MATAURA NEWS

Southland Times, Issue 25302, 4 June 1935, Page 12

MATAURA NEWS

mr c. d. McConnell HONOURED COMPLIMENTARY SOCIAL (From,Our Correspondent.) One of the most enthusiastic gatherings held in Mataura during recent years took place in the Oddfellows Hall on Saturday evening, when a complimentary social by friends and supporters was tendered to Mr Charles D McConnell in recognition of his eighteen years’ service to the borough, for fourteen of which he occupied the mayoral chair. The attendance numbered almost 100, and throughout the evening many tributes were paid by citizens and ex-colleagues on the council to the manner in which he had discharged his duties and guided the destinies of the borough throughout this long period, several observing that under his direction many public facilities had been provided and in recent years a reduction of rates granted to ratepayers. Mr James Ingram who had had a long municipal connection with the guest occupied the chair, and associated with him on the platform was Mr John G. Sutherland, also an excouncillor. ; Briefly addressing the gathering after the toast of “The King” had been honoured, the chairman said that they were gathered to do honour to their ex-Mayor (Mr McConnell) and he asked their co-operation in carrying out the programme arranged by the committee responsible for organizing the gathering. Proposing the toast of “Mataura Borough Council,” Mr John Aitken said it was the most important body in the town. Councillors were entrusted with the business affairs of the ratepayers and their duty was to see that their town was prominently kept on the map. He felt that the present councillors would endeavour to do this, and as we could claim one of the finest boroughs in the Dominion, it devolved upon citizens to heartily co-operate with their representatives with this end in view. Responses were made by Councillors J. P. McErlean and J. McAllister. The toast of “Local Industries” was entrusted to Mr W. Gardiner, who intimated that he had been associated with one of the earliest industrial concerns established locally. Industrial development was necessary in the interests of their town. The response was by Mr T. Gaudion. The toast of “Our Guest,” was given by the chairman, who said that it offered a good deal of scope and it was difficult to know where to begin. Their guest, said the speaker, after four years apprenticeship as councillor had been elected Mayor, and immediately conceived a drainage scheme for which he had had sanctioned a loan of £6850, which was to provide in addition some kerbing and channelling; having secured this it was found necessary to promote a water scheme. It would be recalled that 25 years ago a loan of £7OOO had Beer, sanctioned, the then council having secured the pipes but had no water to put through them. This he believed the biggest blunder ever committed by th_ borough. From 1912 to 1949 this would cost the ratepayers £357 8/4 annually in interest and sinking fund charges. Profiting by the mistakes of 'previous councils Mr McConnell had taken every caution to ensure success of his proposal for £13,500 expenditure which scheme was subsequently endorsed by the ratepayers at a poll. Mr Ingram here enumerated many incidents relative to the finalizing of the scheme, and ultimately a communication was received from the Director of Health soliciting particulars concerning the supply, and in a further letter congratulations on securing so efficient a service at such a cheap figure. < He also mentioned the drainage loan which had also meant a saving of from £4OO to £5OO to the ratepayers. In the years 1921-1931 their guest had been entrusted with a cheque of £22,950, not one penny of which had been misspent. At the latter year the rates had reached peak, but the far-seeing policy of Mr McConnell had made it possible for a reduction of 60 per cent. He believed Mr McConnell had left monuments to his memory during his 14 years occupancy of the mayoral chair, as .heir town to-day had facilities and convenience- to serve twice their population Further illustrating his progressive policy the speaker spoke of their guest’s activities in endeavouring to induce the promoters of the jute mill to select Mataura for their establishment; but if only the leading business men had put their shoulder to the wheel the scheme would not have been held up so long. He thought Mr McConnell’s defeat could be taken under four headings (1) The half-holiday; (2) time; (3) the personal factor; (4) money. Regarding the formerTt would have to be tackled sooner or later, the recent poll at Gore illustrated public feeling. Time was important, many electors believing he had been there long enough, hence the change. The personal factor, was indicated by the remark of one gentleman to him to leave a sinking ship, but he had replied “Where can you find me a better skipper?” (Applause). Concluding, Mr Ingram referred to the splendid part played by Mrs McConnell in her work as Mayoress, and he thought a good deal of Mr McConnell’s success was due to Mrs McConnell’s co-operation and assistance. The toast was drunk with musical honours.

