ANNUAL MEETINGS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVI, Issue 14908, 28 November 1912, Page 8

ANNUAL MEETINGS.

: : ~ * OF COUNTY COUNCILS. statutory animal meetings of tho Gppnty Councils of the Dominion were held yesterday, for the election of chairmen and other annual business. JJte following reports refer to the IdgatjCbuncils named: — MACKENZIE. 1 Mr F. R. Gillingham was unani- I mously re-elected chairman, after 17 ] years in that honorary position. In I expressing his thanks for the honour j conferred upon him, Mr Gillingham \ said he was grateful for the continuous confidence reposed in him as president art the meetings. He paid a tribute to the eo-operation and conduct of all the members, all of whom had fulfilled their duties well as councillors and had greatly assisted him. He trusted, in conclusion, that tho Council would have another prosperous year, and that the business would proceed as smoothly and soundly as usuaL. Mr ;E. Macdonald was appointed tho Council's representative on the Timaru

High School Board of Governors, vice Mr Robert Guthrie. I The annual report of the several Cemetery Committees were received: — Albury.—Mr R. Irving, chairman of the Albury Committee, reported that there had been two interments during tho year. The grounds had been regularly attended to by Mr R. Caswell. Though some young spruces had died the majority of the trees and shrubs planted had made good progress. .The grubbing of some gorse on an adjoining reserve was recommended to the Council. The Committee thanked the I Council for prompt attention to re_ | quests, and they would be pleased to j act for a further terms. \ Fairlio.—Mr John McGregor vci ported that the cemetery had been i fairly well kept by the caretaker, but '; some trimming was to be done this i month. The trees had been culled iand general"improvements made, at a I cost of £6 Ss. Suggestions were made for amending the conditions of ' I the caretaker's agreement. t j Burke's Pass.—Mr T. D. Burnett re.l ported that the cemetery was in good [! order, except that some people had . • failed to remove branches of felled i trees. The difficulty in. obtaining lav • hour had prevented some desired imj. provements being done, the cost of

which was estimated at £5 to £6. The present members were willing to serve again. Tho' three committees were unanimously re-elected, and thanked for their services. The annual grant of £lO each to the Albury and Burke's Pass Committees was. made, and £3O was voted to tho Fairlie Committee. GERALDINE. The annual meeting of the Gtraldine County Council was held at noon yesterday. —Messrs G. J- l)ennistoun. chairman, Col. Hayhurst, Col. Mackenzie, Messrs Armitage, Grant, Fhitman and Mulvihill. The chairman said the bank book showed a'credit o? about £I3OO, and there were rates outstanding to the amount of £6OO, making rougU'.y about £2300 to credit. It was mmoeosary for hira to euu iterate the work done during the year, but he wished to thank all tho members for the couitesy aud consideration they had show.i, as well - as their constant help, 'i hey had got on very pleasantly and profitably. Tho clerk asked for nominations for tho chairmanship. Col. Hayhurst nominated Mr Dennistoun for re-election. That genrle'ian's consistent courtesy peculiarly fitted him for the office, lie had given .-.'tnplete satisfaction to members and l.ud done well for the district. Notwithstanding a letter that had appeared in a J'omuka. paper, which letter wns quiio uncalled I'or, ho had given every attention to | the business, and though lie might havo abswited himself from ;o:uo iiinctions ho had done all they had a l ight to expect of him. Mr Armitage. in seconding t 1 o motion, said that Mr Donnistoun lad shown in his public life that charming courtesy which was characteristic of him in his privato life. Mr Mulvihill, as a new mem'ier, endorsed all that had said. Mr Denuistoun had given every "lember fair play and had listened Ktieacivoly to tho wants expressed by every deputation. Tho motion was carried with a; carnation. Mr Dennistonn thanked them for the honour they had done him. '1 here were probably far hotter men at the table for the position, hut he had clone

his best and would c-ontinue his c frorts. He was very grateful :i> them and lie j>ed tilings would go as smootuly cs in tlis> past. It was he 'inqht bo eoing Home next year, and if so that would bo his last terra in that chair, which ho had found so comfortable. The election of two represent a r.i 'es of the High School lic.nnl ivus then proceeded with. Sir Flatinnn said ti.ev appreciated tha good work done by Messrs Arm it age and Grant, but he thought it only fair that. GeraWluo as well as Teinuka ;honkl bo represented. Col. Hayhurst agreed with Mr F latin ail and without any feeling against ihe two gentlemen mentioned be bogged to nominate Col. Mackenzie. -Sir -ivntitano seconded tlio lioniiii ation. Messrs Grant and Artnitage were also nominated, and on a ballet l>ei:ig taken Col. Mackenzie and Mr Grant were declared duly elected. Mr Armit-age congratulated Col. Mackenzie, and the latter in expressing thanks said he regretted Iha L Mr Arniitago had not been re-olected. and said he would not have stood but for the wish that Gorakline should bs represented. Mr Grant having expressed thanks, the chairman, on behalf of the Council, thanked Mr Annitaao for his ; services which ho had performed faithfui'.v and well. This ended the business.

LEVELS.

The annual meeting of the Levels County Council was held at noon yesterday, all the members being present. The. County Clerk (Mr F. K. Whitehead) took the chair for the election of j chairman. ! Mr T. B. Garrick proposed and.Mr J. ! Stewart seconded, that Mr C. N. Orbell ; he re.-elected chairman, botli mover and \ seconder inferring in complimentary j terms to the able and highly satisfactory j manner in which Mr Orbell had led the I Council for more than twenty years. ; The motion was carried unanimously, : and Mr Orbell made suitable aeknow- ': ledgment oF the compliment paid him. '. A statement of the financial position ;of the Couuty was submitted. This ; showed that from April Ist to October • 28th, 1912. the expenditure had been ! £7465 los'2d: from October 28th to ; March 31st (the end of the financial j year) the estimated expenditure was , £3345; the liability on contracts was ; £1362 4s 4d. and on land and buildings i £'4o6. a grand total of £12,578 19s 6d. ' The total estimated receipts amounted to £14,087 5s lid. The estimated credit : balance at March 31st, 1913, provided j no further contracts are let, is £ISOB 6s | sd.

WAIMATE.

At the annual meeting of the Waimate County Council, Mr Hart, on leaving the chair, referred to the work accomplished by the Council during the past year, and thanked councillors for their assistance and courtesy during hi s term of office. On the motion of Messrs Walker and Milne a. resolution was passed expressing appreciation of Mr Hart's services as chairman. pn the motion of Messrs Lyall and Milne, Mr R. H. Rhodes was appointed chairman. There~was no other nomination. Mr J. Bitehener was reappointed the Council's representative on the Timaru High School Board. A long discussion took place in regard . to the day of meeting, a verv stronc ! feeling being shown in favour of holding j the meetings on Friday Instead of { Wednesdav. On being put to J he vrte Wednesday received four and Friday four votes, and the chairman's vole decided the matter, retaining the last Wednesday in the month as meeting day. b ■■ o T , ll( lv next nieetin g will be held on the ISth December.