A BUSY CHAIRMAN.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 31, 21 September 1911, Page 7

A BUSY CHAIRMAN.

MR. MAHCHANT’S VISITS TO WELLINGTON.

Mr G. A. Marcliant, chairman of the Stratford County Council, made a report to tlie mooting of the Council yesterday morning regarding his recent visit to Wellington on various matters of interest to the county. Ho said ho had left Stratford on August 17th and had remained in Wellington ‘until the 26th: Ho had throe mutters to attend to—to make representations regarding electoral boundaries, asking that the West Hiding he restored to Stratford and the Oinona and Mangamingi district he cut out; to sea that the Council’s interests were conserved in connection with the Opuankc railway petition arranged by the Normandy Town Hoard; and to attend the annual conference of the Counties’ Association. lie had seen the secretary of' the Representation Commission and had gone thoroughly into the question of electoral boundaries with him, but ho was not granted a personal interview with the Commission, they not desiring this in any case: However,' lie had sent in a written statement which, lie felt sure, would carry much weight. The district members of Parliament were interviewed and were asked to see, when the Normanhy petition was considered, that Stratford was not debarred from giving evidence before tho Petitions Committee through having been left nit- of the preamble to the petition. The Counties’ Conference passed all the remits submitted by the Stratford Council. The conference was an excellent one in every respect. Wonderful self-restraint was displayed by delegates in sitting still when they might have been wasting time in talking. The delegates waited: do Sir James Carroll,b Acting-Premier,'• and •oportod on tbhirudeliberations;' His reply was cautions but from its tone lie (Mr Marcliant) got the impression that the Government were now alive to the necessity of passing a now local governing, law. Cr Astbury said the thanks of the Council were dud'to Mr .Merchant for tho manner in which ho had looked if tor their interests. Tie moved a, vote of thanks to Ivl!■ Marcliant. Cr Hathaway seconded tho motion. He said the Council was fortunate in having as chairman such a man as Mr Marcliant. The motion was carried unanimously. Tho Council voted a sum of .-£2') to cover the chairman’s expenses on his visit to Wellington.