MAYORAL INSTALLATION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 287, 7 May 1914, Page 6

MAYORAL INSTALLATION.

. -- IN UNUSUAL SURROUNDINGS.' Tho ceremony of installing a Mayor is generally the signal for a little mild | rejoicing, a good collation of sandwiches and lemonade, over which, borough councillors forget the bottles at tho Council table and wax eloquent. New Plymouth lias been deprived for the nonce of this anild excitement, for its Mayorelect, Mr. J. E. Wilson, is in the hospital suffering with typhoid fever, and it was in tho hospital, therefore, that yesterday's installation ceremony took place. The regrettable illness of Mr. YVilsou at tho time of his election gave rise to a peculiar legal position. Tho law provides that the Mayor-elect shall oil the first Wednesday in May succeeding his election sign the usual declaration mi the presence of a quorum of the Borough Council. It then became apparent that the Council would have to witness tho signature of the declaration in the hospital, and tlio only objection, except the question of Mr. Wilson's state of health, was that of contagion through the declaration itself. This was got over by tho destruction of the declara- '■ tion immediately after it had been sign- ' ed, the law thus 'being complied with ' and public health safeguarded at one ; and the same time. : Accordingly a quorum of the Borough Council attended at tlie hospital yester- ■ day morning. Mr. Wilson was able to fe sign the declaration without any dilliij culty, and in the incongruity of the hos- [ pita! ward he was formally installed as ' 'Mayor of New Plymouth. The declaration was witnessed by the deputy-Mayor (Mr. J. Clarke) and the deputy-town clerk (Mr. E..T. HoUlen). Councillors joined in expressing regret at Mr. Wilson's unfortunate illness, and wished him a speedy'recovery. The usual complimentary luncheon will take place when his Worship the Mayor is well enough to occupy the Mayoral chair. MR. BROWNE'S LAST MEETING. , The late Mayor of New Plymouth (Mr. G. W. Browne) said farewell to-the New Plymouth Borough Council after some eleven years' service at a meeting of that' body yesterday morning, prior to the installation of the new Mayor. There were present besides Mr. Browne: Crs..F. H. Jackson, W. Healy, A. H. Johnstone, W. Amburv, J. Kib'ov. N. T. MauHcr. J. Clarke, W. A. Collis and Geo. Tailor. Mr. Browne, in a brief address, thanked the Council for the. unfailing courtesy and willing assistance which ho 'had receiv. d at their hands during his term of oillt-c. He reviewed borough matters, and .incidentally dealt with the progress of Western.Park. He had been the Council's representative on the committee of the park since its inception, and had been so far the first and only chairman of that body. He had determined to show what could lie done to improve recreative reserves held under municipal control, and he could ask them all to visit the park and judge of the measure of his success. Thoy would then Bee how much had been accomplished with comparatively little money. He hoped that whoever took his place on the committee would continue this good work. Crs, Collis, Johnstone, Ambury and Clarke expressed regret at Mr. Browne's departure from the Council table, and thanked him for the courtesy he had always extended to the Council. THE NEW ORDER. The first meeting of the Borough Council, as at present constituted, was held last night, when there were present—Councillors W. Ambury, W. Healy, J. Kibby, F. H. Jackson, N. T. Maunder. A. 11. Johnstone, George Tabor, and W. A. Collis. Cr Collis was elected Deputy-Mayor. ' COMMITTEES. The only business was the appointment of the new committees, which wen; as follow: Works, tramways and estimates: The j whole council. His Worship the Mayor chairman. Executive: The whole council. Finance: His Worship the Mayor and X!ts Ambury, Jackson, Kibby, Collis and Johnstone. * ' Electric light: The whole council. Chairman, Cr Kibby. Abattoir: His Worship the Mayor and .Crs Kibby, Healy, Maunder, Tabor, and Mr 0. W. Sole. Reserves: Crs Collis, Sykes, Healy, Kibby and Maunder. Baths and Band: Crs Tabor (chairman), Sykes, Mannix, and Messrs H. Stocker and W. L. Newman. Western Park: His Worship tho Mayor, and Crs Sykes, Maunder, Tabor, Mr G. W. Browne, and four to be nominated by the West End residents. Pukekura Park: His Worship the Mayor, and Crs Ambury and Collis represent the counc'l on the board. Library: Ci-i Johnstone and Healy, Mr P. Wihite, and the Rev. A. B. Chappcll. Fire Board representatives: Crs Sykes, Jackson and Mannix. By-laws: His Worship the Mayor and Crs' J. Clarke, Jaekson, Johnstone and Kibby.