EX MAYOR HONOURED

Southland Times, Issue 19098, 16 November 1923, Page 5

EX MAYOR HONOURED

PRESENTATION TO MR LILLICRAP. PUBLIC SERVICES APPRECIATED. TRIBUTE BY PAST AND PRESENT COUNCILLORS. The function held in the Federal Room! last evening in honour of the ex Mayor, Mr J. F. Lillicrap, at which public recognition was shown of his services as a councillor and ex-Mayor of the town, extending over a period of 22 years, was attended by a number cf past and present councillors and also by several of the associate members of the committees of the council as well as the heads of departments of several of the municipal enterprises, at the invitation of the members who constituted the Jubilee Council. The chair was occupied by Mr A. H. Mackrell. The various speakers in their remarks paid a well-deserved tribute to the work performed by Mr Lillicrap and altogether the function was one of the most spontaneous and enjoyable gatherings of a public nature held in Invercargill for some time past. The chairman (Mr A. H. Mackrell), in proposing the toast of the guest of the evening referred to his own association with Mr Lillicrap at the Council table. The 22 years of public service which stood to his credit was a record than anyone could be really proud of. It was a period of selfsacrifice, of work for his fellow citizens, was not altogether appreciated by the onlooker and only a small percentage of the community was acquainted with the

amount of work done unostentatiously by those ]>eople who tooß up the work in the public interest. “I know from my own observations,” continued Mr Mackrell, “that the w'ork of the Mayor of Invercargill is arduous and very trying indeed, and consequently the occupant of the position has to make a sacrifice in his leisure hours to devote to the werk of his office. During Mr Lillicrap’! term the finances of the borough have been very ably handled and

some most important transactions, notably the application of the antecedent liability. I think that Invercargill during the period of depression was probably more capably handled than many other local bodies and has been in the fortunate position of paying less in interest charges on loans which shows that keen judgment was exhibited, and that the town stands high from an investor’s point of view. Mr Lillicrap also instituted many reforms in the Corporation’s trading departments, particularly the gasworks, electricity and tramways concerns. Socially, he has also filled the position of Mayor with dignity and his personal charm and retiring way has earned for him the respect and honour of everyone associated with him.

The chairman’s remarks were endorsed by Councillors Glass, Miller, Farrant, Meek, Sheehan, Macalister, Boyes, the Mayor (Mr Bain), and ex-Councillors Mr F. W. Preddy, and Dr. J. G. Macdonald, who all testified in appreciative terms to the manner in which Mr Lillicrap had conducted the business of the Council and to the cordial relations w’hich had always existed.

In presenting Mr Lillicrap with two framed photographs of himself, the chairman (Mr Mackrell), stated that the members of the Jubilee Council had felt that they should in some tangible way express their appreciation of the high esteem in which their guest was held by them all. One photograph they would like him to accept for his own home, to show that the long period of public service rendered was appreciated by those associated with him at one particular period. The other they hoped would be placed in the Council Chamber alongside the portraits of the past Majors of the town.

Mr Lillicrap in his reply, said that he very much appreciated the flattering remarks made by the various speakers. It was, he said, a pleasant experience granted to few persons in a lifetime to hear such generous expressions of appreciation, but personally, he felt that a great deal was not deserved, because during the time that he had served the town he had done his best in the interests of the whole community. A great deal had been said of what he had accomplished, but very little of that could have been achieved without the loyal assistance of the Councillors themselves and also of the, various officials who at all times had been most conscientious. Mr Mackrell, too, had been a most helpful colleague, and during his association with the council had devoted himself to its affairs with great success. The council, too, during the trying two years he, the speaker, was in the Mayoral Chair, had also rendered the greatest assistance, and this enabled the affairs of the town to be administered in such a way as to reflect much credit on everyone concerned. To look back over a period of 22 years was a long term and when he had joined the council first he had had no intention of remaining so long, but when one began to take an interest in the work, it had a certain attraction which could not be described. There was certainly not as much glamour about it us many people imagined, but it possessed a certain interest which grew on one. He very much appreciated the spirit actuating the presentation and would at all times look back on his association with the council with a great deal of pleasure.— (Applause).

During the evening the following toasts were honoured:—“The King”; “Mayors, Past and Present,” proposed by Mr S. McG. McDonald, responded to by the Mayor (Mr Bain) and Mr C. S. Longuet ; “Our Guest,” proposed by the chairman; “The Jubilee Council,” proposed by Mr Bain and replied to by Councillors A. Glass and J. filler; “Associate members,” proposed by Councillor H. J. Farrant and replied to by Mr J. J. W. Pollard; "Parliament,” proposed by Mr Lillicrap and replied to by the Hon A. F. Hawke; “Heads of Corporation departments,” proposed by Councillor Macalister and responded to by the Town Clerk (Mr F. Burwell) and Mr B. J. Glancefield; “The Chairman,” proposed by Mr Hawke: "The Press.”