ANNUAL MEETING.

Ohinemuri Gazette, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3852, 30 November 1917, Page 3

ANNUAL MEETING.

MR CLAXTON ELECTED

CHAIRMAN.

The annual meeting,-for the purpose of electing a chairman, was held on Wednesday and attended by Mr H. T. G. McEteoy, Clerk, and Councillors F. H. Claxton, A. Alley, A. J. Bateman, A. A. Adams, H. A. Mills, T. W. Newman, R. Peters, R. Cox, J. McCormick, and G. H. McMahon. The Clerk presided and read the report of the returning officer announcing the above named elected members of the Council:

Cr. McMahori proposed Cr. Claxton as chairman, Cr. Newman seconded the proposition, and in doing so said titftt he was sure Cr. Claxton would be a most suitable man as he had had the experience and also had the time and ability to carry out the duties.

Cr. Adams proposed as an amendment that Cr. Mills be elected chair-

man. ♦ Cr. McCormick seconded' the amendment.

On the amendment being put it was found that both councillors had four supporters. It was then decided to place the names- of the candidates in a hat, and upon this being done, Cr. Claxton's name was drawn, and the County Clerk declared him elected.

Cr. Claxton in thanking the Councillors said that he was not unmindful of the great responsibility that had been cast on his shoulders, and he accepted the office with a full knowledge of the task that lay betfbre him. It was a big county, and a valuable one. - His association with local government for 1 the past nine years would assist him, but he would be unable to carry on with the success he would wish, without the hearty cooperation of the members of the Council. He "looked to the councilors for assistance. The County had progressed in leaps and bounds, and there existed a very great need- for the extension otf the Council's operations, and to do this they must formulate an absolute and definite policy. The Council must get together and consider what is required and lay down a policy riot for one or two years but for many y.earj?. In order to get a thorough knowledge of the county he proposed to visit each riding and go thoroughly into the needs of districts, and endeavour to lay bedtore the council a rough draft of what is to be done. He had not asked for the position, and had not formatted it. He welcomed to the council table all the councillors, and hoped all matters would be thoroughly and! practically discussed so that only the best results would be achieved. One thing above all he hoped that councillors when defeated, would accept the position and not leave the meeting feeling embittered. He" took the opportunity of moving that the council place on redord the valuable services rendered by the late councillors, namely, Messrs Deeble, Baker, Cooper, Law, and Stretton. At last meeting there was a motion passed to the late chairman, Mr Bagnall, so it was not necessary to include his name.

Cr. Mills seconded the proposition and thought that it was the least they could do. If any person deserved appreciation it was those whio gave their time on a public body. He congratulated the chairman on his appointment and felt sure that he would receive from all the councillors that hearty support that should be given to the chair.

The motion was carried,

Cr. l Newman congratulated, the chairman on his appointment, especially so as he was the first Thames boy to occupy the chair of the county. He felt sure that every councillor would work, in harmony and promote the welfare of the County.

In extending his congratulations to the chairman Cr. Aldams said he felt sure that he would always see fair play, and promised his support to any movement that he thought was for the advancement of the county as a whole.

Crs. Alley, McCormick, Cox, Me. Mahon, Bateman, and Peters returned thanks for the welcome extended 1 to them.

The chairmah again returned thanks for the good will expressed, and said that when they agreed to differ he did not mind them sparring as hard as they liked, but if beaten he expected that they would take the defeat.

He was out to give every ounce of strength he had to further the interests otf the County. Owing to the inconvenient train service a lot of work and responsibility was thrown on the chairman which might otherwise have, to a certain extent, been avoided. CONDOLENCE. A vote of condolence and sympathy was passed to ex-Councillor Mr W. Baker In the loss of his son by drowning, and 1 Mr Lowe, Mayor of Thames, in the death of his son while in action.

COMMITTEES,

It was decided that the works and

finance committees consist of the

whole council. Cr. Mills was appointed chairman of the finance committee.

MEETING DATES

It was decided that the ordinary meeting fixed for Tuesday, December 6 be held on Thursday December 8.

WHANGAMATA TRACKS,

On Cr. Adams' mbtion it was decided that two men be put on to clear the tracks Whangamata, Hikutaia, and Omahu. In urging the necessity to clear the tracks Cr. Adams said that the settlers and others workingover that way were practically isolated.

MATATOKI DRAIN,

On the motion otf Cr. Cox it was decided tk> expend £60 on widening this drain.

NATIVE RATES

The chairman said that judgment had been obtained for £1500 of Native rates, and the amfcmnt registered against the land. This would- be continued and the money must eventually be paid to the Council,

KOPU FERRY CONTRACT.

Messrs Kennedy and Taylor waited on the Council and explained that as it was now nearly twelve months since the contract was let they could not do the work at the contract price owing to the heavy rise in the cost of material.

It was decided: flo refer the matter to the engineer for a report.

TENDERS

The tender of J. H, Keith of £2 4s a chain for formation of 180 chains of the Watakaruru-Miranda Road, was accepted. • There was not any tenders for the 91 chains oif formation of the TuruaOpani Foad, and, on Cr. Mills' suggestion it was'decided to call for fresh tenders and to let the work in three lots if necessary.