AN APPRECIATION.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXVII, Issue 10682, 27 June 1913, Page 5

AN APPRECIATION.

MR E. GOODBBHERE HONOURED. Yesterday marked another voocb in the history of FcUdm# municipal affairs, when a very large number of representative ratapavcra waited on the ex-Mavor, Mr E. GcodbeJiere. Mr A Jiclrn »n 1 v.ms spokesman, and akkr.d lUr G-oodlicdere eu s accept a pair of surer breakfastdishes and a solid silver salver, on which was inscribed; —■ ■ Presented to Edmund Goodbehero, j Esq., from Feilding ratepayers as a mark of appreciation for long, faithful and efficient services to the Borough ’as Mayor and Councillor. Fei Id fug,' 24-6-13. In making rise presentation; Mr Richmond read the following engrossed letter:— EDMUND GOODBEHEEB, Esq.,

Fei id mg. .Dear Sir,— We arranged to meet you here to-day as a result of a very general feeling among ratepayers of the Borough and friends that you should not he allowed to. withdraw from public affairs without substantial recognition by ratepayers of your consistent, able and unselfish services to the .Borough We find on turning up the records that yon took your first declaration as a Councillor on 3rd January, 1889, serving for two years, and your first declaration as Mayor of the Borough on 21st December, 1892, serving for one year. On 4th October, 1894, yon again took your seat as a Councillor, occupying it for two years. Prom the year 1897 to 1904, you continuously held the office ot Mayor. In April, 1907, you were elected as a Councillor, and from -April, 1909, to that month in 1913 you continuously occupied the Mayoral chair. This constituted a length of service totalling twelve years as Mayor, and six years as Councillor—a record of which any man might .well feel proud. It is a fact well known to most of us that there is in a small community like ours considerable difficulty in obtaining-the services of those men best fitted aaii capable of carrying out the duties atrtaohed to tbs offices

of Mtvyor anti councillor. Excuses are put forward that the duties interfere with business, or with the leisure of the suggested cßiidlclates, and bo forth, thus throwing the important work in municipal management on to the shoulders of the willing few You have consistently and on some instances ■ greatly against your own personal convenience ami desire coma forward as a candidate, and in this way shown us all a valuable example of how in the interest of good government and progress we should each put on one side some personal corny fort and convenience for the sake of each doing Ids share for the town and district in which we have made our homes. It is the hope of the subscribers to this presentation, _ in extending all good wishes to Mrs Goodbehero and yourself, that you may bs (-pared for many years to enjoy your well-earned leisure, and that" this silver salver ami plate may be handed down to your descendants as an heirloom and a testimony to them, that by a large proportion of the ratepayers your services were duly appreciated and recognised. After one or two speakers paid tribute, Mr Goodbehere, its acknowledging the presentation, said it was a trying moment. It was the proudest moment of his life. He felt it hara to speak to the large and representative gathering which had assembled to. do him honour. He thanked all most heartily. He had taken public life seriously. He had lived in Helloing for the best part of his life, and would probably do so for the remainder. He had done his best for the town and district —it was only natural he should do so. That had been his aim all through. His main object had been to assist the community. It was most pleasing to think that what he had done had been appreciated by a large' number of ratepayers. When so many had fought for interests of the town it was hardly fair that he should be singled out for the honour. It had been said that those who went in for public life were foolish, and got more kicks titan pence. He did not think so. He would value their appreciation. The gifts would ba handed down to his sons, and they would know what loyal friends their father had in tire past. He could nob say what he would like, but again he thanked them.