COUNTY CHAIRMAN.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 84, 22 November 1911, Page 5

COUNTY CHAIRMAN.

ELECTION TO FILL THE VACANT POSITION. CR. HATHAWAY ELECTED. The annual meeting of the Stratford County Council was held at noon to-day, the chief business being tin; election of a chairman. Or. Walter nominated Cr. Marfell. He said that they had all for years known Cr. Marfell, who was known throughout Taranaki as a successful business man. He had made a success of his own business, and Cr. Walter was sure he would make a success of the County business. If Mi’. Merchant were available for the position he would lie the right man in the right place, but Cr. Marfell’s work as chairman of the Hospital Board was a great credit to him. # Cr. Smith seconded. He said In’s position was somewhat delicate. He and his colleague were only on the

Council on sufferance during their good behaviour. (Laughter). Cr. Thomson nominated Cr. Hathaway. Ho had nothing against Cr. Marfell. Cr. Hathaway had had experience on tiie Alanganni Road Board, and round the Council table lie had always displayed a desire to treat everybody fairly. They wanted a chairman of that kind. Cr. C'hristoffel seconded. Or. Marfall had made an excellent chairman of the Hospital Board, hut he lived further away than Cr. Hathaway. Cr. Marfell said those should bo an understanding before the chairman was elected. Previously there had been a bone of contention over control of work. Ho, Cr. Walter and others of the old members had endeavoured to get the whole of the Council’s work controlled by one man. If ■looted ho would still bold that idea. The question vitally affected the engineer. He did not- desire to change because be thought the engineer was not thoroughly capable. He objected to the present system. He could not promise to fill the position with the ability displayed by Mr. Atarchant. He thought it meet at that time to express itis sense of loss at the absence of Air. Dlarchant. Dir. Alarchant had been an excellent chairman, and the interests of the County wore always close to his heart. If elected chairman of the County ho would resign his position as chairman' of the Hospital Board, as ho had not the necessary time to fill both positions, and it was desirable for the eiiairman of the Hospital Board to live close to town.

Cr. Hathaway said he did not seek the position very much. If elected lie did not promise anything but fair play all round. On the Council there was one gentleman who' had sat with him on tne Manganui Road Board, who would tell them that on that body lie had always been fair to all.

A ballot resulted in Cr. Hathaway receiving four votes and Cr. Aiarfell three.

Cr. Hathaway thanked members for their expression of- confidence. Ho would endeavour to carry out his duties with fairness to everybody, although lie could not hope to do so well as Air. Marchant. Cr. Aiarfell said that in the future lie would back up the new chairman as much as ho could.

Cr. Smith said Cr. Hathaway would have his hearty support. He had been with Cr. Hathaway on tho Manganui Road Board, where ho was very successful. Ho was sure ho would make a. hard-working chairman. tv. Walter, as nominator of Or. Aiarfell, said the new chairman would have his support.