HONORABLE RECORD

Southland Times, Issue 19116, 7 December 1923, Page 5

HONORABLE RECORD

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS A COUNCILLOR. (From Our Own Correspondent.) At the conclusion of the general business at the meeting of the Bluff Borough Council on Tuesday evening, the Mayor (Mr J. S. A. McDougall), stated that he had a very pleasant duly to perform and mentioned that as Cr. James Walker had complete'.' 25 years’ continuous service as a Councillor, his fellow councillors des'red to mark the occasion, and on their behalf he presented the veteran of the table with a handsome pipe and case which he hoped he would be spared to use for many years during which he would continue to occupy his seat at the Council table. They had had some heated arguments at times but always agreed to differ and not bear malice Cr. Niche I, who hud 20 years of service to his credit, spoke in similar terms and stated that although he held different views to Cr. Walker on the Town Hall question they had always walked home together after the meetings the best of friend:;. He hoped the recipient would not retire from the taljle at the end of the present term as he felt sure that they could not get a better councillor. The people had shown their confidence. in him by the way in which they had returned him frequently so high up at the polls. Cr. W. Hinchey also paid a glowing tribute to Cr. Walker’s consistency and ability as a councillor. Though he had not always agreed with him he realised that Cr. Walker’s opinions were good and usually weP reasoned. As there was still much work for shim to do the speaker hoped that he would not now be content to “put his feet up the chimney and smoke the pipe.” He hoped that he would continue until such time as it would be necessary to present him with another pipe of much greater value. He was in sympathy with Cr. Walker’s efforts to bring about a Bluff Tcwn Hall, but whether it eventuated or not would be decided by the ratepayers.

Cr. W. B. Dixon endorsed the remarks of the previous speakers and remarked that a man who had put in 25 years at the Council table was worthy of a V.C. There was not much kudos to be gained and they were always in hot water. A man that cculd hold his seat for such a long period was 'to be admired and ‘he hoped that Cr. Walker would offer his services at next election. His ideas were always sound and there was still much goed service in him.

Cr. Walker suitably replied and stated that the presentation had come as a great surprise to him. He had not expected anything but abuse. He could well remember the first time he took his seat as a councillor in a building behind the Police Station, where they had many pleasant evenings. They had had their difficulties and differences, but he did not believe in keeping up feelings after the meetings closed. He was quite sure that every councillor he bad ever sat with had endeavoured to do his best. They had been very modest with their demands upon the ratepayers in the matter of loans and li£ believed that if they had been less considerate and raised more money to keep the borough in better order then they would to-day have been more appreciated.