WAIMATE MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18492, 6 February 1930, Page 7

WAIMATE

MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

At the Magistrate’s Court, before Mr S. J. McMaster, J.P., on Wednesday afternoon, Charles Kennedy, alias Karl Heintz, was charged that, on 4th. February, at Waimate, he did steal a pocket wallet valued at 15/-, the property of the Canterbury Farmers Coop. Association. Constable McGettigan, on behalf of the police, applied for a remand till Thursday morning, as other charges were pending.

PRESENTATION TO EX-TOWN CLERK. On Tuesday night, a representative gathering assembled at the Silver Band Hall, when a social and presentation was tendered to Mr W. A. Lee, who recently resigned from the position of Town Clerk, and who is leaving to take residence in Auckland. Those present included Messrs W. E. Evans and F. Nash (ex-Mayors), Councillors Kirby, Wylie, Richardson, Twomey, and Hoskins, the Town Clerk (Mr B S Runciman), County Clerk (Mr L.' J. Collins), County Engineer (Mr W. P. Black), Borough Solicitor (Mr S. I. Fitch), and Mr A. E. Lawrence (Timaru), a large majority of ex-Councillors, with representatives of practically every branch of business activity in the town. Mr W. E. Evans, who presided, announced that the gathering would be of quite an informal nature. He read apologies for absence from Messrs E. B. Fraser, J. J. Healey, G. W. Collett, G. Sadler, L. A. Lash, C. Cameron, Dr. Shackleton, S. R. Wood, T. E. Parry, L. C. Gunn, P. Grant, J. Menzies, L. C. W. Grylls, J. Henderson, J. H. Beattie, W. G. Paul, G. Manchester, G. McCulloch, O. Craighead, and A. Price. After the Loyal toast had been honoured, Mr Evans proposed the health of the guest of the evening, and in doing so said that as an ex-Mayor he had been associated with arranging the movement to recognise the many sterling qualities of the departing guest. He had known Mr Lee for about 35 years, during which period many happy times had been experienced, especially in the early days, when conditions were different. Mr Lee had occupied his first position in Waimate for 17 years, later joining his firm’s successors, and then becoming Town Clerk. During Mr Lee’s seven years’ term of office, the speaker had held office as Mayor for a term, and he had found the Town Clerk a capable and hard-working officer, to whom nothing was a trouble. In private life Mr Lee was unassuming, but was acknowledged a thoroughly straight man by all with whom he came in contact. All regretted his departure and the circumstances of his resignation. Mr Lee had been magnanimous enough to say that he preferred that nothing be said, but something should be said, as the remarks of the Mayor, which brought about the resignation, were entirely uncalled for. The Mayor’s statements had been j published throughout New Zealand, and had Mr Lee been seeking a similar position elsewhere, they might have been damaging. The Mayor’s remarks should have been unreservedly withdrawn, and the prime object of the function was to show that the remarks were not endorsed by the public of Waimate. Mr Evans then proposed the toast of “The Guest,” which was enthusiastically drunk with musical honours.

Mr F. Nash, another ex-Mayor, said that he was extremely sorry that the gathering was necessary. During the speaker’s term of office Mr Lee had been appointed, and the appointment had the endorsement of 99 per cent, of the burgesses. A Town Clerk’s work called for a fairly wide knowledge, and some of the duties did not tend for popularity, but Mr Lee had always be.en strictly impartial, and had done what he thought to oe right. When the recent crisis had arisen at the Council meeting, Mr Lee had done the right thing in resigning, but the speaker had not met one person who would bear out the Mayor’s statements. Waimate could ill afford to lose a man of Mr Lee’s calibre, and if he ever returned he was assured of a warm welcome, especially from exCouncillors. Mr Nash expressed the sincere regret at the departure of their guest, who had always played a fair and square game.

Councillor Twomey said he had known Mr Lee for over thirty years, and from four years’ experience as a Councillor, could endorse the remarks of the previous speakers. The circumstances of Mr Lee’s severance from his position were very regrettable. He wished Mr and Mrs Lee Godspeed, and trusted that good luck would attend them in their new sphere. Councillor Kirby expressed regret at losing so valuable a citizen as their guest. He (the speaker) had mfcved at the Council that Mr Lee re-consider his resignation. He had personal experience of Mr Lee’s courtesy and ability, and very much regretted his departure from Waimate.

Councillor Dr. Wylie said that he had entered the C ouncil under the wing of the present Mayor, but on the regrettable occasion on which the unkind remarks concerning the Town Clerk were uttered, he did not agree, and he was sure that every Councillor present felt the same. He was glad of the opportunity of publicly dissociating himself from the remarks, as it had always been a pleasure to meet Mr Lee and his family, both publicly and privately.

