MAYOR FOR SEVEN YEARS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VI, Issue 1624, 29 April 1919, Page 10

MAYOR FOR SEVEN YEARS.

MR H. HOLLAND'S RETIREMENT. A VALEDICTORY FUNCTION. After the C'hristchureh City Council's meeting last evening, the retiring mayor (Mr H. Holland), and Mrs Holland, gave a farewell dinner, in the Cadena Rooms, C'ashel Street, to members of the council, principal officers of the corporation staff, and their wives. About 40 were present. After dinner, a toast list was gone through. Cr A. Williams (Deputy-Mayor), in proposing the toast of the Mayor and Mrs Holland, spoke of Mr Holland's work for Christchurch in the past seven years, as its mayor. TJiey were seven tedious years iu which Mr Holland had had more to contend with than previous mayors in the preceding 27 years. The speaker dwelt upon the great amount of work which Mr and Mrs Holland had done in connection with war funds—particularly the Canterbury Patriotic P'-.rd, instituted by the Mayor, and the Lady Liverpool Fund, for which Mrs Holland had done splendid work. The speaker believed that the Lady Liverpool Fund had done more for New Zealand soldiers than any other fund in the Dominion. Then, just at the cessation of hostilities, had come the influenza epidemic, in fighting which Mr and Mrs Holland had worked untiringly. In seven years as mayor, Mr Holland had won the admiration of all for the courage of his convictions and the very, gentlemanly way in which he had conducted the proceedings of the Christchurch City Council. Mr Holland had not seen eye to eye with every citizen during his term of office, but he had earned the respect and esteem of every citizen. The toast was honoured enthusiastically. In responding, the Mayor mentioned that he had had eight years' experience of the Christchurch City Councl, for seven of which he had been mayor. The memory of those years, in which he had made many .cherished friendships, would be an abiding one. Of the 14 men who composed the City Council in 1911, only four—Crs A. Williams, A. S. Taylor and F. Burgoyne, and himself —remained in office to-day. Since 1911, the strength of the council had been increased to 16 members. He did not think that had been any improvement, as the smaller council certainly did its work quite as efficiently and with greater dispatch. He thought, too, that there had been a more cordial relationship than had obtained with the larger council. With the larger council the party element became more manifest, and there was a greater ; tendency to talk to the "gallery" and the newspapers. Mr Holland proceeded to review some of the principal events which had occurred during his term of office. While he was a councillor, there had been the Coronation of King George V. The first serious attempt to foster the use of electricity for domestic purposes in Christchurch had been made at his instance, and it was gratifying to find that so much of what he had advocated in 1911 had been carried into effect. In his term as mayor, there had been the big strike of 1913, the war, and the influenza epidemic. Notwithstanding all the difficulties the council had had to contend with, the increased cost of materials for its works, the increase of wages, and other things, he was of opinion that the city's bank overdraft to-day was smaller than it was in 1911. The speaker mentioned also the acquisition of Victoria Park and Richmond Park, the prospect of Elmwood Park being acquired—he urged the purchase of that property—the progress which had been made in connection with the city's reserves, the profitable afforestation policy which had been adopted, and the progress in connection with waterworks, streets, electricity, and

other municipal matters. In.speaking of 'wages, he pointed out that in 1911. the general labourer received 7/(i, but to-day the council was paving 12/- a j day, and it had also a superannuation fund for its employees. In concluding, Mr Holland expressed, Jon Mrs Holland's behalf as well as his . own, thanks for all the courtesy and kindness they had received from the present council and previous councils. He also spoke of the council's staff, saying that it had been a great privilege to be associated with such a capable and efficient body of men and women, for the council has some really excellent women on its staff. He could not speak too highly of the Town Clerk (Mr H. B. Smith). The citizens were to be congratulated on having in their service a man of Mr Smith's high qualifications. Thoroughly honest, he could be entrusted with any delicate confidential matter. To know" him was to respect and admire him. Mr A. D. Dobson, the city surveyor, had always placed his skill and best services at the speaker's disposal ungrudgingly and cheerfully. The City Electrical Engineer (Mr E. E. Stark) was a master of his profession, and his undoubted skill had been largely instrumental in bringing the electrical undertaking to such a satisfactory state of efficiency. Mr J. S. Nevill, Mr J. Anderson, Mr Dawe, Mr Lithgoe, the lady typists—indeed, every officer, clerk, messenger, and every workman in the council's service—had all contributed in no small way to make his term . a pleasant and enjoyable ' time. The Mayor also spoke of his great love for the city, and his.hope that ,the Mayor and councillors who were returned would do their utmost for the service of the community. Perhaps at some future date, if the citizens desired him and his health permitted, he would again be a candidate for municipal honours. The toast of "The Retiring Councillors '' waß proposed by Cr J. A. Flesher, who expressed regret that so many of the older and more experienced councillors—Crs A. S. Taylor, J. R. Hayward, H. 6. Ell, M.P., A. M. Loasby, and P. R. Climie —were not seeking re-election. Crs Tavlor, Hayward, Ell, and Climie responded The toast of "The City Staff" was proposed by Cr Taylor, and responded to by Messrs H. R. Smith (Town Clerk), A. D. Dobson (City Surveyor), and E. E. Stark (Electrical Engineer). Cr J. R. Hayward proposed the toast of "The Ladies," and Mrs Holland replied.