PARTING TRIBUTES

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19622, 4 May 1938, Page 12

PARTING TRIBUTES

BOROUGH COUNCILLORS LAST COUNCIL MKETINfI THREE RETIREMENTS At the close of the Gisborne Borough Council's meeting last night, tributes were paid to councillors who were, not seeking re-election, and an opportunity was taken by the Mayor, Mr. D. W. Coleman, M.P., to express his appreciation of the council's cooperation and support during the past term.

The Mayor said he had had the cooperation of the council throughout the term. Their meetings had been pleasant ones, and nothing had happened to make councillors feel ill towards each other. There had been differences of opinion,' but he would not say "thank you" to a council which said "amen" to all that was proposed. He believed that councillors had voted according to the way in which their consciences dictated. Referring to those councillors who were not seeking re-election, His Worship said that Cr. D. S. Thompson, with seven ' years' service, was regarded as a good councillor, whose experience as a nurseryman and gardener had proved very valuable to the* council, and his donation of trees for beautification purposes had been very acceptable. Cr. H. Holmes, the Mayor continued, had had five years' service, and had been a very active councillor, serving as Deputy-Mayor during his last term. Mr. Coleman thanked Cr. Holmes for the service he had rendered in that capacity. Cr. P. W. Bushnell had been satisfied with one term, during which he had always done what he had considered right in the interests of the ratepayers. Councillors in Reply

In reply, Cr. Thompson thanked the Mayor for the help given during his term, and said he would look back with pleasant memories on the time he had spent on the council.

Cr. Holmes said he had thoroughly mjoyed the work. He was leaving the council with mucli regret, but felt that he must stand down 'on this occasion, although at some future time he might offer himself again to the electors.

Cr. Bushnell said that the associations he had formed on the council had been very pleasant, and his term had been interesting. He wished also to express pleasure and appreciation of the services rendered by such a capable staff. . Cr. H. E. Maude thanked the Mayor m behalf of the councillors who were again contesting the election. If mislakes had been made, he said, they had been of the head and not of the heart. Every councillor had tried to I io his best for all. Cr. G. Bradley Smith regretted that during the next term it was certain that at least four of the present council would not be with them again. That would be the most radical change he had experienced in his 11 years on the council. He had not known of more than two changes on the council, on which he had served. He thanked the Mayor, the town cleric •and Hhe borough engineer for the courtesy he had always received. Cr. H. H. DeCosta endorsed the sentiments expressed by the other councillors, and thanked the Mayor for the courtesy expended to the councillors. Cr. J. H. Hall said he had looked on the council as a happy family. There had always been differences, but there was always a handshake after the meetings.

Cr.'J. Webb said that it was a revelation to him the way the business was conducted and the courtesy extended by councillors. He had found them all to be gentlemen.