PORT CHALMERS BOROUGH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23505, 20 May 1938, Page 7

PORT CHALMERS BOROUGH

STATUTORY MEETING OF COUNCIL TRIBUTE TO RETIRING MEMBERS The statutory meeting of the new Port Chalmers Borough Council was held last night, there being present— The Mayor ?Mr T. Scollay). Crs E. H. Cook, J. H. Williamson, J. M. Samson, V/. Liftwich. J. S. Thorn. L. G. Jack, N. A. MacDonald, W. D. Mead. J. T. Knewstubb and W. D. Sutherland. MAYOR’S ADDRESS After the Mayor and the council had made the statutory declaration, the Mayor welcomed the councillors and said he felt satisfied that they would all work harmoniously for the good of the town. Port Chalmers was one of the senior seaports of New Zealand. and the requirements of shipping had always been a first consideration. In the very early days ships were careened for repairs, then there followed a slipway, a floating dock, the stone dock and the concrete dock. Wharf accommodation was also supplied, and he hoped that the wharves would soon be modernised and with electric cranes to provide better despatch for overseas ships. The council was more directly interested in the town itself. The past was done, but the present and the future were the council’s concern. He received a very definite mandate at the election to continue the progressive viliev of the past three years, and he felt sure that the new council would be with him in that respect. Their first work would be to complete the improvements to the Allen highway, netting the balance ready for tar-seal-ing and putting in concrete channelling where necessary, particularly from Mary street to Bernicia street. While that work was being done the new councillors would be able to have a good look round the town and decide on the next work to be carried out. The improving of Wickliffe terrace, Currie and Scotia streets, and Harbour terrace had already been under consideration. The improvement of the town water supply would receive early attention, and every councillor would be supplied with a copy of the engineering reports dealing with the best means of improving it. The water reserves and other reserves would be inspected at an early date. Work on the Peninsula road was being carried out under scheme 13. There was plenty to be done during the ensuing three years, and at the end of the term the citizens, he felt sure, would have reason to be pleased with the council they had now elected. — i Applause.) COUNCILLORS RESPOND Cr Cook thanked the Mayor on behalf of himself and the newly-elected councillors for the welcome he had extended to them. He felt sure that the council would work harmoniously for the good of the town, and would always have the best interests of the residents at heart. Cr Jack also thanked the Mayor for his words of welcome and extended to him the congratulations of the council on his re-election to the mayoral office. He assured him of his continued wholehearted support in his work for the ■ iod of the borough, and also expressed high appreciation of the manner in which Mrs Scollay had earned out her duties as Mayoress during the oast three years. All the other councillors also spoke in appreci ’dion of the Mayor’s welcome and assured him of their loyal co-operation

TRIBUTE TO EX-COUNCILLORS The Mayor then moved the followin£ motion! —“ That the thanks of the council are tendered to the retiring councillors. Messrs J. Annan, T. A. Armstrong, D. Forsyth. F. C. Smith. R. O. Willmott, H. S Watson. J. H. Farquharson and E. G. Rouse, for the faithful services given by them m the interests of the borough during their term of office." Cr Jack seconded the motion and said the council’s last term had been a very happy one, and everything had been done to the best of the council s ability. He expressed the thanks of the ratepayers to ex-Councillor r. L. Smith especially for his 17 years of faithful service in the interests of tne borough. . , The motion was carried unanimously.

APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEES It was decided that the whole of the council constitute a Standing Committee and that the following sub-commit-tees be formed to act in an advisory capacity:—Finance Sub-committee: Crs Jack, Sutherland and Mead. Works Sub-committee- Crs Williamson Cook. Hind Leftwich. _ . , Representatives on the Port Chalmers Fire Board; Crs MacDonald and Thorn. , . Representatives on the Port Chaimers Mechanics’ Institute Committees! Crs Sutherland and Jack. Representatives on the committee ot the Otago Expansion League: The Mayor and Cr Knewstubb. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

It was decided that the council meet on May 31 to carry out preparatory work and determine the date of the regular monthly meeting SOCIAL FUNCTION

At the conclusion of the formal business, a brief social gathering was held in which the following toasts were honoured: “ The Mayor and Mayoress.” proposed by Mr A. Campbell, M.P , and responded to by the Mayor; “ The New Council,” proposed by cx-Councillor D. Forsyth, and responded to by Cr; Knewstubb and Leftwich; “The Retiring Council,” proposed by Cr Williamson and responded to by ex-Council-lors Watson and Willmolt.