time for everything required of her. * ‘The pair of von, in ! facWput together,” he concluded, “are sbsWivly invincible. ’ 1 Other councillors in turn expressed their regret that Mr Luke was retiring from the chair. » Mr Luke waa visibly affected emotionally na he briefly replied after the passing *of the motion.