Mr C. G. Holmes said that he was the oldest ex-Councillor present. During the speaker’s term of office an episode similar to the present one had occurred, when eight Councillors had resigned, owing to the Mayor’s action, and five out of the eight had been re-elected. Mr Holmes said he could not le tthe opportunity pass of expressing his high appreciation of their guest’s many good qualities, and of wishing him the best of good luck in the future.

Mr F. T. Wallace said that he took a certain responsibility for Mr Lee’s resignation. On the historic occasion on which he had taken the Mayor to •task, he had no idea at the outset that the Town Clerk’s resignation would follow, and many people thought that he should not have resigned, but after the statements were made, there was no course open to a gentleman, other than x to resign. Councillors realised at* the time that they were losing a valuable servant, and approaohed Mr Lee to reconsider his resignation, but as an unreserved withdrawal of the remarks was not forthcoming, this could not be done. Regrettable as his departure was, Mr Lee had adopte dthe only course, and he wished him a full measure of success in Auckland.

Mr D. MacDonald said he also, as an ex-Councillor, would like to dissociate himself with the remarks which brought about the resignation. Mr Lee was a man possessed of business ability and integrity, and a man of integrity acting as Town Clerk was one of the greatest assets a town could have.

Mr S. I. Fitch, Borough solicitor, said he had known Mr Lee for the past twenty years. He had been held in the highest esteem by the Manchester family, who were his original Wai-

mate employers, and on his appointment to the position of Town Clerk it was recognised that a wise choice was made. Mr Lee knew the affairs of the Council most thoroughly. All his records were well and truly kept, and any information given him on Council matters was reliable to a degree. There had been other Town Clerks in Waimate, but there had never been a better one. Mr C. L. Gunn, chairman of the Waimate Stock Auctioneers’ Association, said that any information required by that organisation from Mr Lee, was always supplied correctly and courteously. As an ex-Councillor, the speaker said he had had similar experience, and as a friend he had found Mr Lee straightforward and honourable. Mr Evans then asked Mr Lee to accept from subscribers a well-filled wallet of notes, with best wishes for himself and Mrs Lee and family, as a token of the respect of their fellowcitizens of Waimate. Mr Lee, in reply, said that he hardly knew how to express himself for all the nice things that had been said about him, and which he sincerely hoped he had deserved. Mr Lee referred to Mr Evans having touched upon early experiences, and mentioned his own recent fishing episode, which had cost him a matter of £7/9/- for a trout for breakfast, when, as he explained, he was acting in perfectly good faith. (Laughter). In regard to 1 the presentation, on behalf of Mrs Lee i and himself, he thanked them sincerely ior so handsome a gift. They were going to a few friends in Auckland, but if they could make as many kind friends there as they were leaving in • Waimate they would be very satisfied. He was extremely sorry to be making the break, and could only conclude by again thanking them most heartily for their many kind remarks and for their handsome present. Mr A. J. Hoskins, a newly-elected Councillor, then proposed the toast of •‘Ex-Councillors.”

Mr Wallace, replying, said he had been frequently caliea a cocktail xor resigning from the Council, but did not think he was anything of the kind. He had been elected as a supporter of the Mayor, with whom he found himself so much at variance that he could no longer hold office. In fact, he had so completely lost confidence and trust in the Mayor that he could not recontest the seat.

Ex-Councillor Grut also replied. Other toasts were:—"Commercial Interests,” proposed by Mr S. I. Fitch, and responded to by Mr C. L. Gunn; “The Waimate Borough Council,” proposed by Mr C. G. Holmes, and replied to by Councillor Dr. Wylie; “The Chairman,” proposed by Mr Kirby, and “The Press.”

During the evening songs were contributed by Messrs D. MacDonald and F. T. Wallace, other items being rendered by Messrs V. Heal (recitation), and M. J. Friel (elocutionary). Mr Charles Clarkson played the musical accompaniments.

50 acres L.I.P. Rent 10/-. Good house, conveniences, electric light, good cowbail and shed. 1 acre raspberries. 100 ewes with six good cows, and all stock and plant on the place, handy to rail, town and school. Price £1750 the lot. Cash £450. Forbes Wallace, Box 47, Waimate.

School will re-open in Waimate district on Monday, and we have pleasure in announcing that stocks to meet all syllabus requirements are to hand. You will save money by purchasing all school requisites from W. A. Purvis, Queen Street,. Waimate.