Further complimentary remarks were made by Messrs John Sutherland, J. W. Aitken, A. J. Cruickshanks, J. P. McErlean, D. A. Coster, W. Gardiner and J. Hart.

Loud and continuous applause with the singing of “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow” greeted Mr McConnell when he rose to reply. First of all, he said, he desired to acknowledge gratefully the reference to his wife, and admitted that without a happy home influence not much success could be achieved in public life. He found it difficult to fully express his thanks to this gathering of old friends which were to him more valuable than money. Much had been said by various speakers what he had done; personally he did not like that “I” business, he readily admitted it was “we” who had done it. Each councillor had done his part, though it was quite probable their efforts had not received due appreciation by the electors. In passing he made reference to the original drainage scheme which was costing £350 annually for something ratepayers never got. Instead a scheme had been evolved whereby £l5O was paid for a site for which a previous council had offered £lOOO. Moreover a reserve of 5 acres had been secured which might serve as a desirable picnic ground for future generations as it was under a lease in perpetuity. He felt he had nothing to be ashamed of. Touching on the recent election he readily bowed to the wish of the majority. His heart was here, as his home and family were here. He had offered his successor, Mr Buchanan, any advice that he might avail himself of. Here he digressed to give some humorous incidents of his first landing in Mataura and the events which lead up to his accepting nomination for Mayor. Their town was one of the lowest rated in the Dominion, and if he had been elected he would have endeavoured to secure a further, reduction in this direction. It had freely beeii asserted he

had tried to “run” the council, but such was not the case. Very often upon hearing arguments for and against proposals he had changed his attitude in the interest of the borough. Similarly, he could truthfully say that while they had had their differences of opinion at the council table these were forgotten immediately they left there. Concluding, he again thanked them for the gathering and he trusted they acknowledged he hat. taken his defeat in the proper spirit, and intimated that if his services were required at any byelection or future council he would be happy to offer them. (Loud applause). Throughout the evening vocal and instrumental items were rendered by Messrs Ewan Cameron, H. Bringans, O. E. Hubener and James Henery. Highland Society.

The monthly meeting of the Mataura Highland Society held in the Oddfellows Hall recently attracted a splendid attendance of clansfolk. Chief A. N. Mac Gibbon presided and had associated with him on the platform Chieftain A. W. Halliday and the Rev. R. C. Boyd, of Waikaia, the speaker of the evening. A splendid programme of musical and elocutionary items was presented and eighteen new members were proposed. Taking as the subject of his talk, “Wit of many lands,” Mr Boyd kept the audience in a state of merriment while he related various stories and witticisms of many countries, and at the conclusion he was accorded a hearty vote of thanks. Subsequently a dance was held and an enjoyable session concluded with the singing of Auld Lang Syne and the National Anthem. Ladies’ Rest Room.

For the purpose of furthering the proposal to erect a ladies’ rest room locally a meeting of the committee was held on Thursday, there being present Messrs C. D. McConnell (chairman), J. H. Clark, D. O’Brien, W. T. Parker, his Worship the Mayor (Mr John Buchanan), T. H. Butler, Mesdames R. Hutton, R. Pryde, C. D. Taylor, J. H. Sutherland, • A. Coombs, W. L. Scott. Addressing the meeting Mr McConnell stated that that already £75 had been raised to iorm the nucleus of a fund for the purpose in view. Various organizations notably the Women’s Division, and Ladies’ Institute had assisted and by their efforts together with £39 12/6 raised by dances, competitions and entertainments the sum mentioned was in hand. After a discussion as to the best ways and means of augmenting this amount it was agreed to adjourn until such time as the original minutes and papers were placed in the hands of the secretary. Hunt Club. The annual meeting of the Mataura branch of the Birchwood Hunt Club was held in the Coronation Hall on Saturday evening when there was a large attendance of members present, Mr' W. L. Scott (president) occupying the chair.

