REVIEW BY MAYOR

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 68, Issue 5944, 17 May 1944, Page 5

REVIEW BY MAYOR

ACTIVITIES OF PAST THREE YEARS TRIBUTES PAID A comprehensive review of the work of Te Awamutu Borough Council was given by the Mayor (Mr L. G. Armstrong) at the final meeting of the Council held on Monday evening. Prefacing his review, His Worship said that it was probably the last time he would address councillors as Mayor. It was the one occasion when he was in the happy position of being able to speak his mind. There was a general lack of interest shown by the business people of Te Awamutu in their town, which had become progressive on its own volition supported by the wonderful district of which the borough was the centre. In comparing Te Awamutu now as against what it was twqnty-five (years ago, one wondered what it would be like had it been peopled during that time with business people who showed a greater public interest in the town than was shown at present. Continuing, the Mayor referred to the helpful services of the Chamber of Commerce. When the people switched on the electric light did they think of those citizens who organised the Power Board. Electric power had reached Te Awamutu years ago as the result of the work done by those people. The local Power Board was the first elecfric power board to be gazetted under the Act, and above all it bad preserved the name of Te Awamutu. The speaker wondered, too, if people thought about the mail services of the town. Those people who centred themselves within the four vails of their premises benefited by tie work of other people. It was not necessary to become a borough councillor in order to help the town. The Mayor went on to express appreciation and criticism of the Council’s activities that had appeared in the columns of the Courier. He was was not a shareholder in that company but he had often heard with amazement people speak disparagingly of the Courier. The local newspaper functioned as a great asset, and should be encouraged and helped not merely from a monetary viewpoint but in the interests of the town generally. Some people were inclined to compare the local newspaper with a city daily, which was unfair; but if comparison was made it should be with similar country papers. Mr Armstrong thanked the press for the help it had given. His Worship then proceeded to give his formal review as follows: BUSINESS AND LACK OF INTEREST IN TOWN AFFAIRS In this, the last Council meeting of this term, and practically the finish of my Mayoralty, I think it quite in order that I should make certain comments and give a brief review of the happenings during the period just terminating. I desire first to place on record my grateful thanks to individual Councillors for their help in managing the affairs of the Borough during a somewhat difficult time. The whole of the activities of the Council have emphasised the value of team work. Had the deliberations at our meetings been rent by factions pulling this way or that, we could not have attained that degree of progress which we have accomplished despite the shortages, of materials and labour difficulties, brought about by war and other conditions. The residents’ interests are best served by a set of Councillors who will work as a team —a set of men who let neither parochialism or political bias influence their decisions, in all matters pertaining to council work, who let the best interests of the people as a whole be the paramount and indeed the only factor upon which to base their decisions. The burgesses of Te Awamutu, if they only know it, have such a set-up in the present Council, and I strongly recommend the electors on polling day to remember this circumstance, and to return such of the sitting members who again offer their services. They are a well-balanced, sincere and even team in whom every confidence can be placed. It his come within my experience to sit on eight successive Councils during my 15 years’ service in this Boroufh, and I say that for team work of a very high order, and for level-leaded consideration of every detail of the work, the present Council ranks among the best. I vish to thank the Town Clerk for hs good offices during my period I agiin came into close contact with him three years ago after a lapse of over ten years’ recess to find that he has not altered in the slightest iegree. He still functions as a cushon between the ratepayers and his Council, and in such capacity he takis the hard knocks in his own ininitable way. The troubles that other local bodies haw encountered in the mis-deeds of thar executive officers have not torched Te Awamutu, and never will, whle it is served by a man like Mr Bckett. So long as he remains in oflee, we will always have a clean, staight and healthy administration, aid that is a very big thing, so impa'tant in fact, that it is worth being piced above any other consideration. Mr Bockett has been ably assisted b Miss Hawke, and nothing would hve pleased me better than to have sen brought into being those improvfl. working conditions to which the loUTicil has so often given consideraion—l refer to the remodelling of he office and Council Chambers, the Racing at their disposal modern office ’acidities, as well as other improvenents. Time has beaten us however; ,ve seem to have been so pre-occupied with all the major works to which I will refer presently. Perhaps the greatest factor in preventing the proposed office improvements from being carried out was the dire necessity during the -Japanese peril of organising the nreventive measures called the E.P.S. For a considerable time the E.P.S. occupied the minds and activities of Councillors, as the bulk of the organising and administrative part of the E.P.S. fell to the Executives of the Waipa County Council and the Te

Awamutu Borough Council. During this time a lot of the normal work of both bodies had to be suspended. The outgoing Council was elected in 1941, and during its term of office there has been many changes in the personnel, and I regret to say that death accounted for one esteemed Councillor, the late Mr James North. Of the original elected Council only one half now remain in office. Cr A. Hill resigned owing to his having joined the Army, and Cr G. S. Clarke was appointed to fill the vacancy. Cr L. S. Armstrong lost his seat through an innocent breach of the Regulations, and Cr A. H. Roberts was appointed to fill the vacancy. Cr Dalton resigned his seat on the Council for business reasons, and Cr Jukes was appointed to fill the vacancy. Cr Hopping was appointed to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Cr North.

