The Southland Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. Luceo Non Uro. THURSDAY, MAY 3, 1923. AFTER LONG SERVICE.

Southland Times, Issue 18931, 3 May 1923, Page 4

The Southland Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. Luceo Non Uro. THURSDAY, MAY 3, 1923. AFTER LONG SERVICE.

Yesterday Mr J. F. Lillicrap performed the last act of a very long career in the service of his fellow-citizens, when he played his part at the installation of the new Mayor of Invercargill, Mr Andrew Bain. Mr Lillicrap has been actively engaged in local politics for the best part of a generation, and in that time he has deservedly enjoyed the confidence and regard of his fellow-citizens, the people who know him best. The affairs of a moderately large community do not afford opportunities for sensational feats in government, but Invercargill can at least claim to have given proof of its progressive spirit in the presence of many public facilities unknown to other communities of the same size. In the introduction of these things Mr Lillicrap has invariably been interested, and he has throughout displayed a proper eagerness for any departure calculated to improve the status of Invercargill. He was unable to persuade the townsfolk that he should be sent to Parliament, but he made a powerful showing against an experienced campaigner, and had every reason to be satisfied with his achievement. Looking back to that time we now have reason to be thankful that Mr Lillicrap was not taken away from local affairs. There have been times, of course, when we have disagreed with Mr Lillicrap on public questions, and have fought strenuously against his views, but in those contests we never saw anything, deed or word, to suggest a revision of the opinion that he was actuated by pellucidly unselfish motives and working for the public good. His career in municipal affairs was rounded off with a term in the Mayoral chair, during which he gave proof of his ability as an administrator and his firmness as a chairman. To-day the finances of the town are in a much improved condition because of his presence at the head of the administration, and it is not too much to say that the tone of the Town Council’s proceedings has been raised under hie: firm but tactful leadership. After such a lengthy term of public office a man may look to the opportunity for rest with some pleasure, but the parting must be' tinged with pain when the time for separation comes. On the other hand, there is the comforting knowledge that he enjoys the gratitude of his fellows. Mr Lillicrap’s retirement from public office is a matter for keen regret—his departure is a loss —and in the measure of that regret is to be found the fullness of Invercargill’s gratefulness for a long service, capably and generously performed.