The annual report and balance-sheet was presented by the secretary, Mr V 9 Burns, and was as follows:—The membership has been extremely satisfactory, 13 being fully paid up members of the Birchwood Hunt Club and 90 being members of the local branch, making a total of 103 in all. As the balancesheet shows the receipts amounted to the sum of £37 12/- whilst your expenditure was £3l 3/11, leaving a credit balance of £6 8/1 which, added to the credit balance of 17/1 from the previous year, makes a total credit of £7 5/2. The committee desires to express their appreciation of the help which your president, Mr W. L. Scott, has given, both in time and allowing the hunt to be run over his property. Thanks are also due to Messrs Scarlet, McVicar and Jones for placing their properties at the branch’s disposal; and to Mrs W. L. Scott for her kindness in throwing her house open to the members of the club and also to the visiting followers of the hunt. We would also like to express our appreciation of the work which the ladies did in preparing and handing round afternoon tea and finally to all helpers who came forward and assisted in preparing and erecting the course. In moving the adoption of both documents, the chairman expressed his pleasure at the large attendance which augured well for the success of the forthcoming hunting season. It must be agreed, said the speaker, that their meeting last year had been a most successful one, the renewed public interest as indicated by the attendance at the fixture being a matter for congratulation. The following officers were elected for the ensuing twelve months: President, Mr W. L. Scott; vice-presidents, Mr J. J. Ross, P. Amos, A. McKay, F. Ballantyne; hon. secretary and treasurer,, Mr W. Bums; committee, Messrs J. Hewlett, J. McAllister, W. Gardiner, R. Greer, T. Butler, sen., J. Burke, E. Cameron, J. Haugh, J. Maskill, R. Heaps with power to add; auditor, Mr Dan Russell. It was decided that complimentary tickets be issued to Doctors Woodhouse and Grove and his Worship the Mayor (Mr John Buchanan). Subsequently the members present discussed arrangements for the forthcoming meet of the hounds at Mataura. Votes of thanks were accorded the propertyowners, ladies and all who had assisted with the functions held last year. Obituary. Very deep regret was felt at Mataura on Thursday afternoon when it became known that Mr Ralph N. McDonald, for some years first assistant master at the local school, had passed away at the residence of his brother-in-law, Mr L. McKelvie, Kana street, following an attack of pneumonia. Deceased was particularly well known in many parts of the province, having taught at njany schools prior to his appointment to Mataura from whence he removed to Portobello as headmaster. Bom at Croydon Siding some 47 years ago the late Mr McDonald received his early education there; and subsequently took up the teaching profession. It was principally during his term at the Mataura school that his attainments secured for him due recognition; but he also took a very active interest in the sporting activities of the school. The success of the local school teams at many of the fixtures was largety due to his splendid knowledge of the Rugby code and it was during his. term as coach that the senior and junior fifteen had an unbeaten record. As a citizen he also took his share, being an active member of the Orchestral _ Society, Football Club, Highland Society and WE A. Of recent months he had been a keen student of the Douglas Credit system and only recently toured this district lecturing thereon. His untimely and unexpected demise came as a very great shock to citizens generally and to his widow and family the sympathy of a wide circle cf Mataura friends is extended. He is also survived by four brothers and four sisters, who reside in various centres of the Dominion. Ihe funeral, which took place on Saturday afternoon to the Gore Cemetery, was largely attended and reflected the esteem in which the deceased was held. The services at the house and graveside were conducted by the Rev. Cyprian /Webb, of Gore.