During the Council’s term of office many important undertakings have been completed, and other proposals commenced.

£25,000 Sewerage Improvement: The raising of this loan is now in progress and a comprehensive report on a sewerage improvement scheme has been prepared by Mr R. P. Worley, Chartered Engineer of Auckland. The plan shows the proposed new branch sewer westward of the Railway Station. A branch runs from the existing sewer near the Te Awamutu Dairy Factory to Frontier Road and the South end of Pakura Street. A detailed plan of the proposed new septic tank has also been prepared. Additional branch sewers are also shown. The proposed 15 inch pipe will increase the capacity of the present main sewer by 140 per cent, and the 12 inch sewer by 60 per cent. The construction of the gravity sewer will mean that the present very costly pumping station will be discontinued. This station at the present time pumps the sewage from the main part of the borough, everything in fact east of Mutu and College Streets. The size of the proposed new compartment of the septic tank is 73 feet long, 25 feet wide, and from 7 to 10 feet depth of sewage. It will hold 100,000 gallons. The whole capacity of the present tank is 58,000 gallons. The new tank will be constructed 200 yards lower down the Mangapiko Stream. The reason for this is to secure more room, not especially for the present, but for the future, when filter beds will be needed. Water Supply: The water supply improvement works at the Headworks, Pirongia Mountain, has been completed at a cost of £1943 5s 9d. The extension of large water pipe on the Kikikihi Road up to the Borough boundary has been laid, 1960 feet with 6 inch and 5 inch mains at a cost of £BO2 3s 3d.

Stock Road: A new stock road has been made, commencing from the Pirongia Road—beyond the Te Awamutu Butter Factory—-thence under the Railway bridge, and along the Mangapiko River up to Tawhio Street at a cost of £2402 9s lid. New Street, Farmers’ Auctioneering Coy.: The Council purchased land from the Farmers’ AuctioneeringCompany at £lBOO for the purpose of constructing a new street from Alexandra Street, opposite Kirk’s Garage, to Mahoe Street, in close proximity to the Municipal Saleyards’. Borough Nursery: A Borough Nursery has been established in Mangapiko Street, the cost including the foreman’s residence, etc., up to date has been £1156 Bs, area approximately 6 acres. The estimated number of young trees for transplanting on to the Pirongia Mountain Water Supply Catchment Area is 72,000. The labourcosts and seeds £439 5s 6d (last year’s labour expenditure £179 7s 8d). The Council sold last year trees to the value of £254 2s to the Pirongia Mountain Afforestation Committee There are 72,000 plants ready to be planted out this year as mentioned, and they are worth £7 per 1,000, and 200,000 seedlings worth £3 per 1,000 in the nrusery. Concrete Footpaths Laid Down: The total length of concrete footpaths laid down was 60 chains.

Cemetery: During the Council’s term of office an additional area (adjoining the Cemetery) of 3 roods of land was purchased for £67 10s, the total area now being 5 acres 3 roods. The grounds have been kept in order and new paths constructed and metalled. Total number of burials to date, 787 since the present Cemetery was opened in 1914, and prior to that date the burials took place in St. John’s Anglican Cemetery in Te Awamutu. General Streets Maintenance: Expenditure last year was £3465 17s Id. Water Supply Catchment Area Tree Planting: The total number of trees planted on the Water Supply Catchment Area, Pirongia Mountain, was 88,000, and total 500,000. Domain Grounds: These grounds have been well maintained at a cost of £2OO. An improved water supply has been provided for in Victoria Park, 5 inch main and labour, at a cost of £l7l 16s 6d. The various pavilions have been painted and plumbing work done at a cost of £179 13s 2d. ‘

Town Hall: The Town Hall has been painted at a cost of £124 18s 6d. Swimming Baths: Improvements have been carried out at the Municipal Swimming Baths, cost £l4l 18s Bd. We received from the Swimming Club this, year a subsidy of £75. Finances: As will be noticed by the balance sheet for the past year the finances have been most satisfactory. The general account shows a small debit of £35 Ils lid. It will be seen that the various other accounts are in credit.

The rate collection has been very satisfactory, the total of all rates outstanding at the end of the year being £361 0s lid. The total rates collectable being £16,144 10s, and the rates collected amounted to £15,125 19s 7d, a discount of £657 10s was rebated. Although the Borough Foreman, Mr R. H. Close, has had to shoulder a big job in carrying on the various works mentioned, it was in the water supply improvement work that he was called upon to go through a period of great strain. The consumers should be told that the undertaking to eliminate the dangerous tunnel was a delicate and critical operation, where a false move or any patch of bad luck might have had a disastrous effect on life within the Borough. It takes little imagination to conjure up the chaos that would have ensued had things gone wrong. Water enters into every phase of our community life, but had our sewerage scheme been interrupted

on account of the cessation of the flow, it would have been a major disaster.

