THE LATE MR E READ.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLI, Issue 11667, 12 September 1916, Page 4

THE LATE MR E READ.

APPRECIATION OP SERVICES AND CONDOLENCE.

Before proceeding with the ordinry business at the Marton Borough Council meeting last night, the Mayor (Mr P. C. Wilson) referred to the death of the late Mr Edward Read, who was a member of the Council for over twenty years, and no man in tne borough had worked harder or more consistently than Mr Read. There were other Councillors, namely, Messrs J,’; Richardson and S. Gibbons, who had also laboured 'untiringly in the interests of the borough. ; Mr Read had been a most regular attendant and took the utmost interest in any matter that concerned the borough’s welfare. There was no axe-grind-ing, nor did be think about himself or his friends. What he did was to consider the ratepayers in every particular. The gasworks will always be connected with his name. He was largely instrumental in getting the coal gasworks established in Marton, and it was almost entirely due to his efforts that we now have the gasworks, and there is no denying the fact that they are a profitable concern. The late Mr Read was an ardent worker. He was sorry that the Council in the past bad not seen lit to place on record the borough’s appreciation of Mr Read’s services when he retired from municipal affairs. He moved “That this Council place on record in its minutess a memorandum of the intermittent and valuable services which the late Mr Edward Read performed as a borough councillor for over twenty years; and that this Council also condoles with Mrs E. Read and her family in tne sad loss they have sustained.”

Or. Lloyd seconded the motion. Speaking personally, he said he had known the late Mr Read for nine years, and during that period he had always found him fearless in his actions, that he had the courage of bis convictions, and bore no malice. He had not only served the borough, but also the country in his early days. He never shirked his duties, and politically he always had the courage of his convictions. The late Mr Read had performed his duties to the best of his ability, and his twenty years’ service as a borough councillor was one to he proud of. The motion was carried in silence, the members standing.