By preparing with great foresight arid judgment his arrangements beforehand, by anticipating every likely contingency, and by close supervision while the work was in progress, Mr Close carried it on to a successful conclusion. But he had to be on hand night and day, and it was a spent but satisfied man that eventually rang through to say that the change-over had been effected. I would have liked to make a full report on the afforestation work now in progress, but it is a subject which is better to do full justice to or to leave alone.

I shall therefore content myself by saying that in our Borough Foreman we have a very versatile man. He is a loyer of trees, and delights in the work of cultivating them. This Council has encouraged him to the fullest extent, and I am sure in due time the ratepayers will reap a great reward as a result of this and previous Councils’ confidence in re-afforestation as a muncipal undertaking under the supervision of Mr Close. The Public Library conducted under the- State Country Library Service, subsidised by the Council, and managed by a Committee, comprising three Borough Councillors and three approved representatives of the Public, has prospered during our term. The number of subscribers has now reached the thousand mark, and as the great value of the Country Library Service becomes still more widely realised, this number will certainly increase. I wish to place on record my appreciation of the work of the Library Committee, and to express what a pleasure it has always been to me to associated with its members.

The burgesses should approve of the subsidy allotted each year to the Municipal Band, as it has rendered full value in the provision of music for all public functions. The Band has been unsparing in its efforts to support all movements making for the betterment of the community, more particularly in helping the Patriotic Society.

I have many regrets in laying down the tools of office; the chief among them is perhaps the termination of my very happy contact with Councillors and staff alike, and in doing so, wish the incoming Council a very successful term of office.

In elaborating on the question of the stock route Mr Armstrong said its inception was due to a previous Council, and the present Council had carried the work into effect. One of the route’s advantages was that it obviated the necessity to drive cattle past the District High School, thus securing the children against danger to life and limb.

A hearty round of applause greeted His Worship, as he resumed his seat. The deputy Mayor (Cr F. Parsons) said councillors appreciated everything that His Worship had said in the report. They had all been very happy with the Mayor, and had enjoyed the Council work. The speaker felt that the Council had done the job with distinction and energy. He thanked the Mayor for his leadership. Cr V. A. De Coek, in associating himself with Cr Parsons’ remarks, said it was only fitting that those councillors who had sat with the Mayor for three years should record appreciation of his chairmanship, which was discharged with unfailing patience, courtesy, and good humour. He attributed the happy relationships that existed at the Council table to those qualities, and it resulted in the team-work spoken of in the report. It did not help accomplishment of borough affairs if the councillors were at loggerheads, and the Mayor had accomplished much in that respect. In speaking of the report Cr De Coek said a great deal had been done without any increase in the borough rates. The Mayor had also held office during a critical period, and the organisation and work of the E.P.S. involved a terrific amount of labour. Though the Mayor merited a well-earned rest the borough was going to suffer from his retirement, and the speaker wished him all the best in that retirement.

Cr G. S. Clarke, speaking as one with a short term of service on the Council, thanked the Mayor for the way in which he had conducted the business of the Council. He was pleased to hear the Mayor’s reference to the Courier. He also regretted that Mt Armstrong' would not be Mayor when they would be able to announce the establishment of a hospital in Te Awamutu, and also when thev would be able to announce a reduction or elimination of the rates consequent on the successes of the forestry on Mount Pirongia. That scheme had great potential advantages, and even if a tree was never cut it would still be a great advantage in regard to climatic benefits and the pleasure of living: Cr Clarke thanked the Mayor for many courtesies, and trusted he would long be spared to see the town progress, for the speaker was satisfied it must progress despite the possibility of a depression, for it would progress so long as the people had faith in the future of the town. Cr Clarke also thanked the town clerk (Mr D. Bockett) and Miss A. F. Hawke for their assistance and courtesy to him. No one had done more for the progress of Te Awamutu and district than had the Courier.

The Mayor referred to the- retirement of Crs E. R. Olsen and M. Jukes, and he paid a tribute to their services to the borough. Those councillors who are again offering their services and who are successful will be associated with strange faces when they are next assembled. It may happen, as it often does in local body affairs, that through want of understanding of the background and circumstances under which a previous Council’s decisions have been made a wrongful judgment is passed on their actions. By their experience in being in touch with all matters handled by the retiring Council, the re-elected Councillors, in the absence of their former associates, will be in a position to correct this tendency. The town clerk (Mr D. Bockett) thanked the Mayor and Cr Clarke fof their remarks in reference to Miss Hawke and himself. They had received nothing but kindness and consideration from the Mayor. He wished all those seeking re-election good luck. The office staff wished to convey their kind' regards to the

Mayoress, whose co-operation they appreciated.

The Mayor, at the close of the meeting, took formal leave of the Council, and many expressions of goodwill, appreciation, and thanks were extended to Mr Armstrong.